Hey, I'm back! Things have been crazy due to Mardi Gras (I live in New Orleans), work, and other personal junk - so, here's the final part of YGAFIN.
I want to give a shoutout to you the readers for being so patient, the year literally just started and I've been crazy busy so thank you!
Ant to answer some questions from the comment section:
GayGurl - I do believe Cerise has a wolf mode and spoilers.
anthonyvittone - Thank you!
Javier Cerna - How did you know I was gonna write that in an upcoming chapter? And congrats on guessing.
You Got A Friend In Me 2
Morning
The whole school was abuzz with gossip about what happened after dinner: The future Evil Queen was with the future Mad Hatter. Rumors started that Raven was going to harm Maddie or some fake crud like that.
Maddie she still couldn't believe the girl she spent talking to last night was the daughter of the one who tore her away from her home. She didn't seem evil if anything she seemed nice.
At breakfast Cedar, Lizzie, Kitty, and Maddie sat at a lunch table further away from the other students to avoid the gossip.
"What in all of Underland were you thinking hanging out with that girl? I know you're mad, but that is no excuse." Lizzie said as she buttered her scone with her favorite butter knife.
"She didn't hurt you, did she?" Kitty questioned as she stopped licking her bowl of cream.
"Absolutely not." Maddie said as she crossed her arms angrily. " I didn't even know she was Raven Queen until we were in the dormitory."
"Good, now we won't have the problem of seeing her again." Lizzie said as she sipped her tea.
"Lizzie, how could you say that? You barely know her." Maddie countered.
"I agree with Maddie." Cedar agreed. "I mean I'm still on the fence, but I'm willing to give someone a chance."
"Fine, but one false move and it's off with her head." Lizzie said doing the slit throat gesture.
"Hello!" Everyone turned to see Apple White along with her many fans admiring her. "Is this seat taken."
"No, not really." Cedar answered nervously.
"Nope!" Maddie answered.
"Of course not." Lizzie answered.
"I wish." Kitty said licking the rest of her cream.
"Splendid!" Apple said as she sat between Maddie and Cedar. " I actually wanted to ask you girls some questions, if you don't mind?"
"About what?" Kitty purred.
"Well, first things first." Apple said as she took out a gold envelope with a red apple wax seal on it and handed it to Lizzie. " I'm forming a princess committee, I already got Briar Beauty, Ashlynn Ella, Duchess Swan, and Darling Charming, and I want you Lizzie Hearts to join."
"I'm honored to join." Lizzie said as she read the envelope.
"And for my second question I wanted to know more about Raven Queen." Apple said as she poured honey on her oatmeal.
The four girls became silent even the honey bear that would giggle was stunned silent.
"What about her?" Kitty said coldly while still smiling as she bent her spoon.
"Raven's an important part of my story! She'll poison me, the prince will give me a true-loves-first-kiss, and I will become queen. And since you four are her dorm neighbors you must know something about her." Apple answered unaware of the looks she was getting from the four girls.
"We all literally got here yesterday afternoon and Maddie was the one who interacted with her most." Cedar answered feeling awkward.
"So, Madeline?" Apple said as she pulled out a red notebook with a red feather pen. "What's Raven like? Her favorite food? Her favorite movie? What poison apple she plans to poison me with? Did she mention anything about me at all to you?"
Maddie was uncomfortable with how Apple was looming next to her. "You're in my personal teacup."
"Oh, sorry. It's just Raven means a lot to me." Apple practically swoon.
"Jesus H. Christ, you are thirsty as fuck." Kitty hissed.
"Language." Apple gasped.
"Can we kindly change the subject?" Lizzie said curtly. "I don't won't my appetite to be spoiled."
