Chapter 11: Rebels Night Out

Isabella giggled from where she sat on one of the numerous seats placed around the boutique she and her fellow Rebels were in. Though not being one for clothes shopping, Isabella nodded and offered her friends comments on the dresses they picked out, not wanting to be the one to ruin the little outing in Book End in which Raven had proposed for the female Rebels on this particular Friday night. After all, it was the first day in which Isabella was permitted to leave the school campus at all, seeing as to how she was supervised for a week after she'd come to after her almost fatal fall down the stairs.

"Hey, Isabella! Look at this!" She heard Ivory exclaim suddenly, earning her attention.

Ivory came up to her, holding up a red off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved dress that had a golden rose pattern and matching pants to wear underneath.

"Wow, Ivory," Isabella said, standing up. For once in her life, an article of clothing actually intrigued her to where she stood up from her seat and came up to get a closer look. "It's beautiful."

"Glad you think that way, because this outfit is so you." Ivory smiled, holding it out to her.

Isabella took it, a dumbfounded look on her face. She agreed with Ivory whole heartedly, but didn't know what to do now. Ivory giggled, grabbing her shoulders and turning her to face the fitting rooms. She then pushed her toward them, making her go in an unoccupied stall. Isabella knew then what Ivory was telling her to do without saying a word, and turned to see her walking away, pulling the curtains closed behind her.

With a gulp, Isabella stood where she was, a little nervous. Only a few times had she done something like this, and those few times were when she was a child and had her mother or nanny with her. Still, she was no longer a dreadfully timid girl who needed her parents around. Besides, if she could take on a whole pirate crew all by herself, then just trying on a new outfit without someone standing outside the stall to make sure no one came in should be nothing compared to that.

'But why am I shaking so badly?'

Heart drumming against her chest, Isabella took in a deep breath and began to take off her usual clothes, putting on the outfit Ivory had handed to her.

Everyone – Raven, Cerise, Cedar, Maddie, Cupid, Nighting, and Ivory were waiting just outside when Isabella pulled the curtain back. Their eyes widened, all of them obviously suppressing squeals.

"H-How's it-" Isabella began to ask.

"You look like you're ready for a ball!" Maddie exclaimed, clapping her hands. Her pet dormouse, who was perched on her shoulder, nodded furiously in agreement, a smile on his face.

Isabella blushed and looked away sheepishly, feeling a lot like a certain little girl who would hide behind her family or best friend's back whenever she found herself the center of attention. A girl who once was a complete loner until her first and only true friend growing up came into her life…

Amidst the appraisals of her new friends, Isabella looked down at the ring on her right hand. She was comforted to know that friend still cared about her, but couldn't help the wave of sadness that washed over her. That friend still refused to answer any calls or hexts she sent, even after she was sure they were over that one stupid little argument they had before she came to Ever After High.

Of course, before she could pull herself from her thoughts, Cupid noticed the look in her eyes.

"What did that friend of yours do this time?" She asked.

"Nothing, Cupid. It's okay," Isabella smiled a bit, stepping back in the stall. "I'm gonna change back into my regular clothes now."


Later on, while at the Mad Hatter's Tea Shoppe (since Maddie's dad had generously offered to serve his daughter's friends dinner for their special night out), Isabella once again sent another hext to her friend. She didn't know what she was expecting, but for some reason, she wasn't about to give up on trying to communicate with the latter. Even if she never got one single reply.

She then felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Izzy?"

"Yes?" Isabella turned her head to the side, looking at Nighting.

"Why are you a-" Nighting was cut off when Cedar slapped a hand over her mouth.

"We don't ask her that!" She hissed in a whisper, but Isabella still caught on to what she said.

Sighing, Isabella gave one glance at her mirror phone that now rested flat on the table. She heard Nighting begin to apologize as she thought about it. Maybe it was about time she took a load off her mind and share her own secret.

"No, it's alright, Nighting," She said slowly. "I … think it's time I told you guys anyway."

A round of gasps was exchanged.

"Izzy, you don't have to." Raven told her.

Isabella shook her head. She looked upon each of her friend's faces, shock and suspense written on each of them. As expected given how many times she had avoided answering the question.

"It'll be alright, Raven."

"Then out with it!" Nighting exclaimed, earning her a warning glare from Cerise.

A small giggle came from Isabella as her brown eyes fell upon her phone once again. She knew she wanted to tell them, but didn't know where to begin her explanation. Yet, after a few minutes, finally spoke.

"It's because of my best friend forever after." She rose her head up.

"You mean that really cute guy in the picture you were holding the night you passed out?" Ivory asked, her words stinging Isabella's heart when she said the words 'really' and 'cute'.

"That's him." Isabella tried to keep from throwing an eye dagger at Ivory. She was pretty much used to girls saying things like that and swooning over her friend, no thanks to his father giving him what they both referred to as his curse. Yet still, she couldn't help but feel a prick of jealousy whenever that happened.

"Who is he? What's his name?"

Isabella winced a bit, her heart being stabbed for the millionth time.

"His name's Peter Pan Junior. We've been friends since we were kids…" She gave another quick look down at her mirror phone.

"What does this have to do with why you're a Rebel?" Nighting asked, crossing her arms, impatience written in her tone. This time she received glares from both Cerise and Raven, making her shrink back in her seat.

"Isn't it obvious, Nighting?" Isabella met eye gaze with Cupid, who got a big smile on her face, yet the twinkle in her eye urged Isabella to admit it for herself. "I … I … I love him. I know I can just date him, but … but we made a promise to each other not that long ago. If I pledged my fate at Legacy Day, I'd ultimately break that promise … though Peter says I already broke it by obeying my parents without a fuss when they told me they enrolled me at Ever After High."

"What was the promise?" Maddie asked, leaning forward a bit.

Everyone else did the same, save for Nighting, who acted as though she wasn't interested anymore. Isabella could tell she was jealous, knowing she had to of seen the picture she'd been clutching onto for dear life that one night. Still, she brushed it aside and continued.

"We promised to be together forever after. If I took on my destined role, I'd have to fall in love with and marry a beast. And I don't want that. I want to be with Peter forever after. Not a prince who had a spell placed upon him." Isabella took in a deep breath, feeling as though she was going to start crying. "But I still have my doubts that Peter even feels the same way…"

"I beg to differ, Izzy." Raven pointed at Isabella's ring. "He obviously cares about you a lot to have given you that when he did."

"And if he doesn't completely return your feelings, I'm always ready to help the helper." Cupid smiled as she held up her bow and winked at her.

Isabella smiled back. She was lucky to have Cupid as a friend, but even if she were to ask her to shoot Peter with an arrow, it wouldn't feel right on her end. She wanted what was best for her best friend forever after – even if it meant losing him to whomever he did fall in love with.


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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