Agony
Ever After High the school for future sons and daughters of fairytale characters who would one day take on the role of their fairytale parents... or not! Right now many students were in their classes such as: Beast Training and Care, Music, Princessology, or Gym class.
Gym Class
The field used for gym class was extremely huge, with fresh cut grass, a track field, and other random exercise equipment.
The students: Apple White, Raven Queen, Duchess Swan, Holly O'Hair, Lizzie Hearts, Cerise Hood, Rosabelle Beauty, Daring and Dexter Charming, (and many other students we don't know who they are or their names) were now currently in their red, purple, and gold striped gym uniforms.
"Alright, kids listen up!" Coach Gingerbread Man shouted gaining the fairytale teens attention.
"Your assignment for today will be to run six laps around the track field." Coach Gingerbread Man announced.
The students started to groan and complain, but lined up at the track field waiting for the coach to give the signal for them to start.
*TWEET*
Coach Gingerbread Man blew his whistle and everyone went off. Everyone was doing fine the first and second lap, but when it finally came to the fourth and fifth everyone was wiped out. Many were either walking, pausing to catch their breathes, or were knocked out on the field.
Daring was in the lead of everyone which was to be expected since he was a Charming. He was envied by all his male classmates and wanted by all his female classmates. As the future prince charming for the 'Snow White' tale he needed to be strong, handsome, fast-
"On your right." Someone shouted behind Daring before a red blur passed him up.
"Well done Cerise, you're the first one to finish their laps." The coach congratulated the hooded girl.
Daring was shocked Cerise beat him in a race (again).
'How is this possible?' Daring thought.
Last year Cerise was usually one of the last students to finish laps despite how muscular she was. But, since the 'Rebel problem' started she became more social, stronger, and less of a lone wolf. Daring couldn't lie he was a little teeny weeny bit jealous of Cerise. Ever since she gain some confidence she's been gaining awards and compliments in sports that he normally would've receive. But, at the same time he admired her, she was unlike the girls in his age group: Cerise was strong, mysterious, and there was something about her that charmed him.
"Congrats Daring, you're in second." The coach said halfheartedly. "Now go sit next to Ms. Hood."
Daring did as he was told and sat next to Cerise.
"Hey." Cerise greeted him.
"Hey, yourself." Daring said in a flirting tone.
Daring turned his attention to the track field to see how the other students were doing. He saw Duchess as she gracefully skipped, at that moment Duchess and him made eye contact. Duchess's face turned a faint pink and remained in place, until she noticed Cerise next to him and her face turned red with fury and sprinted to the coach. As soon as coach congratulated her she sat down next to Daring.
"Hello there, Daring." Duchess greeted as she batted her eyes as she wrapped her arms around his muscular one.
"Oh, hi Duchess." Daring said flatly trying his best not to seem rude.
Duchess one of many princess that would assemble around to admire him. Daring did respect her as a 'Royal' and her desire to follow tradition, but as a person she was uh, what's a very very very nice way to say it?... Difficult. She would always spread nasty rumors and play horrible pranks on his friends especially Apple, his future … queen?
"Hello, everyone wasn't that an exciting jog?" Everyone turned to see Apple wiping imaginary sweat from her forehead with her red handkerchief that had lace trimming.
Apple the fairest one in the halls. Daring admired Apple for her hard work and her leadership for the other Royals. She was kind, genourous, smart, and beautiful everything a future Royal queen must be. But after the Dragon Games they've been pretty distant; they were once attached at the hip and were viewed as the 'it' couple and were everyone's couple goals. Now they barely walked side-by-side and rumors went around wondering if they were going Rebel.
"Yes," Daring answered as he stood up releashing himself from Duchess's grip. "It was a most excellent jog."
"Mind if I take this seat, Duchess? Coach Gingerbread Man instructed me to sit next to you." Apple asked the fellow princess.