"Oh, of course." Apple said. "We can talk about our future classes, our future princes, or our future-"
Maddie tuned Apple out as she scanned the cafeteria to see her future classmates. At one table she saw the girl in the red hood with a huge pile of bacon on her tray. The boy with the axe who chased the squirrel yesterday had a smaller amount of bacon on his tray and while the girl in the red hood dropped her fork and went to retrieve it the axe boy dumped his bacon on her tray with the red hood girl being pleasantly surprised. The axe boy headed to the fruit station where we grabbed many fruit bowls only for his hand to touch Ashlynn's. The axe boy let her have the fruit bowl and the two began to chat. At another table Maddie saw Daring Charming surrounded by his fans including Duchess and Blondie. At the same end of the table there was girl in rococo wear trying to eat her breakfast, but boys wouldn't stop trying to hand her flowers, another boy appeared with glasses on and began chasing them away from her. Then, Maddie noticed Raven in the breakfast line.
"What'll it be?" Hagatha said holding a laddel of porridge.
"I'll have hashbrowns, a crossiant, and two stripes of bacon, and some orange juice, please." Raven answered.
"RAVEN!" Maddie stood up and wave. "Whoo-hoo over here."
All eyes were on Raven and before they knew it everyone ran off screaming and shouting as the entire cafeteria was bare except for Maddie, Cedar, Apple, Lizzie, Kitty, and Raven.
"Oh, no." Maddie said as she realized her blunder.
"Oh, that was fantastic." Kitty laughed as she clutched her sides.
"Can you make that to go?" Raven asked in a deflated tone.
"I don't blame ya." Hagatha said as handed Raven's food to her in a brown paper bag with grease stains that hopefully came from the bacon at the bottom. "Drinks are at the drinking fountain."
"Thanks." Raven said as she grabbed her food and left.
As Raven left the cafeteria to head to her room, she passed by a ton of students who scattered away like roaches when the lights turn on. When she finally made it to her dorm, she slammed the door and sat at her desk and ate her breakfast.
Raven thought she would enjoy the day playing her keyboard or guitar, listening to her favorite bands (mainly Taylor Quick), read her adventure heroine books, maybe some origami. Anything that wouldn't involve her leaving her room and interacting with the other students.
*KNOCK, KNOCK*
A fairy-godmother-in-training poofed amid pink smoke in front of Raven and handed Raven her class schedule, when the fairy saw she was at the future evil queens dorm she screamed and poofed away.
Raven knew she couldn't stay in her room all day she still had to go to the school's bookstore and get her books for classes next week. Raven put on her cloak of infinite darkness, folded her class schedule into the shape of a heart, and headed to the bookstore. It could only go downhill for now until Summer blessed her with temporary freedom again.
Bookstore
"Cooking Classics 101." Maddie grabbed the last book she needed for her classes as she piled them on top of the other.
Maddie couldn't believe she would have to spend the whole year at this school instead of going for just one day. This was going to be an adjustment. Headmaster spent a long (long) time explaining how the school system worked in Ever After and Maddie still couldn't wrap her mind around it or anything about Ever After. All she wanted to do was-
*CRASH*
Maddie had collided with someone as all their books came crashing to the floor with Maddie on top of them. As soon as Maddie's dizzy spell was over with she saw many students laughing at what just happened with only a few giving her a sympathetic look. Maddie's face turned red from embarrassment, now she really wished she was at home.
"Need a hand?" Maddie looked up to see the boy with glasses who chased the boys trying to woo the rococco girl.
The boy and glasses helped Maddie and the unknown girl up from the ground.
"Thanks." Maddie said.
"Yeah, thanks." The unknown person said.
" N-no problem, let me help you with those." The glasses boy said helping the girls pick up some of the fallen books to the counter.
"That'll be $2500.25 from each of ya." The cashier said as she was filing her nails. "Name, please to confirm you got all the books for your classes."
"Maddie Hatter." Maddie answered.
"Dexter Charming." Dexter answered.
The unknown girl said her name below a whisper.
"Sorry, can you repeat that?" The cashier asked.
"Hurry it up!" The three turned to see Duchess behind her carrying seven heavy books. "These books are heavy."
"Yeah, what's the hold up?" A centaur student shouted.
"Not to make a fuss, but I gotta open my store for 12." Ashlynn voiced her opinion.
