This was everything I have dreamed of before I came to Ever After High. I had just gone into bookend to have a charming latte date with my best friend forever after, and now I was being escorted to my next class, Princessology, arm in arm with my destined fairy tale prince. Not to mention I had just seen Blondie film Hopper escorting me back to school for her mirror cast show which I am sure will help me climb the royal rankings. I can feel myself being on my way to becoming a true royal princess at Ever After High. Blondie even complimented my dress and fashion sense on her gossip show. I knew it was the right decision to add extra petticoats and pearls this morning. I silently thank Myrtle in my mind for helping me dress more regal this morning. Though she can't read my mind, I'm sure she got the message. We can always tell what the other is thinking.
I turn to Hopper and smile sweetly.
"Long time no see," I say, "It feels like ages since we've had a chance like this. I've hardly seen you since arriving in Ever After, but I'm sure you've been royally busy being the next Frog Prince and all. You are looking well, by the way."
"It's good to see you finally at Ever After High, Queen," He replies.
"You can call me Lily; we are old friends after all- Ouch!" I cry, as Hopper stepped on my foot and almost tripping over.
It is a bit awkward walking arm in arm with Hopper. I am a few inches taller than him, not to mention I'm wearing heals. This makes me have to walk a little funny to help balance ourselves so I don't trip as we begin to make our way up the steps to the school's front door. Our height difference may make us look like an odd fairy tale couple just now, but I'm sure he will catch up to my height by the time our destiny arrives.
"Sorry," Hopper turns red with embarrassment on just having stepped on his future Princesses' toes. "I have frog legs," he says sheepishly.
"That's all right," I respond and compose myself again after almost having a major fairy fail and falling flat on my face. A true princess never falters under pressure. That's what my mother would say in situations like this, and I hear her voice in my head telling me a princess would never trip or be clumsy and that I should be more graceful. Luckily no one seemed to be watching too closely at that moment.
The truth was we were gathering attention, being seen together arm in arm. Many fairy tale students had turned to look and mutter amongst each other at the sight of two future famous fairy tale royals being seen together. And Hopper seemed to be loving the attention. He was taking the opportunity to flash his dashing smile at groups of females who put their hands to their mouths and giggled when they saw his princely grin. I looked at his face and studied his features. He really had grown a lot since I had last seen him, but he still has his cute and boyish features, which I think fit him perfectly. Growing up, he was always a bit awkward around others, and though he appears a lot more confident now, he still has traces of the green and youthful friend I was familiar with growing up which I find endearing about him now. But his mannerisms have changed and he seems more outgoing. As hopper guides me down the hallways of Ever After High, we turn around a corridor and find it empty of our onlookers and admirers. I suddenly realise it's been ages since we have been alone together and talked properly. We've only shared brief exchanges and text messages since he left for school here. I become aware of the loud silence between us as we turn to look at each other, then quickly look away in awkwardness. I wish I wasn't so shy! I never know what to say in these situations. I rack my brain on what I should say to break this silence and try to force some sort of conversation out of my mouth. A good princess should be a good conversationalist. Another phrase my mother always says in her lessons to me.
"So… do you like my dress?" I finally ask.
"Erm, yes, of course, you look beautiful, you always do," I smile sweetly with contentment at his compliment, even though it was a little forced out of him by me. But I'll take it.
"Thanks, so do you," I respond, happy and proud of my shy self to have broken our silence, and there was a pause. But that pride is short-lived as we fall back into the awkward silence.
"Blondie complemented it on her mirror-cast," I add.
"What?" Hopper asks, seemingly just out of a daze.
"My dress," I reply.
"What about it?"
"I was saying that Blondie liked it on her show", I clarify.
"Yes, I saw," Hopper answers simply.
"Oh," I say quietly and at a loss as to what to say next to keep the conversation going.
On the topic of dresses, I smile as I recall a funny memory I have of Hopper when we used to play together. I decide to share it to brighten the mood.
