Hello guys! Here is chapter seven! Enjoy and review! Longer note at the bottom because I realized it's more effective to threaten you there. Just kidding!
You become the champion by fighting one more round.
-James J Corbett.
Ever After High, English Classroom, 8:50 am, Panicking Because I Need Stuff, Like Fairy Fast And I Don't Even Get Enough Time:
Oh godmother, hear me now; if you exist, help me and stop being such a fairy fail. I don't think I'll survive if I don't get the afternoon off.
So what can I do? Ask the teachers to let us off? I'm not blind- I'm no Apple. They'll look at me and hiss and hold me back with garlic. I'm not a vampire- not even vampires are repelled by garlic. Well, let me fix that statement- everyone dislikes garlic. So who blames me for screeching when they threw garlic at me? Exactly, there's nobody yelling no.
Oh my Grimm, I just had a brain wave! Apple freaking White can charm anyone into doing anything for her. So if I get her to flap them pretty eyelashes like butterfly wings- there's nothing we can't get.
Unfortunately, that requires talking to her and letting her take all of the commendation from everyone. But, hey- it's not like I would be thanked anyway. Okay, I'm going to swallow my pride and go. I'm wishing myself luck, since this isn't a thing with life, of course.
Book End, Hat & Tea Shoppe, 6pm, Totally Exhausted But Finding The Strength From Somewhere To Write What Happened Today And How Absolutely Hexcited I Am About Tomorrow:
Oh my Grimm, oh my Grimm, oh my Grimm, oh my Grimm, oh my Grimm, oh my Grimm-
Pause. I need to breathe. And drink my Violent Violet Veil tea and enjoy this scone with the clotted cream. Oh this so good…
Back to overreacting- thank you godmother of the skies and stuff. Thank you so much. I finally know you exist- and if you don't really exist, then, man, I probably have borrowed some poor shmuck of a princess' godmother for a while. Wherever you are, whatever you are, may you live happily ever after!
And…I have to admit something my mother would kill me for. I now…I now…I now own PANTS! And they are much nicer than my skirts, I must say. Now I can blend in the crowd, if it wasn't for me hovering over almost everyone.
Okay, okay, now I need to explain. Just pull up your stockings… or should I say PANTS- okay, I will stop now with the pants- and brace yourself for a really, really long story that contains horrors never seen before including swooning boys, Apple's eyelashes and a wicked awesome Just Right mirrorcast. (I know- I never thought I'd like that show. I was always more of a Spells Kitchen girl.)
After I swallowed my pride and headed down to Apple's row, she was surrounded by admirers who all wanted to carry her bags tomorrow morning.
"Uh… Apple?" I asked.
"Yeah?" she replied, looking up and smiling. She blinked slowly at the boys around her and fluttered her eyelashes and their heart rates changed as they all clutched their hearts and passed out.
"I…I need… I need… uh… I need a favor," I said, sheepishly, looking away.
"That's okay! That's Royal Rule No# 86- help those who need help. So, what do you need? Is it that wicked evil cape I showed you yesterday?"
I winced at the thought of me asking for her to get that for me.
"It's… it's about camp," I said, "I need to go shopping and-"
She hit her face with her palm.
"Oh my Grimm, I almost forgot! Let me guess, you want help on getting the teachers to let us off?"
"Yeah-"
"On it," she began, "Blondie, Briar, we have some work to do."
The two girls swiveled around and leaned in.
"Have either of you gone shopping for the camp tomorrow?"
"Well, I have most of the stuff anyways, and I was going to skive- oh, I mean get a permission slip, Apple, don't get me wrong- and get it today," Briar said.
"I got my things through the MirrorNet yesterday. I need to make sure my things are just right," Blondie added.
"Well, there are thirty-eight people who probably haven't done anything," Apple said, taking the leader thing in stride, "So, we need to follow Royal Rule No# 32: Do everything for the greater good."
"So…" Blondie began, her enthusiasm beginning to bubble like a pot of porridge.
