Full Summary: Apple White is one of the most royal, perfect, good-girl Royals at school who's very committed (and I mean committed) to her story and pre-determined destiny. However, she's thrown for a loop when she finds out one impossible thing: she's pregnant. And Sparrow Hood's the father. Talk about a major fairy fail! Apple's supposed to be the lead Royal, a true believer of the safety and assurance of a pre-written path. But now Apple's worst nightmare has come true: she's strayed off the course of destiny, and has no idea what's next to come. This isn't how the story's supposed to go at all! She's supposed to be focusing on her classes so she can become the next Snow White, not trying to secretly survive her pregnancy and raise a child! What would her parents, friends, and everyone else think if they knew Apple did something off script? That she was secretly a ….Rebel? Not knowing what's to happen next, Apple has to somehow keep everything a secret, or else there could be hextreme trouble for her, Sparrow, and their child.

Author's Note: I don't know what brought me to write this story. A few nights ago, I was just lying in bed thinking of good Ever After High fanfiction stories I could write, when this plot randomly pops up in my mind. I mean, EVERYTHING just came out of nowhere. At first, I was like "what the hell? Who'd want to read this?" And I sort of pushed the thought away. Then the storyline played out in my head. I mean, THE ENTIRE STORY played right there in my mind. In the end, I was like, "who wouldn't want to read this? This is gold!" And here I am now. I know, I have other fanfictions I need to work on, but I NEEDED to start this story; the mixture of romance, drama, and friendship was too good to not put down on paper. Anyways, I hope you guys like this first chapter. Be sure to review please. Thank you!

P.S: First ever Apple x Sparrow fanfiction. Let's hope this works...

Two Months Prior…

"There's my apple pie!" squealed Briar, hurrying over to Apple. Briar threw her arms around the other princess and squeezed her tightly. "I'm so glad you decided to come! It wouldn't be the same without you."

Apple managed a weak smile. She had been studying back in her dorm room at Ever After High but decided to briefly visit Briar's party at the Red Shoes Dance Club and quickly exchange a few hellos with her friends. Like all of Briar's parties, the music and bass thundered and thumped intensely over the hazy, distant chatter and laughter that rang out everywhere. Colorful neon lights flashed everywhere and the light-up dance floor in the center of the room resembled an unsolved rubix's cube, its tiles flashing different colors every second. The party was in full swing; the crowd on the dance floor was jumping in a huddled group like small candies being shaken in a box, the FX machines were spitting out spark and laser effects, and a lot of the other guests were holding large plastic cups that were filled up to the rim with what everyone referred to as "soda".

"Hey, there's Ashlynn and Blondie," said Briar, gesturing towards a table in the back, "let's go say hi." Apple gave a tiny nod, allowing her best friend forever after to take her by the wrist and guide her through the thick crowd. She felt like a faint-hearted child whose mother was leading them through an unfamiliar place full of unidentified people and peculiar occurrences. Like the odd one out who didn't have anything to be gleeful about. Like the only one who didn't belong.

All of Apple's strife and worries, the very same things she had been trying to smile away, came rushing back as a distant, familiar laugh rang in her ears. "Oh Maddie! S-s-stop it! You're killing me!" hooted the feminine voice, bringing back all the horrible memoires. How could she sound so happy after she literally destroyed their story, their future? Apple immediately lost awareness of the party around her. She could no longer feel Briar's hand squeezing her wrist and the surrounding clamor seemed to cancel out, that gleeful laughter becoming the only audible thing. Apple felt herself glaring as some of the crowd thinned out, revealing two girls by the punch bowl. The world around the princess completely came to a halt as the taller one with black-and-purple hair slowly glanced in Apple's direction. Her radiate smile slowly faded as her eyes locked with Apple's.

The frightening occurrences of Legacy Day replayed in Apple's mind as she struggled to maintain her eye contact with Raven. The princess pushed back the fear and searched Raven's eyes for any signs of regret or pain. Unfortunately, Raven wasn't able to keep their connection; she glanced away, returning her attention to her friend Maddie. Apple felt something inside her break as the atmosphere regained its intense state and the others reverted from being motionless figures to active party guests.

