I'm back with chapter ten! It was hard for me to get this one out- I got stuck at several points and the individual parts of the story changed quite a bit, but you guys were so great about leaving reviews that I just felt really motivated to work through it! Thank you so, so much for all of your fantastic reviews, they really make my day and really help me to keep writing! So here's chapter 10- I hope you like it!
Holly O'Hair's Fanfiction Diary
Ten: When Action Becomes Inevitable
Holly's little venture into 'Darise' appeared to have gone over relatively well with the student body, though it wasn't causing the mass speculation and the occasional shipping war that 'Rapple' had. Holly did notice that Cedar Wood, for one, seemed a little bummed, though this subtle change was, for the most part, overshadowed by Daring Charming's foreseeable pursuit of Cerise Hood, who was not having it. Lizzie Hearts didn't appear too pleased with her latest story, either, as she had been seen slicing a number of roses right at their flower, one by one, rather sullenly proclaiming, "Off with their buds!" as she did so. As Lizzie had somewhat moved past this behavior, Holly took this reversion as a sign that something had the future Queen of Hearts in a foul mood, though she wasn't brave enough to actually attempt to find out if her story really was responsible.
Shivering slightly, she turned her attention elsewhere, and her eyes focused on their new subject as if drawn in by a magnet. Darling and Rosabella, arriving in the castleteria together, Rosabella laughing at something while Darling smiled gamely. Holly felt something squeeze painfully in the vicinity of her chest. Why did she have to go and get a crush on Darling Charming? She was more popular than the vast majority of princes at Ever After High—of course she was going to have lots of damsels chasing after her as well as the princes (toward whom she showed little to no interest), many of them, though it pained her to think it, quite pretty. Holly didn't consider herself ugly by any means, but compared to the likes of Rosabella Beauty, Apple White or Lizzie Hearts…well, she felt quite plain. As an author, beautiful subjects were always wonderful and complex to write, but as a girl, Holly still felt the petty pangs of insecurity just like all teenage girls.
She sighed and returned to her own tray. Her breakfast sandwich wasn't looking so appealing to her.
"Holly? Are you alright?"
Holly blinked and looked up. Apple White was looking down at her, concern written over her incredibly pretty features. "Oh, yeah," Holly replied, unthinking. And then, after a moment, "Yep, I'm totally fine! I was just zoning out a little, I guess."
"Really?" Apple glanced from Holly to Darling, brows furrowed slightly in confusion. "Because you seemed kind of down." She took the seat across from Holly and leaned forward, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers. "Come on, Holly—what's wrong? I can't stand to see one of my friends upset! Did…did you have a fight with Darling?"
Holly's eyes widened. Apple had jumped to a conclusion, but had only been half right. "No, that's not—"
"Darling!" Apple was standing up again, waving emphatically to draw attention to herself. Holly let out a soft groan/whimper and sunk into her seat, wishing that, like Raven, she had the power to disappear from here and reappear somewhere else.
Across the castleteria, Darling turned, curly white-blonde and blue highlighted locks splaying out behind her in what could only be called slow motion. She glanced around for a second before her eyes focused in on Apple, and she cocked her head, donning a painfully cute (in Holly's opinion), curious smile. She turned to Rosabella and said something, then headed over in the direction of the two damsels.
"Hi Apple," she greeted. Then she turned to Holly and her brows furrowed in confusion. "Holly?" she asked, ducking down slightly to try and meet Holly's eyes. She leaned over the table and rested a soft, slightly calloused hand on Holly's arm. "Is everything alright?"
Instantly, Holly straightened, flushing as dark as the apple on Apple's tray. "Oh! Yes! I mean, everything's fine!" She felt tingles radiate out from the place Darling's hand was resting. "How—how are you, Darling?"
Darling raised her eyebrows, still wearing that adorably confused expression. "I'm doing just fine," she said, removing her hand from Holly's arm, much to the latter's disappointment. Then Holly nearly jumped out of her skin when Darling circled around the table to sit next to her. "I'm more concerned about you. I hate to see a beautiful damsel looking so troubled."
