You're still my Destiny

Chapter One

They have an evening routine by now and it looks a little like this:

They fight over the use of the bathroom, dirty tricks allowed, even though most nights they end up sharing it anyway.

Apple stays in there longer, following her skincare routine meticulously and without compromise.

When Raven leaves the room, she rolls her eyes, pretending like she's not about to smile, just as Apple pretends not to see it.

It works for them and she's not about to threaten this peace between them.

Once under her covers, Apple calls out "Good night, Ravie", just because she can. Because Raven no longer throws curses her way when she says it. Because they are friends. And Apple has fought so hard for this, so by the Book of Destiny, she's gonna enjoy it.

Raven sighs but she still throws a "Good night, Apple-nova" her way.

If Apple has to pinpoint her favorite part of the day, this would be it.

She always falls asleep with a smile.

Raven skeptically tilts her head at her reflection. "Don't you think this crown makes me look too evil?"

Apple had been about to pin up her own hair. She lets it fall back down on her shoulders. She struts over to her friend— who is she kidding?, her best friend— and takes a look at what she's wearing.

"If anything, you don't look evil enough", she says with a confidence she's not quite sure she's feeling.

Sure, she's confident. And yes, she trusts that today will turn out well. But still, she compensates with a determination that Raven lacks on this day. Apple understands but still, she feels like she needs to be strong for the both of them today. Put on that extra bit of confidence and determination. Remind her that it'll all be okay. That they'll be okay.

Raven sighs sadly but proceeds to put on her earrings.

Apple puts her arm around Raven's waist, careful not to impede her movement or make a crease into Raven's carefully shaped dress during the hug.

"You can do it!" She reassures her cheerfully. "It will feel a lot shorter than you remember it!"

Apple can see Raven's lips quirking up for a short second but she's quick to be back to her former glum expression.

Perfect , Apple thinks, and let the Legacy Day begin anew .

They're sitting together at this year's Legacy Day, as it should be . Apple finds, after all, their destinies are very much intertwined.

In front of them are two rows of students that participate in the Legacy Day for the first time this year and Apple can tell that they are nervous too. Some of them look to her as if to confirm that they're making the right choice in signing their name. She holds her head extra high. Some others are looking to Raven, hesitantly of course. They are all aware of what it means if Raven signs in the book today. Raven set a powerful precedent that needs to be rectified.

Not if Raven signs , Apple reminds herself, when Raven signs .

She looks beside her to the girl in question who is staring blankly to the front where their principal is just about to take the stage.

Gently, she nudges her with her elbow and presents her with an encouraging smile.

Raven doesn't smile back but her shoulders unclench and when she turns back to the front her stare is no longer blank but filled with a determination that would make most of the student body of Ever After High tremble.