INT. DAPHNE'S ROOM - NIGHT

(Absolute silence fills the room. Roxy and her friends enters, shattering the quietude)

DAPHNE: I don't remember inviting you and your minions. What are you doing here? How did you get in?

ROXY: I know my ways around and I keep it a secret. Where is the 'perfect' Aurora? Couldn't make it to your sleepover, huh? What a friend!

DAPHNE: it's for a reason and it's none of your business

ROXY: actually, I came to warn Aurora. Ever since she came here, everything changed. It's always about her. Aurora this, Aurora that?

DAPHNE: so that's what is up with you?

(Daphne chuckles mockingly)

ROXY: think it's funny, huh? From now on, grow eyes on your back

(Roxy walks to the sleepover arrangement and ruthlessly destroys it all)

DAPHNE: (furiously) what is wrong with you?

ROXY: this is just the beginning

(Roxy exit, laughing hysterically, while Daphne is left behind in tears)

DAPHNE: so much for sleepover

EXT. HIGH SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY

(The bustling high school compound is alive with activity. Students engage in various sports - some enthusiastically participating, while others watch with interest)

AURORA: has anyone seen Daphne? She was absent from class

RILEY: yeah, we noticed

ANDREW: I texted and called but she didn't reply

AARON: we should go check up on her after school

(The friends' conversation is interrupted by Derek's presence)

DEREK: hey, are you game?

AURORA: sure

(The friends look in surprise and confusion)

RILEY: what is going on here?

AURORA: Derek asked me to be his partner in the game. I have no partner, remember?

RILEY: and you are telling us until now

AURORA: I am sorry

ANDREW: it's fine, Aurora. We'll catch up on you later. Take care

AURORA: thanks

(Derek exits, hand in hand with Aurora)

RILEY: that's weird

AARON: stay out of it, Riley

RILEY: okay, okay

CUT TO:

INT. DAPHNE'S ROOM- LATER

(The friends sneak up to Daphne's room, eager to find out the reason for her absence from school)

DAPHNE: (furiously) what are you doing here? Am I important now?

RILEY: what are you saying, Daphne? You are always important

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

DAPHNE: really? Then why did you ditch me at my sleepover? I invited you all but no one showed up. Even though Roxy came for a fight, at least she showed up

AURORA: Roxy showed up at your sleepover? What does she want this time?

DAPHNE: you of course, Aurora. You are always the center of attraction, remember?

(Aurora is hurt by Daphne's words)

AURORA: where is this coming from? What did I do wrong?

DAPHNE: you ruined everything, Aurora. Roxy was right, you are always the perfect one

(Daphne falls down, sobbing profusely, while Aurora is lost in her own thoughts)

AURORA: I am sorry if I have caused you any harm knowingly or unknowingly, Daphne. Just know that I didn't mean to. We came to see if you were okay. Take care of yourself. Bye friends

(Aurora exits sadly, leaving everyone in silence)

ANDREW: this isn't you talking, Daphne

DAPHNE: yeah go on, who is stopping you? Run after Aurora, the perfect friend

ANDREW: I'll see you guys later

(Andrew exits, furious and disappointed at Daphne)

DAPHNE: what are you guys waiting for? Run after her

RILEY: let's go, Aaron. It's seems we came to the wrong house

AARON: take care, Daphne

(Aaron and Riley exit, disappointed at Daphne as well, leaving her behind in tears and resentment)

DAPHNE: what... it's always about Aurora

INT. ANGELA'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - AFTERNOON

(Angela is preparing lunch when Aurora enters the sitting room with a long face)

AURORA: hi mom

(Angela notices her daughter's mood and walks over to her)

ANGELA: oh my dear, what happened? You look down to the drain

AURORA: it seems you are right again. I had an argument with my best friend

ANGELA: I am so sorry dear

AURORA: cut it out, mom. I know you don't care

ANGELA: how can you say that? I am your mama and I care about you

AURORA: I am jinxed. My dad ran away when I was born, I am not allowed to make friends or talk to boys, and I am cooped up in a cage

ANGELA: a cage? You are hurting me, Aurora. I told you before, I am trying to protect you

AURORA: I am not in the mood to argue... I am going to my room

ANGELA: I've finished cooking. Help yourself to something to eat; I'll be right back

AURORA: where to?