It was essentially the same thing Apple had said, but from Darling's lips, the words made Holly's insides quiver and turn to mush. "I…I'm really fine, I promise," Holly said. "I was just zoning out a little, like I told Apple." When Darling didn't look convinced, Holly gave a little, forced laugh and (though her mind was screaming for her to stop) lightly nudged Darling in the side with her elbow. "You know us writers, always off in our own little world."
Oh, my Grimm. Holly, you complete and utter geek. You want this girl to like you, and you're acting like a complete clown!
But Darling didn't seem to take it badly at all—in fact, her face lit up in a dazzling beam that could only be described as positively charming. "Well, you are an incredible writer," she replied. Her blue eyes were resting on Holly, and her gaze left Holly with the strangest feeling, like in this moment, all of Darling's attention was focused solely on her. It was like being under a giant spotlight, equal parts thrilling and terrifying. What about her was so interesting that it deserved this attention?
"Ooh, I agree!" Apple chimed in, nodding enthusiastically. She, at least, appeared to be feeling better than she had the last time Holly had spoken with her, though Holly hadn't noticed any change in the situation between the blonde and her object of affection. But that was the thing about Apple, the thing that really made her shine—she always managed to be truly happy, to smile, no matter what. "There's something about the way you write that's just so…enchanting. It really takes me there, you know?"
"So what were you thinking about so hard while you were 'zoning out'?" Darling asked, grinning playfully. Grimm, how could one girl be so incredibly beautiful and achingly handsome all at once? There had to be some kind of rule somewhere, in some storybook, that was being broken. "Your next story?"
"I…" Holly hesitated. She was never a very good liar, but she couldn't tell Darling what she'd really been thinking about—not now. "Yes," she said after a long moment. "Yes, I was. I think…" She turned her head, finally facing Darling's devastatingly charming smile and twinkling eyes head-on. Holly took in everything in that moment, from her long, white-blonde curls to her dress that was more armor than frills and ribbons. She thought about the way she felt when she saw Darling so close to Rosabella, and about the way she felt now, with Darling so close, her heart beating a fast, frenzied rhythm against her rib cage.
"I think it will be about a prince."
Poppy would (reluctantly) admit that she had harbored a (very, very small) torch for Sparrow Hood once upon a time.
But after having spent a grand total of fifteen minutes in his constant company, she was about ready to break his precious guitar over his head.
Poppy was seriously wondering what the hex had been going through Duchess's mind when she thought that Sparrow would be of any help whatsoever. She supposed Duchess wasn't so worried about what Sparrow thought of her, given their odd (and much gossiped/rumored) relationship (someone (and Poppy highly suspected an inside job) had even begun a rumor about a polyamorous relationship between the three of them). Nobody was exactly positive what they were to each other, but Poppy was fairly certain they were neither romantically interested in each other nor friends by the traditional definition, based on the mutual disgust they had shown for each other on various occasions. Still, they seemed to share some common ground, as Sparrow was the only person Duchess ever seemed to be even halfway close to.
Whatever the reasoning had been, it had obviously not been sound.
Sparrow was alternating between obnoxious singing and riffing on his guitar and provoking Duchess (Poppy was fairly certain this was intentional) into entirely unproductive ranting (which involved a fair bit of honking and some flapping that Poppy secretly found kind of adorable).
And now, having been forcibly stripped of his guitar (Duchess was fucking scary strong when she was pissed off, Poppy noted for future reference), he had taken to making completely unsubtle advances on Poppy. This was obnoxious for more reasons than one—not only was it very annoying, but it was also starting to make Poppy doubt her previous assumption that there was nothing romantic between Duchess and Sparrow. This, she cleverly surmised via a combination of the way Duchess was stomping around the room, glaring daggers in their general direction, squawking out orders even more snappishly than usual, and just generally looking like she was about to murder somebody (presumably Poppy). Poppy was very tempted to point out to her that this had been all Duchess's idea, but valued her life too much to say anything. A jealous Duchess Swan was not someone to be fucked with.
