Hey, I'm back! In this chapter we're going to find out how Maddie and Raven became the bffs we know today! Their struggles they had after the Evil Queen's curse on Wonderland, their first time away from, home and freedom (freshmen) year. Enjoy!
You Got A Friend In Me Pt 1
Nevermore and the girls had flown a good distance from Queen Castle but a couple of hours out in the open sea was dawning on them as the sun began to set.
"We need to land, soon!" Cerise said looking at the map.
"Oh, do you need to go to the little ladies room?" Cedar questioned.
"Yes." Cerise answered. "But not because of two hours of holding it, Nevermore needs a break."
Nevermore remained silent as she continued to fly the girls. True, she was exhausted from the long flight to Queen Castle from Ever After High, only to return to Ever After High from Queen Castle.
"It's okay, Nevermore." Cedar said as she patted Nevermore's scales. " There's a small island up ahead we can rest on."
"How do you know that?" Cerise asked.
"My revealer rays revealed a small island over -there!" Cedar pointed to a small dot in the middle of the ocean.
*THUNDER AND LIGHTNING*
"And not a moment too soon." Cerise said as he used her hood to cover her head.
Nevermore flew down towards the small dot until it turned into a barren island with only sand and rocks as its population. It rained harder the second they landed and the wind blew with the force of a hurricane.
"We need shelter and fast." Cedar said as she shielded her face from the rain.
"Maybe there's some driftwood and seaweed we can use." Cerise said scanning the island.
"Done." Maddie commented in a monotone voice.
Cedar and Cerise turned around to see ginormous tent with Maddie's favorite colors - purple, teal, and tea stain. Nevermore shrunk to the size of a kitten and flew inside with the girls following after. The tent was much larger than it was on the inside with three twin sized beds, a stove and small table in the middle, with a small bathroom area.
"I'll get dinner ready." Cerise said as she went through their provisions.
"I'll help out. Maddie can you -" When Cedar turned around Maddie was already under the covers of her bed. "She must be tired."
"I don't blame her. After, everything that's happen we should let Maddie rest." Cerise said as she pulled out two cans from her backpack. "What'll be potato soup of beef stew?"
"Potato soup sounds good." Cedar answered as she headed to the small kitchen area.
As Cerise and Cedar began making dinner, Maddie clutched the blanket closer to herself as Earl Grey and Nevermore comforted her. Before Maddie knew it she drifted off to sleep.
FLASHBACK
Freedom Year
The dog days of Summer were coming to a close with no more barbeques, mermaid themed waterparks closing for the season, and dragon fireworks no longer illuminating the night skies. These things were slowly being replaced with swimsuits being replaced for school supplies, fairies painting green leaves orange or brown, and a new school year beginning.
Many students would travel far and wide to attend Ever After High School the most prestige school in all the land where only those of legendary destinies could attend. From hero, villain, or side character they all attended. And this very afternoon the students would be arriving for book-to-school orientation week.
"I DON'T WANT TO GO!"
A teenage girl with different shades of teal and purple hair and a teacup hat stomped her foot, crossed her arms, and turned away from her father.
"Maddie, my little teacup." The Mad Hatter said softly as he ran his hand through his teal and grey hair.
"It's not fair! Why can't I stay here or be homeschooled?" Maddie turned to face her father with a pout on her face.
"We've talked about this. Headmaster Grimm believes it's safer for you, Kitty, and Lizzie to be together in one place and I'll be too busy running our tea and haberdashery shoppe to homeschool you." The Mad Hatter explained as best as he could.
"It's still not fair, I wanna go back home. I want to go back to Wonderland." Maddie choked fighting back tears.
"Oh, little cloud let the rain fall or the flowers won't grow." The Mad Hatter knelt down to Maddie's level brushed his thumb on her cheek as tears rained down. " I know things are downside-up right now and Ever After's customs are different from ours, but things will get better. You'll see."
"Pinkie promise?" Maddie question holding out her pinkie finger.
"Pinkie promise." The Mad Hatter said as he wrapped his pinkie finger around his daughter's pinkie finger. " Now, lets have some lunch before it's time for you to go."
"Okay, daddy." Maddie said as she followed her father downstairs from their loft to the tearoom.
After a delicious lunch Maddie double checked to make sure she had all of her clothes, sixteen hatboxes, teacups, tea pots, teaspoons, and other tea accessories were in a snake charmer basket she put in her hat. As Maddie stood up, she took one last look of her Ever After bedroom that was filled with hats and teacups, it was nowhere near as homey as her true home in Wonderland.