"Give her a minute!" Maddie said as she stomped her foot almost chipping her shoe.
"Kid, I get it, first year jitters and crap. But, I got a line and I ain't got all day." The cashier said.
The poor girl had no choice and told the cashier her name.
"Raven Queen" Raven finally revealed her name.
"Raven!?" Maddie gasped. " It really is you!"
On cue everyone started to scream and run while dropping their books as they ran out the bookstore.
"On second thought, the books are on the house." The cashier said as she rang up the books and ran out of the bookstore.
Raven dropped her books and ran out the bookstore leaving Maddie and Dexter stunned.
"That was the future Evil Queen?" Dexter questioned as his knees buckled and he began dropping his school supplies.
"Her name is Raven." Maddie pouted. " And don't forget she got us these books for free."
"Because the cashier got scared away but okay." Dexter stammered as he picked up his books.
"Oh no!" Maddie said as she stuffed her books in her hat. "Raven left her books. We need to bring these to her."
Maddie put Raven's books in her hat and rushed out of the bookstore.
"Maddie, wait!" Maddie turned around to see Dexter running towards her. "I'm coming with you."
"Okay, I'm sure Raven will love the company." Maddie said as she skipped happily with Dexter panting behind her.
Girls Dorm
*KNOCK,KNOCK*
"Raven? It's me Maddie and Dexter-we got your books that you left at the bookstore." Maddie said knocking on Raven's door.
"Oh darn, she's not home right now." Dexter voiced in a cheery tone. "How about we leave her books by the door and get out of here?"
"You two are still alive?"
Maddie and Dexter turned to see Duchess with a surprised expression on her face.
"I thought Queen cursed you are something." Duchess said.
"I heard she set the bookstore on fire." A girl spoke.
"No way, I was there." Another girl voiced. " She caused a mini tornado in the bookstore."
"Dexter, there you are." The crowd of girls parted to reveal Daring.
"Daring? AAH" Dexter questioned Daring bearhugged him.
"Are you okay, little brother?" Daring said as he pulled out his favorite sword. " I heard that my future nenmsies had attack you and the future mad hattress in the bookstore."
"What? No, she didn't." Dexter answered as he held out his hands in defense. "She was just getting her books for class."
"It's true." Maddie agreed as she nodded her head. "All she did was say her name and everyone ran for the hills, literally."
"Hmm." Daring pondered for a second. "Very well, but if she comes near either of you two again just call me so I can protect you."
With that Daring flipped his hair, drew back his sword, and walked away with his fans behind him.
"Daring, save me from Raven Queen." Duchess cried out.
"No save me." A fangirl cried out.
"No, me." Another said.
Soon the floor was empty except for Maddie and Dexter.
"Thanks for helping us back at the bookstore, Dexter." Maddie thanked Dexter.
"No problem." Dexter said sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head.
"So that's your brother?" Maddie asked.
"Yep. The golden child - I mean Daring Charming, my older brother. Ohh, look at the time I gotta go." Dexter answered trying to cover up what he said.
"That was oddly specific." Maddie pointed out.
Maddie placed Raven's books by her door.
"I should at least leave a message." Maddie pulled out a pen and a sticky note and wrote:
Dear Raven,
the pages are missing
bond by glue,
knocking on wood
the door will open,
the book will appear
in our feathered hands.
- Love Maddie.
Maddie nodded to herself with approval on her note, stuck it to her door, and went into her dorm room.
Headmaster Grimm's Office
The headmaster's office was grand with many portraits, elegant furniture, and awards from the past. Despite the lingering heat of what Summer left behind the inside of the headmaster's office was as cold as Winter in the tundra.
"And that's what happened." Raven finished her side of the story.
"I see." The headmaster said with his hands clamped together on top of his desk. " This has been nothing but an unfortunate accident and will not be punished, this meeting is dismissed."
"What about the bookstore?" The cashier said then turned towards Raven. " Punish her, before she turns out like her mother!"