"Do you remember when we used to play dress-up at my parents' estate when we were younger? You used to try on all my dresses and then- "
"Yes, I remember," Hopper interrupts quickly, turning red and cutting my story short. "Maybe don't bring that up here."
"Oh, okay, of course," I say meekly, wishing I had thought of something else to say instead and make a mental note not to bring that subject up again. The awkwardness between us returns, and I can feel my palms sweating as I become nervous. I brush it off as the fluttering nerves of a princess as her princely true love escorts her for the first time. That must be it. And that must be why we are both acting bashful around each other. Is this what a start of a fairy tale romance is supposed to feel like? Since we are destined to be each other's true loves, it must be. That's how the story goes. I quickly remove my arm from his and wipe my hands on my skirts.
"Sorry, my palms are sweaty," I say, blushing and feeling embarrassed. I should have pretended I was fine. Hopper nods nervously as I take his arm again. I silently thank the pages as we walk into a busier corridor, and the atmosphere changes to a lighter mood as we are surrounded by people and the sound of conversations again.
"We are here," Hopper stops outside a classroom door, and we have another moment of awkward silence.
"Well, I'll see you later then," Hopper says, returning to his more charming personality I saw before as he bows and kisses my hand, lightly brushing the back of my hand softly with his lips. He looks up and makes eye contact with me. I hold my breath as my stomach flutters.
"Goodbye, my lady" A group of damsels swoon at the sight of us.
"Yes, we should meet up, again, properly. Message me?" I ask, batting my eyelids. Hopper smiles flirtatiously at me until something catches his eye behind me. He quickly looks back at me.
"Yeah sure, will do, err I need to get going, don't want to be late for Hero Training, bye Queen," he says as his debonaire self vanishes again and the awkward hopper returns.
"Oh, ok, call me Lily. I like my middle name better," I wave him farewell.
He walks nervously backwards and turns around hastily, only to walk right into the group of damsels. He gasps, getting a fright, and suddenly, with a flash of magic, he turns into a frog and falls to the floor with a plop.
I chuckle at his clumsiness and transformation. He sets his big froggy eyes on me. He looks so cute and small as a frog.
"Good luck in your classes, fair maiden," he says in a theatrical voice and hops away.
"Thank you, my Prince," I say, laughing and curtsy as he jumps around the corner, off to his next class. It's funny to think of him training to be a hero in his frog form. I imagine trying to swing a sword with his little arms. I need to tell Myrtle all about this later.
But for now, I decide to remove my mind from Hopper and focus on what's right in front of me. The door to the Princessology classroom. The princessology classroom is situated in a sunlight corridor with large windows where doves sing their sweet songs on the windowsills. The door is white and painted with pink and gold flowers with a sparkling diamond doorknob. I take a deep breath and turn the doorknob. The classroom is painted pale pink with throne style seats which sit in a circle around the, each seat with its own desk attached. The centre of the classroom is empty. I assume this is where we will the teach will stand, and we will practise and rehearse dances and etiquette. A large crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling and reflects the sunlight, scattering the room with rainbows. Ivy and climbing roses wrap themselves around the doorway and window. The classroom is beautiful and a fitting setting for young princesses to learn how to live up to their fairy tale name.
I take a large step into the classroom, breathing in the scent of roses. There are already a few other princesses from minor stories in the classroom with whom I greet with an alluring smile which they all return. I practised this smile in the mirror last night specifically for the occasion as I want to make the best first impression. Although I had wanted to use it on the major royals of the school. One of my goals at ever after high was to increase the popularity of my fairy tale and its' standing in the fairy tale world. My mother had advised one of the best ways to do this was to get well acquainted with the royal princesses of the most famous fairy tale stories. I was more than happy to do this. As an aspiring royal, I looked up to the likes of Apple White as she was everything I aspired to be and a role model to me. She was kind, elegant, beautiful and a friend to all animals. She was renowned amongst the older and younger generations for spreading the message of the importance of our legacy. A value and worthy cause that was also close to my heart. Her name was cemented into the title of her fairy tale, not likely to be forgotten. I don't want to sound rude, but I don't want to be like these minor royals. If I was going to live out my fairy tale destiny, I wanted it to be big. I wanted my name to be respected and written on the pages for all to see and remember. I want to be known as Lilian La Frog, not just as 'The next Frog Princess.'