"Hey guys! Look who's here!" announced Briar, snapping Apple out of her daze.

"Apple! I thought you weren't coming," recalled Blondie, studying Apple up and down. Her Mirrorpad was tucked under her arm, a sign that she had been taking quick pics for her mirrorcast show.

Apple forced herself to smile cheerfully. "Oh, I just thought I'd pop in and say hi," she said in her everything's-tea-and-sunshine voice. "So, are you two enjoying the party?" She was inwardly praying her friends couldn't see her dismay. After Legacy Day, the last thing she needed was for people to think she had been deprived of her famous cheery spirit.

"I'm getting hexcellent shots for my mirrorcast show," informed Blondie perkily, holding up her Mirrorpad. "Next episode's gonna be happily ever awesome!"

"That's great, Blondie! How about you, Ashlynn?" inquired Apple, looking at her fellow princess expectantly.

It appeared that Ashlynn didn't hear Apple's question. She was too busy scowling at the dance floor, Hunter Huntsman specifically. A girl in a rather revealing outfit was trying to pull Hunter, who looked all too obliged, into a dance.

"Ashlynn!" called Apple in a louder voice.

"Huh? What?" startled the strawberry-blond princess, slightly turning her head to face Apple though her eyes were still on Hunter and the girl.

"I asked if you're enjoying yourself," repeated Apple, briefly glancing at Hunter and his dance partner. She then became aware of the reason Ashlynn was watching them so closely. "Did you want a dance partner?" she asked, glancing around the room. "I'm sure I can find an unoccupied prince for you-"

"Um, no thanks," declined Ashlynn quickly, turning her attention to Apple. "I….I don't really want to dance. I was just watching. Hunter's dance partner has a nice pair of shoes and I was thinking about getting some for the Glass Slipper." Apple raised a questioning eyebrow. When Ashlynn noticed Apple's curious look, she quickly changed the subject. "Hey, I see you've finally decided to get out of your dorm room," she regarded, trying her best to sound cheerful.

"Ash, is something wrong?" asked Apple worriedly, forgetting about her own troubles. "You're acting….weird."

"Hm? Oh, n-nothing's the matter," stammered the other princess hastily, "I was just thinking about some things, that's all. Nothing important." She shifted awkwardly. "So how have you been? You know, after what happened at Legacy Day…."

Apple swallowed a lump of uncertainness and looked away. She couldn't even think back to the week of Legacy Day without choking up…

xXx

Present Day

Apple sighed at the sight of her clean panty liner. It was looking like she was going to miss this month's period, too. She sat up, pulled up her panties and skirt, and exited the stall. Don't worry about it, Apple. It's normal for a girl's period to be late every now and then, Apple inwardly told herself as she washed her hands at one of the crystal sinks. There's absolutely nothing to worry about. She pulled a few brown sheets out of the paper towel dispenser and fretfully dried her hands. Afterwards, she crumbled up the paper towels into a wad and tossed it into the garbage can before exiting the bathroom.

"Everything all right?" asked Briar Beauty with concern as Apple rejoined her best friend outside the girls' restroom.

Apple nodded and the girls started down the hallway. "Everything's fine. It's just….my period's a week late." She bit her lip worriedly. "I know it's normal for periods to be late, but I didn't get one last month either. There may be something wrong with me."

Briar looked up from her Mirrorphone and glanced at Apple. "There's nothing wrong with you," she assured calmly, "a common cause of a missed or late period is stress. Ever since Legacy Day, you've been pretty tense. You're just worrying too much and it's delaying your period."

Apple let out a sigh of relief. So there wasn't anything wrong with her. "You're right; I have been over thinking things lately. Maybe I just need to relax." She smiled widely. "Thanks, Briar. For the information."

The corners of Briar's lips curled up into a smile and she held up her phone. "Don't thank me. Thank the Mirrornet, the world's greatest invention since high heeled shoes." Apple let out a cheery laugh. Leave it to Sleep Beauty's daughter to make her feel better. Actually, ever since the Legacy Day catastrophe, Briar and Apple's other friends had done everything in their power to cheer up Apple. She was super thankful she had friends who cared so much about her and that would always be there for her no matter what she was going through. It was them who always helped Apple get through her dark times and the princess hextremely appreciated that.