ANGELA: I'll be right back

(Angela picks up her bag and exits, leaving Aurora behind in her own thoughts)

AURORA: where is she going to?

(Aurora walks up to the kitchen to serve herself food when her eyes catch a picture of a family)

AURORA: this is... this looks like me. I don't know dad but this isn't mom in the picture. What could this mean?

(Aurora takes the picture and climbs up to her room)

INT. EMPIRE - COURTROOM - AFTERNOON

(Noah addresses the guards and securities about the issue of their missing daughter. Madelaine enters with a teary face)

NOAH: what happened, Queen?

MADELAINE: I... I... I called my sister

NOAH: what? Why would you do that? I don't want her to have any clue that we are searching for our daughter

MADELAINE: she agreed to give us back our daughter

NOAH: what? On what condition?

MADELAINE: marry her

(Devastated by what his Queen said, Noah looks around for answers)

NOAH: are you out of your mind? You know her plans

MADELAINE: she just want you

NOAH: more like she wants the empire. Can't you see, Madelaine? Your sister is jealous of you

MADELAINE: I know but...

NOAH: this is not even up for debate. You know the answer

(Noah exits angrily, while Madelaine kneels, sobbing non-stop)

EXT. CITY STREET - AFTERNOON

(In the bustling city of New York, Aurora walks alone in the street when Derek enters)

DEREK: hey, what happened?

AURORA: maybe I just started the day with a wrong foot. Everything is weird. I don't know who and what to trust anymore

DEREK: you can trust me

AURORA: you are awful at keeping secrets, Derek. Look, I.. I had an argument with Daphne. She is mad at me for no reason. You can't walk freely and go anywhere you like when you have a mother like mine

DEREK: so that's the problem? Tell you what, let's sneak to the zoo tomorrow

(Upon hearing this, Aurora bursts out laughing heartily)

AURORA: tell me you are joking. Sneak out to the zoo? Mom would kill me if she finds out

DEREK: she doesn't have to

AURORA: fine, I am in

DEREK: I'll come pick you up at six. Bye, Aurora

(Derek exits, and Aurora continues walking. Riley joins her)

AURORA: hey! No, seriously, what's the deal with you two?

AURORA: he is my boyfriend

RILEY: wow, so straight forward. Congratulations

AURORA: I knew you would understand. Hey, I have something to share, Riley... can... can I trust you?

RILEY: do you trust me?

AURORA: of course I do

(Aurora takes the picture out of her pocket and shows it to Riley, who was not following)

AURORA: I saw it in my house. The kid looks like me, I don't know my father but this is obviously not my mom

RILEY: wait, this is...do you remember yesterday when you bumped into someone?

AURORA: they bumped into... ahhh, I see where you are going with that

RILEY: this is the king in the picture

AURORA: the king? But... what relationship do I share with the king

RILEY: I don't know, Aurora but if this is the king, then this is the queen

AURORA: why am I in the picture. Why would they possibly need someone like me

RILEY: someone like you?

AURORA: yeah, someone like me. Poor, ordinary high school girl...

RILEY: do not say those words about yourself in front of me

AURORA: okay, mom

(Both bursts out laughing)

AURORA: whenever you are around, I have nothing to worry about. Thank you for always being there for me, Riley

(Riley hugs Aurora)

RILEY: welcome bestie

AURORA: alright I'll see you later. Please keep this a secret

RILEY: I gat you

CUT TO:

INT. ANGELA'S HOUSE - EVENING

(Aurora enters to face the biggest shock of her life)

ANGELA: get packing, Aurora. We are leaving

AURORA: (stunned) what? Why? Where to?

FADE OUT