A/N: Hey guys! A new chapter for all of you! A little longer, but lots of fun to write!

Do check out my other EAH story - All is Fair in Love and War. One thing they have in common? Love Triangles.

Chapter 3: A New Friendship

* In the Past *

Maddie peeked into the library, eyes honing in on a table in the far corner.

Grasping her books and notepaper closer to her chest, she made her way down the centre aisle, trying to make as little noise as possible.

'Maddie! Want to join us?' Alistair whisper shouted from the beanbags next to the French window.

All her Wonderland friends were gathered around him, worksheets and notebooks spread out on the floor. Bunny smiled and bobbed her head. Lizzie skewered an Ace of Clubs in half. Courtly made heart eyes at an oblivious Alistair.

Shockingly, even Kitty had made an appearance, lounging on some cushions with a book shielding her eyes from the sun, drifting in and out of a pleasant catnap.

For a second, Maddie was sorely tempted to just run over and collapse next to Alistair, to giggle and gossip with all her friends. Lizzie being there was a rare treat, she hardly got a day off to visit them these days.

But then she remembered why she'd come to the library in the first place.

Maddie shook her head, giving her friends a secret smile she prayed they would understand. She then walked purposefully past the bookshelves of Arabic Folklore, stopping uncertainly in the aisle of Myths from Scandinavia. She carefully selected two books – one on Nordic Legends and the other titled 'The Collected Histories of the Anglo Saxons and Celts'.

She glanced over again at the table that had caught her eye, wondering if she should just go and sit down.

'Maddie!'

Raven sauntered over to her, arms piled with books on Dark Spells.

'What are you doing in this aisle?'

'Uh, just picking out some stuff – extra credit.' Maddie thanked her stars that she wasn't a Pinocchio when it came to lying. 'You know, those classes I'm taking – there's a lot of writing involved.'

Raven sighed. 'Tell me about it. I have to finish three essays for General Villainy. Two were due last week, but I managed to get an excuse because of the Dragon Games. Didn't help that we lost either.'

Maddie blushed guiltily – she had been part of the winning team. But what could she do? Apple hadn't been available, so Darling had pulled together a team at the last second to combat Raven's squad, the team that hadn't lost a single game since the day the friendly matches had started. Maddie usually rode on Raven's team, but Darling had been persuasive… and change was good once in a while, wasn't it?

Raven's team had the usual lineup – Holly, Poppy, Melody and Ashlynn (in place of her) – all seasoned dragon riders.

Darling's team had the most reckless lineup Maddie had seen in a while. Cerise had been roped in to ride on Braeburn, even though she hadn't sat on a dragon in her life. Lizzie was riding on her unpredictable steed Jam Tart. Jam Tart was as stubborn and proud as Lizzie was, and Maddie had had no idea what to expect. Jillian was the last rider of their team, another newbie with absolutely no experience, but a ton of enthusiasm to make up for it. She had taken up one of the Navies, the blue dragons that had been hatched by the Evil Queen's magic.

Maddie had originally brought up Faybelle's name for their last rider, but Cerise's threatening growl and Lizzie's disapproving frown made her clam up immediately.

Anyways, their team was one full of new and unpredictable riders, the only common link being their questionable talent for spontaneously pulling off dare devil stunts in midair that usually ended in casualties.

But under Darling's captainship and flawless strategy, their team had actually succeeded, with Maddie pulling off the winning goal in record time – a crazy combination of a ruby, three sapphires and a black diamond – amounting to a new high score.

As a result, Darling had been made the new captain of the EAH Dragon Games Squad, while the rest of her teammates had been given permanent positions and selected to represent the school at the next match against the Royal Academy for Dukes and Earls.

But most surprising of all, Maddie had been given the season's MVP Award, something everyone had warmly applauded her for.

'I wish I had chosen you for my team first.' Raven said ruefully.

'Coffee and crumpets, Raven! What I did then was just a stroke of luck, and you know it. Bunny gave me a kiss for good luck before the game started. Maybe that was it.'

'Don't sell yourself short, Maddie. What you did then was incredible. We all underestimated your talent. You guys deserved to win.'

Maddie smiled. 'If you say so.'

Raven grinned.

'Yeah, well… Baba Yaga wasn't impressed. She's set the deadline for all three of my essays tomorrow, and I haven't even started on one.' She looked at her hopefully. 'Any chance you could help me out? You know that all this dark stuff isn't really my strong point.'

Maddie shook her head playfully.

'I have to finish all this work, Raven. I have assignments due for Crownculus and Chemythstry. Plus a new project for hieroglyphs and ancient runes, and you know how difficult that is. I have to get started on research.'

Raven's face fell.

'…But I suppose I could help you this evening after I'm done with all this. How about it?'

'You're the best, Maddie!'

'I know, I know. What would you do without me?'

Raven turned to leave, pausing at the last second. 'Aren't all projects paired ones this year?'

Uh oh.

'Yeah. What about it?'

'So who are you doing yours with?'

Come on, Maddie. You can do this.

'Well, I haven't really asked anyone yet. I decided to start a little before I did. There aren't many people in that class, you know?'

'Mmmmkay. See you later!'

'Cheerio!'

Maddie rushed over to the table in the corner, dimly lit by a flicker of blue magic.

'What are you doing here?'

'Hey Faybelle! Mind if I join you?'

'Yes, I do mind. Leave me alone.'

Maddie paid no attention to the rebuttal and collapsed in a chair.

'This project is pretty hard, huh?'

Faybelle scoffed.