"Ready, Maddie?" The Mad Hatter asked.
"My papers, pens, and pencils are packed, but I'm not." Maddie answered as her head fell.
"I know something that help your grumpy-grumps." The Mad Hatter took off his hat and dug in it pulling out random objects like a flamethrower, a lava lamp, an antique gumball machine, until he came upon what he was looking for. It was a small purple box with a mint green ribbon attached to it.
"I was going to give it to you during your Legacy Year, but you seem to need this now." The Mad Hatter handed Maddie the gift box.
Maddie took the box, undid the ribbon, and open the box to reveal a necklace made out of teal pearls, a teal pendent, with a gold ribbon.
"Mother's necklace!" Maddie gasped as she looked up at her father and glomped him. " Thank you!"
"Anything for you Maddie." The Mad Hatter wrapped his arms around Maddie and hugged her back.
*CUCKOO*
*RING*
*CHIME*
*THAT ONE CLOCK THAT MAKES BIRD CALLS*
Several clocks chimed signaling it was time for Maddie to head out. The two Hatters reluctantly undid their hug and headed to the entrance of the shoppe.
"I'll see you on Friday for our special supper." The Mad Hatter said with a sad smile on his face.
"It's a dinner date, bye daddy!" Maddie said as she adjusted her hat and waved good-bye as she headed towards the school.
At first glance Ever After High School seemed intimidating even from a distance. Despite spending most of the Summer there hanging out with Lizzie and Kitty, Maddie felt like any other kid on their first day of school. The closer Maddie got to the school the Village of Bookend became crowded with other students, the villagers and workers watched as the students walked down the path as if it were a parade taking pictures, pointing at students, and yelling 'Have a good school year'.
Once at the entrance of the school Maddie looked up at the huge castle and was confused. When she'd come to visit Kitty and Lizzie she never felt so nervous so why now? Was it because she was here a year early from signing away her destiny, her first time attending a school outside of Wonderland, or because there were so many people when the school was so barren during the Summer.
Students were directed to a large common room that lead to the separated dorms between boys and girls. Maddie walked up many flights of stairs and passed many doors, but still couldn't find her own.
'Where's my room?' Maddie thought. ' If only finding my room was as easy as somersaulting- wait that's it!'
Maddie took a position and began to somersault and before she knew it, she crashed landed on an empty bed and felt very dizzy.
"Oh my gosh!" Maddie heard a nasal voice cried out. "Are you alright?"
Maddie was still dizzy, but she can make out the girl's figure and she was holding out a hand and when Maddie grabbed the girl's hand she felt wood texture for some strange reason - was the girl wearing gloves made out of wood?
When Maddie's vision came it turned out the girl herself was made of wood!
" The teapots tea has not spilled." Maddie answered as the wooden girl helped her up.
"I'm sorry, what?" The wooden girl questioned confused by Maddie's answer.
"I said 'I'm okay' in Riddlish." Maddie answered.
"Riddlish?" The wooden girl questioned as she tilted her head in confusion. "Is that a different language?"
Before Maddie could answer the school bell chimed.
"Attention, students-" A voice on the intercom spoke. " all must report to auditorium for the book-to-school orientation."
"Oh, guess it's time to go. I'm Cedar Wood by the way." Cedar held out her hand waiting for Maddie to take it.
"And I'm Madeline Hatter, but you can call me Maddie." Maddie said as she held out her hand.
Earl Grey popped out of Maddie's hat crawled into her hand and did the same.
"Nice to meet you both." Cedar said as she took Maddie's hand and began to shake for her and used her index finger to shake Earl Grey's.
"Wanna go to the orientation together?" Maddie asked.
"Sure, I'm not gonna lie, because I can't, but I was afraid of going alone." Cedar answered.
"No worry flurries, we can meet my friends Lizzie and Kitty there too." Maddie said as she grabbed Cedar's hand and ran out the door to the entrance of the auditorium.
"What? How did we get here so fast?" Cedar questioned.
"Simple we walked out our dorm room and now were at the auditorium." Maddie answered with a smile.
"No, what I mean is -"
"MEOW!"
Cedar ran behind Maddie in fear as Kitty appeared out of thin air with Lizzie running behind her.
"You know I can't run that fast!" Lizzie shouted with her hands on her knees while catching her breath.