"So, what do you think this meeting is even about?" asked Apple as the girls walked through the open doors of the charmitorium with the other students. Ever After High's headmaster, Milton Grimm, had randomly called for a first-and-second-year student assembly in the charmitorium, dismissing the students from their fifth-period classes.

Briar shrugged. "This is probably about that glop they call food everyone's throwing away at lunch. There's no wonder no one eats it; I found a hairpin in my porridge once."

Apple giggled quietly as they and the other Royals made it up to the top-level balconies while the other students ventured over to the rigid seats on the floor-level. "Wouldn't they have called all the students then?"

"Beats me," was Briar's reply as they both took seats on the plush thrones beside Ashlynn Ella, Cinderella's daughter and their other best friend forever after. "I just hope this doesn't take long," said Briar, dropping her black purse on the floor by her feet. "I have to make plans for my next party. It's gonna be the most page-ripping party ever after!" Apple rolled her eyes and smiled. As the daughter of Sleeping Beauty, Briar was cursed to sleep for a hundred years. Thus, she planned on living every moment to the fullest.

"That's what you say about all your parties," pointed out Ashlynn with a lovely smile.

All of the buzzing conversations quieted down as the headmaster ascended a few stairs and stepped onto the stage. "Good afternoon, students," he announced, making all the chatter die down. Apple squinted her eyes down at the platform so the headmaster wouldn't appear to her as a tiny blur; she wasn't wearing her glasses so she couldn't see distant things very well, especially not in the dim lighting. Headmaster Grimm took his place in the middle of the stage and adjusted his tie. He took a good look around the charmitorium and spoke out in his authoritative voice. "I am fairy displeased to see that this…rebellion is growing larger," he began disappointedly.

Apple could feel her cheeks burning with shame. Headmaster Grimm had been the headmaster of Ever After High since 1812and had probably never seen such a disgraceful generation of soon-to-be fairytales. "It strongly saddens me to see that so many students now have chosen to ignore their heritage," he went on, pacing down the edge of the stage with his hands clasped behind his back. "Must I remind you that being the sole heir to a fairytale is a blessing in itself. To be promised a happily ever after and the continued legacy of your story." From the way he was talking, Apple could tell he was frowning. "It has come to all of our attention that a certain student-" He paused and briefly glanced down at a student in the front row of the floor-level seats. Though he didn't give a name, everyone knew who he was talking about. Raven Queen, the Evil Queen's daughter.

During Legacy Day, Raven was supposed to sign the Storybook of Legends and pledge to become the Evil Queen, but she didn't. Instead, she violently tore out her page of the Book and refused to follow her destiny. That was the worst day of Apple's life. As the daughter of Snow White, Apple needed Raven in order to obtain her happily ever after. Without Raven, Apple would never bite into the poison apple, be kissed and awoken from death by her true love, and never become queen. Ever since she could remember, Apple had been prepared for her destiny. But when Raven refused to play her part in the Snow White tale, Apple's dreams, time, and effort all went straight down the drain. And to make things even worse, if Raven didn't come around and accept her destiny soon, their fairytale could cease to exist. Yep. She, Apple, and Hunter Huntsman, the woodman who was supposed to save Apple's life, could all go poof. Just like that. And the sad thing about it was that Raven was being plain selfish; she didn't even seem to regret her choice or care that she had put hers and Apple's story in jeopardy. And because of Raven's outrageous choice, a group of other students at Ever After High had chosen to follow her lead and throw away their fairytale densities, making up the rebellion the headmaster was just speaking about.

"-has chosen to simply throw away her destiny without regarding the importance of her role," went on Mr. Grimm, "and a lot of you are following her example. It hextremely upsets me to know you are putting our world in danger. If the stories are fairy world exists on are not relived, we could all go poof. Our world could cease to exist forever after." Apple shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Ever since Legacy Day, this subject had become the touchiest, most debated topic in the halls.