However, I didn't have to wait long for the royals to arrive. Only a few seconds after I took my first steps into my new classroom , I hear the click of heels and bubbling chatter behind me. I turn around.
In walks Apple White, looking beautiful with pale blonde curls and flawless porcelain skin. She walks in cheerfully, chatting to Briar Beauty and Ashlyn Ella. Not wanting to stare and appear too eager to talk to them, I quickly talk a seat next to a window, letting the sunlight shine upon my caramel hair and bounce off my golden jewels off my dress making me look like a painting. I stare off into space, trying to look mysterious but approachable. I think it's working as I hear footsteps approaching where I'm sitting. I internally squeal internally but remember I must keep my cool and princessly composure. I feel nervous about talking to them for the first time but I keep my breathing steady.
"Hello, you must be the new girl, Queen LaFrog, the next Frog Princess," I hear Apple say. I look up as if I didn't hear them coming over. I see Apple, Briar and Ashlynn look at me, smiling with glossy lips and fluttering eyelashes. They are so beautiful standing there. They take my breath away. "We heard you were going to be joining our class and I am so hexcited to finally meet you! I'm Apple White; this is Briar, the next Sleeping Beauty, and Ashlynn, the next Cinderella"
I friendly smile back up at them and bat my eyelashes prettily, trying to look the part of a Princess.
"Hello, it's lovely to meet you all, my name is Queen, but please call me Lilian, I prefer to go by my middle name" I say back.
"Hey, I saw you on Blondies' Mirrorcast, you looked amazing," Briar tells me.
"Yeh, where did you get your Dress? It looks exquisite, ooh and your shoes match perfectly," Ashlynn enquires.
"Water Nymphs made it from my home in the frog kingdom. My mother had a new wardrobe sewn for me before I came here."
"Wow, you are so lucky, I was only allowed one dress before starting here. My mom says I need to stay humble like my story, but I love to design dresses, I made this one" Ashlynn says dreamily and twirling around to show off her dress.
"It looks lovely," I say, trying not to stare too hard at her beauty. "I can't believe you made it; the dress looks so couture"
Ashlynn smiles with pride at my compliment.
"Did Hopper just escort you to class?" Apple asks.
"He did"
"How romantic, aren't our predetermined princes so charming"
"They are," I agree with her.
"If you say so," Briar says, rolling her eyes at Apple.
Just then, the princessology teacher, Mrs Her Majesty, the White Queen, struts into the classroom dressed head to two in white and silver with high cheekbones and an elegant but stern manner. She commands the room with her grace and beauty.
"Take a seat everyone," she tells the class. To my joy I look on as Apple takes a seat next to me and Briar and Ashlynn join her. I can smell the sweet floral scents of their perfume which uplifts me. "As you can see, we have a new princess join us at Ever After High, the next Frog Princess, Queen La Frog, Queen please introduce yourself to the class."
I feel a jolt of anxiety at having to address the class. I wish Myrtle were here to support me. She decided to take magicology instead of princessology and isn't here beside me. I look around the class and see all eyes upon me and I feel nervous. Apple smiles and looks at me expectantly. I hesitantly stand up and take a deep breath.
"Hello, my name is Queen Lilian La Frog, but please call me Lilian or Lily. I am the next Frog Princess and I look forward to getting to know all of you."
"Very nice, Queen. I'm sure all the other royals will be happy to make your acquaintance."