By the look on Duchess's face this was horrifying. Duchess put on a forced smile and answered. "Sure thing, Apple dear."
"Thank you." Apple thanked Duchess and sat next to her as Duchess grimaced.
"And that is why it is better to wear fake flowers made from recyclable materials in your hair instead of real ones." Rosabelle said to Holly.
Holly waved to her group of friends as she and Rosabelle went to sit at the bleachers behind them.
Duchess gave an awful glare at the two or at least Holly. Holly was another princess in the 'We Heart Daring Charming' fanclub. She would tell Daring of the many different Charmings' or princes who married previous Snow Whites' and how to be more heroic. Daring appreciated that Holly wanted to help him achieve his destiny as a prince charming.
Rosabelle on the other hand was a Rebel princess, and the two would constantly have their spats over how corrupt the system was from royals to commoners, Royals to Rebels, animal rights, ogre and pixie rights , and blah, blah, blah with a fresh side of blah. But in the end she would prove him wrong and show him how others were effected by such injustice.
"Off with your heads!"
Daring turned to see Lizzie yelling at two boys for cutting her to her bleacher seat, the boys moved out of her way, and let her walked by.
Lizzie was another princess that he was fascinated by. Unlike the other princesses she did not seem to enjoy his flirting or she did not fangirl over him. That was a shock to him, no girl ever turned down his flirting (EVER). Something was otherworldly about Lizzie that sparked his curiosity. On the outside she was strict and fiery, but on the inside gentle and sweet. This Wonderland princess made him wonder a lot.
Daring's mind became hazy as he thought over the many maidens who adored him and who he himself adored. Many times he and Apple said that 'This is high school, we have forever after to be together', but she would make an amazing queen to his charming king. Then, there was Duchess who clearly 'liked' him, but he wasn't sure of 'liking' her back. Cerise, the girl who ran with wolves and was very powerful. Holly, who was filled with profound knowledge, thoughts, and facts. Rosabelle, always doing the right thing and looking after the little guys. Lizzie, the princess from the unreachable Wonderland who was as mad as she was sweet.
Some many girls and only one boy, what's a poor lad to do?
Track Field
Dexter was currently catching his breathe with his hands on his knees and sweat on his face (and under his armpits). Dexter looked up to see only nine of the twenty students were on the bleachers, and prayed he wouldn't be last again.
"Hey Dexter." A pleasant voice greeted him.
Dexter looked up to see Raven. Dexter's heart raced, face flushed, and started to sweat even more as his crush stood in front of him. With her black and multicolored purple hair in a high ponytail, how her gym uniform showed off her pale purplish-grey skin, and her eyes that sparkled like amethyst.
"Are you okay?" Raven asked worried for her friend.
Dexter soon perked up.
"Oh yeah I'm gort-" Dexter caught himself as Raven used her hand to cover her giggles.
"I mean great - why do I keep saying gort?" Dexter questioned himself.
"Well glad one of us is feeling 'gort' ." Raven said with a sad smile using Dexter's famous word.
"What do you mean?" Dexter questioned as the two walked side by side.
" I'm kinda upset about my tests yesterday in General Villiany, Home Evilnomics, and History of Evil spells." Raven answered.
"Oh no!" Dexter said, he knew Raven wasn't interested in being a villainous and thought she must have failed her tests because of how nice she was. "Did you flunk?"
"No." Raven said in a quiet voice, until it filled with rage. " I PASSED THEM ALL WITH FLYING COLORS!"
As Raven shouted her eyes glowed a neon purple, her hair raised as the wind wrapped around her, and her fist engulfed in purple flames. Dexter was knocked on his butt while the other students were frozen with fear in their tracks.
"Oops... Sorry!" Raven shouted for scaring her classmates and coach. "Need a hand, Dex?
Dexter looked up to see Raven's neon purple eyes faded back to their normal purple with her handout to help pick him up.
"Sure." Dexter accepted her hand and the two started walking again.