"I have summoned the freshmen students to this assembly, because I do not want their young minds to be spoiled by these unspeakable acts," continued the headmaster, resuming his pacing. Legacy Day, the memorable event when the students would pledge to follow their fairytale destinies, was for the second year students, so the third and fourth students weren't the problem; their stories were safe since they had actually signed the Storybook in the previous year(s). "There is no reason for rebellion. To rebel is to bring destruction to the land of Ever After and all its inhabitants." Apple felt herself shrinking back in her seat.

Headmaster Grimm paused, slightly rolled back his sleeve, and took a quick look at his wrist watch. "I know you all need to return to your classes, so I won't keep you any longer," he announced in his strong voice, "but before you go, I cannot stress one thing enough: stick to the book or the consequences will be severe."

The well. The well was where Apple needed to be. Whenever she was feeling down or stressed, the well was where she went. The princesses kept running as the trees opened up and a well in the middle of the clearing came into view. Yes, this was where she needed to be. She could already feel herself calming down as she halted in front of the wishing well. The princess took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, releasing all of her strife and worries with her breath. She looked up to the trees as sunlight shone through their leaves and onto her face. The sensation of the warm sunlight dancing on her face made her feel calm. Peaceful. Free. The girl fingered the ivory growing on the well and began to hum softly. As if on cue, the birds in the trees began to chirp along to her gentle melody. Apple outstretched her arms and a few birds perched themselves on them. Little squirrels, rabbits, deer, and other woodland creatures suddenly appeared out of the bushes and slowly approached the princess.

"Hello there, my perfect little friends," sang Apple lightly as a few fawns nuzzled her legs affectionately. All princesses had a strong connection with woodland creatures, so Apple found comfort in being around her four-legged friends. "You little ones always know just how to make me feel better." The group of birds on her arms disbanded and began circling in the sky above Apple's head, letting go of the flowers they had been carrying. "Awe! You guys are sweet," giggled Apple as the flowers landed atop her head and around her feet. She smiled kindly when she noticed a tiny fawn quivering in the bushes. "Come on, little one. I won't hurt you," called Apple softly, bending down and stretching out her arm towards the frightened animal. The precious little creature sniffled and slowly started for the princess. "That's it. Come on," urged Apple lightly. When the little fawn got close enough, Apple reached out to rub behind its ears. Just when her finger nuzzled its soft fur, a loud clanging resonated from the deeper parts of the forest, startling the poor animal.

The little fawn let out a sound of distress and scurried away into the forest with the rest of its kind. The squirrels squeaked fearfully and took refuge in the trees while the birds chirped frantically and flew away.

Clang!

"Wait! Guys, come back!" cried out Apple as the resonating metallic sounds got closer. "You can't leave yet!" Unfortunately, her woodland friends were far too frightened to pay attention to the princess. Apple felt something inside her crack as she watched her little friends scatter and hide. "Wait, guys! Who am I supposed to talk to?" she called as the last woodland creature, a rabbit, hopped into a bush. Seeing that begging was pointless, Apple whirled around towards the noise as heavy footsteps and the continual clanging neared her. The maker of the loud ruckus stepped out from behind some bushes, appearing a few feet away from Apple. It was a young man who was wearing studded clothing and strumming a green guitar."Sparrow! What in the kingdom are you doing?" asked Apple, trying her best not to sound irritated. "You scared off all the woodland creatures with that loud racket."

Sparrow Hood swept into a mock regal bow. "Well, pardon my loud racket, Your Highness. I didn't realize you owned this forest." He looked up at Apple with his mischievous green eyes. "Besides, over those animals, I'm an upgrade. A fairy sexy upgrade."

Apple folded her arms across her chest, titled her head, and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Don't you have better things to do, Sparrow?"

Sparrow whistled and strummed his guitar's chords. "Feisty," he sang. He winked at Apple and took a seat on a tree stump.

"What are you doing? Don't you have band practice with the Merry Men or something?" questioned Apple, turning her back to the young man. As Robin Hood's son, Sparrow was the head of the Merry Men, the group who was destined to assist Sparrow in his "steal from the rich and give to the poor" role.

"Nah, I'm good here." From the way he was talking, Apple could tell he was flashing his bad-boy grin. "You should be happy I'm here. Talking to me beats blabbing on and on to vermin."