But to be fucked by…too bad she wants to murder me.
Poppy was forcibly jerked from her less than pure thoughts by an unwelcome hand curling around her hip.
"What do you say we get our rock and roll on after this?" Sparrow asked in a low, yet carrying voice, causing Poppy's nose to wrinkle in distaste. "If you know what I mean." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively, and she rolled her eyes. She knew Sparrow too well to think he was actually as lecherous as he came off, but it didn't mean she appreciated the sleazeball antics.
"Sparrow, I swear to Grimm if you don't remove that hand in the next two seconds, I will personally ensure you no longer have a hand to remove!" Duchess shrieked, her eyes flashing as she drew herself to her full height, hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Focus on the routine, not Idiot Number Two!" She actually stomped her foot before turning on her heel and stalking over to the stereo.
Poppy's eyes narrowed in irritation. She didn't particularly care for being referred to as 'Idiot Number Two', no matter how upset Duchess was that Sparrow was paying more attention to Poppy than to herself. She had bitten her tongue up to this point, knowing that any snide remarks would only make her situation worse, but Duchess was really starting to try her patience.
Sparrow held his hands up in mock surrender and stepped away from Poppy, who let out a small sigh of relief. She really could not fathom why she had ever liked him. Sure, he was a rocker and a rebel (of the non-royal/rebel variety), two things that appealed to her own rebellious streak, but Grimm, the boy was annoying.
Good, Duchess can have him. They deserve each other.
Poppy clenched her jaw and inwardly chastised herself for the petty thought. The one thing this room did not need was another jealous girl, and the one thing Poppy did not need was to be getting jealous over Duchess in the first place. She'd already decided that she was just going to grin and bear it through the remainder of the practices and then walk away like she'd never seen behind Duchess's mask. Getting jealous over Duchess getting jealous over Sparrow was not only petty, but entirely counterproductive. And not like Poppy at all. Grimm, what this girl was doing to her…
Simultaneously, she felt the back of Sparrow's hand 'accidentally' brush up against her ass and Duchess's hawk-like glare zero in on the gesture.
Grimm, this was going to be a long practice.
Poppy's prediction came true, not that she'd expected anything less. Between Sparrow's sloppy flirtations and Duchess's increasingly shrill sniping, Poppy had resorted to looking at the clock every few minutes or so, wondering how much longer she was going to be stuck there.
Finally, the clock struck 5:30, and Poppy heaved an audible sigh of relief, running a hand through her violet bangs. "Well, that's over," she said in a deadpan. Duchess merely huffed and pirouetted into the center of the room, practicing her ballet positions. Her movements were more purposeful than usual, almost jerky, and Poppy assumed she was trying to work dance away her frustration. Poppy went to grab her bag, figuring it was best to leave her to it, but was stopped by a hand grabbing her wrist.
"Look, Sparrow, I'm really not in the mood…"
"No, I'm not trying anything, I swear," Sparrow replied, quickly releasing her and putting his hands up in a gesture of submission. Poppy gave him a dubious look. "Really," he said. "Look, I know I've been obnoxious and all, but…I wanna say thanks."
Poppy blinked in confusion. "For…what?" she asked, her tone slightly suspicious. "I haven't actually done anything."
Sparrow looked over his shoulder at Duchess, who was still practicing her ballet, though Poppy caught the taller girl shooting a suspicious glance at the two of them. "Not for me, no, but…for her. She's been a lot…not really nicer, but I think she's a lot happier now than she has been for a long time. I've known her since we were kids, you know, and even though we argue a lot and it doesn't seem like it, I really do care about her."
Poppy regarded him for a long moment. She didn't think he was lying, though it wasn't like Sparrow to be so forthcoming with anything other than obnoxious riffing and fart jokes. And though she knew it wasn't really his fault, she wasn't feeling too charitable toward him at the moment, seeing as how Duchess had spent the entirety of the practice being jealous that he was paying attention to Poppy. Still, it wasn't in Poppy's nature to be catty or underhanded, so she just shrugged off his thanks. "It's not like I've done anything," she repeated, though secretly she'd been wondering if Duchess was warming up to her.
