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~ Chapter Seven: Anxiety Stricken ~

I tried to calm the anxiety down as best I could. Could you even fathom the fact, Daring Charming being a Rebel? It was absurd, not to mention Apple would quite possibly flip the entire orchard if she found out. No wait! Found out what? What am I even talking about? I'm... I'm okay with my destiny, it's waay in the future! I don't have to worry about it right now.

I took a very shaky breath, I couldn't think about the repercussions that would follow should that ever get out.

Meanwhile my talk with Darling spooked me, I took off out of the castle – into the courtyard where I said I'd be should anyone need me. Hopefully they don't.

"Hello Mr. Full-of-himself."

I believe my anxiety just crashed through the roof of the palace, had I left it in there. "You?! W-what are you doing?"

"Well if you want me to go-" She looked at me, closer than usual. Actually, she'd never been this close. "I get the feeling you're not doing so hot." Instead of leaving, she took my hand – which only made my nervousness peak higher. "Is something bothering you Daring? Are you okay?"

I do believe this femme fatale is the one causing all these thoughts. "I'm okay. Could be much better but, for the most part I think I'm okay."

She took my hand leading me away from the palace, "Come, future Queen's orders." She told me in a sultry manner – sometimes how she talked in general.

"Lizzie," I addressed her for the first time in awhile. I couldn't think why I'd waited so long to say her name. "I'm, normally much more confident than this – my apologies."

She turned back to me once we were far enough away and out of plain sight. "You mean I can't get used to this? I was starting to like this. The non-beautifying side of Daring." With a giggle, we sat down against the castle exterior, the breathtaking sunset was all the eye could see. That, and Lizzie Hearts. "What's got you all humble, Charming?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I was just having some pre-future-fairytale jitters." I hoped it'd be enough to seal the envelop of curiosity she held, but I highly doubt it.

She gave a nod of her head, a shrug of her shoulders as she tapped her heels together lightly. "You and Apple never really seemed lovey-dovey, in the whole aspect of the meaning. I mean, you guys seem more like best friends. Or uh, that's at least what most think."

I thought about it, the more I let the thought sink into my mind – the more I realized how right she was. I hadn't kissed Apple much farther than a peck on the cheek and I was perfectly okay with that. She was too, I just thought it was all perfect.

Apple is a beautiful young woman, no eye is blind to that. I wasn't sure if I could embrace her beauty as well as someone else could. Someone else who would kiss her red lips with deep passion. Passion and romance that the both of us deserve but seem to lack from one another specifically.

The more I wanted to talk to Apple about everything, because she is like a best friend to me – the more it hits me I can't. She nearly flipped on Raven Queen for wanting to change her destiny, she'll be crushed if I tell her that I don't exactly desire to be her Prince Charming. . . it might ruin the poor girl.

"Hey," Lizzie inched closer to me, placing the tiniest but sweetest kiss upon my cheek. "you have enough distraction in your life right now. You don't need me on top of everything else."

I took her hand in mind, caressing it with my thumb. Sadly, she was right. I was stressing heavily as is.

"Take some time for you before school starts," she told me, brushing back my blond bangs. I wanted her to simply touch my arm, shoulder – anything, again. Her very touch made my knees weak. "I'll be around Daring, don't you worry about me."

"I want to see you regardless," I blurted out, before I even knew what I was asking of her. "Lizzie."

She looked at me directly, "Slow down Charming, you don't own me yet." She teased, that smirk upon her face that made me want to explore Wonderland with her, and anything else we might find along the way. "I'm thinking of your well-being." She told me, which I had to agree with. I was feeling massively stressed out but she took my stress away, didn't she see that?

"Yes but, I only feel well when I'm with you." I told her, my cheeks reddening with the confession.

She rubbed my knee affectionately, "Daring – please," I felt her head on my shoulder. "don't make this harder than it has to be."

"Are you, breaking up with me?" I asked her, stunned.

She giggled, "Oh please, we weren't even a thing yet. You boys and your rushing. Listen, when the storm isn't brewing and things are running a smoother course – we'll see what it brings alright?"

I tried to decipher what she was saying, but it nearly escaped my mind. "You Wonderland folks and the way you speak," I shook my head and she smiled slightly. "pretty much not now, later right?"

Lizzie gave a nod, her black and red locks mimicking her movements. "Yes Daring, perhaps later." Noticing how dark the night sky had gotten, she looked over at me. "I have to go now."

"Let me walk you home," my instinct kicked in and I wasn't about to let a Princess walk home by herself.

She held up her hand, "I'm a Future Queen, hardly bait for anyone. I can walk myself home, Charming. But thank you for the sweet gesture." With a final kiss on my cheek, she rose from her spot and began walking away just as she said she would.

I sighed hopelessly, there wasn't anything sexier in my mind than a girl who could handle it all by herself.