"So…" Briar repeated.
"So…" I said, confused.
"It's time to show school what we princesses can really do," Apple said.
Apple latched her fingers around my wrist and hurried me down the stairs. Sombra and Dinah took one look at the two of us running towards Mr. Nimble and a stunned Sombra paid Dinah, who pocketed the money with a devious smile at me. Maddie gave me a thumbs-up and Dexter raised his eyebrow at me. I shrugged my shoulders. He mouthed: Good luck. I nodded.
"Professor," Apple said, in a jaunty tone, "Do you mind if Raven and I-"
"Hold up- you and Raven? On second thought, please continue," he said, looking immensely interested and leaning in to listen to what she was saying.
"Well, do you mind if we go to Headmaster Grimm?"
"Be my guest," he said, grinning widely, "I have to watch this- I mean, go on!"
She dragged me outside and I yanked my wrist away and rubbed it.
"So what's your plan, genius?" I asked.
"Well, it's royally perfect," she said, as we began jogging through the hallway, "We go to the Headmaster, convince him to let us second-years have the rest of the day off- which he will, because I just need to mention my parents involvement in this and tell him how it would be good for our destinies and he'll just let us do it. Then, we give a mirrorcast and, by lunch, we'll all be at the Village Mall. Boom- we're done."
"I never knew you were so… devious," I said. Or smart, I added in my head.
"Looks can be deceiving. I never thought you could be nice," she retorted, which shut me up and made me think; she's right!
We reached his office and Apple knocked on it.
"Who is it?"
"Apple White and Raven Queen," she replied.
"Oh, Apple, come right in!" he said, opening the door.
She entered and she dragged me along when she realized I wasn't planning to stay. We sat down in the two armchairs and I was painfully aware of the difference of the chairs- one was extremely soft and comfortable and the other was a hard-backed wooden chair. To my surprise, Apple sat in the wooden chair and looked over at Grimm.
"Hello, sir," she said.
"Hello, Apple," he said, warmly, like he was her dad or something, "Ms. Queen," he added curtly.
"Headmaster," I replied, refusing to acknowledge him with a nod.
He ground his teeth and looked at Apple.
"So, what can I do for you?"
"Sir, you know how the National Merit was a program started by my grandparents on both sides of the family, years ago, to further the hopes of the future generation. Well, Raven and I, as well as many other students are in this program and, as it is our first time going camping, we need to buy our equipment."
"So?" he asked, raising one bushy eyebrow.
"Our camp is tomorrow and almost nobody has equipment. We wondering if you could allow us to go and buy what we need after lunch."
"Only you two?" he asked, "Well-"
She gave a high, tinkling laugh.
"Sir- you misunderstand me. I mean all of us."
"All of you?"
"All of us," she said, with a tone of finality.
He swallowed and began thinking hard, obviously caught in a hard position.
"My parents would approve of this, of course," Apple said to me, as if I said something. When I gave her a funny look, she winked at me and I nodded.
Grimm's eyes widened and he nearly fell out of his chair in his eagerness to allow her.
"Why, yes, Ms. White! What a wonderful idea you had!"
Apple smiled demurely, but I was really mad. She took all the credit for my idea, again.
Nibbling on the inside of my cheek, I listened to the rest of the conversation and then, when Apple smiled again and stood up; I stood up and marched out.
"Raven?" Apple asked, seemingly confused.
"What?"
"Why are you angry?"
"Why am I angry? Do I look like I'm angry? I'm perfectly fine, thank you very much!"
"Raven, you're making a scene!"
I glared at her and grabbed her arm and marched her away.
"You always take credit for everything we are supposed to do. That's one reason people don't like you, Apple. You need to stop thinking about yourself and being more damn considerate!"
At that, I hit the lockers beside us and they crumpled within each other. And for once, I didn't care.
"Stop being selfish for once and look beyond your reflection, for once, Apple!"
