Cerise tugged on her hood nervously and she gave herself a last glance in her dorm mirror. "It's fine, Cerise." Raven said. "You look wicked."

Cedar nodded. "I can't tell a lie, you look spellbinding" She said, "But to tell the truth, I think he'd find you enchanting if you showed up in a potato sack with seaweed in your hair, and porridge on your face." Raven laughed, nodding.

Cerise smiled. "I don't know about that…Besides, I'll feel fiercer and more confidant like this." She was wearing a deep red top that went past her hip, accompanied with a black belt on her waist and ripped black jeans. The outfit was accompanied with her customary hood, and a bold red lip. The look suited her well, and she found it gave her courage. Exactly what she needed, she thought, heart racing in her chest.

"Whatever after." Raven smiled fondly at one of her best friends forever after. "Go get 'em dragon."

Cerise grinned. "Thanks, you guys!" She took a deep breath and slipped out of her dorm room, flashing a last smile to her friends. Her heart was racing in her chest as she made her way down to the front of the school. She never usually cared too much about what boys thought, but Cerise had never been on a date before and her insecurity was starting to kick in. Why in the kingdom had she thought this would be a good idea? This was Daring Charming, after all! He was brave, handsome, and well – charming. He could get whatever girl he wanted! Surely he wouldn't want her.

Cerise stopped her thoughts there. He'd said yes, after all. Surely that meant something. "You can do this, Cerise." She murmured. "No doubts – it's too late for that."

"Cerise!" She heard a certain voice call out as she reached the big doors of the school. She whipped around to see him coming towards her. Her heart rate sped up even more, and the butterflies in her stomach multiplied, but there was also a light, warm feeling in her chest that hadn't been there moments before.

"Hey Daring!" She exclaimed, grinning. He smiled back, a blush rising on his cheeks. She was gorgeous.

"Hey, I…" He cleared his throat. "I, uh, brought the food."

"Wicked! And I know a good place." She said quietly. She looked up at him, smiling. "Let's go."

The pair walked on towards the forest for a bit in a comfortable silence before Daring started to speak.

"So, Cerise, did you see the latest book-ball match?"

"Of course! Though I wasn't too surprised with the result – Wolves have always been better than the Knights!"

"What! I'll have you know the Knights are my team!" Daring said, in mock offense.

"Doesn't make them any less pathetic, Charming." Cerise smirked.

"Sure, maybe the Wolves are better, but the Knights have just had a bad few seasons!" Daring protested.

"Hey, tell yourself that if it makes you feel better, buddy. I won't stop you." Cerise said, cracking her knuckles. Teasing Daring was fun – he didn't take it too hard, and his reactions were so adorable. Cerise blushed a little at the thought.

"Ohhh, it is on like fairy-song!" Daring exclaimed. He reached her fingers out and tickled her sides, before she broke out in peals of laughter. "Ha, so you are ticklish!" He exclaimed triumphantly. "The great warrior damsel has a weakness!"

"Daring!" Cerise cried out between giggles. "Stop it!"

"I suppose I could…" Daring teased, still tickling her. "If someone admitted the Knights are a great team."

"Ok, ok." Cerise laughed. "Stop it first." Daring smiled, and stilled his hands.

"Ashlynn!" Cerise called out. Daring looked up. Since when had Ashlynn and Hunter been there? Perhaps a romantic date in the woods? They were his friends, but he couldn't help but feel a little frustrated they had to show up now to interrupt.

"Yes, Cerise?" The gentle maiden asked, tilting her head at Daring and Cerise's close proximity.

"Do you think the Knights are a great team?"

"Uh…yes?" A perplexed Ashlynn answered.

Cerise closed the distance between them, poking him in the chest. "Well, there you have it, someone admitted it, Charming. You happy?"

Daring plucked up his courage and leaned in to kiss her softly on the nose. "Very." He whispered. A deep blush pooled in Cerise's cheeks, and Daring's breath caught as she smiled, her stormy grey eye's matching his.