Definitely not after tonight, a voice inside her head remarked unnecessarily.
Sparrow scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Look, I'm sorry I was being an ass, I just didn't want her to think I was acting any different or anything. I didn't want her to think—"
"What, that you cared?" Poppy asked, raising an eyebrow. Sparrow shrugged, and she rolled her eyes. "You two are seriously dysfunctional, you know that? Like, good luck in…whatever that is," she gestured from Sparrow to Duchess, who had her back turned, "but yeah, I just don't see how that's gonna work."
So maybe she'd let just a tiny bit of bitterness sneak into her voice that time. It wasn't like Sparrow was going to pick up on it.
As it was, it took him a long moment to pick up on what she meant by what she actually said. When comprehension finally dawned in his eyes, however, it was accompanied by a disbelieving laugh. "Are you kidding me?" he asked. "Me and Duchess? Fuck no, that'd be a disaster, even if we liked each other."
"Seriously?" Poppy asked. She was starting to get annoyed again. Even with Duchess's temper flaring in increasing increments every time Sparrow had flirted with Poppy, he still didn't get it? "Are you fucking kidding me? You don't see it? Even after today?" She felt her temper flaring, her face growing warm. Holly had always been the more even-tempered of the two of them. Poppy could usually reign hers in, but the fact that he didn't even know how Duchess felt about him, despite how obvious it was, and was clearly hurting her…
Sparrow gave her a weird look. "What are you talking about?"
"She's been practically murdering me with her eyes every time you couldn't keep your hands to yourself!"
Sparrow rolled his eyes. "We don't like each other, O'Hair. If it weren't for us having known each other so long, we wouldn't even talk to each other."
"Oh, my Grimm. You're an idiot." Poppy shook her head in disbelief. "You're actually an idiot."
"What?" Sparrow snapped back, his eyes narrowing at the insult. "You're the idiot!"
Poppy chanced a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure Duchess was still lost in her own little world of ballet. She was. Poppy then whipped back around to face Sparrow. "You say you've known her forever, but you can't even tell when she's pissed about something? Grimm, I thought you were acting like a skeezeball on purpose just to piss her off, and you didn't even realize she was mad?"
"If I wanted to piss her off, I wouldn't have been so subtle about it," Sparrow snapped back. "And don't act like you didn't like it!"
"I didn't!" Poppy argued, fighting to keep her voice low. The music was drowning out their argument, but if she raised her voice much higher, Duchess would definitely hear them. "You think I like having your sweaty hands all over me? Having your sloppy lips on my ear?"
Reign it in, reign it in, it's not worth it.
"They are not sloppy! Just ask any of the girls I've kissed! Ask Lizzie Hearts! Ask your sister!"
"You've kissed my sister?!" Poppy nearly shrieked. A mental image was already forming, despite her attempts to push it back. She would have to ask Holly about that later, but for now… "No wonder she's so into writing about girls now…"
It was the wrong thing to say. Sparrow's eyes flashed, and his arms reached out, his hands curling around her upper arms before she could jerk away.
Oh, Grimm, he was going to hit her. She'd really done it this time, but she hadn't thought Sparrow was that kind of guy. Then again, she hadn't really been thinking at all—she'd been so angry on Duchess's behalf, she hadn't even thought—
But he didn't hit her. Instead, he jerked her forward and crushed his lips against her own. Poppy's eyes went wide, and she went limp in his arms, more from shock than anything else. Slowly, she came back to her senses—comprehended the situation, Sparrow's chapped lips smashed against her own, his fingers digging into her arms—and was about to push him away, when—
"What the hex is going on here?"
Both of them whirled around like deer caught in a set of headlights. Sparrow had instantly dropped Poppy's arms, which now dangled limply at her sides as she stared at Duchess, who looked about ready to spit acid. Her voice had raised several octaves beyond her normal range in her exclamation, and her eyes were flashing, hands curled into fists at her side. Poppy saw her defined jawline working furiously as her eyes flicked between the two of them. And those eyes—they were flashing with anger, jealousy and something else, something that tore at Poppy's heart.