"For a second I was afraid you failed." Dexter admitted.
"Ha! My mother has been telling me the same evil crud for years." Raven said. "Truthfully I don't even need to study to know the answers to the tests with all the things my mother taught me."
"Gee, I wish I was that way with Wooing 101." Dexter said without thinking.
"What?" Raven questioned.
"Raven, you may not know this, but I'm terrible at wooing." Dexter admitted. "I have to do extra credit to pass, unlike Daring , who aces the class without even trying."
*GASP* The narrator of the fanfic gasped. "I never would've guessed."
"I know right." Maddie said currently reading a book about jokes in the library (upside down).
"Maddie, please get back to your book." The narrator said.
"OKAY!" Maddie said as she went back to her book.
*SSHH*
The step-liberians shushed Maddie.
Track Field (Again)
"Dexter, how many times do I have yo tell you? Your better than Daring, plus you don't need to woo a girl to make her feel special." Raven said.
'You make me feel special.' Raven thought as he cheeks slowly blushed pink.
Dexter noticed Raven blushing which made him blush even more.
"Hey Dex," Raven said. "Race you to the finish line!"
And with that Raven dashed out of sight with Dexter behind her. After the coach congratulated them and they sat next to each other waiting for the other students to finish their laps.
"Finally, took you all long enough: a bunch of crazy bakers would've eaten y'all by now." Coach Gingerbread Man said as he was looking at the time on his watch.
The class were now in the center of the track field where a tower as big a Madame Baba Yaga's coop office was.
"Now you'll be splitting up in teams of maidens and gentlemen. The maidens will do two tower climbs each, while the gentlemen will do two laps around the Enchanted Forest. Holly O'Hair."
Holly came forward as her name was called.
"You'll go first and after you'll need to go up to the tower so the other maidens may use your hair as rope, got it?" Coach Gingerbread Man instructed her.
"Of course, sir." Holly answered as her voice perked up. "I've been doing research on how my dad climbed my mom's hair and-"
"This isn't your book club, Holly, now start hair climbing." The coach pointed to the tower.
Holly walked to the tower embarrassed as she heard laughter behind her. She took her long auburn hair formed it into a lasso and attached to the hook of the tower and did her two tower climbs, climbed into the window nearby and let the other girls do their climb.
"As for you boys your lap starts now!" The coach blew his whistle and the boys ran off to the Enchanted Forest.
Dexter was now deep into the heart of the Enchanted Forest passing a few of his fellow students until he was all alone. Dexter slow down his pace as he began to walk, and he began to think about last night.
He held Raven's hand as he and Maddie brought her to the nurse's office and escorted her (and Maddie) to the girls dorm room. He remembered how her cold hand fit into his warm hand like a glove. Despite, how cold her hand was it felt so soft against his warm one, and how he wanted to hold her hand forever-
*Splash*
"What the-" Dexter looked down to see in his train of thought he walked off the path and was on the edge of the Enchant Forset's many lakes.
It was just like the other lakes in the forest with crystal blue water, many luscious green trees that surround it, and large stones to sit upon. Still, Dexter found it breath taking.
He sat on one of the large stones he started to thing again. As much as he wanted to ask Ravenout on a date to the movies that night the situation wasn't the best time. He could've asked her while they were running-no, he was too sweaty and stinky. He can ask her after his lap,- no he'd be even more sweaty. Gods, if only he was Daring. Daring had legions of girls who had a crush on him, heck, even the boys! Daring was popular, Daring was admired, Daring was the favorite child, Daring -
"Dexter, what are you doing?"
Was right behind him.
"Taking a break." Dexter answered dully not looking away from the view of the lake.
"Don't blame you, my feet are killing me." Daring said as he sat next to Dexter.
'God, does he have to sit so close to me?' Dexter thought.
" What a lovely view!" Daring exclaimed.
" Yeah, the lake sure does look love- and you're talking about your reflection." Dexter said dully as he watched Daring admiring himself in the lake's reflection.
