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Soft hands fell over Apple's back as she felt a tug "Is that okay?" Her best friend said gently, not wanting to tie the corset tighter in fear of hurting her. Raven truly was nothing like her mother.
"Yes yes, that's fine, thanks, Raven!" Apple smiled, huffing out a soft breath as her normally lively eyes fell downcast
"I know that look.. What's wrong?" Raven asked, softly starting to work on Apple's hair
"Ugh.. I dunno.. I don't know what this feeling is.. My stomach hurts and my head is spinning.. I don't want a single thing to go wrong and I'm scared I'll somehow mess this up.." She leaned into Raven's touch, closing her eyes
"Maybe you're.. Nervous?" She huffed out a laugh, starting to put small braids in Apple's hair
"Aren't you nervous?" Apple puffed her cheeks, her pale skin flush
"No, not really.. I'm going with Dexter, he's a really sweet guy.. I heard Daring is going with Rosabella and Darling is going with you of course-'' Raven smiled
"The whole school expects me to go with Daring though.. How will people react when I show up with a girl..?" Apple thought about her own prom-posal, it wasn't very elaborate like many of the other students. She and Darling sat together in the school garden together and Apple simply brought it up and asked her to go. Her eyes widened in realization "Crap..! What if she thinks I asked her just to go as friends!?" She panicked, huffing sharp breaths. Raven laughed her sweet laugh again, softly rubbing Apple’s shoulders
"Relax.. I'm sure she knows what you meant.. Deep breaths.." Raven truly was an amazing friend that kept Apple grounded.
"B-But what if a slow dance happens! What if.. What if I end up being a third wheel to someone else! What if she doesn't like my dress.." She sobbed, putting her hands over her eyes
"Calm down, princess-" Raven rolled her eyes "Listen, you're an amazing person and if she can't see that it's her loss. You're gonna look amazing and as soon as Briar comes here she's gonna do your makeup all pretty and make you shine!" Raven smiled. Like clockwork, Briar came through the door, rushing over to Apple
"Omg are you crying!? Whyyy??" Briar frowned and wiped her tears with a tissue
"She's worried about her relationship with Darling and what everyone will think-" Raven explained, hugging her from behind. Briar hugged her from the front, smiling and peeking up at Raven. "Apple, I assure you, whatever happens, your friends will always be here for you! Me, Briar, Ashlynn.. Even if people don't like you for it, this is YOUR destiny! You’re allowed to be happy with whoever you want.. You're allowed to love who you wanna love.." Raven smiled warmly and hugged her tightly "We'll be here."
"Yeah!" Briar chimed in
Apple was silent before she burst out sobbing, hugging the two tighter "You guys are so nice!!" She cried loudly
"Get it all out now so your mascara doesn't run-" Briar teased
||
Apples cherry red lips pursed as she nearly tripped over her heels. She wore three petticoats under her red and gold skirt, her hair in pretty braids that wrapped around and looked like golden silk. She sighed, it was time for the royal prom.
She slowly walked into the large fancy ballroom, it was so nice because the charming family was the sponsor of the event. She looked around, her eyes full of hope as her eyes. She felt a hand softly grab her own, she turned to see none other than Darling, smiling sweetly at her
"Apple.." Darling whispered, holding her hand and gazing at her "You look very lovely.." She smiled and softly hugged her, her precence was warm and loving.
Apple was speechless, her cheeks flushing and not from the soft blush Briar had put on her cheeks. She laughed nervously, why did she feel like this? It had never happened before, she never got nervous! Apple looked up "C-Can we get some food?" She asked, rubbing the back of her neck, glancing over at Maddie and Raven who gave her a thumbs up. Apple took a deep breath as Darling nodded and held her hand still, refusing to let go as she walked over to the massive food table. Apple looked at all the gormet food before gasping
"Chocolate fountain!" Apple smiled, her eyes lighting up
"Yeah, I.. I know how much you said you like chocolate-" Darling replied, smiling "And fruit so I specifically asked for one!" Apple turned back, blushing
"You're so sweet.." She whispered, placing a quick kiss on her cheek before rushing over and dipping a strawberry in the chocolate, she looked really excited
Darling watched contently, smiling at her small win. She got a plate of snacks and sat down, waiting for someone to acknowledge her presence. Apple soon came back over with a plate of chocolate-covered fruits. She sat down next to Darling and leaned into her, shutting her eyes peacefully as Darling's cheeks flushed "Apple.. Did you ask me here as a friend, or..?" She questioned, very slowly wrapping an arm around her.