Betrayal.
Hurt.
Poppy realized, with a start, that, unlike during the practice when she'd just seemed angry and jealous, Duchess now looked like she was about to cry.
And then, with one furious look directed at Sparrow, it was gone. Duchess had transformed in a swirl of bluish light and feathers, and was out the open window before either had a chance to speak.
"Shit," said Sparrow to the empty classroom.
Poppy shot him a look, her mind working furiously as she tried to decide whether or not to slap him. Finally, she gave a loud, labored groan and yanked her bag up from the floor before dashing across the room and through the door. She had a very high-maintenance swan to track down.
Briar had cornered Faybelle after General Villainy let out, carefully making sure all the other students had exited before slipping soundlessly into the classroom behind them.
"I still don't see why you need my help."
Briar rolled her eyes. "I don't know, don't you have some kind of fairy magic or something? Isn't there anything you could do?"
Faybelle scoffed, surveying her nails disinterestedly, the same as she'd been doing for the past several minutes. "Contrary to that sweet little fairytale the O'Hair brat spun has clearly led you to believe, BriBri, I don't have any 'magic fairy dust' that will solve all your problems. And even if I did, what the hex makes you think I'd use it to help you?" She glanced up at Briar, whose arms were now folded over her chest, caramel eyes narrowed in irritation. "Have you forgotten that I'm your fairytale villain? Something would have to be seriously fucking wrong with my brain for me to fuck up my own fairytale for your sake."
Briar felt her blood begin to boil. For whatever reason, it was only Faybelle who could provoke this strong an emotional reaction from her, especially in such a short amount of time. Then again, they had known each other since they were infants, even longer than Briar had known Apple. It made sense that Faybelle knew the exact location of all of Briar's 'berserk buttons', as Holly referred to them. But even though Briar knew this, she hated (hated) feeling like Faybelle was just pulling strings and playing her emotions like a piano.
Briefly, she wondered if Duchess felt like this all the time, and felt a rare pang of empathy for the equally beautiful and beastly swan princess.
"Why are you making such a big deal of this all of a sudden?"
Briar eyed Faybelle suspiciously, but the Fae was looking at her blankly, without a trace of malice. She sighed. "I don't know, Faybelle, maybe because I don't want to fall asleep and wake up with everyone I love and care about dead?"
"Way to look at the bright side," Faybelle deadpanned. Briar glared at her and she held up her hands in mock surrender. "Whatever, it's your problem, not mine. Oh, except, wait, it is my problem. If you don't go to sleep, I don't get to be the evil fairy. So, yeah, not helping."
"Ugh!" Briar threw her hands up and raked them through her caramel locks in irritation. "Can't you think of anyone but yourself?"
"Hexcuse me, but why should I sacrifice my destiny so you can get out of yours?" Faybelle snapped back. "You're just as selfish as I am, princess. Do yourself a favor and own it." She held her hand in front of her face, fingers splayed, inspecting her nails. They were long, and done in a glittering silver-gray. "You know, I always thought we had a kind of grudging respect thing going on," she added. "We don't like each other, but we accept that we've got huge roles in each other's stories. I even saw you as my equal—until now, that is. What's happened to you that's got you coming begging to me to help you?"
Briar's teeth clenched, her jaw tightening. Across from her, Faybelle's eyebrows furrowed in thought, and then a cunning smirk split her features.
"Oh, I get it," she drawled. "It's O'Hair, isn't it? She wrote that stupid story about you and me, of all people, and now you've gone and got your hopes up." She made an exaggerated face. "Don't tell me you're about to say you're in love with me, too. I don't think my stomach could bear it."
Briar felt her face heating, but not from embarrassment. "Not if you were the last person on this planet," she growled. Faybelle cocked an eyebrow.
"Come on, BriBri, you and I both know I'm sexy."
