"Alright lads, today we're going to work on sword practice." Professor Arthur said. The boys stood in the fields of Ever After High. It was their Heroics 101 class and as always Daring stood back with his smug smile. Dexter fixed his glasses and tried to pay attention. Hopper wasn't even paying attention, and Hunter looked at his sword as if it were going to bite him.
"Alright, remember boys, these are the skills that'll help you defeat the dragon and save the princess. So, pay attention."
Hunter hated this class, it was one thing to fight for justice, but why did they have to take out a dragon to do it?
"Alright, I want you all to pair off and practice the routines we did yesterday." Professor Arthur folded his arms, "Begin."
Hunter paired off with Daring, while Hopper worked with Daring.
"So, Hopper my boy, how are things with you and Briar? Did Cupid help you out?" Daring asked as he parried Hopper's strike.
"No. In fact, I think it made things worse." Hopper shook his head. "In fact, it's weird. She loves the poetic side of me, but it only comes out when I'm in frog form. I can't be both at once, and the dance is tonight…" Hopper dropped is sword.
"Prince Hopper!" Sir Arthur yelled, "If you performed like that in front of a real dragon then you'd be fried frog legs." Professor Arthur smirked "But then again, your story won't have any dragons, you'll be too busy snacking on flies."
The class laughed. Sparrow Hood laughed, his merry men laughed, everyone laughed. For some reason, Professor Arthur had had it out for Hopper since day one. The guy was seriously traditional, he thought that if a guy didn't take any agency in his story, he was nothing.
What kind of view is that for a teacher to have?
Hunter threw down his sword and punched Sparrow in the shoulder. "Shut up."
"Professor" Dexter said, "That was uncalled for."
"Prince Dexter please," Professor Arthur said, "It was just a joke."
"Sir," Daring began, "With all due respect it wasn't funny."
Professor Arthur shook his head. "It matters not, get back to practice, now."
Daring leaned to Hopper and smiled. "Don't worry. We've got this." He winked. Hopper knew that look. Daring was forming a plan.
"Are you really sure this'll work?" Hopper asked. He felt like he had flies in his stomach, and they weren't from his recent transformation. It was the day of the dance. Briar had turned Hopper down three times that week, and this was the absolute last chance. If this didn't work, he was sunk.
"Is everyone ready?" Daring asked as he turned to Dexter and Hopper. They all nodded and Daring smirked. "Hexcellent."
The boys stood outside the Princess Dorms, the place where Briar roomed. Hopper felt like he was going to puke frogs. He had never done this before…he wasn't prepared. There was nothing like this in his story so he never thought he'd.
"Okay boys and, One…"
Hopper took a deep breath…
"…two…"
He opened his mouth.
"…three."
And he began to sing.
"If you were to fall I'd catch you. If you were to sleep, I'd kiss you.
If you were to cry, I'd stop and ask why,
And remind all of the beauty within you."
It was not in his story to serenade anyone. He was the one cursed, he was the one who would need the kindness of another. But Daring had insisted, and Hunter and Hopper agreed. Daring helped him pick out the music, Dexter coached him on his singing, and Hunter scoped out the perfect place to sing where the entire school could hear them. And he, in his own frog form, had written the words.
"I'd be your frog, if you be my beauty.
I'd be your prince, and care for you truly.
Just about every girl came to their window seals to hear Hopper sing.
"Smile," he heard Daring say, "Remember, girls' love a happy prince."
Finally, on the edge of the balcony, stood Briar, her face aglow in the starlight.
"I'd fight a million dragons across the harsh terrain,
I'd brave a thousand curses just to hear your voice again
This had to work. Right?
Briar folded her arms, and closed her eyes. She leaned against the balcony, her hair a flutter in the evening breeze.
"Please say you'll be mine?
Please break this spell,
I've spent all my time
At every wishing well.
Every girl seemed to smile. Some screamed, some fainted, and some began to blush. But what of Briar? What of her? Hopper looked up to the highest tower, where Briar laid every night. He saw her eyes brighten, and slightly, ever so slightly…she smiled.