Sofia the First: Take a Leap

Chapter 1: Royal Prep Academy Graduation Day

Princess Sofia's POV

"Sofia!"
Desmond calls out to me as I go through our speeches' script. We are the chosen valedictorians of this batch at Royal Prep Academy. "Oh hi, Desmond! I'm going through our script for our graduation ceremony later on. What's up?" I ask. "All of us are trying out our graduation gowns and caps, and you're the only one who hasn't tried it on yet, so James asked me to get you," says Desmond as he helps me descend the stage steps. "Thank you, Desmond!" I say.

Mum made this pink dress for me and Mr. Cedric recently gifted me a tiara. While still looking at my script for the graduation speech, I bump into someone and the papers fall on the floor. "Here, let me help you," I look up and it's Hugo. He has the dreamiest eyes. Why are my cheeks burning up? "Thank you, Hugo!" Hugo passes me back the papers. "You're welcome, Sofia! You better get going to try on the graduation gown," he says. "That's why I'm here! Come on, Sofia!" says Desmond.

"I'll see you later, Hugo!" I say as I race off to catch up with Desmond.

Hugo's POV
It was not a good first impression when Sofia and I first met at the derby course. After we won The Flying Crown for the derby team, I started to admire this princess, who is not your ordinary princess. She was the one who encouraged me to try ice dancing. After that recital, I developed feelings for Sofia, but I don't know if she feels the same. We are heading to different schools after we graduate from Royal Prep Academy.

"Baby bro!"
"Champ!"

The only two people who call me these names are my dad, King Garrick, and my older brother, Axel. "Hi, the graduation is not until three hours," I say. "Whatever you say, champ! I can't believe you're graduating! Just like old times!" Dad starts to reminisce about the old days at his graduation at this very school. "I saw Princess Sofia with Prince Desmond, what are they doing?" asks Axel. "Desmond says Sofia is the only one who has yet to try the graduation gown and hat," I say.

"You gotta take the opportunity to take Sofia out before you both start the new term at your new schools," says Axel. He is right; I'll ask Sofia at the graduation party!

Sofia's POV
"Amber, does my graduation gown and hat fit with the dress? Are you sure we are going to try again?" I ask Amber. "Yes, it has to! We're graduating! Everything needs to be perfect!" says Amber.

She picks out another dress for me to try on, "This is for the party tonight!" I can't do anything without Amber regarding dress fittings for any occasion.

Amber is the future Queen of Enchancia, and she has been yearning for the role ever since we found out she was the heir to the throne until the wedding day of Aunt Tilly. "There you are! How's the graduation gown and hat fitting going?" asks Mum. "Going great, mum!" I force a smile. "Amber, can you leave the two of us alone, please? We'll be joining in a bit," says Mum. "Sure, mummy!" says Amber as she leaves the fitting room. "Sofia, is everything okay?" asks Mum. I told her that Desmond and I were chosen to be the school's valedictorians. "That's great, sweetheart! Aren't you happy about it?" asks mum. "I am, but I'm afraid I will mess up in front of everyone," I sigh. "I'm sure you are going to do just fine! Just like when we entered the palace. Look how far you have come!" she kisses my forehead for reassurance.

"Rest assured, your dad and I will be there for you!" Mum takes my hand as we head out of the fitting room with the graduation gown because the graduation ceremony is about to start soon. I see Hugo; I think he is waiting for me. "Sof, Queen Miranda!" Hugo bows to mum. "I'll give you two some space to talk," Mum smiles at me, and she joins Dad.

Hugo's POV
Okay, Hugo, this is it! You are gonna ask Sofia out at the graduation party! Thanks to my big sibling, Axel, up till now I would be stuck in my shoes to ask Sofia out!

Taking a deep breath, I walk up to Sofia who is still reading the graduation speech. "Sof, you are going to do great! Your mum got that right!" I say. "Thank you, Hugo!" says Sofia.

"Sofia, come on! The graduation is about to start! Hugo, time to take your place! And we gotta gather everyone!" says Desmond. Right, the graduation! I take my place with other Royal Prep graduates. "Graduates, please take your seats, the ceremony is about to start," says Ms. Flora. My seat is not far from Desmond and Sofia - they are the valedictorians of today. Our names are called up one by one according to our kingdoms since royalty doesn't have any last names our kingdoms will be acting as our last names. "Prince Hugo of Colston!" my name is called and I received my scroll from the fairies. "Congratulations, dear Hugo!" say the three of them.

I head back to my seat and I wave my scroll to Dad and Axel. Axel gives me a thumbs-up!

Sofia's POV
Now with everyone getting their scrolls, Desmond and I are signaled to get ready on stage for our valedictorian speech. "Are you okay Sofia?" asks Desmond. "Yes, Des! I'm okay, what about you?" I ask him. "Nervous but I know we are going to do great!"

The fairies announce: "Please warmly welcome to our valedictorians for this year's graduating class - Prince Desmond and Princess Sofia!" Desmond helps me up on stage.

Hugo's POV
Desmond and Sofia are on stage delivering the valedictorian speech on behalf of the graduating class and Sofia looks stunning in that pink dress, I can see it glowing the way the sun shines upon her and Desmond. We sang the school anthem one more time and that was the end of our academy years at Royal Preparatory Academy!

To mark the end of the graduation, all of us threw our graduation mortarboard in the air. I catch Sofia's real quick, the moment she turns around, I pass back to her. "Thank you, Hugo! I'll see you at the party later!" she smiles. "Y-yeah! See you later!" I say. Did I stammer? Never mind about that! "Sofia, since we're here, let's take a picture!" I suggest. "O-oh, okay!" she says. "Okay, you two! Ready, in 1, 2, 3!" Axel takes the picture. "One more! Hugo, I want you to look at Sofia," Axel wants to create "the looks of love" between me and Sofia.

Okay, here goes nothing. I look at Sofia and Sofia looks at me too. We are gazing at each other to be exact and I didn't notice that Axel is calling us to snap out of the moment. "We're done?" I ask, still locking my eyes on Sofia. "Yes, baby bro! You can stare at her all you want at the party!" says Axel. "He's right! Come on, champ, time to get back to the castle for us to change after you return the graduation gown and mortarboard," says Dad.

I head to the room and Sofia is having some trouble getting back the graduation set to the cupboard. "Here, let me help," I say towering over Sofia. "Thanks, Hugo!" she turns to me and our eyes meet. I lower myself to be at her eye level, I can feel my cheeks burning and Sofia looks away. "Let me walk you out, please?" I offer Sofia. "That would be lovely! Thank you, Hugo!" I take her hand to place on my arm as we walk out.

"There you are, champ! Hello, Princess Sofia!" says Dad, "Greetings King Garrick and Prince Axel," Sofia bows to my dad and Axel gives a slight nod. "Dad, let's go thank the teachers. I bet Hugo wants to ask Sofia something," Axel gives me a wink. Right, I have to ask Sofia to be my date and I have something special for her at the graduation party. "Sofia, will you do the honors of being my date?" I ask. "Yes, Hugo! Yes! I thought you had never asked!" she agrees. She says yes!