"BITE YOUR TOUNGE!" Raven growled as objects began to lift and the glass window shattered.
"I'm so very sorry, please don't kill me!" The cashier whimpered as she fell to her knees.
*CLAP, CLAP*
"Excellent display of power , but do save it for when classes begin." The headmaster congratulated her. " I look forward to seeing you in my office when you actually perform some evil acts."
Raven was disgusted as she got up from her seat and slammed the door hard behind her.
"For the record the damage to my window is coming out of your paycheck." The headmaster said to the cashier.
"WHAT!" The cashier screamed.
Raven stomped out of the room as her magic formed a purple flame aura around her. Many students got out of her way as their whispers lingered behind long after she left.
"I heard she did something to the bookstore." Someone whispered.
"I bet the headmaster's gonna expel her before classes begin." A voice said.
"After what her mom did, good riddance." Someone said loudly.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!"
Raven roared as the school began to shake, locker doors opened and slammed closed, and the room became both cold as ice and hot as a flame as he students ran out of the hallway. Raven somewhat managed to calm herself down as she stomped to her dorm to see her books and a note on her door and read it.
Dear Raven,
the pages are missing
bond by glue,
knocking on wood
the door will open,
the book will appear
in our feathered hands.
- Love Maddie.
Raven just took the note and shoved it into her hoodie and slammed the door to her dorm and collapsed on her bed and screamed into her pillow. After, a couple of deep breathes and found herself drifting off to sleep.
"I bet I'm the only one hating it here." Raven said to herself as she fell asleep.
Maddie's Dorm
Maddie was lying in her bed staring at the roof of her canopy bed. Cedar had gone out to the village to gather her art supplies, Lizzie was too busy studying her mother's notes to play, and Kitty - she's Kitty what did you honestly expect? Which left poor Maddie to herself.
Maddie clutched her pillow to her chest and sighed. "I hate this place."
Friday
Maddie woke up with a huge smile on her face - it was Friday! Which meant she would have a special supper with her father, Earl Grey, Cedar, and maybe Raven? Maddie hadn't seen the future Evil Queen the rest of that week, she was more concerned about Raven than herself. Maybe Raven was avoiding her? Maddie's quirks seemed to confused most of her school mates, but it may have come down to what her mother did.
Maddie didn't dwell too much on it since she was busy with Lizzie, Kitty, Earl Grey, and her new friend Cedar. There were times when she ran into the red hooded girl, Apple, Ashlynn, and Briar who Maddie thought were nice. Than she'd run into Duchess or Faybelle who Maddie decided should be avoided at all cost for her sanity.
It was the final day for students' to enjoy their freedom as classes started on Monday. Today was reserved for students to receive their lockers and meet their locker mates. In the morning the Seniors were given their lockers first due to being their final year and Freshmen were given the last ones in the afternoon.
Maddie and Cedar walked down the halls looking for their lockers after lunch to get a head start.
"I got number 333." Maddie said as she read her sheet of paper with her locker number and code. "What did you get, Cedar."
"I got number 334." Cedar answered looking at her paper. "Guess we're not just roomies were locker roomies!"
"Hey, is this locker 332?" Cedar and Maddie turned to see a tall girl wearing a red cape.
"Indeed, it is!" Maddie answered with a huge grin on her face as she held out her hand. "I'm Maddie and this is Cedar, and we're your locker neighbors!"
"Um, wow that's great. I'm Cerise." Cerise held out her hand and shook Maddie's.
"AAHH!"
A scream of pain was heard from the other corner of the school as the three girls raced to the source. When, they got there they Sparrow with five other boys dressed in green and leather laughing while Raven on her knees with a 'kick me' sign on her back.
"Look how the mighty have fallen, boys!" Sparrow laughed as they joined in as they pointed at Raven.
"Serves her right." One said.
"She'll be as bad as her mum." Another laughed.
Maddie covered her mouth at what she was witnessing.
"Hey watch as I kick her again." Sparrow said.
