Ever After High: Thronecoming

Chapter 15: What the Heart Wants

    Daring rushed up the stairs to the Charming Palace. He ran as fast as he could, to the front doors, not even pausing to look back. He slammed into the front door, pressing his palm firmly against the oak wood. "I win!" He yelled triumphantly. Turning, he saw Dexter not even halfway up the flight of stairs.

    "I hate you!" Dexter called back sarcastically. Daring straightened himself up and stepped into the grand entrance. Dexter rushed in behind him, panting as he went. Seeing his moment of weakness, Daring proceeded to grab him 'round the neck with his arm and give him a noogie.

    Darling came in behind them a few moments later. "Ugh, boys." Was all she said before she tromped up the main staircase and to her room. Just then, a stout servant wandered in and bowed to the brothers. 

    "Your parents will meet with you at dinner." The servant said. "Would you like me to transport your bags up the stairs, sires?"

    "Nah, I'm not that weak." Dexter said aiming his response toward Daring. The servant nodded politely and made his way out of the room. Dexter went up a set of stairs opposite to the ones Darling had taken. Daring trailed closely behind.

    "So, now that we're away from school, and it's safe, you wanna talk about it?" Dexter said as they entered their shared bedroom. They might have lived in a castle, but their mother was all about "brotherly bonding". So now they shared one large bedroom filled with everything a teenage boy could want. Videogames, tv, a rock climbing wall, and an air hockey table.

    "Talk about what?" Daring asked, tossing his bag on his four-poster bed.

    "You know what."

    "No. I really don't."

    "What's going on between you and Cerise?"

    Daring looked taken aback. It took him a moment to regain his composure. "Nothing." He answered, a bit of sadness in his voice.

    "Dude, you spent the entirety of the Thronecoming dance with her. Not to mention the way you look at her in the halls. You can't tell me that's nothing."

    "I can when she doesn't feel the same way."

    "How do you know that?"

    "She has been avoiding me like the plague, she obviously hates me."

    "You mean she obviously likes you!"

    "What?!"

    "C'mon, you have to see it."

    "See what?"

    "She is definitely into you." Dexter walked over to a beanbag and jumped into it. He patted on the one next to him. Daring took the hint and sat down. "Bro, I don't know how to break this to ya, but you scaring her away.

    "How am I doing that?" 

    "You are unreachable." Dexter explained. "You are always at the Royal's table."

    "Because I'm a Royal."

    "You're always hanging around Apple."

    "Because I'm supposed to."

    "Don't you think always being around your fairytale princess makes you look unavailable?"

    "I am unavailable!" He was supposed to be with Apple, if he didn't follow his story, bad things would happen. He stood up to leave.

    "Where are you going?"

    "Away from this conversation."

    "If you follow your story, but truly love Cerise, you'll never live happily ever after!" Dexter yelled trying to race the door slamming behind Daring. Dexter was right. Ashlynne and Hunter left their storyline behind, and look how happy they are. They didn't poof. If Daring wants to be happy, he needs to follow his heart.