"Not my problem, princess." Kitty said as she took out a file and began to file her nails.
"Lizzie, Kitty!" Maddie glomped her friends who hugged her back.
"Oh, you both must meet my roommate, Cedar Wood!" Maddie gestured towards Cedar.
"Hi." Cedar meekly greeted the other two as she waved to them.
"Salutation." Lizzie said in a queenly manner.
"Sup, scratching post." Kitty said with a wink a Cedar took a step back.
" Don't worry Cedar, Kitty is just messing with you." Maddie reassured Cedar.
"No, I think she really wants to scratch me." Cedar blurted out taking another step back.
"Only if you want me to." Kitty grinned with a wink.
"Alright students into the auditorium." A teacher gestured the students to enter.
"Back-to-School" Orientation was the week before the classes started, and the auditorium was packed with everyone just telling tales about their summers - except for three.
Lizzie, Kitty, and Maddie sat together with Cedar sitting next to Maddie. Maddie couldn't believe all the new people who would soon be her classmates. Before the orientation began Maddie looked around the auditorium in the front row there were a group of girls wearing crowns on their heads who Maddie assumed were princess. One princess in particular seemed to be inching closer to the before anything even began. In the row behind her was a girl in a red cloak who had it pulled over her face as if she wanted no one to notice her. A couple of rows back Maddie saw a boy with an axe chasing a squirrel who was causing a ruckus. But, in the way back of the auditorium in the corner of Maddie's eye there was a shadowy figure who wanted to hide more than the girl in the red hood. Maddie never met a shadow before, maybe she can give him/her/them a quick 'hi'.
Then the lights dimmed began to dim and a spotlight was on the podium.
"WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS OF EVER AFTER HIGH!" Headmaster Milton Grimm appeared at the podium and spoke into microphone. "It is wonderful to see so many new and old faces with promising stories-"
As Headmaster Grimm continued his big speech about how the students were all destined for greatness, Maddie continued to peer at the back of the auditorium where she was certain the shadow-y figure was still lingering.
"As you are all aware of during the end of last school year The Evil Queen from the tale of 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' went on a rampage and tried to conquer many kingdoms and queendoms and succeeding in cursing Wonderland which is now closed off to our world for *hiss* an indefinite amount of time.
That made Maddie hug her knees to her chest as she turned to see Kitty and Lizzie weren't doing any better than her.
"Despite the temporary loss of Wonderland a few were able to escape such as: The Mad Hatter, Mrs. Her Majesty The White Queen, Prof. Card. Princess Lizzie Hearts, Kitty Cheshire, and Madeline Hatter."
Suddenly, a bright light engulfed Lizzie, Kitty, and Maddie. The girls covered their eyes as Kitty hissed at the source, once their retinas recovered, they saw that all eyes were on them.
"I want you all to give them a big Ever After High School welcome. That concludes our orientation all freedom years will be together for their first yearly tour which will be lead by Prof. Jack B. Nimble, while everyone else will be grouped based on their destiny. Have a wonderful school year!"
The headmaster finished orientation with a blow-the-house-down display of phoenix fireworks and dragon smoke which earned oohs and ahhs from both students and staff.
The four girls headed where the other freedom years were and were surrounded by whispers.
"It's the Wonderlanders." A student whispered.
" I feel so bad for them." Another spoke.
"Do you think they're effected by the Evil Queen's curse?" A voice was heard.
Soon more whispers were heard that surrounded the Wonderlanders, until the subject was changed to someone else.
"There she is!" Some cried out with excitement.
"Radiant!" A voice shouted.
"Gorgeous." Someone gasped.
"So pretty!" A voice said.
The sea of students parted like Moses and the Red Sea to reveal a plump girl in red who smelled of apples and cinnamon, Maddie recognized her as the girl who was excited about orientation.
"Hello, Wonderlanders." The girl in red spoke as she held out her hand. "I'm Princess Apple White, daughter of Snow White, and I welcome you to Ever After High."
Kitty and Lizzie just stood there not knowing wat to do, but Maddie did.
"Hiya, Apple! I'm Maddie and that's Kitty and Lizzie." Maddie said as she shake Apple's hand and Earl Grey crawled in Maddie and Apple's handshake. "And this is Earl Grey."
"AHH! A RAT!" A girl in feathers screamed as the others joined in.
"Silence your vocal cords or it's off with your heads!" Lizzie shouted at the students.
