The Apple of My Eye: Book Two (An Ever After High Crossover)

Looking for Answers

She paced back and forth; the study hall was silent except for the echo of her solitary footsteps. Biting her lip and fidgeting with her fingertips, she attempted to take deep breaths, but time seemed to freeze. The sluggish passage of time was enough to drive even the Mad Hatter, well... mad.

'I knew I should have gone with them. Why did I stay behind? I need to go, he needs me. I promised him I would always be by his side.'

"Apple?"

She recognized that voice instantly. The prince, known for his charming smile, was standing at the entrance.

"Daring, what are you doing here?"

Daring let out a small chuckle.

"Where else do you go to study for these impossible quizzes Professor Rumpelstiltskin throws at us?"

He walks into the room, heading straight for Apple. "More importantly, why are you here alone? I thought you snuck off with that Elf Prince again."

'How did he know that? I thought we were being careful...'

"He didn't hurt you, did he?" he asked, gripping her shoulders.

Apple shook her head.

"No. Of course not. He's just going through a rough time right now. Stan and the others went searching for him," Apple said with a gulp.

Daring relaxed his hold, releasing a heavy sigh.

"You're still my friend forever after. You can trust me."

Trust him?

How could she trust in him, given he's a Royal? Apple was well aware of the Royal mindset, not understanding anyone else's point of view other than honoring tradition. If anything, he would tell her she's wrong and that she's letting her mother down. Apple was already familiar with the sting of disappointment in the eyes of others. The last thing she needed was to burden her mother with the same sentiment.

"If you don't mind, I need to—"

"Apple..." he interrupted.

Sadness filled Daring's eyes.

"I know you care for him. I was there watching you when the evil queen attacked. The whole school saw how you sacrificed yourself for him, knowing that you and your story would have ceased to exist. The Royal that I've known would have never stepped out of her role as a damsel to save a nobody like that."

Apple takes a step back, removing Daring's hands away from her with a disgusted look on her face.

'Daring... if only you knew...'

"The Royal you knew has long been dethroned."

Apple spun around with Daring's calls echoing throughout her head, but she refused to acknowledge any of them.

Apple knows Daring means well, but he shouldn't be talking. Everything they knew, everything that their families told them was a lie. Who's to know that even the rules of their own society have been one big lie as well...

***

The Elven King knelt beside a stream, cupping his hands to drink from its flow. His legs shook from the swift escape from the village square. Kyle regretted abandoning Apple and the rest, yet he was desperate for answers. Any explanation would have only delayed him.

'Think, Kyle think!'

He took a look around his surroundings. The enchanted forest felt peaceful during the day. Butterflies danced among the wildflowers, and woodland critters rested in the tall grass.

'Maybe if I can clear my mind, I can probably recall something I read from the Storybook of Legends that can help me figure out what to do. I am the Elven King after all, I should be able to reach a meditation state here in the enchanted forest,' thought Kyle.

Kyle settles on the grass, crossing his legs and resting his hands atop his lap. He inhales deeply, closing his eyes, and exhales slowly, focusing his energy and clearing his mind. The forest around him fades to black, isolating him in darkness. Pages flutter around him, each bearing familiar words.

Suddenly, a brilliant flash unveils a girl cloaked in mystery, seated alone in her dorm, bathed in moonlight, penning her deepest thoughts.

'He and mom weren't supposed to fall in love. So, I guess you could say I am my secret.'

Kyle shifted his attention to another page, revealing a young man sitting alone in the forest, resting on a tree stump with a journal in his hands.

'But what if I fall in love, but it's NOT my destiny? And what IF the princess girl isn't supposed to fall in love with me? Am I still a hero if I put us both in danger?'

Cerise Hood, daughter of little red riding hood hiding a big bad secret. The secret that her father the big bad wolf married little red riding hood and she was the result.

Hunter Huntsman, the son of the huntsman, hiding a secret of his own-that he fell in love with the daughter of Cinderella. Knowing that they are from two different stories, within time, they brought their secret in the light. Although most people didn't agree, after a while they accepted their forbidden relationship.

A slight chuckle broke from Kyle, a glimmer of hope sparked by the knowledge that some rebels still dared to challenge tradition. Yet, a part of him couldn't help but worry. Unlike his and Apple's bond, these rebels didn't face the complexities of coming from different worlds.

'This negativity... so much of it thrives on my shoulders. I need to stay strong, if the rebels can fight the odds, then so can I.'

Kyle bowed his head, attempting to anchor himself back to reality, when suddenly a piercing howl filled his ears. He glanced around, the blue glow of the moonlight capturing his gaze. Usually, the beauty of the cosmos would leave Kyle spellbound, but this was an unfamiliar beauty. His heart pounded faster with each second. He reached for his chest but couldn't. Paralyzed, an intense pain shot through his spine, toppling him to the ground.

"If you're not careful..." a voice echoed from the darkness.

"Someone... please..." Kyle's plea was barely a whisper.

"Make it... stop!"