And, with that, there was an eerie silence as I walked away from her hurt face and to class. Everyone looked at me expectantly and I probably would have been jumped if it was for Mr. Nimble yelling that he'd call the Pied Piper and ask him to play one of his so-called 'hexcellent' teen tunes. That shut everyone up because they knew that when Professor P starts playing, no one can stop dancing along with the tune. And the most horrifying thing is that he always plays a ballroom dance tune. *shudder* I have tried converting him to contemporary music, but he fainted when he heard Katy Fairy's Roar.
I sat down and plugged in my headphones and acted like I was fairy busy. I opened the back of my English notebook and acted like I was jotting down notes, when in reality, I was writing the lyrics of You Don't Know You're Charming.
The bell rang and I marched off, and decided I should spend the next lesson in the lifairy. There was no way anybody would look for me there.
As usual, I was mistaken, because Cerise came and sat down next to me.
"Hey, Raven," she said, nodding at me.
"Hey, Cerise," I replied.
"Why so grumpy?"
"It doesn't matter," I said, trying to brush it off. The step-librarians came by, looking murderous, but Cerise occupied herself in the book in front of her.
"Oh, really?" she asked, raising her eyebrow and attempting to read the fine, small font in the book in front of her. Sighing, I reached out and turned the book right side up.
"I just don't want to talk about it," I admitted.
"But, would you be willing to talk about something else?"
"Like…?"
"A boy who doesn't stop eyeing you," she teased.
"Cerise, how did you find out about the goblin dude and who else knows?"
"What goblin dude?"
"Not important if you don't already know!"
"Raven…" she growled threateningly.
"Honestly, it's not what you think it is," I said defensively, "I just blew up a table on him."
"How romantic…"
"Cerise…" I said, warningly.
She gave a big laugh, which caused most people to look up and the step-librarians to go: SH!
"So who's this boy?"
"A certain Charming…"
"Cerise, tell me, or I will-"
"Oh, look there's Dexter!" she said, watching my face closely. When I don't do anything, she barks, "HEY!"
He jumped, causing his glasses to fall off and he fumbled around with them for a bit and then, he put them back on.
"Hey, Cerise," he said, giving her a nervous salute, "Hey, Raven."
Cerise gave him a big smile at that one.
He hurried off and began perusing the shelves. He pulled down a big tome and began staggering with its weight as he dropped it on the table.
Cerise was talking to me, but I wasn't paying attention to her.
"Uh, Cerise, I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to bug Dexter right now," I said, suddenly getting the urge to go and bother him and hear him give an exasperated laugh.
She beamed and said;
"Oh, you were listening! You go, girl! Now, I have to tell Maddie- I mean; I have to go to the bathroom."
I raised an eyebrow as I stood up and walked off to Dexter's table and saw that the big book he was reading was called: the Art of Wooing.
"Hey, Dex, what's up?" I asked, sidling next to him.
He turned red and bit his lower lip.
"Oh, um, hey Raven Nothing! I mean nothing much, Raven. Heh," he said giving me an awkward grin.
"The Art of Wooing?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "Dexter Charming! Are you trying to sweep some girl off her feet?" I tried the Apple thing and Dexter looked totally terrified- or interested. Sometimes, I can't tell.
"I wish," he replied, slumping into his chair, "I'm studying for Advanced Wooing, but it's hopeless. I wish I was as good as my brother."
My eyes widened. So, I'm not the only one who has someone I can never be like but people try molding me into. (*clears throat* I mean my mother.) And, then I got mad. He was a Charming, I was really mad at Apple for existing and cursing my life, and, of course, the world thinks I'm evil!
"As good as your brother?" I snarled, slamming my hand on the table and turning it entirely into a slab of ice, "You're so much better than Daring! He should wish he could be as good as you!"
"Thanks Raven," he said, smiling at me, "You're swell."
"I'm swell?" I asked, "Wooing has gotten to your brain, Charming."
He looked at me and grinned.