"So tell me ,bro." Daring began. "Why did you storm off at dinner?"
"It's just you were talking about not knowing your destiny is now and I'm the one who's been dealing with it my whole life."Dexter sighed.
"Yeah, it's very confusing now. My whole life everyone's been telling me that I was the next prince charming for the Snow White story. All I had to do was fight the next evil queen, kiss the princess, get hitched, and have a happily ever after! And now I don't know."
Dexter gave Daring a sympathetic look. His whole life his destiny was unknown he overheard his parents saying he might be the next beast in Beauty and the Beast, he'll be a random prince charming for some random princess, or worse hit by the family curse. Now, here's Daring been told his whole life how great, daring, and charming he'll be for the Snow White destiny and now it was all washed away. He was scared and unsure of himself, just like Dexter always is.
"Ha, I have to admit it, Dexter, you got it easy." Daring gave an offhand comment.
"Excuse me?" Dexter shot Daring a look.
"Before the whole finding out I wasn't Apple's prince charming I had a very busy schedule: attending parties with adoring fans, photoshoots every weekend, product endorsement meetings, and a web series sharing with the world my everyday life. Don't get me wrong I enjoy my fans and work, but it can be exhausting. You got all the free time in the world."
Dexter's face contorted into anger. Daring had no right to say he had the easy life. While their dad was grooming him and mom was grooming Darling, Dexter was all alone with only his books and video games to keep him company, despite being THE CHARMING FAMILY of all the charming families Dexter was overlooked while his siblings were showered with love and admiration, His father saw him as less perfect just because he needed glasses to see in front of his face, Daring had fans both girls and boys, Daring was the favorite son, Daring got everything he wanted and more, while Dexter was and will always be second best!
"You have some nerve saying that!" Dexter shouted as he stood up glaring at Daring.
"Dexter?" Daring asked surprised.
" You know what, I'm out of here." Dexter said as he took off running back to the school.
"Dexter, wait! Was it something I said." Daring shouted.
Back to School
"Congrats Dexter, you're the first one back and you even manage to beat your brother." Coach Gingerbread Man congratulated the prince.
Dexter smiled at the small victory of beating Daring at something.
"Now, hit the showers." Coach Gingerbread Man said as he pointed towards the boys locker room.
As Dexter was putting up his gym clothes his phone rang.
"Hello, Dexter Charming?" Dexter Answered his mirror phone.
"What is this about you beating Daring in gym class?" Dexter froze it was the voice of his father, King Charming.
"How did he find out so quickly?" Dexter thought.
"Y-yes sir, we were assigned to run laps around the Enchanted Forest and I came in first." Dexter nervously answered.
"How many times must I tell you, that your destiny is the be second best? Do you have any idea how you've not only humiliated Daring, but our whole family?" King Charming roared into the phone. "Don't let it happen again, understand!"
"Y-yes, sir." Dexter said trying to hold back his tear. "Goodbye da-"
*Phone Hang-up Sound*
'He didn't let me finish.' Dexter thought.
Dexter stuffed his phone in his locker and flung his towel over his shoulder and headed for the showers. Once he hung his robe and towel and turned the cold water on. It didn't matter if it made his teeth chatter or how freezing cold it was all that mattered was it drowned out the sound of him crying and masked the tears falling down his face. A Charming doesn't curl up in a fetal position and cry while naked in the school's shower, but that was exactly what he was doing. Some charming prince he turned out to be.
Earlier
Cerise was last in line to climb up and down the tower. She did it with such agility if you blinked you missed the whole thing.
"Excellent work, Cerise, you beat the old school record again!" Coach Gingerbread Man exclaimed as he clapped.
Cerise just gave a small smile.
"Okay ladies, hit the showers." Coach Gingerbread Man said as he pointed towards the girls' locker room.
"Great job out there, Cerise!" Raven said.