Raven looked completely helpless as Sparrow slowly approached her, only for Maddie to get in between her.
"Leave her alone!" Maddie demanded.
"Or you'll do what squirt?" Sparrow said as he shoved Maddie to the floor.
"Maddie!" Cedar cried out as she and Cerise came to her aid. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine just - my mother's necklace!" Maddie cried out of tears began to fill her eyes.
"Looking for this?" Sparrow mockingly said as he dangled Maddie's necklace.
"Give it back!" Maddie got up and tried to retrieve her necklace as Sparrow held it above her head.
"Make me, twerp." Sparrow mocked.
"GIVE IT BACK!"
The lockers began slamming, the scent of lilac polluted the hallways, and thunder and lightning crashed despite how sunny it was outside.
"GIVE IT BACK!"
All eyes were on Raven as she was floating in mid-air, eyes glowing purple, and fist engulfed in purple flames.
"GIVE IT BACK! GIVE IT BACK!GIVE IT BACK!"
"AHH! Fine, just take it!" Sparrow screamed as he shoved Maddie's necklace to her as he and his Merry Men tried to make a run for it.
"NOT SO FAST, SPARROW!"
Raven used her magic to form multiple magic hands that dragged Sparrow and his Merry men slowly towards Raven as they cried as their nails dugged into the polished marble floors leaving streaks.
"WHAT'S THE MATTER? I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T AFRAID ON ME!"
"Raven, stop!" Maddie cried out as Raven ceased her attack and slowly floated down.
Raven scanned the room to see the hallway a mess, Sparrow and his Merry Men in fetal positions and sucking their thumbs, and her schoolmates frightened. Raven knew this didn't look good, she was so screwed.
"Raven?" Raven turned to see a concerned Dexter.
Cedar and Cerise had their backs to the lockers as Cedar's fingers
"Raven, it's okay." Maddie stepped forward. "It was an accident."
Before Maddie could say or do anything else Raven was engulfed in her magic and disappeared into thin air.
"Who is responsible for this?" Headmaster Grimm, Baba Yaga, a wolf man, and a maiden teacher appeared.
Maddie knew Raven was in trouble, so she made a mad dash out of the hallway to try and find her.
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got troubles, and I've got 'em, too
There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you
We stick together and we see it through
'Cause you've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
Maddie looked high and low classrooms, closets, bathrooms as the sun was beginning to wane. Maddie put her hands on her knees and began huffing and puffing for all the running she'd been doing- it was hopeless, she was never going to find Raven!
Balcony
Maddie heard a voice out of nowhere that was feminine and seemed to be around her age.
She's at the balcony down the hall.
Maddie did as the mysterious voice said and at the end of the hall was a balcony, with a lone bench, and a very lonely girl.
"Thank you, mysterious voice!" Maddie thanked the voice.
You're Welcome.
Maddie opened the door to the balcony and slowly approached Raven from behind.
"Raven? It's me, Maddie." Maddie said.
"Go away, Maddie." Raven said in a low growl voice.
"It wasn't your fault, Raven." Maddie began. " I saw the 'kick me sign', I witnessed what Sparrow was about to do, not just me, but Cedar and Cerise, too. We'll tell the truth , you won't be in trouble."
"Will you - STOP IT!" Raven bellowed as she loomed over Maddie. " What is wrong with you? Do you know what my mother did to your home? She poisoned it, cursed it, and then she caused it to be sealed away! I'm destined to be vile, wicked, and evil yet you act like we're bffs or some shit like that. Why don't you hate me just like everyone else?"
"Because-Because, when I first met you I didn't know you were the Evil Queen's daughter, you were a freshmen just like me. Our first time away from home in a brand new settting and we talked about how we both were homeschooled, our first day, you laughed at my jokes, and I listened to your music. Even after finding out the truth, I never blamed you for what your mother did Raven, because you're not her." Maddie answered with sincerity.
Raven couldn't believe what she just heard -that was the first time in her life that she wasn't compared to her mother. Maddie, the future Mad Hatter, one of many who lost her home because of the Evil Queen, didn't blame Raven for it.