"Earl Grey isn't a rat." Maddie said shaking her head in confusion on why everyone was screaming.
"She's right, he's a dormouse. And he's adorable!" A girl came forward wearing glass slippers with dirt under her nails who petted Earl Grey.
"But both are rodents." Kitty added to freakut her classmates.
"Ick! Why would anyone want a rodent as a pet?" The girl in feathers gagged.
" Is there a problem?" A tall girl wearing sunglasses with her arms crossed questioned.
"Alright everyone, let's not start any arguments on the first day." Apple said as she clapped her hands gaining everyone's attention. " We must be good examples for our future stories and our Wonderland guest."
"Whatever, I'm heading in front of the tour group." The girl in feathers said as she gracefully pirouetted to the front of the group.
"Attention, freshmen!" Everyone turned to see a tall man. " I'm Prof. Jack B. Nimble and I'll be taking you on tour of the school grounds so we'll start with the classrooms- this way."
As the group followed Prof. Jack B. Nimble, Earl Grey popped out of Maddie's hat and scurried out of sight.
"Earl Grey, come back here!" Maddie chased after her beloved dormouse.
Earl Grey took a couple of sniffs and began squeaking and pointing towards a dark part of the room.
"Earl Grey, what is it?" On cue Maddie smelled lavender and salted caramel and she could've sworn she saw someone move in the shadows. "Hello, anyone there? My name is Maddie!"
No answer.
" Tea is missing in the pot the crown is on my head!" Lizzie shouted.
"Coming, Lizzie!" Before Maddie left she looked back at the dark corner. " Goodbye shadow, I'll see you soon."
As Maddie skipped back to the group the shadow crept out to reveal a girl with amythest eyes.
Later
"And here we are in the student lounge." Jack B. Nimble said as he gestured the large common room. "Which sometimes mistaken for the common room where students usually study in, but you can do both. That concludes our tour of the school. Dinner will be ready in two hours so you can rest up, explore the grounds yourselves, or reassemble your dorm rooms. If you need me, I'll be in my office. Farewell students!" With that Jack B. Nimble leaped out of the student lounge.
"Sweet, my little piggies are KILLING ME!" A boy with a guitar sang loudly as he collapsed on one of the nearby couches.
" I guess two hours gives me enough time for a refreshing walk before dinner; anyone care to join me?" A boy with golden blond hair and shiny white teeth asked as a group of girls followed him.
"Oh, I must finish unpacking. There's nothing better than a clean room." The girl wearing glass slippers with dirt under her nails said.
"Excellent idea, Ashlynn." Apple agreed. "Briar are you going to unpack with us? Briar?"
Apple turned to see the tall girl wearing sunglasses now known as Briar was fast asleep on a beanbag chair.
"Oh, well." Apple said as she and Ashlynn walked to their dorm.
A majority of students chose to return to their dorms to unpack before dinner.
Girls' Dorm
"And done!" Maddie proclaimed as she finished putting together Earl Grey's carrier.
"I'm exhausted." Cedar said as she sat on her canopy bed.
The room was small (It's the same size as Justine and Ramona's dorm) but cozy and was a hodgepodge of teacups, paint brushes, hats, and canvases. In a very weird way the two styles complimented each other.
*RING*
The school bell rang signaling it was time for dinner as many stepped out of their dorms.
"Maddie, over here." Maddie turned to see that Lizzie and Kitty were roommates and were just two doors right of her and Cedar's dorm.
"Isn't this exciting we're on the same floor." Maddie said clapping.
"Of course we are, the headmaster wouldn't think of separating us or it would be off with his head." Lizzie said doing the slit throat gesture.
"Lizzie, Kitty, I don't believe it were dorm neighbors!" Apple squealed as she and Ashlynn exited outside their dorm.
"Terrific." Kitty smiled with sarcasm dripping from her voice.
"Hey, who is our dorm neighbor is Cedar?" Maddie asked Cedar.
"To be honest I don't know, I was in our room with you unpacking this whole time to meet her." Cedar answered as she shrugged.
"Well, let's find out! I want to get to know our new dorm neighbor." Maddie said as she stood in front of the door between hers & Cedar's dorm and Lizzie & Kitty's dorm.
Maddie looked at the golden plaque that had all the students' names on them to see there was only one name on the plaque.
"That's odd." Maddie said. "This girl doesn't have a roommate."
