Silver Springs * Young Hook

intro

I'm changing the timeline a bit so forgive me.

• •

"Gingerbread?"
"Gingerbread?"
"Would you care for a cookie?"

"Have a gingerbread." Spoke the cheery girl holding the container of gingerbread men out. She came out of nowhere, truly. Offering anyone walking by a cookie and a sweet smile. Some of her now fellow classmates took one and some... didn't. Namelessly one girl who took the cookie with fake smiles before crushing the gingerbread in her hand and dumping it on the ground beside the cheery girl's feet and walks away with a maniacal laugh. Her cronies following closely and laughing as well. One of the cronies bumped cheery girl making her drop her container, cookies falling out.

Cheery girl's bright smile fell, and she quickly kneeled to pick up the pieces of broken gingerbread. Those around who had watching the interaction didn't bother to help, less they wanted to be the next target. That was until cheery girl heard a bag drop and someone kneeled beside her to help. She looked up to see another girl and watched her to surprise as she picked up piece.

"Don't bother with her. She just loves causing trouble. It's best to ignore her." Said the new girl. She offered a friendly smile that brought back the cheeriness.

"Who is she?" Cheery girl asks.

"Uliana. She's Ursula's little sister. You know, Ursula the 'Sea Witch'." A new voice piped. The two girls were joined by two new figures. A girl with light blue curls and a boy who seemed like he would rather not be there at that moment.

"More like 'Sea Bi--'" The boy was cut off by a slap at the knee.

"Okay Kiran calm down."

"What? You know it's true. She thinks just because Ursula left behind a reputation that she could use it to bully the rest of us. Very nepo if you ask me." The boy-- Kiran crosses his arms and grins victoriously as if he accomplished something. Blue and smiley girl looked at each other with a look before looking back at Kiran.

"I'm sorry, but aren't you Christopher's brother? You know, 'next in line for the throne' Christopher?" Blue mentions.

"That doesn't count!" Kiran's voice cracks in offend making all three girls giggle. They finished picking up the piece and stand up. "I don't use my status as prince to do what I want."

"So, what about the time you missed fencing class--"

"Or when you had to turn in that English paper--"

"Or that exam just last week--"

"Or--"

"Okay, I get it!" Kiran hisses, feeling embarrassed. "So maybe I sorta kinda use my status as prince. Barely!"

"'Barely'." Blue mocks. Cheery girl watches them in fascination. They mocked one another without actually hurting each other's feeling. They help those in need. Cheery girl smiles wide. I want to be their friend. Will they let me be their friend? Am I good enough? She thought to herself. The doubt that they just might be being polite and pitying her, ate at her. Too trapped in her own thoughts, she missed how she was asked a question.

"What...?" She looks at them as they look back at her. Great! I blew it. Now they won't want to be my friend.

"We asked what your name is. We realized that we've actually never seen you around before." Smiley says.

"Right! I'm new-- No, wait my name's not 'new'! I mean I'm new to here... at school..." She rambles on. "This is actually my first day. I was homeschooled before this, so I thought 'd make gingerbread cookies and introduce myself around. What are your names?"

"I'm Ella." Blue-- Ella, introduces herself. Cheery girl's eyes widen in remembrance that in this whole interaction, she still hadn't given her name.

"Right! Sorry..." She looks to the other girl and points to herself in enthusiasm. "My name is Bridget."

"Nice to meet you, Bridget. As you already know, this--" She motions to Kiran, who waves awkwardly. "...is Kiran."

"Pleasure to meet you, Bridget." Kiran bows dramatically that makes Bridget giggle sweetly.

"And I'm Idalin. Welcome to Merlin Academy." Smiley-- Idalin says. Bridget took in the information. She smiles brightly, which Idalin and Ella return. This was it. The start of a beautiful friendship that she was confident would last forever and forever. Nothing could go wrong!

"Are those gingerbreads supposed to do that?" The gingerbread men were biting and a few shrieks were echoing around.