The Almost Kiss
The Ever After High training grounds were usually a place where Darling felt most at ease. Sword in hand, she could let instinct take over, her movements swift and precise. The rhythm of battle was familiar, comforting even. A way to shut out everything else.
But today? Today was a nightmare.
Because today, she was sparring with Apple White.
“Are you sure about this?” Apple asked, adjusting the protective padding on her arms with a small frown. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
Darling scoffed, trying to ignore the way her heart did a ridiculous flip at Apple’s concern. “I should be the one saying that. You do know I train daily, right?”
Apple smirked, her blue eyes glinting with mischief. “And you do know I have excellent reflexes, right? Dodging danger is practically part of my destiny.”
Darling swallowed. Of course, she knew. She noticed everything about Apple. How she moved with surprising grace, how her golden hair caught the sunlight just right, how her determination made her even more—No. Focus, Darling.
She forced a grin and twirled her practice sword, keeping her stance relaxed. “Alright, let’s see what you’ve got, princess.”
Apple huffed. “I am a princess.” Then she lunged.
Darling had expected hesitation—maybe a clumsy first strike, some uncertainty in Apple’s form. But Apple was quicker than she’d thought. The blade of her wooden practice sword nearly clipped Darling’s side before she parried at the last second. Their weapons clashed, the sharp crack echoing through the courtyard.
“Not bad,” Darling admitted, surprised despite herself.
Apple beamed, cheeks dusted pink from exertion. “Thanks! Daring gave me a few tips.”
Darling frowned. Daring? Her brother had been giving Apple lessons? That was… fine. It was fine. Absolutely, totally, completely fine. Why wouldn’t it be fine? It wasn’t as if Darling wanted to be the one teaching Apple. It wasn’t like the idea of Daring getting all of Apple’s attention made her feel—what? Jealous? No, that was ridiculous.
Apple swung again, forcing Darling to snap out of her thoughts. She barely blocked in time, their weapons locked together. Their faces were suddenly inches apart.
Darling froze.
Apple’s breath was warm against her cheek. Her blue eyes were sparkling with amusement, lips parted slightly from exertion. She was beautiful. No, she was always beautiful, but up close like this, with the golden glow of the afternoon sun catching the strands of her hair just right—
Oh no.
Darling’s heart pounded against her ribs. It hit her all at once.
How close they were. How easy it would be to just—
Panic surged through her, and she abruptly pulled back, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process. “Okay! Yep! That’s enough training for today!” she blurted.
Apple blinked. “What? But we just started—”
“I just remembered—I, uh, I promised Dexter I’d help him with something,” Darling lied, already stepping backward.
Apple’s brows furrowed. “Are you okay? You’re acting—”
“Nope! Everything’s great!” Darling said, her voice a little too high-pitched. She quickly grabbed her things, deliberately avoiding Apple’s eyes. “You did amazing, really. We should totally do this again sometime! But, uh, I gotta go!”
And before Apple could ask anything else, Darling practically ran out of the training grounds.
Apple remained standing in the middle of the courtyard, utterly baffled. She lowered her practice sword. “What just happened?”
On the sidelines, two figures had been watching.
Rosabella adjusted her glasses, a knowing smirk tugging at her lips. “She almost kissed her.”
Daring, who had been leaning against a tree, nodded. “She totally almost kissed her.”
Rosabella sighed, shaking her head. “This is going to take forever.”
Daring smirked. “At least it’s entertaining.”
Rosabella shot him a look. “You say that like we’re not just as bad.”
Daring’s smirk faltered. “What?”
Rosabella didn’t reply. She simply rolled her eyes and walked away, leaving Daring standing there, suddenly the flustered one for a change.
Meanwhile, Darling had made it to the castle halls before she finally let herself breathe.
Her heart was still hammering, her hands clenched tightly around her training gear.
She had been this close to doing something completely reckless. To ruining everything.
“What is wrong with me?” she muttered under her breath.
She leaned back against the cold stone wall, closing her eyes. She needed to get a grip.
Apple was her friend. Just her friend. That was all she could ever be.
But that didn’t stop the way her stomach had fluttered when Apple smiled at her. It didn’t stop the way her fingers ached to brush stray strands of hair behind Apple’s ear. It didn’t stop the way the idea of Apple training with Daring, spending time with him, trusting him to teach her—
Darling groaned. “I’m ridiculous.”
She didn’t have time for this. Feelings like these? They were messy. Complicated. Dangerous.
A voice interrupted her spiralling thoughts.
“There you are!”
Darling’s eyes snapped open. Rosabella and Raven were walking towards her, both looking far too amused for her liking.
Raven smirked. “So, did you trip over your own feet running away, or was it a graceful escape?”
Darling scowled. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rosabella arched a brow. “Oh, come on, Darling. You fled that courtyard like a terrified woodland creature.”
Darling crossed her arms. “I did not flee.”
Raven hummed. “Right. Because bolting out of there the moment Apple so much as breathed near you is totally normal.”
Darling felt her face heat. “I don’t—It’s not—Look, can we just drop it?”
Rosabella tapped a finger against her chin. “Hmm. No.”
Darling groaned. “You two are the worst.”
Raven grinned. “Oh, we know.”
Rosabella’s smirk softened just slightly. “Look, all we’re saying is… maybe stop running.”
Darling hesitated.
Running was easier. Avoiding things meant never having to deal with what came next. With rejection. With heartbreak.
But for how long could she keep it up?
She exhaled sharply and pushed off the wall. “I’ll think about it.”
Raven patted her shoulder. “That’s a start.”
Darling rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile tugging at her lips.
If nothing else, at least she had them.