Chapter Text
Apple walked through the hallways of Ever After High, her bright red heels clopping against the floor. She held her books to her chest as she made her way to the Chemythstry Classroom, humming the words of the song “You don’t know you’re fairest” by One Reflection. She turned the corner to the classroom and saw the one thing she was dreading.
Rosabella Beauty.
Now don’t get her wrong, she liked Rosabella, she was always very helpful and insightful during Student Council meetings. But ever since Rosabella, Daring, Briar, Faybelle, Ashlynn and Blondie returned from their Epic Winter mission, she started liking her a little less. Not that she wasn’t happy for Rosabella and Daring, (she never had any affection for Daring anyways) the sigh of Daring looking super happy and content with another girl made Apple wince. She looked around to see Daring with his hand around Rosabella, looking at her longingly. They were such a perfect couple and Apple had only seen Daring look at one other person like that.
That person was Lizzie Hearts.
Everyone remembers when the future Queen of Hearts managed to seduce the most popular guy in the school. But alas, Daring was caught by Kitty Cheshire on a movie date with Duchess Swan, and that was that.
Apple would have to talk to her later. But for now, she settled into Chemythstry class. She watched as Daring gave Rosabella a kiss before leaving for his own class.
Apple sat in the middle, sitting next to her BFFA Briar Beauty. Briar was talking to someone next to her before turning around to Apple.
“Hi Apple! You’ll give me notes for class after this right? Pleaseeeee?” Briar asked.
Apple just nodded before letting out a small chuckle. She looked over to see who Briar was talking to and saw Darling Charming.
Darling was the youngest of the three Charming siblings and Dexter’s twin sister. From afar, you wouldn’t think they were siblings, let alone twins, but the closer you look, you’ll see the similar features they share. The same icy blue eyes. The same eye, face and ear shapes. The small brown mole just below their left eye. The same laugh.
Darling had platinum blonde hair with light blue highlights and streaks running through it. Not many people could pull that off but Darling did. She had a silver tiara on top of her head. She was engaged in a conversation with her BFFA and her roommate, Rosabella.
“Hi Darling!” Apple said.
Darling turned around, looking slightly red. “Oh hey Apple, how are you?”
“I’m good! Can you thank Dexter for me for the notes please?” Apple asked.
“Actually, those were my notes” Darling responded.
“Notes she finally did on her own!” Rosabella added with a laugh.
“No wonder they were so good! They were taken by you! Thank you Darling” Apple added.
Darling turned away flustered and mumbled a short, “You’re welcome”.
Just as Apple was turning back to pay attention to the now-starting class, she could see Rosabella grin at Darling with a cheeky smile, as if they had a shared secret that involved Apple. But for now, Apple just paid attention to the teacher as Briar rambled on about parties.
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The class went by, with Apple taking countless notes – highlighted, circled, colour coded - while also listening to Briar’s constant planning of dangerous activities, - rock climbing, bungee jumping and more dangerous activities Apple could never even fathom doing – but one thing caught Apple’s attention. Briar had said that she had planned with her cousin Rosabella that they could host a party in her dorm room, which was the second biggest dorm room on the girl’s hallway. Of course, Apple and Raven had the biggest dorm but Briar knew Apple was never going to allow having a party in her dorm room.
“So? Are you going to attend the party? You can talk and get closer to Darling! After all, she is your pri-“ Briar was cut off by a short death stare from Darling.
“Sorry, I forgot” Briar apologised.
Apple just sat there, confused. As Briar and Apple got up to go back to their dorms, Briar asked her a question.
“Apple, do you want to come with Ashlynn and I later to go shopping for the party tomorrow?”
“I wish I could Briar, but my mother has scheduled a call with me to ask about my prince charming”
“Oh! Speaking of that, how is the search going? Find the mystery princes- prince yet?”
Apple heard Briar’s slip up but brushed it off as an honest mistake. She made her way to her and Raven’s dorm when she heard laughing in the corner. She turned around to see Rosabella and Darling laughing with each other.
“Hi Rosabella!” Apple called out.
Rosabella turned around and waved back. She tapped Darling on her shoulder and Darling turned as well. For some reason, Apple’s heart skipped a beat and she could feel a blush developing on her cheeks.
“Ever After Hi to you as well Darling!” Apple added, in respect for the platinum girl.
Darling, clearly flustered, was able to make out a short sentence, “Oh hi Apple- Uh- I got to go- Charm you later!” she said, before speed-walking away briskly.
Rosabella waved goodbye to Apple and ran after her roommate with a sneaky smile, and Apple could swear she heard Rosabella tease Darling about being “so shit at flirting”
Apple made her way to her dorm room and opened the door. Just as she did that, her mirrorphone rang. She took it out of her pocket and set it on her vanity.
She saw the contact, “Mother”. She answered it and saw none other than her mother, the famous Snow White.
“Apple dear, how is the search for your Prince Charming going? Have you found out who it is yet?” She asked sternly.
“Wow, not even a proper greeting” Apple thought. “Not yet mother, the mystery prince is still yet to reveal himself.”
“Dear, if you do not find out who it is soon then your father and I will have to arrange you a proper suitor. It won’t be Daring Charming but it must make do.
Alert me if you find any leads."
“I will mother. Bye now. Love you”
“Love you dea-“ Apple cut the phone call and slumped on her bed.
Just then, her roommate Raven walked in.
“Let me guess, your mother called again? Asking about your ‘prince charming’?” Raven asked.
Apple just nodded, clearly looking quite exasperated. “I just wish whoever it is would just come and tell me already!”
“Well, you want to slim your options, right?”
Apple nodded.
“Even if it isn’t Daring, it is still a Charming. I mean, it’s destiny!” Raven exclaimed.
“I didn’t know you were one for destiny Raven” Apple added, clearly confused.
“I’m not, and I never will be. But if it makes you happy” She countered.
“So, my destined prince could be someone like Dexter…?” Apple asked.
“Have you thought about Darling maybe? Who says it has to be a prince?” Raven asked.
Apple thought for a second. “No, it can’t be. Darling didn’t wake me up, did she?”
Raven just shrugged, “Can’t say if she did or didn’t. But if she did, would you be mad? I mean, have you ever imagined yourself dating her?”
Apple stopped. Of course she had. Darling was tall and strong but also portrayed perfect elegance and grace. But in the eyes of her mother, it wasn’t right. Apple could feel a blush creeping up her cheeks. Now that she thought about it, Apple had never felt the same kind of fascination when Daring showed off his bright teeth or when Dexter took off his glasses as to when Darling would flip her hair, or even the way she would fight with a sword. She remembers the playdates she had at the Charming’s castle as a way for her to get closer to her future husband, “Daring”. During the playdates though, Darling would always be the one to play with Apple while Daring just sparred outside.
“Apple? Are you okay?” Raven broke the silence with a concerned voice.
“Y-Yeah I-I’m fi-fine” Apple got up and stumbled out of the room.
She made her way to Blondie and Cupid’s dorm. Because she had to ask Cupid about this. She didn’t have a crush on Darling, did she?