Duchess's plan had started off well enough. She'd signed up for some new classes in hope of finding someone, anyone, to be her lackey. The first creative writing class didn't go as well as she had hoped for.

"Okay class! Today we are going to take turns relating our lovely destinies to the class, make sure to spice the story up a bit, add in some courage, dainty-ness and a little bit of magic. Whomever can wow the crowd with their spine-tingling tale will earn a free A on our next writing assignment!" Our professor Jack B. Nimble said all of this while jumping around the room like a maniac, "Briar why don't you go first?"

Briar was busy taking an unprecedented nap in the middle of class and was startled awake when Professor Nimble poked her in the cheek,"Wha-, whas going on?" Her crown had fallen into her face and she looked sleepy and embarrassed, "Did someone say something?"

"Yes Miss Beauty, Why don't you regale us with the contents of the wonderful dream you must have just had?" What an idiot that girl is. Maybe all that partying she routinely does has finally gotten to her brain. Duchess snickered quietly but not quietly enough, her professor heard her and quick as a flash was standing in front of her desk and peering down at her. Duchess nearly (she's a swan, she never falls) fell off her seat in surprise and rather unfortunately gave a small squeak, "Miss Swan, you must know something of great importance, would you like to share your story with the rest of the class? Everyone must go up, so you might as well go first."

"Bu-but I-"

"No buts! Go on, regale us with your magnificent tale," Duchess gulped, stood up and slowly made her way to the front of the classroom, everyone was staring at her, even Briar who had just gotten away with sleeping in class. How come she was the only person who ever seemed to get in trouble? She stood in front of everyone, not sure what to do with her hands and cleared her throat,"Once upon a time..."

By the time she was finished class was nearly over and she felt incredibly depressed. The reason she hated telling her tale was that it made the pain that much more fresh in her mind. As she filed out of the classroom Apple patted her shoulder making her turn around.

"Don't worry Duchess, I thought your story was beautiful, in fact it nearly made me cry."

You couldn't have told had you seen her, she looked perfect as usual. The rest of the day didn't go so well either, she got in trouble for not smiling regally enough in Princessology, was whacked on the head for talking in science and sorcery and her usually favourite class - Damsel-in-Distressing - she was told to watch Apple, as she had a certain 'flair' for being dead. Maybe she needs to die prematurely.

By the time lunch had rolled around Duchess was in a poisonous mood and she slammed her tray down on the table. She sat alone for the whole of lunch, pondering what she could do to fix her current situation. So far her plan wasn't working at all. She had struck up a conversation with a strange girl in Science and Sorcery but that had just ended badly. She looked around the cafeteria and saw everyone chatting and having fun. Even Raven had a best friend. Duchess felt lonely and decided that she couldn't stay cooped up inside the unbearable place any longer. She picked up her tray, gracefully stood up and swept out of the room.

She swirled her finger in the cool clear water of the stream. She used to come out hear to cool her head often but had stopped the practice maybe a year ago when she decided she needed more exposure to the outside world. It was always calm and quiet in the woods and Duchess felt right at home. Here no one could hurt her, there was no Apple to fight with, no legacy day looming over her head like an anvil ready to crush her at a moments notice. It was just her and the peace and qui-. Clang! She turned towards the noise as heavy footsteps came towards her. Oh! Who dares to disturb me! Peace and quiet - is it too much to ask for?The noisemaker appeared out of the forest. It was a boy wearing outlandish clothing that was strumming a bright green guitar, "Excuse me, but is there a reason you have that thing with you? The forest is supposed to be a place of sanctuary."

The boy looked up at her as if noticing her for the first time, "First of all I don't even know what sanctu- whatsits means and second of all I have this because, *rowwww* it's awesome. What are you doing here all alone like some kind of loner?"

What an idiot, "I was attempting to think but I don't think anyone can with that kind of noise," she stood up and crossed her arms, glaring at the redhead.

"Well I find it's great for thinking. What's got your panties in a twist?" Duchess blushed bring pink.

"It is none of your business, now if you would kindly leave-"

"Nah, I'm pretty comfortable here, you can always leave." He sat down and continued to pluck his guitar strings, whistling the tune to a familiar song. Ugh, what is wrong with this boy?

"I refuse to leave, I was here first," she plopped herself down and tried to stay calm. Duchess came here to get her mind off things and for godmothers sake she was going to do that. She glanced over at the boy, he was staring at her. She quickly looked away and raised her nose in disgust.

Duchess didn't realise just how long she sat under that weeping willow, next to some boy she didn't even know, listening to him play his guitar softly. They hadn't said anything to each other. The only sounds were of his guitar and the tweeting of the birds in the trees above.

"What's your name?"

Duchess was startled by the sudden question, after hours of just thinking quietly to herself here he presents her with a simple question and she's thrown completely off track. He has quite literally derailed her thoughts, "Duchess. Duchess Swan," under normal circumstances she would have been obliged to shake his hand but this wasn't normal circumstances.

"I'm Sparrow, Sparrow Hood," To her complete and utter surprise he took her hand and kissed it softly while bowing, as if he was a real prince. She would have pulled her hand away in disgust had she not been so amazed at the action. In all her years at Ever After High no one had ever kissed her hand, "It has been a pleasure but I must unfortunately leave, I have a band practice in half an hour." He riffed his guitar loudly enough to scare away the birds in the trees above and winked at her before disappearing into the woods.

Duchess didn't know what to say or to do. Her wish had been granted, but she wasn't sure she liked the outcome.