"..Since the events of the dragon games.." Apple started, looking up at Darling "I've been questioning a lot of things.. I thought I lost my destiny.. I thought I lost Daring.. But in reality, it made me realize that Daring was never the one I wanted.. He was the one I was just supposed to like.." She smiled "You woke me up from my slumber.. You fulfilled our destiny and.. My feelings for you have changed.. I don't think it's platonic anymore.." Apple blushed, rubbing the back of her neck "..I should have clarified that I wanted to take you here as my date.."
Darling was a little shocked but quickly hugged Apple, smiling "Thank you.. I.. I'll need a little time to think this through but.. I wanna have a nice night with you.. I wanna dance and see all of our friends.. Tonight is a night for relaxation and fun!" She gently got up, holding Apple's hands and pulling her to her feet "So let's have fun, it's prom!"
The night was filled with dancing and food and laughter, but it soon came to an end as a group of girls left the building, drunk off laughter. But two stayed back and walked out the door opposite to the front, running through the street and to the woods together.
"Mind if I take off this skirt..? I have leggings underneath this is just hard to walk in-" She huffed, holding Darling's hand tightly. They had spent most of the night dancing and hanging out with friends, but never had they left each other's side.
"Of course, if you want I'll carry your heels too. If you don't mind walking barefoot, of course-" She smiled as Apple took off her skirt and petticoats, holding them in her arms and staring at Darling with a smirk
"Carry me.. You're my knight in shining armor after all!" She teased
Darling blushed a little and walked over, gently picking up Apple and sighing happily, carrying her bridal style down the path into the woods.
They walked a bit further before stopping beneath a weeping willow tree, sitting down on the soft moss together and enjoying each other's company and the comfortable silence they sat in
"Apple?" Darling asked, breaking the silence
"Yes, Darling?" Apple whispered back, looking up at her
"This.. Isn't what I'm supposed to do with my destiny.. I may be a Charming but my brothers are the ones who are supposed to be the Prince in your story.. I'm supposed to be the damsel in distress they save.. But I don't wanna do that, I wanna be the one to save you!" She smiled determinedly "I know you've never been too big on not following your fairy tale destiny.. But I really like you.. I wanna be your princess charming!" She smiled even more
Apple smiled lovingly "If I'm a rebel for being with you then I guess I'm just as bad as Raven.." She whispered, her eyes sparkling before she placed a soft and sweet kiss on Darling's lips. They both giggled against each other's lips
"Does this mean we're dating?" Darling asked quietly, a cheesy grin on her face
"Yep!" Apple giggled "But you'll have to adapt to my schedule! I have to keep up my perfect GPA and I am the student council president, remember!" She smiled even more "But.. I can make time for a girlfriend.." She smiled and hugged her
"I can deal with that!" She smiled "I'm busy too, but I'll definitely make time for you.." She hugged her back.
They soon walked back to the school hand in hand before sneaking back to their forms. Apple quietly closed the door before being spooked by Raven
"Where were you?" She asked with a soft smirk
"Oooh.. I was just.. Em.." She looked down, her cheeks flushed. "Talking to.. Em.." She squeaked "Darling! Fine, fine I went off with Darling and we spent a little more time together after the dance.. Don't tell anyone please!" She huffed "My mother would be furious if she found out I was out past the school’s curfew.."
"I won't tell a soul, Apple, promise.. How did it go?" She sat down, gently handing Apple pajamas. Apple quickly got changed behind her changing screen before starting to undo her hair and remove her makeup
"Ohh Raven she's perfect! She's sweet and kind and.. Oooh!" She giggled a ton, jumping on her bed and kicking her legs when she was done
"You're happy.." She laughed
"We're.. We're official!!!" She squealed, rolling around
"Aww.. How sweet-" Raven rolled her eyes but smiled
"Oh, Raven I've found my Prince! Or.. Princess in this case-" She giggled
Raven threw a pillow at her "Goodnight Apple!" She lied down in bed and turned off her light
"..Goodnight, Raven, thank you.." She said softly before going to sleep