~ A While Ago ~

Briar was doing alright. Sure she had this deep talk with her BFFA but that didn't stop her from enjoying a party.

'I should probably check the other music Melody has in store.'

With that in mind, she went to the DJ booth to see her friend.

But she didn't find Melody there. Instead she found herself looking at a 10 year old punk looking boy with messy black and white hair looking at the different music records. The sleepy Beauty blinked.

"Uh, Who are you?"

The kid turned away from the music records and noticed Briar watching him, "I'm helping Melody with the music while she's out in the bathroom."

"That still doesn't answer my question."

The boy sighed, looking bored, "The name's Duke Swan. Me and Mels met at the music store today and I wanted to see the party. At first she was unsure if my parents would be alright with it but I convinced her and said my parents would be fine with it."

Briar widened her eyes. She knew that name very well. "Wait… "Swan"? As in like-"

He only had half lid eyes at her shock when he said in a dull voice, ""Duchess Swan"? Yeah she's my sister."

"I never knew she had any siblings. Let alone someone who seems…" Briar trailed off. She didn't really want to be rude.

"Edgy?" he answered with a playful smirk, "I know you're trying not to be mean but given how I look, I wouldn't blame ya for trying. I dress nothing like my big sis."

It was true. He had a white leathered sleeveless jacket with a black t-shirt under it with a white skull on the front. He wore white shorts and black shoes along with a silver necklace and bracelet with both of them having a silver music note dangling.

Duke just shrugged, "How I'm related to Duchess is beyond me."

"Does she know you're here?" Briar asked.

"Well…" He hesitated for a bit, "She did. At first we were arguing, but all of that anger was just sibling issues that needed to be dealt with."

Briar felt sorry for him. She knew Duchess can be difficult but she can be tolerable sometimes. "I'm sorry that happened."

"Meh. It's alright. In fact after the argument, I talked to Melody about it while sis talked it out with her girlfriend. Then after, both me and Duchess talked it out and now she and I are close again." he said smiling, as if in nostalgia, "Like old times."

Briar smiled. That was good to hear.

Wait a second. Did he say-

"Duchess has a girlfriend? I thought she was dating Sparrow."

Duke gave her a look as if she said some funny joke, "Her and Sparrow? Okay, He may be an awesome guy with great taste in music, but I don't think he's her type even if she's straight."

Now that he said it, he was kinda right.

"I"m not going to say who she's dating since I just got a better brother-sister relationship with her. I'm not gonna ruin it by ratting her out now."

Briar nodded in understanding, "Well, I'll be going now. I'm sure Melody knows what she's doing leaving you in charge. Even though you're a kid. No offense."

"Pfft. None taken. Take care." Duke said, giving a salute as a bye.

As she walked away, Briar waved at the many friends that came around. Ashlyn and Hunter who were dancing together like the happy couple they were, Ginger and Darling hanging out while drinking punch, Cedar and Cerise at the sides together holding hands, Cupid and Blondie having the time of their lives, and many others.

Eventually, her fun soon traveled to a certain Dark fairy that she knew immediately well standing while leaning against a wall with a cup of punch in her hand. Her excitement grew as she walked towards her, having an arm over the fairy's shoulder.

"Hey cutie." she teased, instantly getting her girlfriend's attention.

The fairy, Faybelle, had her cheeks turned a darker shade. "Aren't we supposed to keep this a secret?!" she asked in a hushed but nervous tone.

Briar rolled her eyes, "Apple asked a similar question about secrecy. Everyone is busy dancing to listen to through all this loud music. No need to worry."

"Did you just compare me with Little Miss Fairest but Annoyingest of them all?"

"At least she also helped keep our dirty little secret along with Raven."

Faybelle nodded slowly, "And how are you doing anyway?" She instantly turned away and huffed, "I- Not that I cared or anything but… well, y'know."

Briar rolled her eyes playfully. They were together for a while now but she still acts like this. "Oh you know, making this party hextacular as possible. Success by the way."

Faybelle couldn't help but smile. She looked at the rest of the dancing crowd and her gaze trailed to the DJ booth, and then she raised a brow.

"Who's the kid with Melody?"

Briar looked at where Faybelle was looking and noticed that Melody came back. Duke and Melody were dancing to the beat of the music and having a fun time.

"Oh, that's Duke. he's Duchess's younger brother apparently." she explained.

The fairy took a double take, "Wait, Duchess got a younger brother?! And she didn't tell me?!"

"Yeah, shocked me too." said Briar, trying hard not to chuckle at Faybelle's flabbergasted face, "Apparently Melody invited him and is helping out."

The two of them looked in the distance at the two DJ's at the booth and noticed Duchess, Poppy, and Sparrow joining them.

He ran to his big sister for a hug which she hugged back, the two of them with large grins. Sparrow was ruffling Duke's hair with Poppy and Melody smiling at the heartwarming scene.

Briar and Faybelle also couldn't help but smile at the scene. Though, they both couldn't help but be reminded of-

"Never seen Duchess this happy before." Faybelle said while staring at her BFFA.