" Ever since I got here everyone has called me mad and not in a good way." Maddie looked down avoiding eye contact with Raven. And I'll understand if you don't want to be my friend you probably don't want a weirdo as your friend. It's just I noticed how lonely you were, and you seemed like you needed a friend."
Raven fell to her knees and began to cry "I'm so sorry. I've been so awful to you! You must hate me. "
Maddie knelt down and wrapped her arms around Raven and started to rub circles into her back.
"It's okay." Maddie said as she looked into Raven's eyes. "I forgive ya, freshmen year is hard."
Raven began crying tears of joy as Maddie hander her a handkerchief - that was attached to other handkerchiefs. The two began to chat as they watched the sunset.
" This is a nice place to watch sunsets." Maddie said as she kicking her feet.
"Yeah." Raven agreed until her smile turned into a frown. "To bad today's last day here."
"Say's who?" Maddie pouted with er hands on her hips.
"After what happened I can see the headmaster saying 'Raven Queen, you are expelled!' or some shit like that." Raven said doing an impression of the headmaster earning a laugh from Maddie.
"Don't worry, Raven." Maddie said as she got up and held out her hand. "I won't let that happen. I won't let a friend down."
Raven smiled as she took Maddie's hand and the two headed to the headmaster's office. As Maddie and Raven walked through the halls everyone noticed the two holding hands earning whispers - Why was the future Mad Hatter with the future Evil Queen, why were they talking with each other, why were they laughing? Man, some people are noisy.
The two teens stood in front of the headmaster's office ready to tell the truth about the incident. Raven's hands began to feel clammy as she shallowed a lump in her throat.
"Don't worry, feather! The bark is attached to the tree no matter what." Maddie said with a grin.
" What, was that Riddlish?" Raven said confused.
"Yes, and I said I got your back." Maddie answered.
Raven nodded with a smile on her face and knocked on the door. The door opened to reveal Baba Yaga.
"Ah, Miss Queen and Mis Hatter, please come in." Baba Yaga said as she gestured the two inside.
Inside the headmaster's office in chairs sat Cedar, Cerise, Dexter, Sparrow, the Merry Men, the wolfman teacher, the maiden teacher, and Headmaster Grimm.
"Headmaster Grimm, I can explain -" Raven began.
"No need to Ms. Queen, everything has been explained." Headmaster Grimm said in a stoic voice. "And you're off in big trouble."
Everyone gasped as Raven looked like she was about to be sick only for Maddie to hold her hand tighter.
"Sparrow Hood!" Headmaster Grimm turned and pointed at Sparrow.
"Wait, what?" Raven questioned.
"Yeah, what did we miss?" Maddie asked.
"We talked with everyone who was in the hall that afternoon and while many stories varied except for Ms. Cerise, Ms. Cedar, and Mr. Dexterous." Baba Yaga said.
"And the incriminating evidence written in the perps' handwriting." The wolfman teacher said holding up a note with the words 'Kick Me, I'm Evil'.
"And I can't tell a lie, so I told the truth." Cedar blurted.
"Tattletale!" Sparrow shouted.
"I'm very disappointed in you, Sparrow." The maiden teacher said as she tugged on Sparrow's ear. "Now apologize for the mess you've caused, and you better mean it.
"Yes, Mom." Sparrow groaned.
"MOM?!" The students gasped.
"Yes, I'm Maid Marian, Sparrow's mother and Robin Hood's wife." Maid Marian answered. "Now apologize."
"I'm sorry I put a kick me sign on Raven, shoved Maddie and stole her necklace, and caused this whole thing." Sparrow begrudgingly apologized.
"And you'll be serving a month's detention and pay for the damages to the flooring!" Headmaster Grimm shouted at Sparrow.
"WHAT? But we got a gig Red Shoes Dance Club tonight." Sparrow protested.
"That's not my problem." Headmaster Grimm said dryly. "Everyone out, it's time for dinner."
