This is a little bit of back-story for Duchess explaining what happened between her and Apple.

To my Reviewers! Yay!

I got three guest reviews and I just want to say that you, the fact that you spent time writing such a long review really warms my heart. (I'm guessing the third guest reviewer is StoryLover maybe?)

AnimePopCircle : I won't say anything *raises eyebrows in a dramatic fashion*

3rd guest reviewer : Well Apple will be Apple, though she is a bit narcissistic at times. I can't stand her sometimes but I think she made the right decision with Ashlynn.

None more rambling - Let us begin!

Chapter 4 - Many Years Ago...

Duchess was a nervous child. She was very quiet and conservative, not used to being around other people. She guessed she inherited it from her mother. She danced the ballet very well from a young age but never took public classes and thus never got used to sharing the spotlight. The first day of school was quite a shock to her. Her mother dressed her in a simple white frock and plaited her hair to the side. She was polite and said hello to her teacher but didn't speak to anyone else. The other children ran out of the classroom at lunch time but Duchess stayed in the classroom and quietly read a book to herself. When the bell rang for the end of lunch children filed into the classroom. The girls were all giggly and the boys were talking about their impromptu fairyball game. The teacher - a kindly faced women with long grey hair and a warm smile - told everyone that it was craft time and to either make a puzzle, play with the blocks or make a 'Happily Ever After' card with the fairy-dust glue and feathers. Duchess went over to the shelf of puzzles and spotted a faded box with curly writing on it. She couldn't read the writing but she carefully pulled the box from the shelf and saw that on it was a beautiful portrait of a swan. She hefted the box up and carried it to the nearest table and started on the puzzle. Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she turned around to see a young rosy cheeked blonde standing behind her. The girl's hair was up in pigtails and her dress was red pouffe with gold trimmings.

"Hello, I'm Apple White! What's your name?" The girl had a cheery voice and seemed to almost sing her words. She held out her hand for Duchess to shake but Duchess just looked at her and didn't say a word. Apple's smile faded and her hand dropped, "Do you not like me?" She sad it like no-one had ever not liked her. Duchess shook her head vehemently and whispered her name softly. Apple smiled and sat down next Duchess. She stared at the puzzle for a moment before starting to help. They worked on the puzzle together until the end of the day when their teacher said it was time to go, "I'm gonna tell my mom that I made a new best friend today and you can do the same if you want. Don't you think our puzzle looked great at the end? I thought it was wonderlandiful!" Apple bounced up and down next to Duchess and Duchess smiled and nodded to her. Hopefully her mother would be happy that she had made a friend of sorts. Apple waved goodbye from her carriage window enthusiastically and mouthed 'see you tomorrow'. Duchess waved back at her and watched the carriage roll away with a cloud of dust before walking the opposite direction down the road to her home. Maybe things wouldn't end up as badly as she had feared.

Middle-school was a completely different story.

"Apple! What are you doing to my hair? I want to see!" Duchess and Apple had been invited to a party being held by the Charming brothers and after Duchess's innocent telling Apple of her crush on Daring she had insisted on making Duchess the fairest. They had spent nearly 2 hours in their shared dorm room and Apple still wasn't done, at this rate they would get to the party after her ever after.

"All done!" Apple spun the chair around and Duchess looked at her self in the mirror. Her hair had streaks of pale pink in it and was done to the side with feathers. Her dress was thigh length and patterned black and white with a corset top. She loved it.

"Oh my godmother! Apple this is amazing!" She turned and hugged her best friend forever after and Apple beamed.

"Now let's go and show Daring what we're made of!" They grabbed their purses and bustled out of the dorm giggling like little girls.

Apple had ordered a carriage for the two of them since the party was being held in a village more than high-heel walking distance from school. The gossiped about the boys on the way there. Apple had a slew of admirers and was always getting love letters from people but Duchess only really had one boy on her mind. Daring was the most handsome 13 year old boy in the whole school. Girls trailed after him like dogs begging to be fed. Duchess was to refined for that kind of behaviour and simply watched from a distance but the odd conversation they did have made her feel like melting butter.

They arrived and Apple stepped out first to an admiring crowd. Duchess followed but didn't get nearly as much attention but she was fine with it. They chatted and held up their invitations to the ogre that was guarding the door. The party was already in full swing when the two of them went in. Apple waved to 2 of her others friends - Briar and Ashlynn - and they came over. Duchess didn't mind either of them but always worried that Apple liked them more than her.

"So Duchess, which prince Charming do you have your eye on tonight?" Briar looked at Duchess as if saying 'we'll find out eventually'.

"Um, actually-" A loud sound cut her off and Daring appeared at the top of the staircase as virtually every girl in the room screamed. He looked straight past Duchess and winked at Apple, "Neither."

Apple put a hand on Duchess's shoulder and promised her that she would never ever after let a boy come between them, the were besties for life. Duchess sucked it up and smiled. She told Apple she needed some air and went outside for a bit. Of course Daring liked Apple - who didn't? She sighed but promised herself that she trusted Apple and went back inside.

"Apple? Hey have you seen my friend Apple White?" Duchess tapped a girl on the shoulder and the girl pointed to an unlit corridor. Duchess thanked her and walked through the throngs of people and down the corridor when she heard voices. She stopped and pressed her ear to the door on her right hand side.

"But what should I do Daring? She's my best friend and she really likes you."

"But I don't like her, I like you. Is that so bad of me? We do share a Happily Ever After."

"I know, I just don't want to hurt her feelings in any way."

"Don't worry, you won't, just tell her the truth," there was some scrabbling on the other side of the door.

"Daring-"

"Just one kiss, please?" A period of silence. Duchess slumped against the door and started to cry. The girl she had trusted the most. She got up and ran while wiping the tears from her eyes. The door opened and Apple called out to her,"Duchess wait! Please listen to me! It's not what you think!" No, Duchess wouldn't turn around. Apple's image in her mind would forever be tainted. She pushed through the crowd of people and ran out of the door. The carriage was still there and Apple could probably find another. She jumped inside and ordered the driver to hurry. She lay on the seat wracked with sobs. How could she have trusted Apple so greatly? She asked to be moved out of Apple's dorm the moment she got back to school.

Apple burst through the door with a bang but she was too late - the carriage was already clattering away as it rounded the hill. She sank to the cold ground and sobbed. She had just lost her best friend.

Duchess flat out ignored Apple the rest of the year no matter what Apple did to try and mend their relationship. Duchess became bitter and by the time they got to EAH their friendship was but a ghost of the past.

If you were wondering...