(Liddel comes from American McGee's Alice and Alice: Madness Returns. I own neither. Both belong to American McGee. James is from Once Upon A Time (don't own that either).I remember Tink as having an attitude, but I think she might have turned out more like Megara. Guess when I get to Meg, I'll have to amp up the snark!)

Chapter Four: Other Girl

It was peaceful eating lunch out in the quad. It was still early enough in the summer for it to be warm, but just late enough to provide a slight chill so the students wouldn't overheat in the sun. Many students didn't eat in the quad, though, because of the lack of tables and seating. There was one group of girls who was peacefully eating their lunch, though. There wasn't much conversation, however, because the girls weren't exactly friends.

You see, one girl known as Tink was only sitting with the other two, Snow and Alice, because there was no room at her usual table. It was instead filled with a gaggle of girls all hoping to see her best friend. Her best friend had been with her for years. He was the one who thought of the nickname Tink, creating it from her last name, Tinkers (even though nowadays people believe it's to stop confusion between her and the junior, Belle Merchant). He was also an insane ladies' man. Girls were attracted to him, and he loved the attention so much that he usually forgot about important things. Like Tink.

Tink was partially used to him forgetting about her. I mean, it still hurt when he would leave her to hang out with some other girl, especially that Wendy chick, but he had done it so often Tink realized that there was no changing him. Besides, why should she care? She has friends. The entire first group moved away the summer after seventh grade, and she was separated from the second group when she transferred to Disney High from The Hollow School for Girls, but they were still friends. They just weren't there every time she needed them.

It made her kind of sick to think that the only reason she was hanging out with these freshmen were because her best friend was easily distracted.

"Any advice?" Snow asked, breaking the uncomfortable silence. She had taken off her yellow cardigan to cool off and was now fiddling with the hem of her dress. "Like what to expect?"

"Do you have Mr. Hook for English?" Tink asked.

"No."

"Mr. Smee for science?"

"No."

"Anyone that looks evil?"

"I have Mr. Hunt for homeroom."

"You'll be fine. What's up with your friend?"

Alice was dazing off into the distance at these three boys. When she saw they were coming over, she immediately started fixing her headband and brushing out the wrinkles on her skirt and blouse.

"Alice is a dreamy hopeless romantic," Snow said, watching the boys. Even though she was trying to seem cool and snarky to impress Tink, she couldn't admit that she herself was also a hopeless romantic. That, and that she was paying close attention to one of the boys in the group. "There's nothing we can do," she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Bell, do you know the Liddel girl?" one of the boys asked as they approached.

"It's Tink, James. And no. I don't know this mysterious girl you're after. Don't tell me you pulled a Charming and forgot your date's face."

One boy who dressed very preppy and with every hair in place, winced at the phrase "pulled a Charming". Tink noticed and finally got the connection.

"Wow." She clapped her hands almost as slowly as she said that statement. "And to think I thought that was just a rumor."

Preppy Boy spoke: "Tink, do you know Elizabeth Liddel's little sister or not?"

"I'm her sister." Alice was now standing and blocking the boy's views of Snow and Tink. "What do you need?"

"Did your sister come to my party?" asked Preppy Boy.

"No. I don't think so. Why?"

"It's just that—"

"Come on, guys," the third said, cutting of Preppy Boy, turning his back, and walking off. "Aurora is going to kill me if we don't meet her in the library."

Preppy Boy and James followed, muttering thanks for the help's and sorry to waste your time Tink's.

Alice, still confused, asked, "What's going on?"

"Rumor has it, or I guess not now since it's been confirmed, Preppy Boy hung out with this girl all night at his party and forgot what she looked like and even her name!" Tink said. "He's been hunting for her ever since. He has nothing to go on! People say that she left her cell phone and some even think she left her shoe, but no one knows for sure."

Alice was in awe. "Really? But how do you know?"

"My best friend was invited since he should've been in the junior class." Tink paused and then added, "He got held back."

The three, finished with their lunch, started back towards the cafeteria. They had no real reason in going there, but with forty minutes left, the had to pass the time somehow. Tink was starting to lighten up a bit after talking to Alice and Snow for a bit more. She was still pretty miffed over the abandonment, but at least now she was the one distracted instead of the one being distracted from. In fact, the mixture of her miffed-ness and her happiness led to her the idea of getting back at her best friend. Why not show him that she could be perfectly happy without him.

She strode over to her usual table, precisely as gracefully as if she was flying. She stood behind her friend and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. He turned around, smiling, and Tink saw the newest girl on his list: Vidia.

Vidia also went to The Hollow School for Girls, but she got expelled after stealing the Prom Queen's crown and the Homecoming Queen's and the Spring Fling Princess's. How she got into Disney High we will never know. It probably has something to do with the Principle and belief of good in everyone. I mean, come on! Have you met the teachers?! No other school would hire them!

"Peter, what's up?" Tink forced a smile at Vidia. "Has James and his friends come up asking about the mystery girl at the party?'

"No, but hey!" Peter said, still smiling and completely oblivious. Tink had mentioned that Vidia was evil a lot. "Have you met Jane? She's Wendy's cousin!"

Tink turned her head stiffly to look at the brunette sitting next to Wendy. She wasn't as polished as her cousin. Jane had more of scruffy, tomboyish look to her.

Peter likes her because she's related to her, Tink thought.

"No. Nice to meet you!" I'm lying through my teeth.

Awkward silence. Suddenly remembering that she still had Snow and Alice waiting for her, she excused herself. As Tink, Alice, and Snow walked out of the cafeteria and toward the main building they heard a large yell:

"ARIEEEEEEELLLLLL!"

In my profile I've said how Disney High is being written in case any of you are confused. I can be bad at communicating sometimes (wonder why I'm a "writer", then), so if it makes no sense, tell me.