"What the fuck?!" Everyone turned to see a pissed off fairy. "How the hell did she get a room to herself?"
This caught all the girls attention it was rare for a student to have a whole dorm to themselves. Soon whispers and curiosity surrounded the halls of the dormitory.
"Well, who's dorm is it?" Cedar asked.
"The plaque says the dorm belongs to -" Maddie read the plaque. "Raven Queen."
The dormitory became silent, the temperature dropped, and the lights began to flicker on and off.
"The Evil Queen's daughter is here?"
"She is evil!"
"I don't want to sleep on the same floor as her!"
"We're all gonna die!"
Maddie couldn't believe her eyes on what was going on. All the girls began screaming, running in circles, or crying, Maddie turned to see Cedar shake in place with her knees buckled, heck, even Apple looked like she swallowed a sour green apple whole.
"WHAT IS GOING ON?"
The girls turned to see an elderly woman with grey hair knotted up with beads and jewels covered with a red hood sitting on a stool that hovered in the air who seemed very irritated, known as Madam Baba Yaga.
"Well, someone speak up! Is there a problem?" Madam Baba Yaga questioned again.
"Yes, there is a problem!" The angry fairy stepped up. "How come Raven Queen, daughter of The Evil Queen, gets to have a dorm to herself? If anybody should have a dorm to herself it's me!"
It all made sense why everyone was panicking, Raven Queen's mother was the cause of many tragedies especially the lost of Wonderland. Lizzie was speechless and Kitty's usual Cheshire grin was wiped away with a look of terror.
"Miss Faybelle, it's obvious the reason Miss. Raven doesn't have a roommate is because there were more than enough rooms to fit into two students in - this happens sometimes." Madam Baba Yaga answered.
"Whatever." Faybelle huffed as she flew away. "Next year I'm getting my own dorm all to myself!"
"As for the rest of you head to the cafeteria for dinner at once." Madam Baba Yaga said pointing towards the exit of the dorms as she flew away.
The girls did as they were told and headed to the cafeteria for dinner.
Cafeteria
The cafeteria was packed with students and staff either waiting in the lunch line or in their seats eating their dinner of -
"Porridge?" Cedar questioned.
"Next!" The cafeteria lady who's name tag read, Hagatha, shouted with a laddle full of porridge.
"Do people in Ever After eat porridge for dinner?" Maddie asked Cedar as they went to find a seat.
"There is a thing known as breakfast for dinner, but it's usually cereal or chicken and waffles." Cedar answered.
As the two found an empty table a theme song played on the tv screen.
" Hello, fellow fairy tales! " A girl with blondie hair appeared on screen. " I'm Blondie Loches, daughter of Goldie Loches, and this is the first ever episode of - Just Right!"
Everyone's attention was now on the tv screens and away from the unusual dinner.
"This year we have a ton of important characters like myself, the future Goldie Loches, Pinocchio, Huntsman, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Dark Fairy, Frog Prince, Queen of Hearts, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, King Charming, and Snow White! The last time all these characters were together were when they attended the Ever After High when they were our age."
The viewers were hooked, line, and sinker. Images of Blondie, Cedar, the boy chasing the squirrel, Ashlynn, Briar, Faybelle, a picture sliced in two with frog with a crown on his head and a boy with red hair with the same crown, Lizzie, Kitty, Maddie, the handsome boy from the student lounge, and Apple.
"How did she get our photos?" Cedar panicked as she covered her face with a napkin so no one would notice her.
"Not only that it turns out that the Evil Queen's daughter is also attending school this year, but her dorm room is between the dorm rooms of Apple White, Ashlynn Ella, Lizzie Hearts, Kitty Cheshire, and Maddie Hatter! What are the odds?"
There was no image of Raven just one of those 'no photo found' images graced the scene.
"So Apple, how do you feel about being a room away from your future villian?" Blondie asked Apple holding the microphone to her.
"I won't lie, I was a bit surprised that my future villain was next door to me." Apple answered with a smile. "But I have faith that -"
"I'm sure glad The Evil Queen's daughter isn't my roommate!" The girl in feathers said loudly.
"Yeah, how'd she get to attend a ritzy joint like this?" The loud boy with the guitar as he chugged some cherry soda.
*BELCH*
Apple, Blondie, and the girl with feathers covered their noses from the horrid stench.
"Ugh, that is trifling!" Duchess cried out as her feathers wilted.