"You're right- it probably has," he said, "Let's leave before the step-librarians give us detention."
I laughed as he stood up.
"We've been in detention together once and I'm eager to say it's not an experience that I'd want to repeat."
"Do you hate me that much?"
"Dex, I'd rather talk to you in more… normal surroundings," I said, as we left the lifairy.
"Like the Hocus Latte Cafe?" he asked quickly, so quickly, it took me awhile to understand it.
Before I could reply and ask him if he was asking me out, his phone rang.
"Dex!" Blondie shrieked into the phone, so loudly both of us winced, "I need your cameraman abilities, as fast as you can move! It's important!"
With that, she hung up.
"Sorry, Raven, duty calls!" he said, "I promise I'll meet up with you later."
He began hurrying off.
"Bye!" I called after him, dejectedly.
Disappointed, I headed off to the Castletorium, so I could find some Nutella. And then, guess who I find there? The entire group- minus Cedar, which meant they were talking about something top secret- was chilling out, like they were all free. Or rather, they were all skiving.
"Sh, she's coming!" Dinah said, pinching someone under the table.
When I sat down in our table, five expectant faces looked at me eagerly.
"So," Arianna said, "How did it go?"
"How did what go?"
"Stop acting so finky-dinky stupid, Rae," Maddie said, "Or you'll have to face the wrath of my flamethrower." She dug into her hat and pulled out a rubber mouse. Then she groaned.
"Chica," Sombra began, examining her fingernails, "If you don't tell us, we'll spray paint your hair pink and blonde."
"I have the cans," Dinah added.
"Cerise…" I snarled.
"I…I uh have to go!"
She bolted out. I tried climbing over the table to go after her, but they pulled me down.
"So, what did he say?"
"Who?" I asked again.
"Dexter!" all four yelled.
"Oh, he had to go to Blondie so they could make a new episode for Just Right," I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"No way!" all four yelled at me.
"Él es muy estúpido!" Sombra said, "Pellets!"
"How could he do that? I thought he was tea-riffic!" Maddie added.
"Him and that blond screechy girl…" Arianna mused, "Let's kick his ass."
"I'm in for it!" Dinah shouted.
They hi-fived each other and I stood up.
"That's it- can't I have normal friends!?"
I walked out, really mad now. But then when I walked out, the Just Right episode started on one of them big Mirrors.
"Hello Ever After High!" she said, really perkily, "Welcome to Just Right, season 5, episode 7! Today, we have a lot of school gossip floating around, but before we get to that, Apple has some great news for you!"
I went to my dorm room, picked up my money bag and my MirrorPhone and climbed out of the window again. Then, alone, I went to Book End, not caring if I got in a lot of trouble or not. I mean, I was evil, wasn't I? My own friends would not even talk to me, without sounding patronizing. What about everyone else?
I went to get my sleeping bag, bug spray and hiking boots at the Village Mall. Then, people started spilling into the mall. A girl came into the store I was hiding chilling in and she saw me. Instead of hurrying in the opposite direction, she walked up to me.
"Hi," she said. I looked behind me and all around me and there was no one else there.
"Hi," I said, confused. Hold up, who the hex was this girl and why was she talking to me?
"You're Raven Queen, right?"
"Who's asking?"
She giggled.
"I'm Dandelion Sorcery-Dance," she said, "And I want you to know that what you did for all of us was wicked awesome."
"Really?" I asked, "What did I do?"
She laughed again and walked off to buy herself a sleeping bag that matched her hair color.
I was convinced the world had turned upside down as I walked out with my things in a bag. I banished them to my room and then, continued.
As I walked through the mall, people began to wave at me and smile. Some even thumped me on the back. I went into a hardware store to hide look for things, but when the owner started to eye me weirdly, I knew that I had to get going. I bought a wooden stick that reached my shoulder and hurried out.
"Hey, Raven!" Cedar called.
I slowed down and began walking with her.
"Hey," I replied.