Everyone exited the headmaster's office only to be greeted by students asking questions.
"Is Raven expelled?"
"Is Sparrow dead?"
"Did Raven eat Maddie?"
"Did Raven set the school on fire?"
"Are we all expelled?"
"Enough!" Maddie snapped as she stomped her foot almost chipping her teacup shoe. "Sparrow was picking on Raven and stole my necklace!"
All eyes were now on Sparrow and his Merry Men.
"Sparrow how could you?" Apple questioned in a disappointed tone.
"What? I'm just doing my job - steal from the rich and give to the poor. And by poor, I mean myself." Sparrow gestured to himself.
"Maddie, Lizzie, and Kitty are refugees." Dexter said as he crossed his hands.
"Yeah, show some class." Duchess agreed as she walked by.
"Whatevs, I got a gig to attend, laters!" With that Sparrow and his Merry Men ran off to their gig.
As soon as Sparrow left many students headed to the cafeteria for dinner quickly losing interest in what just happened.
" Well that ended as quickly as it started." Raven stated.
"That was very nice of to defend Maddie, Raven. Despite it being off-book." Apple said as she placed a hand on Raven's shoulder.
"Gee, thanks Apple." Raven said as she shrugged her shoulder to get Apple's hand off of her.
"You're welcome." Apple cheerfully said as she skipped off.
"Will you girls be okay if I go?" Dexter asked. "I promise my brother and sister that I'd meet them for dinner."
"It's cool Dex, go hang with your siblings." Raven said with a wink.
Dexter blushed and waved goodbye to the girls as he left.
"Oh no, special supper!" Maddie cried out as she grabbed Cedar, Raven, and Cerise.
Wonderland Haberdashery and Tea Shoppe
After the last customer and employee left the tea shoppe the Mad Hatter began working on his special Friday Supper for Maddie, Lizzie, Kitty, and Earl Grey.
*DOORBELL RING*
"Coming!" The Mad Hatter said in a sing-song voice as he opened the door.
"Good evening, Mr. Hatter." Lizzie and Kitty said in unison.
"Good evening, girls." The Mad Hatter said as he ushered them inside.
Lizzie and Kitty helped set up the table as The Mad Hatter put the dishes: bubble and squeak, Yorkshire pudding, Sunday roast, and tea with tea cakes and sandwiches on the table.
"Hold on a tick to the tock of a clack, where's Maddie?" The Mad Hatter questioned.
"I don't know." Lizzie answered.
"Haven't seen her since lunch." Kitty admitted.
The Mad Hatter started to get worried there was no way she could've gotten lost. Did something happen to his precious teacup?
"Daddy!" The Mad Hatter turned around to see Maddie.
"Maddie!" The Mad Hatter picked Maddie up and began to twirl her around. "Where have you been, little teacup?"
"Daddy, I'd like you to meet my friends Cedar, Cerise, and Raven." Maddie began as she explained why she was late for the special supper.
The Mad Hatter couldn't believe that his Madeline was already making so many friends as he watched the six girls laughed over jokes and how the first week was. Something told him that despite what was going to happen that school year Maddie would be okay.
Some other folks might be a little bit smarter than I am
Bigger and stronger too, maybe
But none of them will ever love you the way I do
It's me and you, boy (Girl, Non-Binary, whatever you please),
The school year went on with it's ups and downs. From grades to festivals, slumber parties and rumors. Despatie it all Maddie and Raven formed an unbreakable friendship. Sure, Raven still had to deal with her judgmental classmates, but she had Maddie, Cedar, and Cerise in her corner.
Last Day of School
Everyone was signing yearbooks, doing last minute packing, and saying goodbye to the friends they made that school year.
"Wow, I can't believe the school year is over." Cedar said as she waited in line with some other students waiting for a carriage bus to pick them up and drop them off at the ferry.
"I know it feels like only yesterday I meet you guys." Cerise said as she pulled her bookbag over her shoulder.
"But, we'll still be in contact so no worries." Raven said with a sad smile.