"Thank you!" The loud boy with the guitar said with a wink and finger guns. " I'm Sparrow Hood, son of Robin Hood, and be sure to catch my performance at The Red Shoe Dance Club this Friday."
"Why on God's green earth would anyone want to hear your music?" The girl in feathers questioned.
"Who you supposed to be?" Sparrow asked unamused.
"I' am Duchess Swan, daughter of the Swan Princess." Duchess answered then turned to Blondie. "Come to think of it; why didn't you announce me on your show?"
"Sorry, guess your story isn't popular." Blondie answered as she shrugged her shoulders.
"What?" Duchess bellowed.
"Damn, and I thought the future Evil Queen was at the bottom of the grape vine." Sparrow said.
A few giggled at the comments, others shushed out of fear, and the majority were quiet out of the fear of the Evel Queen's daughter.
"That is quite enough!" Apple snapped but in a professional manner. "Despite what her mother has done, we will not speak ill of a fellow student."
"Thank you, Miss White, for restoring order." Everyone turned to see Headmaster Grimm behind them. "Miss Swan and Mr. Hood I suggest you stop speaking lowly of your classmate. And Miss Loches kindly change the subject or your webseries will be cut short."
The three nodded as Duchess and Sparrow scampered away like roaches when the light is turned on.
"Well, that'll do for tonight. This is Blondie Loches with -Just Right!" Blondie concluded her show.
As dinner was drawing to a close many students were leaving and most of the staff were cleaning up for the day. Maddie and Cedar spent most of the dinner chatting about where they were from and what they planned to do before classes started.
"I'm gonna head to bed early, Maddie." Cedar said as stood up and headed to the dorms.
"See ya later, Cedar." Maddie waved Cedar goodbye.
Maddie took a spoonful of lukewarm porridge in her mouth and almost gagged. "Needs more honey."
Maddie headed back to the lunch line as she waited behind the three little pigs and the three Billy goats gruff.
The youngest of each group were fighting over a lunch to tray to receive their third helping of porridge. Suddenly, the temperature dropped, and the cafeteria was filled with the scent of lavender. Both groups turned towards Maddie with fear in their eyes and ran off leaving their lunch trays behind.
"I wonder if it's normal for people to look at you, scream, and run off?" Maddie said to herself.
"You get used to it."
Maddie turned around to see a tall girl who appeared to be cloaked in shadows with piercing amythest eyes. Any sane person would've run away, but not Maddie she saw this as an opportunity to make a new friend.
"Hi, I'm Maddie!" Maddie said extending her hand. "What's your name?"
This took the girl by surprise, as if no one ever offered her a handshake before. The girl's icy cold hand was placed into Maddie's warm as a kettle hand.
"My name is -"
"Last Call!" Hagatha called out.
Maddie looked down to see the girl's empty lunch tray and grabbed her by the hand.
"Come on, let's get you some dinner." Maddie said as she dragged the girl towards Hagatha.
"Cutting it close aren't we ladies?" Hagatha said in a annoyed tone as she plopped a bowlful of porridge in the shadow girl's lunch tray. "When you're done but the tray in the dirty dishes section."
The girl just nodded as she grabbed a side salad, a glass of water, and a chocolate thronecake, while Maddie grabbed two bear bottles of honey that giggled when Maddie picked them up. Maddie was about to return to her seat when she noticed the shadow girl heading the other way.
"Hey, where are you going?" Maddie asked.
"To the loft area of the cafeteria." The shadow girl answered.
"What's wrong with the tables down here?" Maddie asked pointing at the tables with only a few students and staff left.
" I don't do well with others." The shadow girl hissed as she began to climb the stairs.
"Oh." Maddie gasped. "Is that why-"
The shadow girl sat down in one of the tables that gave her a good view of the cafeteria as she began to eat her dinner in peace as she took her first bite or porridge.
" God, this sucks!" The shadow girl hissed.
"Have some honey. it'll help." Maddie popped up in front of the shadow girl.
"God! Don't do that!" The shadow girl hissed as she took the honey bear from Maddie.
"Is that why you were hiding in the back of the auditorium and the tour?" Maddie questioned while finishing her porridge.
"Kinda." The shadow girl answered as she picked at her salad.
" If it makes you feel any better, I'm new here too." Maddie said as she shoveled most of her porridge to the side. "Everything is so new and confusing. My daddy told me that it'll be an adventure and I'll enjoy the journey."