"That was a great idea!" she said, "I honestly wish I thought about it myself."
"What are you talking about?" I hissed, dragging her towards a hidden alcove in between the theater and the bathrooms.
"You mean you don't know?" she asked, shocked.
"Cedar, can you tell me?"
"Yes, I can and I'm feeling great because you actually asked whether I could tell you or not because most people would just tell me to tell them."
I rolled my eyes a little and looked at her hexpectantly.
"Here, take a look at this," she said.
She opened up Blondie's homepage for Just Right and played the latest mirrorcast.
"Hello Ever After High!" she said, really perkily, "Welcome to Just Right, season 5, episode 7! Today, we have a lot of school gossip floating around, but before we get to that, Apple has some great news for you!"
This time, I watched it, wondering if Apple was actually as nice as they said.
The camera zoomed in on Apple who smiled widely. Behind her, several boys fell as they saw her do that on the big mirror in the center of school.
"Well, this about the camp tomorrow," she said in a perky tone that rivaled Blondie's, "You know that we need to go shopping- ha, ha, boys included, ha, ha,- and we barely have any time, so Headmaster Grimm said we are allowed to leave to get our shopping done!"
"What made you have this wonderlandiful idea?" Blondie asked.
Apple beamed and began:
"Well, I always think about others first-"
Then she stopped and swallowed hard, repeating her last few words again. Then she shook her head.
"It wasn't my idea. It was Raven. It was Raven who thought about everyone else and decided to tell me that we should ask for permission. It was Raven who knew most people needed to get their things and it wasn't me. It would be wrong of me if I didn't tell you guys the truth. She had this wicked awesome idea and instead of thanking me, just thank her. Yeah she's evil, but even evil has another side. It's impossible to be only evil. Like most mob bosses are generous but they kill without a conscience. Raven is a lot like that. And if only you're nice to her, you'll be able to see how far it stretches."
"That sly little devil!" I said, chuckling. She had just got the entire school to spy on me now, so they could see firsthand how far my niceness went. Well, they were in for a show, because I had to be on my best behavior now or else, even blowing up another table would be incriminating evidence. I didn't really feel too bad about it though- I couldn't believe she was actually saying all of that.
Blondie continued by telling the gossip of the day. But I didn't hear her. And I realized, just then, that maybe Apple isn't as bad as she seemed.
I spent the rest of the day having a great time, because, for once, everyone was nice.
Wait, I can see Zale, the only person who I know doesn't have the capacity for kindness. I need to hide!
I dived under the table with my diary and he sat down, with Arianna on the table next to mine.
"What do you want?" the Mad Hatter yelled at them.
"Tea," they said in unison.
"Why not hats?"
"Uh…"
The Mad Hatter gave a mad laugh and hurried off, to get them some tea.
Arianna and Zale began talking. Honestly, I tried to ignore them, but I ended up listening.
"But, Ari, I'm afraid," he said, quietly, "What about I have to follow my old story and I can't?"
"You won't," she said, a bit too forcefully, causing him to yelp because I think she accidentally kicked him.
The Mad Hatter brought them tea. For a while, they sipped in silence.
"My old story is the worst of them all," he murmured, "The only story not modified by the Brothers Grimm, the only story that is still completely true to the story by the Sisters Grimm, because it's beautiful."
"The only story that is a real Happily Never After," Arianna said, darkly.
"But the princess's family refused to let that happen ever after again," Zale said, "So, maybe I'm safe."
"Maybe," Arianna said, "Just remember what they said. Don't trust them."
"Ever," he said grimly.
"Ever," she agreed.
And with that, they finished their tea and left.
But what is his tale then? And why does he hate it so much? I'm not a meddler by nature, but I can't help myself today. I have to know. And I will find out. I'm out.
So, bam! Please review and, also, who can guess Zale's story? I'm giving you hint no#1: His name.
Also, thanks to all of you lovely people who reviewed, favorited and followed. I could send you tea!