A Dangerous Rival
There was no other explanation for what had just happened.
She had accidentally asked Apple White to the dance.
And worse?
Apple had said yes.
Darling sat frozen in place, her brain completely short-circuited as Apple gave her an amused look.
“Well?” Apple prompted. “Aren’t you going to walk me to class?”
Darling snapped out of it, blinking rapidly. “Oh. Right. Yeah. Of course.”
Dexter, clearly enjoying himself far too much, whispered as they walked past, “Try not to pass out, yeah?”
Darling did not dignify that with a response.
Damage Control Mode: Activated
The moment she and Apple reached the hall, Darling knew she had to say something.
“I, um—”
Apple tilted her head. “Yes?”
Darling panicked.
“I hope you know I wasn’t, um, trying to pressure you or anything,” she blurted. “I just—Lucian was being a smug royal pain, and I—”
Apple giggled. “Darling.”
Darling stopped rambling immediately.
Apple smiled at her. “I’m glad you said something.”
Darling blinked. “You… are?”
Apple nodded. “Lucian’s sweet, I guess, but I didn’t really want to go with him. And I was starting to think you’d never ask me.”
Darling.exe has crashed again.
Apple giggled at her expression. “I should get to class. See you later, date.”
She winked before walking off.
Darling was fairly certain her soul had just left her body.
The Teasing Begins
By lunchtime, everyone knew.
And Darling had never wanted to disappear more.
“Darling and Apple, huh?” Raven mused as she plopped down at the lunch table. “Interesting.”
Dexter, grinning like a Cheshire Cat, said, “I’d say ‘you’re welcome,’ but I think I deserve a thank you.”
Darling groaned. “This is a nightmare.”
Rosabella smirked. “Is it? Or are you just being dramatic?”
“Dramatic?” Darling repeated. “I basically lied to Apple’s face, and now we’re going to the dance together, and—”
Raven raised an eyebrow. “You do want to go with her, don’t you?”
Darling’s mouth opened. Then closed. Then opened again.
Dexter smirked. “That’s a yes.”
Darling groaned again, slamming her head onto the table.
Rosabella patted her shoulder. “It’s okay, sweetheart. You’ll survive.”
Meanwhile, on Apple’s Side…
Briar leaned across the table, grinning. “So. You and Darling, huh?”
Apple laughed. “I suppose so.”
Holly O’Hair sighed dreamily. “It’s so romantic! A dramatic declaration in front of another suitor? Classic fairy tale moment.”
Briar nodded sagely. “Ten out of ten.”
Apple rolled her eyes, but she couldn’t stop smiling.
Because the truth was…
She had been waiting for Darling to ask her.
And if it took a little push from Lucian? Well.
She wasn’t complaining.
Darling’s Growing Panic
By the time the end of the day rolled around, Darling had worked herself into a full-blown crisis.
She had accidentally asked her crush to the dance.
And she had no idea how to handle it.
“I need a plan,” she declared.
Dexter snorted. “For what?”
“For the dance!” Darling ran a hand through her hair. “I can’t just go into this blind. I need a strategy. A game plan. A mission.”
Raven raised an eyebrow. “A mission?”
Darling ignored her.
“I need to make sure Apple has the best time possible,” she continued. “And I need to not embarrass myself. And—”
Dexter cut in, “Or, you could just… I don’t know… go to the dance and have fun?”
Darling stared at him like he had suggested something insane.
Raven laughed. “Good luck with that, Dex.”
Darling ignored them both.
She had a mission to plan.
The Night Before the Dance
Darling stood in front of her mirror, frowning at her reflection.
“Too formal,” she muttered, tossing another dress aside.
Rosabella, watching from the bed, sighed. “Darling. It’s fine. You’ll look amazing no matter what.”
Darling groaned. “That is not helpful.”
Briar, from the couch, smirked. “Apple’s gonna think you’re stunning no matter what. So stop panicking.”
Darling froze.
“I—” she started.
Rosabella grinned. “She’s blushing.”
Darling immediately covered her face. “I hate all of you.”
Briar laughed. “You love us.”
Darling grumbled.
But deep down…
She was starting to feel excited.
Even if she was terrified.
Tomorrow night was going to be life-changing.
And she had no idea what to expect.