"Hey, my dad said almost the exact same thing." The shadow girl perked up.
"Really? Were you homeschooled too?" Maddie asked.
"I did go to preschool once - it didn't end well." The shadow girl said as she stabbed her porridge with her spoon.
During their dinner Maddie and the shadow girl talked about their insecurities of starting school, their dads, and how the first day was. Maddie even told the shadow girl a few jokes that her chuckle and the shadow girl shared her taste in music with Maddie.
"I won't lie Maddie, I thought my first day of school was gonna suck." The shadow girl said.
"I'm agree." Maddie nodded as she finished her now too cold porridge. "I'm glad I was able to make two friends today."
*CLINK*,
The shadow girl dropped her spoon when she heard that.
"We're friends?" The shadow girl asked in a shaky and not sure voice.
"Of course!" Maddie answered with glee. "Why wouldn't we - oh!"
The lights in the cafeteria turned off leaving the two in total darkness.
"Oops! Guess we overstayed our dinner. Let me see if I packed my flashlight." Maddie said as she rummaged through her hat.
A purple light brightened up the room as Maddie looked up to see the shadow girl's hand was engulfed by a purple flame that didn't burn her.
"No need, I got it." The shadow girl said as she picked up her tray. " Let's get out of here."
After Maddie and the shadow girl put their dirty trays up, they headed to the dormitories. It turned out not only was the cafeteria dark the whole school had powered down. Ever After High sure was scary after dark. Something caught Maddie's eyes as she looked outside to see a wall of briars blocking the school.
"What's with the briar wall?" Maddie questioned.
"Don't you remember? Headmaster Grimm said he installed the briar walls at night to "protect" us because of what - you know who did to Wonderland." The shadow girl's voice tensed at the mention of the Evil Queen and Maddie didn't blame her.
The two finally made it to where the dormitories split by gender.
"So which floor are you on?" The shadow girl asked.
"I'm on the second floor." Maddie answered.
"Really? I'm also on the second floor." The shadow girl said.
"That's terrific!" Maddie said as her eyes lit up and jumped for joy. " I can't wait for us to hangout more, Oh, oh, oh, I can't wait for you to meet my roommate Cedar, she's made of wood and is very nice! Who's your roommate?"
"Oh, I didn't get a roommate." The shadow girl said as she awkwardly rubbed her shoulder while looking down at her black spikey boots.
Maddie felt bad for the shadow girl it must be lonely to not have a roommate and she seemed so nice.
"Sorry about that, but like I said you can hang out with me and my friends -" Maddie paused it hit her that she never learned the shadow girl's name. "Wait, I never got your name, what a silly way to start a friendship."
"Actually, maybe it's best if we end the friendship before it begins." The shadow girl said as her head tilted down to her black spike shoes.
"What? Why? I thought we were getting along just fine." Maddie questioned with a pouted. "I refuse your refusal!"
"Trust me, it's for the best." The shadow girl said as she rubbed her shoulder. "Once you know who I'm, what my destiny is, what my m-parent did. You won't like me."
" The hat will decide who fits it." Maddie said in Riddlish.
"What?" The shadow girl questioned as she tilted her head.
"Opps! I'm sorry I said 'I'll decide if we should be friends or not', in Riddlish." Maddie answered.
"Riddlish?" The girl question only for a few seconds later for her eyes to widen. " Maddie, by any chance are you from Wonderland?"
"Yes!" Maddie said with a nod.
"Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck." The shadow girl panicked as she paced around the room. "Now, you're really gonna hate me!"
"Hate you for, for what?" Maddie questioned as she tilted her head.
"There you two are!" A bright light turned on as Maddie and the Shadow Girl to see Baba Yaga with a couple of students behind her.
"Maddie, there you are!" Kitty beamed.
"Where have you been?" Lizzie shouted.
"Sorry, we didn't keep track on how late it was." Maddie answered.
" The important thing is that the fair maiden is safe and sound." The prince known as Daring Charming said while looking at himself in one of his mirrors.
"It's all thanks to Daring." A girl cooed.
"He's so cool!" A fangirl screamed.
"He didn't do shit." Kitty hissed.
"That's enough everyone, it's time for bed." Baba Yaga demanded. "And I hope this will not be a repeated thing for either of you Madeline Hatter and Raven Queen."
Everyone paused as all eyes turned towards Raven as their faces turned into fear.
"AAHHH!"