"Oh, I'm gonna miss you girls." Maddie said forming a group hug as Earl Grey sadly chattered.
"I'll text when I get home." Cerise said.
"Same." Raven agreed.
"Ditto." Maddie said.
"I'll do the same." Cedar nodded.
On cue a huge carriage bus pulled up to the school as the doors opened and the students got on and waved goodbye to their friends as it took off.
"I'll see you girls later!" Cedar waved as the carriage bus drove out of sight.
"I'm gonna head out too, later." Cerise said as she clutched her bookbag tight and ran off.
"Surprised she didn't join the track team." Raven said.
"Yeah." Maddie agreed with a nod. "Well, I got some last-minute packing in my locker to do. Wanna help?"
"Sure." Raven nodded.
As Maddie finished packing her bags and put everything in her hat the feeling of melancholy engulfed her. Her hair became flat, her color became dule, and her eyes watered.
"Maddie, what's wrong." Raven gripped Maddie's shoulders.
"I'm not ready to go home!" Maddie cried. " I'm gonna miss you guys, at first I never wanted to come here and now -"
"I understand." Raven said as she stroked Maddie's hair. "After, what my mom did I was hoping to stay home or in my dorm room the whole school year. But then I met you and you became my first friend. I never thought I could ever had a friend or more. And it's all because of you Maddie. Thank you."
Maddie hugged Raven tighter not letting go. Until -
"Attention students and staff-" A voice on the intercom said. " Please make sure you have all your belongings as we will be closing the school in three hours. Enjoy your Summer!"
"Guess that's my cue to go." Raven said as she levitated her trunk and walked to her locker.
"Yeah, but we'll see each other over the Summer so no worry!" Maddie said as she followed Raven.
The two were now in front of Raven's locker labeled 666 and opened it to reveal a large mirror.
"Text ya when I get home." Raven said as she hugged Maddie.
"And I'll do the same." Maddie said.
Raven put her hand on the mirror and transported back home.
*PING*
Maddie checked her phone to see a text from Raven, smiled and skipped her way to the tea shoppe.
The whole Summer the four girls texted and hung out while they could until Legacy Year.
And as the years go by
Our friendship will never die
You're gonna see, it's our destiny
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
Last Tuesday
Dinner
Maddie carried her tray of stone soup, rolls, a cupcake, and required apple throughout the cafeteria looking for Raven.
She checked everywhere their usual table with Cedar and Cerise, where the princess ate together, the balcony tables, until it hit her - the place Raven would go to be alone!
Balcony
Raven sat alone at her favorite place to watch the sunset; it was also where Raven would go to eat her meals alone before she made friends.
Raven snapped out of the memory it got colder outside and the cafeteria got louder as more students arrived. She wrapped her cloak of infinite darkness around her to keep her warm. Nobody would notice her up here nobody did last year except.
"Is this seat taken?" Raven turned to see Maddie smiling at her.
"Sure." Raven scooted over so Maddie could sit down next to her.
"I missed you at lunch today." Maddie said as she laid her head on Raven's shoulder.
"I missed you, too." Raven laid her head on Maddie's head. "It was just a bad day, today."
"If it was a bad day today, then tomorrow will be better." Maddie said.
"Thanks, Maddie I needed that." Raven said as she bit into her apple. "These apples still suck though."
Maddie giggled as she and Raven ate their dinner while watching the sunset together.
Ever After High
"What do you mean you still can't find them?" Raven shouted at her guards.
"We looked every where my queen." A knight said. "We can't find Maddie, Cedar, or Cerise anywhere."
"Well look again, dismissed." Queen Raven said as the knights left.
"Don't worry girls, I'll find you." Raven said as she clutched her fist and looked out the window as he continued to storm. Her friends were out there, and she was going to find them no matter what.
Done! Happy Mardi Gras, Valentine's Day, Ash Wednesday, and whatever. I'm starting on the next chapter that will be more Raven focus and explain where'd she was the whole time. Bye.