Chapter Twenty-Two: Questions and Chaos

                                    

                                          

The cafeteria buzzed with its usual hum of chatter and clatter, students divided into their usual groups of Royals and Rebels. Apple White sat at her usual table, a pristine apple in front of her, her mind racing with the recent events. Brooke's situation weighed heavily on her, but she was determined to find a solution.
As Apple pondered, Duchess Swan, with her graceful poise, approached the table. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion. "Mind if I join you, Apple?" she asked, her voice smooth.
Apple looked up and smiled. "Of course, Duchess. Please, have a seat."
Duchess sat down elegantly, her gaze fixed on Apple with an intensity that made Apple slightly uneasy. "So, I've heard some rather intriguing rumors about this new girl, Brooke Page. People are saying she's quite... unusual."
Apple forced a casual smile, though her heart raced. "Oh, you know how rumors are. Brooke is just a new student, trying to find her place like everyone else."
Duchess tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "But she seems so... different. Almost like she doesn't quite belong. Where exactly did she transfer from again?"
Apple maintained her composed demeanor, even as she scrambled for a convincing answer. "She's from a very distant kingdom. The paperwork got a bit delayed, but Headmaster Grimm is sorting it out."
Duchess raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced. "Interesting. Very interesting. And which kingdom would that be?"
Apple hesitated for a split second before replying, "A small, remote one. You probably wouldn't have heard of it."
Duchess's lips curled into a sly smile. "I see. Well, I do hope everything works out for her. It would be a shame if something... untoward happened because of a misunderstanding."
Meanwhile, across the cafeteria, Raven Queen sat with some of the Rebels, including Brooke, who was quietly absorbing the animated conversation around her. Maddie, ever the eccentric, was having her afternoon tea with a group of mice at a small table nearby, her teapot hat filled with steaming tea.
"Raven," one of the Royals called out, his tone mocking. "Still trying to avoid your destiny?"
Raven's eyes flashed with determination. "It's not about avoiding anything. It's about choosing my own path."
The Royal sneered. "You think you're better than the rest of us because you want to break tradition?"
Before Raven could respond, a nearby Rebel chimed in, his voice filled with frustration. "It's not about being better. It's about freedom and choice."
The tension in the room thickened as the Royals and Rebels started to argue. Brooke watched nervously, sensing the brewing conflict. Raven stood up, her voice rising above the clamor. "Everyone deserves the right to choose their own destiny!"
A Royal girl, known for her impeccable aim, picked up a pastry and threw it at Raven. It sailed through the air, missing Raven and hitting a Rebel square in the face. The cafeteria erupted in chaos.
"Food fight!" someone yelled, and suddenly, pastries, mashed potatoes, and other assorted foods were flying through the air.
Maddie, in the midst of pouring tea for her mouse friends, effortlessly dodged a rogue pastry aimed in her direction. "Oh, how delightful! A food fight and afternoon tea. Could this day get any better?" she mused, sipping her tea with a content smile.
Brooke ducked under the table, giggling at the absurdity of it all. "This is insane!"
Raven, trying to shield herself from the barrage of food, couldn't help but laugh. "Welcome to Ever After High, Brooke!"
Apple, meanwhile, was trying to maintain her composure and dignity as she ducked under the table with Duchess. "This is getting out of hand!"
Duchess, her expression a mix of amusement and disdain, wiped a bit of mashed potato off her shoulder. "Indeed. But I suppose it does make things more... interesting."
Brooke, covered in bits of food, glanced around at the mayhem and smiled. Despite the chaos, she felt a sense of belonging with her new friends. "I never imagined school could be like this."
After several minutes of flying food and laughter, Headmaster Grimm's voice boomed through the cafeteria. "Enough! Cease this madness at once!"
The food fight quickly subsided as students hurried to clean up the mess. Grimm's stern gaze swept over the room, lingering on Raven. "This behavior is unacceptable."
Raven stood her ground, wiping a bit of pie off her face. "Sometimes, things get messy when you fight for what you believe in."
Grimm's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing further, merely shaking his head and walking away.
As the students returned to their seats, Maddie rejoined Brooke and Raven, her teacup still perfectly balanced. "That was tea-lightful!" she exclaimed, causing Brooke and Raven to burst into laughter.
Apple and Duchess emerged from under the table, Apple shaking her head in dismay. "We really need to find a way to keep the peace around here."
Duchess nodded, a slight smirk playing on her lips. "Indeed. But it certainly makes for an interesting story."
Brooke, despite the lingering tension and food stains, felt a warm sense of camaraderie with her new friends. They had each other's backs, no matter what.
As the cafeteria returned to a semblance of order, the friends knew they still had a lot to deal with, but for now, they relished the moments of laughter and the bonds they were forming. The journey ahead would be challenging, but together, they felt ready to face whatever came their way.