"It's Raven Queen!"
"She'll curse us like her Mother did to Wonderland!"
The whole room was filled with screams, pointing, and running around in circles at the chaos of being in the same room as the future Evil Queen. This was too much for Raven as she clutched her coat of infinite darkness closer to her as she ran up the stairs to her dorm room.
"Raven, wait!" Maddie tried to follow her only to be squirted with water as Maddie turned around, she saw Baba Yaga spraying everyone with a spray bottle.
"That is quite enough." Baba Yaga said squirting the students. " Raven, hasn't done anything to warrant all this madness, now go to bed! Or I'll give you all detention for the first official week of school."
The students complied and headed to their dormitories to get out of their wet clothes.
Cedar & Maddie's Dorm
*KNOCK, KNOCK*
"Maddie! There you are, I was so worried about you." Cedar said as she hugged Maddie. "I know we're free to roam around the school until classes start. But it was getting really late, and it was almost past curfew and Kitty and Lizzie came by to check up on you and when I told them you weren't here and freaked out. Then Baba Yaga came to do a night check and I freaked out even more! So, are you okay?"
Cedar was a hot mess as a few loches of her hair fell out of her bonnet, her lilac nightgown with wood textured pattern began to ruffle, and if she had skin it would be red from worrying too much and hyperventilating.
"Don't worry, Cedar." Maddie gave Cedar a cool-down hug. "I was with Raven, our dorm neighbor."
Cedar became stiff at the mere mention of Raven. Cedar gave Maddie's shoulders a firm grip as she looked her in the eyes. " Did she hurt you, put a spell on you, or something?"
"What, no! We just chatted with each other." Maddie answered. "You're not really afraid of her, are you Cedar?"
"After what her mother did, I'm afraid so." Cedar admitted with guilt in her voice. "I know it's not really her fault, but it's still kinda scary."
"Tell ya what-" Maddie began. "I'll prove that there's nothing to fear about Raven."
"How?" Cedar questioned.
"This Friday my dad and I have a special supper for just the two of us." Maddie said confidently.
"SQUEAK!" Earl Grey squeaked.
"And Earl Grey, too of course." Maddie added as Earl Grey nodded in agreement. "And now you and Raven will be inviting proving there is nothing to be afraid of. What do you say, roomie?"
Maddie held out here hand as Cedar took it.
"Okay, I'll give her a fair chance." Cedar reluctantly agreed.
"That's the spirit." Maddie cheered.
"By the way Maddie, why are you soaking wet? You look like a drowned cat." Cedar questioned.
3:30 AM
Maddie was stirring in her bed as sweat ran down her forehead, a chill went down her spine, and visions of Wonderland being invaded entered her dreams. Maddie shot up with tears in her eyes not knowing where she was. It wasn't until saw she wasn't in her bedroom at her daddy's shoppe, the briar walls outside her balcony, and Cedar sleeping across from her in her own bed that she realized she was at Ever After High School. Maddie hugged her knees to her chest and cried and few seconds later Maddie left the dorm room to go to the restroom.
Moments Later
*Toilet Flush*
*Water Running*
*Hand Dryer Blowing*
Maddie exited the bathroom and headed to her room as she passed Raven's door she'd sworn she heard crying. Maddie put her ear to the door, and it was slightly louder. Maddie didn't blame Raven last night was pretty stressful.
"Hello, Raven." Maddie knocked on the door but didn't receive an answer. "I'm really sorry about what happened at tonight."
Raven didn't respond.
"Good night, Raven." Maddie said as she walked away. "See you at breakfast."
As Maddie enter her dorm Raven opened hers just in time to see Maddie closed the door. There was no point in stopping the mad girl and why was she sorry for the witch girl anyway? Why bother trying to make friends?
Raven went under her black silk covers to as she silently cried herself to sleep.
You've got a friend in me
You've got a friend in me
When the road looks rough ahead
And you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed
You just remember what your old pal said
Boy (Girl, Non-Binary, whatever you please), you've got a friend in me
Yeah, you've got a friend in me
Okay, gonna end it here because it's 1:00 and I really need to sleep. This was gonna be a full chapter but 1. stuff got deleted (again). 2. had a bunch of family functions I had to attend. 2. I'm drain physically & emotionally. 4. I'm visiting my grandparents so no updates til I get back. Bye!
You Got A Friend In Me is by Randy Newman from the Toy Story franchise.