"Even though this is sweet and all, it's kind of weird seeing her like this. Even after getting to know her a bit more after dating you." said Briar.

"Meh, she may be mean but she has her moments."

The two of them chuckled in unison.

Faybelle, settling her laugh, felt happy for her friend. And she was also happy to be spending time with her girlfriend like this. They both would usually keep their intimacy a secret as much as possible. Sure their dates to the most secret parts of the Enchanted Forest were enchanting, she sometimes wishes to take Briar out for coffee and go to the movies.

It was unfortunate that her mother found out about their relationship recently last week and caused a huge fit about it (... Which was putting it lightly) when she came home. Faybelle had to flee to her secret cottage that she hadn't used since…

She didn't want to tell Briar about it because she didn't want her to worry. She was excited and focused on the party that she didn't want to bring it up. They already had difficult parents and a secret relationship that defies destiny, adding this to the fuel is worrying enough.

She's surprised she hasn't heard from the Headmaster yet. Faybelle's was sure she would be called to his office if her mother told him about it in absolute hexing rage.

Faybelle didn't want to think about it anymore. She just wants to talk to Briar.

"And what was that conversation that you had with Apple earlier?" Faybelle asked. She was curious about the prissy blonde's blush that could rival her namesake. Was one of the two idiots finally had a backbone to confess? Finally.

Wait… would that mean she loses 30 dollars if Apple confesses first?

'Raven, you better confess first or else you get a pissed fairy hexing you to oblivion'

"Oh, just talking about she should apologize to Raven for avoiding her about a talk they had last week." answered the Beauty, hoping everything goes well between those two (And also hoping to win the bet).

"And what got Apple so scared to even avoid Raven of all people?"

Faybelle said it like a joke. But when her girlfriend's good mood went down to a frown, she instantly regretted it.

"Just… family issues. Nothing you need to worry too much about."

"Whoa. is it something serious?"

Briar nodded seriously, "Best if you don't know. It's a bit personal for Apple."

The Dark fairy decided it was best to back off from it, "Alright, just… I may not be fond of miss fairest, though I hope she's okay. Family is always difficult so it must have been hard."

In thought, Briar closed her eyes, "Yeah…"

~"Big brother!"

"Hey, Bri! How was your visit with the Whites?"

"It was great! I had so much fun with Apple and her family! Though, I wish you could've come too."

"... you know why."

"It won't be too bad if-"

Cough! Cough!*

"Theo!"

"I'm alright, I'm alright."

"Theo?"

"I'll be alright. I promise."~

~"I just don't get how Briar following destiny is okay, Mom."

"It's what's best, son."

"But she'll be asleep for so long! How can you be fine with this?!"

"Don't talk back to me like that young man. Or else your condition could get worse!"

"Theo? Mommy?"

"Sis!"

"What's Mommy talking about?"

"It's nothing to worry about."

"... Are you sure?"

"It'll be fine. I promise."~

~"Sis. Hey, sis."

Yawn* "Theo? Why are you up so late? It's the middle of the night. Shouldn't you be in your room?"

"... Bri, listen I have something I need to go do right now."

"When will you be back?"

"Just something I want to do. Don't worry, I'll be back soon. I promise."~

…

…

"Briar? Briar, are you okay?! You're crying!"

"Huh?" Briar finally opened her eyes, finding herself in tears and being shaken by her girlfriend.

Faybelle was looking at her in panicked worry, concern taking her whole face, "You've been quiet for about a minute and then you started crying! Is everything alright?!"

"I… it's nothing."

"Nothing?! Nothing my ass!" Faybelle shouted in more worry, looking at her to see if she was serious, "You were crying! I'm worried and I'm here to help."

"I'll be fine," Briar stated, smiling at her worried fairy girlfriend as much as possible to calm her down, "Just, I think I need to go out for a bit."

"...You're sure? I can come with you?"

"I'm sure."

And then Briar left, walking out of the Castleteria and into the dark empty hallways as Faybelle watches, still feeling uneasy.

The Dark Fairy sighs, looking down in thought. She then takes out a hidden photo and looks at it intently, gripping it that it seemed to crinkle, making her rub it gently.

"Family issues, huh?" she said quietly, something bitter in her tone.

The photo in her hand was that of a young grinning Faybelle and a young Dark fairy girl who looked a little older. The girl had a hand placed on Faybelle's back, smiling just as much as the other kid in the photo.

Kitty:... Okay, does everyone have a sibling that they never mentioned here?

I mean, don't you?

Kitty: Yeah, but-

Brooke: Wait, really?

Kitty: Don't you know?

Brooke: No!

Maddie: Yeah, Kitty's younger brothers. They're really mischievous but are really adorable!

Kitty: Thought you knew things.

Brooke: I'm only the one with narrating capabilities! I may sometimes add a few things to a story but that doesn't mean I can do much. The one that does that is VP.

Kitty: Oh. Well, that seems lame.

Brooke: Hey! I think my role is very important, thank you very much!

Lucky: Just go to the next chapter, already.