"Um, Hunter?" Ashlynn whispered to the huntsman. "I think we should leave."

"Why?" Hunter asked. "I thought this was a good place to find the berries." Ashlynn rolled her eyes fondly at her oblivious boyfriend.

"I'll explain it to you later." And with that she led him away from the clearing in the woods.

Cerise cleared her throat, while Daring scratched the back of his neck.

"So, is this a good spot?" She asked.

Daring nodded, whisking out the picnic blanket and laying it down on the grass.

"Cerise? Can I talk to you about something, quickly?" he asked tentatively, as the two of them sat down on the blanket.

"Sure! Of course!" Cerise said a bit too fast. Was he going to say this was a mistake? That he regretted going on a date with a rebel, non-princess like her?

Daring ran a sweaty palm through his hair. This was his chance.

"Cerise, ever since Thronecoming, I haven't been able to forget you. I've dated many girls before, but none of them have ever come close to making me feel the way I feel about you."

Cerise's mouth fell into a soft 'o'.

"You're brave, and smart, and kind, and not afraid to follow your passions, even if others disagree."
Then Cerise's sharp hearing detected footsteps coming towards them. She waved her hands frantically in front of her, signalling for him to stop. He shook his head firmly, determined to tell her how he felt.

"You're absolutely beautiful, and you have the most wonderful smile. When you laugh, my heart soars. I have never met anyone as enchanting as you, and I don't think I ever will."

It was at that moment Daring heard the footsteps coming towards them. Cerise dived into some bushes nearby, while he quickly pulled out a hand mirror and held it out in front of him.

Blondie Lockes burst into the clearing, baring her mirrorpad/camera in front of her, Apple White trailing behind her.

"Ohhhhh." Blondie said, looking at the scene in front of her. "So that's who you were talking to, Daring. Your reflection." She sighs in disappointment.

"Sorry Blondie." Apple says, giggling. "Guess you won't get to do a mirror cast on Daring's secret girlfriend after all."

"Yeah. Let's head back. There's gotta be a story somewhere." The two girls made their way out of the clearing, but not before Apple turned to look at Daring winked, and mimed zipping her mouth shut. Daring raised an eyebrow.

Cerise slipped out of the bushes when she was sure they were gone.

"Daring?" Cerise asked tentatively.

"Yes, Cerise?" He smiled up at her. Cerise's heart cracked a little more.

"I'm sorry, Daring, we can't do this." His face fell.

He nodded in silence. "Can I ask why?" A million thoughts ran through Daring's head. Was she not into guys? Was she worried about Apple? Did she just not like him? Or worse – what if she liked some other guy instead? That would be horrible!

"Daring, I just…If you knew all of me, you wouldn't have said all those things before. You wouldn't feel the same way."

"What?" Daring asked, perplexed.

"I asked you out because I liked you, and, well, I thought if I was your next fling I might have a shot at getting over you once and for all. But I never thought you'd be so sweet, and…serious about it."

"You expected me to play you?" Daring asked dryly. Cerise looked at the forest floor at her feet.

"Cerise, let me make this clear." Daring said, standing up, and walking closer to her.

"I would never play you. I would never make a joke of something so important to me." He took another step towards her.

"And I meant every word I said because it was all true." And with that Daring placed his hands on Cerise's hood and tugged it down.

She gasped and recoiled, squeezing her eyes shut and putting her hands over her ears. But Daring had already seen enough.

"Cerise." Daring murmured. She kept her eyes shut, not daring to open them (haha pun).

She felt warm hands fold over hers, lifting them off her ears softly. He moved back a bit, but didn't let go of her hands.

Cerise took a deep breath and opened her eyes to see Daring smiling warmly at her. She stood still for a few moments, stunned by his reaction, before leaping to hug him. Daring was startled, before wrapping his arms around her.

She pulled back after a minute and smiled up at him, and he beamed back. Her eyes flickered to his mouth, and the two's expressions changed. They both leaned in slowly, closing the distance between them so their lips could finally meet.