"Thanks, Raven, I was thinking of joining the tower climbing team what do you think?" Cerise asked.
"Go for it!" Raven said as they stopped by their lockers to collect their robes and towels.
Ever since the Rebel movement Cerise has been less secretive and was able to join many sports teams. It also helped that she had friends in her corner like: Raven, Cedar, and Maddie to back her up! It just felt good to finally be able to express herself and be herself... Well most of herself. She still couldn't tell everyone that she was the byproduct of her parents secret marriage. If revealing herself to the Hoods and Wolfs was bad enough, but if she revealed herself to all of Ever After then there would be great *gulp* consequences.
A scent had caught Cerise's attention it smelled of honey, porridge, and wild berries.
"Blondie." Cerise groaned.
"Hello, Cerise!" Blondie appeared out of nowhere with a microphone in hand. "How does it feel to break yet another school record?"
"Um, good." Cerise answered.
"Rumor has it that your cloak gives you the power of speed, if you were to remove it would you have normal speed?" Blondie questioned.
"NO!" Both Cerise and Raven shouted!
This bewildered Blondie.
"No, it doesn't I just run fast." Cerise answered as she clutched her hood tight.
"Look Blondie, we really need to get ready next classes, so why don't you interview the boys or something?" Raven suggested.
"Oh, good idea, bye." Blondie left the dressing room.
As soon as Blondie left Cerise and Raven hit the showers.
With the door closed Cerise removed her hood revealing her wolf ears. Cerise lather them and her hair with wild berry shampoo as the warm water relaxed her muscles and the dirt ran down the drains. Once done with her shower Cerise put her robe on and headed to her locker. It was completely empty the others girls must've still been in the showers of left to head back to the field. As Cerise grabbed her clothes to get dress, she felt the hood of her robe fly off her.
"My ears!" Cerise exclaimed as she covered them.
"HAHAH! What's wrong Cerise, wolf got your tounge?" Cerise turned to see Ramona.
"Leave me alone, Ramona!" Cerise growled at the wolf girl.
"Or what, you'll cry for help before the big bad wolf gobbles you up?" Ramona said mockingly.
"I'll tell Mr. Gingerbread Man that you skipped class, again." Cerise had confidence in her voice and a smirk on her face.
Ramone remained silent; that got her to shut up.
"Whatever, see you around." Ramona walked passed Cerise. "Cousin."
Cerise got dress and left the girls locker room. 'Man, I got cursed with the worst cousins ever!'
Outside.
Duchess was waiting patiently outside with the other students who finished their showers. She was waiting for Daring to come out and notice her new hairdo: Her hair was braided down with lavender gem clips, a silver crown that resembles a swan's beak, with a lone black feather. Surely, this would catch his attention.
As Daring stepped out a crowd of girls swarmed him, but he didn't seem interested in them, maybe Duchess would catch his fancy?
"Hello, Daring!" Duchess rudely shoved some girls aside then gave a dramatic pose. "Notice anything, different?"
"Oh, nice contacts, Duchess." Daring said dully.
"I don't wear contacts!" Duchess shouted.
"Oh, sorry." Daring apologized. "Sorry about my behavior ladies, I need a moment to compose myself."
As Daring walked off the girls started to whisper among themselves.
"Is something wrong with Daring, he seems less himself today?" Apple came up.
Duchess had a sinister grin on her face; she couldn't pass causing trouble.
"I don't know Apple, I was going to ask you?" Duchess began sweetly. "I thought you and Daring were meant t be together forever after, shouldn't you know what's wrong with him?"
Soon everyone's eyes were on Apple which made her uncomfortable. Duchess loved seeing Apple servile in discomfort; sadly, as quickly as it came Apple gained confidence.
"You know what I will find out what's wrong with him." Apple said boldly as she began to walk towards Daring.
"Don't worry girls!" Holly said. "Apple's never let us down before, she'll bring Daring back to his old self."
The girls cheered as Duchess groaned.