Vermin? Apple turned around sharply on her heels to face Sparrow. "First of all, Sparrow, they are not vermin. They happen to be some of my best friends. Secondly, I do not feel like being bothered with your pointless talk," she said coolly, glaring at the rebel rocker. Sparrow stopped strumming and looked at Apple curiously. The princess couldn't help but feel squeamish as he studied her closely.

Thankfully, his bad-boy smile returned. "Apple White's pissed off? Should've brought my camera. I would've become a Mirrornet sensation in matter of minutes."

Apple sighed loudly and plopped down onto the ground. She criss-crossed her legs and plucked a flower out of the ground. "I know, I know. As the next Snow White, I'm supposed to be smiling and cheery at all times. I honestly try to be like my mother, but…."

"But?"

Apple hesitated. Sparrow Hood was known to be a little untrustworthy and she wasn't sure she wanted to share her feelings with him. But on the other side, it beat talking to creatures she couldn't even understand….. "Sometimes, I feel like trying to be like Mom is pointless," she confessed, looking down as her cheeks burned with shame.

However, Sparrow didn't see things the way she did. "So? I don't wanna be like my dad," he pointed out, adjusting his cap. He was correct; instead of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor, Sparrow stole from the rich and gave to himself.

"Yeah, but you'll come around eventually," insisted Apple, "when you realize it's for the greater good." She began to pull the petals off the flower. "I just sometimes feel like it's pointless to keep pursing after my destiny. You know. After Legacy Day and all. It's obvious Raven doesn't want to sign the Book and become the Evil Queen. And without the Evil Queen, the Snow White tale won't happen, which means I won't get my happily ever after." Apple swallowed the lump in her throat and did her best to hold back her tears. It all felt so real when she talked about it.

The princess glanced up at Sparrow, expecting him to defend Raven and her choices. Instead, he nodded his head understandingly. "I know what you mean."

"What?"

Sparrow nodded again and stared off into the distant, a blank expression spreading across his face. "Yeah. Once, when I was little, Dad promised to get me a puppy for my sixth birthday." Is Sparrow really comparing my future to a puppy? Apple raised an eyebrow but allowed Sparrow to continue. "After that, I started preparing for the day that puppy would be mine. I researched what they needed and what I had to do to take care of it." He looked at Apple and she bobbed her head, signaling him to continue. "Well, a week or two before my birthday, something came up and I couldn't get the puppy. Instead, my dad gave me a cat. A cat. In the beginning, I did everything I could to persuade him into letting me get a dog. However, in time, after I got used to the fact I wasn't getting a dog, I actually accepted my new pet and formed a bond with it."

Though she knew she wasn't supposed to because it could cause skin problems, Apple wrinkled her nose. "I don't understand," she said shortly, "you didn't get the puppy."

"That's the point."

"So you're saying I should just let Raven get away with destroying out story?" asked Apple coolly, standing up and brushing the dirt off her skirt. She looked coldly at Sparrow, who was still playing his guitar and staring off into space, clearing stuck in his memories. "Look, I appreciate your help, but I just don't think you understand what I'm going through."

And with that, the princess turned her back to the young man and started away from him and the well, leaving Sparrow alone to finish his melody.

When Apple got back to the dorms that evening, her roommate, Raven Queen, was getting ready for the night. "Hey Apple," she greeted with a tiny wave.

"Hey Raven," returned Apple, crossing over onto her side of the room. Though the disaster at Legacy Day happened two months ago, the two girls weren't really on speaking terms. Though tonight, Apple planned to break the silence. She sat down on her bed and announced, "Raven, we need to talk" just as Raven was coming over saying "Apple, we need to talk". They both laughed. "Looks like we're both on the same page for once," smiled Apple, scooting over and patting the space beside her.

Raven sat down and sighed."Apple, about Legacy Day…."

Apple bit her lip. "I know, you don't want to become the next Evil Queen."

Raven began to fiddle with her robe's sash. "It's about way more than that, Apple. I don't wanna be like my mom. I don't wanna hurt anyone."