Briar rolled her eyes. "I never said you weren't hot, Faybelle," she replied dryly. "It's when you open your mouth that kills it for me."
Faybelle's eyes narrowed dangerously and her lips curled into a sneer. "You're starting to sound like a princess who wants to face her destiny a little early, Briar," she snapped. "I'd watch that silver tongue of yours if I were you."
"Now who's flirting?" Briar replied, cocking an eyebrow. Faybelle very nearly growled. For as skilled as the fairy was at getting under Briar's skin, Briar gave as good as she got. Most of their interactions ended in stalemate rather than an outright victor.
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it," Faybelle hissed. "You seem awfully close to O'Hair recently. I'd hate to stand in the way."
"Please, you'd love to," Briar replied, deadpan. "I don't have any feelings besides friendship for Holly, Faybelle. Try again."
Faybelle scoffed and rolled her eyes. "This is tedious, Briar. I've already told you I can't help you. You can leave now." She waved her hand dismissively in the direction of the door.
Briar narrowed her eyes, her arms folded over her chest as she looked at Faybelle for a long moment. Finally, she shook her head and sighed. "You're right," she said. "I don't know why I bothered coming to you of all people." She turned on her heel and exited the room, her head held high despite it all.
Faybelle clenched her jaw. "Bitch," she muttered. How did Briar manage to maintain her pride and dignity in literally every situation? Despite the fact that Faybelle had, for all intents and purposes, won their argument, Briar had managed to walk out leaving Faybelle feeling like dirt! Hex it, it pissed her off! It wasn't her problem if Princess Briar didn't like her destiny just because she'd have to wait a hundred years for her happily ever after. Where did she get off making Faybelle feel guilty over it?
If you feel guilty now, how are you ever going to curse her?
Faybelle bit the inside of her cheek, her mind involuntarily going back to the time when she, Briar and the other girls had been put under an enchanted slumber. Back to that dream, where she had caught Briar's wrist before she could touch the needle.
That dream…
"Fuck!"
Soaring off of the desk she'd been occupying, she gave it a hard, violent kick, causing it to crash onto its side. Her chest heaved as she slowly regained control, pale hands clenching and unclenching as she levitated several inches above the laminate flooring.
Fuck Briar, being all wishy-washy over her destiny! Fuck her for making Faybelle doubt her own because of it! Briar Beauty was just a stupid, selfish princess, just like the rest of them. If anything, she deserved to sleep for a hundred years!
No, she doesn't.
"Yes, she does!" Faybelle snapped out loud, over the voice in the back of her head. Her hands flew up, grabbing her head, her nails digging into her scalp as she struggled with herself.
It doesn't matter if she does or doesn't.
"Right," Faybelle said, quietly, taking deep, calming breaths. It didn't matter if Briar did or didn't deserve her fate, because whatever she deserved, she was going to sleep for a hundred years anyway.
No, the voice argued.
It doesn't matter if she does or doesn't deserve it, because no matter what you say, you don't really want her to leave, either.
Duchess is a jealous little shit, but we all love her anyway :P Seriously though, I had a hard time writing this chapter. I felt that Duchess would be very bad at hiding the fact that she was jealous and would be really obviously pissed off/bitchy, but then I felt that if she truly felt betrayed or hurt, she would run rather than let them see her like that.
I tried to avoid making Sparrow a TOTAL ass. I don't care for his character but I also hate when people take characters and vilify them (aka Ron the Deatheater for those of you who read TvTropes) to OOC extents. I feel like I did okay with making him act kind of douchey but not making him into a total asshole. I mean, Poppy did her fair share of provoking to get him there. I hope you guys feel the same! I don't want to make anyone out of character here!
The start for Briar/Faybelle just came to me. I needed to really get into at least one of their true feelings for each other, and I think I was able to. Please let me know what you think!
Also: yes, Holly and Sparrow kissed. It was truth or dare. Holly never speaks of it.
As always, please, please leave a review before leaving! They are so motivating and honestly, getting reviews just makes my day! Thank you guys all so much for being such awesome readers/reviewers!