"Kids don't forget next gym class we're swimming." Coach Gingerbread Man said.
Apple froze in placed then turned around.
"Excuse me, Coach Gingerbread Man, did you say we would be swimming next gym class?" Apple ask.
"Yep." Coach Gingerbread Man answered.
the blush on Apple's face drained, her knees buckled, and she began to sweat.
*RING,RING*
"There's the bell, head to your next class!" Coach Gingerbread Man shouted.
"See ya in Princessolgy class, Apple dear." Duchess snickered as she walked passed her.
"Apple, are you okay." A goblin boy asked her.
"Do you need some water." A water nymph asked handing Apple her water bottle.
"I can carry you to your next class." A centaur boy told Apple.
Soon, everyone surrounded Apple making sure she was okay; whenever Duchess wasn't okay no one surrounded her to make sure she was fine. Duchess grabbed her bag and headed to her dorm room so she could take a break during her free period.
Duchess and Lizzie's Dorm
As soon as Duchess made her way into the room she slammed the door shut. She was thankful Lizzie was in anger management class so she could be alone.
Duchess unladylike plopped on her lavender silk comforter and groaned into her silk pillows.
'It's just not fair!' Duchess thought as she kicked her legs on the bed.
Apple was the star in everyone's eyes the only reason for that was because she had one of the most popular fairy tale stories. To everyone she could do no wrong, if she made a mistake she was probably sick or something. But when Duchess did something she was doing out of spite and to be a mean, which was somewhat true since she was mean, but when she wasn't on one was there for her. Apple got a nice destiny, adoring fans, teachers that kissed up to her, and happily ever after with a handsome prince-
Daring. Duchess thoughts drift to Daring as her face turned red and hearts formed in her eyes.
Ohh, how Duchess adored Daring, he was just so charming. But, he would almost never notice her especially with her story. He was destined to be a hero and save a damsel in distress, married said damsel, and live happily ever after. While she was a poor maiden cursed to lose her prince, be a swan for the rest of her days, and live happily never after. She had to admit it could've been worst some of the swan maidens in her family or others drowned with their prince, died some other way of death, the prince's betrayal, or committed suicide. All choices were unpleasant, but out of those choices being a swan forever wasn't half-bad, or that was what she used to think. Now she thought she could just steal another princesses' destinies or now find a way to not be a swan forever due to her new evil classes. The class Headmaster Grimm put her in.
She knew something was up when she was put in a class full of villains. She overheard Headmaster Grimm and Mr. Badwolf talking about replacing Raven for Duchess as the next evil queen. That way she could advance in other evil classes so she could gain magical abilities and never have to be a swan forever! But it did hit her; what will happed to the story of Swan Lake. She brushed it aside and thought that if Hunter and Farrah have a destiny with two stories so can she!
Duchess rose from her bed and went to her desk and pulled out her golden journal and wrote.
I will get a happily ever after no matter what!
She then scribbled her plans and thoughts for this until it was time for her advance ballet class.
Okay, gonna end it here! So what did you think? I decided to focus on Dexter, Cerise, and Duchess more on this chapter since I think they have the most trauma in their lives (okay they all do, but I'm focusing on these three more) from what I read in the books.
Dexter is ignored by both parents in favor of his siblings. Ever conversation with his father is disappointment or comparing him to Daring who's the favorite. He's looked down in school and is expected to be only second best.
Cerise has to hide who she is in fear of the world she is in. And if she does reveal herself she'll be hated and hunted down due to an unjust system, her existence proves the system id flawed.
Duchess has a happily ever after and Headmaster Grimm is using another young girl (He's got Apple eating out of the palm of his hands) to get what he wants; not caring about what happens to Duchess afterwards.
So that's why I focused this chapter on them, please give your opinion in the comments and a new chapter will be up soon. Bye!
P.S. I got the idea for the title from the song 'Agony' from the musical 'Into the Woods'.