Apple took one of the girl's hands and squeezed it tightly. "Raven, I don't understand," she began slowly, "if you don't sign the Book, our story could disappear forever after. We could go poof."

"We don't know that for sure."

"No, we don't," admitted Apple, "but it could happen. But right now, I don't really want to think about that. I wanna know why you chose not to sign the Storybook of Legends."

There was a brief moment of silence before Raven stood up and began pacing around the dorm room as if she was thinking of what to say. "I don't really know how to explain it to you," she confessed, glancing at Apple. "I'm not sure you'll understand."

"Explain it to me anyway you can."

"Hm. Let's see…." mused Raven, leaning against the wall. She stood like that for a few moments and then snapped her fingers triumphantly. "I got it. Let's say you're in love with….um…..Who's a guy we know who isn't a prince?"

"Sparrow?" suggested Apple patiently and curiously.

"Yeah, Sparrow. Let's say you're in love with Sparrow," began Raven, continuing her pacing.

"Highly unlikely, but alright. Let's say I'm in love with Sparrow." Apple nodded.

"You love Sparrow even though you're not destined to be with him," went on Raven, "and knowing this, you don't want to go through with your destiny. You don't want to be trapped in a life you don't want."

Apple considered this for a moment. "Well, that could lead to doubt," she avowed, "but that's still no reason to put us all in jeopardy."

Her roommate facepalmed. "I'm still not getting through to you."

"I'm honestly trying to understand you. It's just…hard for me. If I knew other people's destinies and safety relied on me, I'd be more than happy to play my part."

Raven shook her head disappointedly. "No, no. You're still not getting it. Regardless of whom you share a story with, you're still madly in love with Sparrow. So in love, you don't want to go along with your storybook destiny. You know others are counting on you to play your part, but you can't entitle yourself to a life where you're unhappy."

"But I don't understand it, Raven! There's nothing wrong with your destiny! You get to become queen and rule a kingdom!" Apple had no idea why she was suddenly raising her voice. "If you ask me, that sounds like a perfect happily ever after."

Raven snarled at the princess. "Just because you get to live in a castle and have authority over others doesn't mean you live happily ever after, Apple." Apple startled at Raven's sudden aggression. The girl looked imposing as hex when she was annoyed. "Yes, if I become my mom, I will gain a fancy title, but I won't live a happily ever after like you will."

Okay, now Apple was straight up confused. "What are you talking about? You're a princess and all princesses live happily ever after."

Raven paused and looked at Apple, her face expressionless. "Is that really what you think? Apple, I saw what would happen to me if I signed the Storybook of Legends. I didn't see charming princes, galas, or adoring subjects. I saw death. Fear. Hatred."

Apple felt her mouth go dry and face cold. "Wait….what?"

Her roomie sighed loudly. "Yeah," she said lowly, sitting down in the chair at her desk. "I saw all those things when the Storybook of Legends revealed my destined future. It wasn't pretty, Apple. I wasn't just evil. I was a monster. I was destroying other people's stories and ordering assassinations. That kind of thing. I don't wanna turn out like that. I don't want others to fear me. I'm not asking if you completely understand what I'm saying because I don't expect you to, but I at least want to know if you know where I'm going with this."

Apple recalled Raven right after she tore her page out of the Book. Her face had been unsure. Fearful. The princess nodded weakly. "Yeah," she replied shortly, staring at the wall.

Raven sighed with relief. "Good," she said, standing up. She glanced up at the wall clock. "Well, it's getting late. We should go to sleep. Finish this some other time?"

Apple snapped out of her daze. "Um, yeah. Sure thing." She slipped her feet out of her high heels and started for her closet.

"Oh, and Apple?" called Raven from her side of the room.

"Yeah, Raven?" Apple took out her nightgown and slippers and laid them across her bed.

"Thanks for listening to me. It felt nice to finally talk to someone about my choice." The girl yawned and climbed into her own bed. "Well, goodnight." She clapped her hands together and lights on her portion of the room faded. It wasn't long before her soft snores drifted around the dorm room.

Apple sat down in the corner and hugged her knees to her chest. She had a lot to think about. "Goodnight, roomie," she whispered.