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Duchess gazed into Sparrow’s eyes, wondering how she ever got the luck to be here with him. In all truth, she didn’t deserve this at all. She had just been in the right place at the right time, she supposed.
But this; this was more than she ever dared to dream for. Her, standing here by the lake with Sparrow, holding hands, guitars and fairy tales all but forgotten. She could practically feel her heart pounding out of her chest. It was a wonder Sparrow didn’t hear it.
She remembered the events earlier in the day, playing them over and over again in her mind.
“Duchess, get me my lip gloss please! I forgot it in the Muse-ic classroom,” Faybelle had asked.
“Sure,” Duchess had responded, like a good friend would.
She walked to the classroom, her head in the clouds. Not paying attention to where she was going, she walked straight into Poppy O’Hair.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Duchess!”
Duchess scoffed. “Look where you’re going next time, Polly.”
“It’s Poppy- you know what, never mind,” she heard Poppy mutter.
Duchess was used this being rude to fellow students. It was her defense mechanism. Not the best one, but an effective one.
As Poppy walked away, Duchess noticed a piece of paper that had fallen out of her pocket. She grabbed it eagerly and read.
- - - - -
Poppy,
Dude, whatever you can do, we’ll all be glad for your help. Meet me after dinner on the steps.
T
- - - - -
Duchess hummed. What could this be?
She contemplated the letter as she walked to the Muse-ic classroom. Who was T? Why did they need Poppy’s help? Why were they meeting?
Of course, Duchess would find out.
Later that night, Duchess fluttered down to the steps in her swan form. There weren’t many students out after dark, especially when the moon wasn’t out, but she could make out the profiles of two people.
“...just depressing,” Duchess heard a boy’s voice say.
“So what can we do?” That was Poppy’s voice.
“Something. Anything. He’s so dejected, it’s not normal.”
“Poor guy.”
“Ha. You should try being his best friend.”
“It sounds like a nightmare.”
“Believe me, it is.”
“So what if we set them up? Secret date? Tell him it’s a band meeting, tell her it’s dance practice, and voila! Matchmaker, make me a match!”
“But he’d never tell her.”
“So make him. I can promise you this- Duchess likes Sparrow almost as much as he likes her.”
Duchess shut her open beak. What?
“How do I make him?” Duchess recognized the voice now. It was Tucker, Sparrow’s best friend.
“I don’t know, come up with something.”
“Maybe you should tell her to just tell him. She’d admit it before him.”
“Debatable.”
Duchess let out a soft squawk. Poppy and Tucker were trying to set her and Sparrow up? Uh, no thank you!
There was truth to the fact that Duchess liked Sparrow. It was fairly obvious, actually. But to get them together? No! Sparrow would just break her heart.
“Come on inside. Let’s go find them,” Tucker said.
“But how are we going to get them together?” Poppy asked.
“I have a plan. Come, I’ll tell you.” Tucker and Poppy ascended the stairs, leaving Duchess alone. She transformed back into her human self and walked in a trance to her lake.
At some point, she became aware of someone following her. She stopped short and turned around.
“Whoever you are, you better stop following me, or I’ll kick your- oh!"
Sparrow Hood stepped out from behind a tree. “I saw you were there for their whole conversation,” he said.
Duchess’s cheeks flamed. “I- I- how do you know?”
“I was there too.”
Duchess bit her lip. “Oh,” she said softly.
Sparrow let out a small chuckle.
An awkward silence passed between the two.
“So...”
“Come with me,” Sparrow said, walking towards Duchess. He outstretched his hand. Duchess took it, her heart throbbing at double speed.
Sparrow and Duchess walked to the lake. He stopped her at the edge, turning her face to his.
“I guess the bird’s out of the cage now,” he said.
“I guess so,” Duchess replied.
Another moment of silence ensued before Sparrow broke it softly.
“You know, I always liked you,” Sparrow told her. “Earlier, I just wanted you. No feelings attached. But when we started to hang out... I don’t know. You seemed... sweeter. More than your facade. I saw behind your mask.” He squeezed her hand. “And I liked what I saw.”
Duchess smiled. “You’re not too bad yourself, bird-brain,” she teased, poking his shoulder.
He grinned.
“You’ve always been loud and obnoxious and obnoxiously loud and loudly obnoxious. But when we’re alone, you seem... I don’t know, calmer. Softer. Quieter.” Duchess looked into his green eyes and bit her lip. “You’re still a bird-brain, but when we’re alone, you’re my bird-brain. And I think I like that,” she whispered.
Sparrow swallowed and brought his face closer to hers. She leaned up, not breaking eye contact. She could feel his hot breath on her face as they brought their lips together.
Luck had everything to do with her position now. No way was this something either of them deserved, nor something they earned. Neither Duchess nor Sparrow was the nicest, the kindest, the best. Neither of them was honest or happy or themselves when they were around people. When they were alone together, however, luck seemed to rule.
But if it was luck that brought them together, then Duchess thanked her lucky stars for the gift she was being given at the moment.
Because in the dark of the night, at a lake that reflected the stars perfectly, stood a swan and a sparrow, holding hands.
And if one were to look at the lake from the other side, they would see the reflection of two lovebirds kissing in the night.
And lucky stars glittering all around their profiles.