'Not particularly. The translations are easy. The creative content is what they'll be looking at.'

Maddie gazed at her intently, trying to get a read on her demeanor. Faybelle leaned back in her chair, letting her white bangs fall on her face. She twiddled a quill in one hand, the other clenching and unclenching in a fist on her lap.

'Say, Faybelle – Would you like to do the project with me?'

The quill snapped in half.

'What did you just say?' Faybelle's voice was menacing, her irises rimmed with that familiar luminous blue. Sparks of magic crackled off her fingertips.

'I asked if you wanted to do our runes and hieroglyphs project together.' Maddie's voice was fearless, straight to the point, so unbelievably trusting and honest. Her eyes didn't flinch at the obvious display of power, maintaining eye contact throughout.

'I – I…'

'Well, would you like to?'

'Uh….sure.'

'Great! It's a date, then. Here again tomorrow at 5?'

'Okay?'

Maddie bounced up from her chair, picking up her various books and notes. She waved happily at Faybelle, teal hair bobbing.

On an impulse, she swooped down and placed a feather light kiss on Faybelle's cheek.

'I'm really glad we're friends!' she whispered softly, eyes crinkling up in a warm smile.

Giggling, she flounced down the aisle, ignoring the protests of the two stepsister librarians.

Answered Reviews from Chapters 1 & 2:

Cassie: Awesome start! Can't wait for more!

Thank you! *blushes*

Lily: I'm guessing there's gonna be Faybelle/Maddie? Sweet!

Dead right! Glad you liked it.

QuickSilver: Aaaaah! You updated! Asdfg, I'm so happy! You're on a roll Aquila!

I really liked the way you developed little details! For example, you set the atmosphere of a cafe by bringing out the different kinds of tea and orders being brought up and whatnot. It was pretty cool!

I'm honoured you paid so much attention to the little details! Thank you, old friend!

moonlightdreamer1: Great start. I'd love to see some Darling and Raven or Lizzy and Raven.

Thanks. I'll try incorporating your ideas!

XxGalaxyUnicornLovexX: I love this. Maybe next you can do Cerise/Lilly-Bo or Faybelle/Ramona.

Glad you liked it! Thanks for the prompts.

Darkness Rising: finally! ¡...well not really considering...oh, i better explain...Maddie and Raven have such chemistry during the eerie that its really REALLY surprising that no one have thought of doing this paring (only one author comes to my mind and now you)...really why Rapple stories are that popular i don't know. (i still am a Raven/cerise fan..but i support this paring...and Raven/Darling)

but that out of the way. this was a nice short intro and I'm guessing you are setting the triangle (or one of the triangles if summary said something) at bringing a more..lest call her...eye catching Faybelle here..and been Maddie the first one to talk to her I'm also guessing its not a coincidence (fairy and hatter fighting for a raven?...or its the rebel bird the one that will be fighting for her love this time?)

on a not related note to that...lol i will said that even when Maddie doesn't like her shoes here...but i never could take my eyes on her stocking covered legs (that i think she wont wear if not for her heels lol)

I love your rambling reviews. And you're pretty much right on every count. Hope you like this and the upcoming chapters too!

Quirk138: Is this gonna be Faybelle/Maddie?

You bet it is!

YachtMoney: I like how you introduce the story with Maddie's interest in Fae stuff and then build it up into her meeting Faybelle. Nice work!

Wow, I'm glad you noticed that tidbit. You're the first to figure that out!

YachtMoney: Also, I'm guessing Faybelle's gonna be part of the triangle?

I guess we'll just have to find out!

Brandi: luv the ambiance of the cafe! makes me feel a little thirsty! :)

Thanks, sweetie! *blushes*

Maple: Please update soon! I want to know what happens next!

Well, I guess I answered that wish...

Douglas: Pls update soon! 3 3 3

Done and dusted!

Creampie: LOL...Now I want to see Maddie in her lace up heels! Good girl gone bad much?

YES! I actually saw Briar sporting these lace up black heels decorated with thorns, and I figured they would look great on Maddie. I was actually channeling Rihanna vibes at this point, LOL!

Creampie: But seriously, I'd pay to have Ashlynn renovate my shoe cupboard.

I guess that's a guilty wish we all share.

Libby: Nice! I really like Maddie/Raven, so this looks like a promising read!

Thanks! Hope it's up to expectations!

Orchid: MH - Invisibilly and Porter. PLZ. I love my ghost squad! :) I also like Draculaura and Kiyomi. They had really cute interactions in Haunted! Or how about River Styxx and Hauntly? I'm thinking Twyla/Ari? I liked that little inspirational moment in the recent movie.

Wow, Orchid. Than you so much for the ideas! Truthfully, I hadn't considered any ghost ships until you brought them up (but I agree, I love my ghost squad too!). I'll be sure to incorporate them in my Monster High Shipping Challenge!

Darkness Rising: ummm so this is after school?...like now they are about to continue their life?...well Maddie and Raven sound like they are on their last year so still school drama?

still this do sound like Maddie have been paying attention to Faybelle for a time now

Yep, it's after school. They've just finished their final exams, and are scouting for universities. You know what's better than school drama? Drama at university! You're right though, Maddie has subconsciously been paying quite a bit of attention to Faybelle for a while.

Griffith: Nice! I like this mature Faybelle a lot. Really makes me want to see her future interactions with Maddie.

Thanks, Griffith! I like the more mature version of Faybelle too.

A/N: Many thanks to XxGalaxyUnicornLovexX for the follows and favourite!

Penny for your thoughts? Review! Also, I need prompts.