I curtsy and sit down again. I breath a sigh of relief, thankful that my introduction was over and done with.
"Now, as you are all aware, we are working towards your Princess Song and Melody projects. I know this is your first class, Queen, so I will explain briefly. You have all been put into groups and are asked to work together to demonstrate your singing skills through a performance to charm people and animals to your advantage. A useful skill when you need help to sew a last-minute dress or attract the attention of your fairy tale prince in a forest. I have given each group a folk song which they are sing together. Your performances will be graded based on charm, vocal harmonies, and your ability to capture the audience's attention. The assignment is due tomorrow, but I will take into account that you have just arrived. I add you into an existing group Queen, and you should have just enough time to memorise a song before tomorrow. Just do your best. Let's see, since you are sitting next to Ms White, you can be part of her group with Ms Beauty and Ms Ella. I'm sure Ms White will show you the ropes and be a wonderful teacher; she is a model student."
"Oh yes, we would love to have Queen in our group; this is going to be so much fun!" Apple exclaims, turning to me and grinning. This is just perfect! I get to be in a group and do a class assignment with the top royals at this school!
"Just so," The White Queen agrees, "You all can work on the remainder of your assignments in your own time. Today in class, I will continue with our lesson on the history of Princess Songs, starting with the evolution of the lament and the advantage of expressing one's sorrow through song. In 1805-"
The white Queen starts her lecture, and though I try hard to listen, I am too distracted. My mind is racing with the anticipation of getting to sing alongside Apple, Briar and Ashlynn. So much so that I almost forget a crucial fact. I can't sing. In fact, I am completely tone death. Although I love music, I could never sing to pitch. When I remember that I can't sing, I am first filled with the panic that the other princesses will have to listen to the awful sound that comes from my lips when I try to sing and think I am royally unladylike, but then I think I might be able to get away with it. If I am in a group, all I need to do is sing quiet enough so they can't hear me or mime the words to it looks like I am singing. That way, I won't ruin our group's chance at getting a good grade or embarrass myself. I hate having to perform in front of other people. My mother used to make me play sonatas on the piano and harpsichord for guests at her many balls, and although I love playing music, I was traumatised at the thought of messing up in front of hundreds of guests. Luckily, I would practise enough that I barely ever fumbled my chords, but still I'm terrible shy in front of others. Just now, I was feeling exhausted from the amount of mental energy I had used to appear confident in front of the other royals. But they all seemed really nice, at least. I feel bad at not being able to contribute more to our performance, but I don't know what else to do. I'll work twice as hard if we ever get put together in a group for a class assignment again.
I take out my notebook and quill and start taking notes from the White Queen's lecture. She has moved on from laments to love songs, a subject that I find titillating. It must be so romantic having a prince serenade you with his undying love. For some reason, I can't imagine Hopper singing to me. Like me, he isn't much of a singer. He used croaks under the pressure of performing to other, quite literally. He never had the passion for learning to play an instrument as I did and would always mess around when we had music lessons together growing up. I would get annoyed at him for distracting me and throw my sheet music at him in an attempt to get him to be quiet. It's funny to look back on. Perhaps, now that we are grown up, we could play a duet together some day. I would like that.
Soon enough, the lesson comes to an end and the school day.
"That's all for now," The white queen announces, marking the end of her lecture, "Please remember to practise for tomorrow's performances. I look forward to hearing and marking all of your projects," She says as she leaves the class. I start to put my books in my bag.
"Hey would you like to come to dinner with us in the castleteria?" Apple asks me. "We always eat together after class and would love it if you could join us today?"
"I would love to!" I reply, barely keeping my excitement contained at the prospect of sitting at the same table as these princesses
"Great! We can discuss our assignment some more and get to know each other better. I can tell we are going to be friends"
I leave the classroom together with Apple, Briar and Ashlynn. I feel like I'm in a dream and walking on clouds as we head towards the castleteria.
***Tbc***
