An encounter
Excitement hung in the air as Chloe and her mother arrived at the majestic gates of Auradon Prep. The carriage slowly came to a stop, and Chloe stepped out, her eyes shining with wonder. Even though her father hadn't been able to accompany them, his encouragement still echoed in Chloe's mind.
From the first steps into the school grounds, Chloe was enchanted by what she saw. Beautiful gardens stretched as far as the eye could see, dotted with exotic flowers and sparkling fountains. Enchanted sculptures seemed to come to life to greet the newcomers, and multi-colored birds sang joyful melodies. Everything here exuded magic and beauty. She felt as if she were in a dream, each step amplifying her wonder.
As they walked through the foyer, Chloe caught sight of a huge library, its shelves filled with old and rare books. She turned to her mother, her eyes wide. "Mom, look at this! It's incredible!"
Cinderella smiled fondly at her daughter. "Yes, my dear, Auradon Prep is truly a wonderful place. I'm sure you'll love every minute of it."
They then proceeded to the welcoming ceremony, where the headmistress, Uma, and the vice-principal, Harry Hook, took their places on a podium. Uma, with her natural charisma and authority, spoke first. "Welcome to all, new and returning students of Auradon Prep. This year, we are honored to welcome incredible talents and exceptional personalities. Here at Auradon, we believe in the importance of education, camaraderie, and personal development. We can't wait to see what you will accomplish."
In the crowd, Chloe noticed a young girl standing aside. She was wearing a red and black outfit, a red leather jacket accentuating her rebellious look. Chloe felt her heart race, and a whirlwind of feelings ran through her. The determination and strength that emanated from this young girl aroused in her an intense curiosity, mixed with a slight apprehension. Chloe felt an inexplicable connection, as if this meeting was going to mark the beginning of something important. Her thoughts were invaded by a mixture of fascination and nervousness. And while Uma continued her speech, Chloe could not take her eyes off the girl, wondering what mystery and what stories were hidden behind this captivating look. She hesitated for a moment, but did not dare to approach her.
Meanwhile, Red, who remained behind, observed the scene with a mixture of apprehension and wonder. For the first time, she was away from her mother, free to do as she pleased, and this new freedom was terrifying. She wondered what the future held for her in this strange and captivating place.
She put a hand to her red leather jacket, realizing that it would be her only outfit for a long time. In her hasty escape, she had not thought to bring any suitcases, not even money. The uncertainty weighed heavily on her shoulders, but she tried to remain impassive, hiding her emotions behind a stoic facade.
The welcoming ceremony was coming to an end, and Harry Hook announced the distribution of dormitories. "Listen carefully, young people. I will now assign your rooms. We have set up a random system to encourage you to meet new people and open yourselves to new experiences."
Red, his mind elsewhere, listened absently to the names and room numbers. "Red Heart," Harry announced, "you will share your room with Chloe Charming."
A shiver ran through Red as she heard the name of her future roommate. She slowly made her way to the dormitory building, her thoughts racing. Arriving in front of her room, she turned the handle and entered, discovering a room elegantly decorated in neutral tones, offering a soothing balance. She sat down on one of the beds, her gaze lost in space.
A few minutes later, Chloe also entered, accompanied by her mother. They were both radiant, their presence bringing a warm atmosphere to the room. Chloe, wearing a friendly smile, approached Red.
“Hello, I’m Chloe. Chloe Charming,” she said happily. “And this is my mother, Cinderella.”
Red felt a wave of apprehension and jealousy invade her. Seeing Chloe accompanied by her mother, a woman radiant with benevolence, cruelly reminded her of what she would never have. She suddenly felt uneasy, her heart clenching in her chest. Chloe was not at all the type of person she was used to being around. Everything about her, from her appearance to the way she spoke, exuded gentleness and kindness, qualities that Red had learned to despise, associated with weakness by her mother.
Feeling vulnerable, Red simply nodded. "I'm Red," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Cinderella, with her characteristic grace and gentleness, greeted Red with a kind smile. "Nice to meet you, Red. I hope you two get along well."
Red couldn't help but feel a pang of envy at the love and complicity between Chloe and her mother. She looked away, trying to hide her emotions. For the first time, she realized how lonely and fearful her life in Wonderland had been. This new reality, full of possibilities and genuine relationships, fascinated and frightened her in equal measure.
Red nodded, then, seeing Chloe unpacking, lay back down on her bed, looking thoughtful. Cinderella, noticing Red's absence of luggage, approached quietly. "Red, do you need help settling in?"
Red stammered an uncertain answer. "Um, actually, I... I couldn't bring much."
Cinderella immediately understood that there must be a story behind this situation, but she didn't press the point. Instead, she smiled warmly. "Don't worry, my dear. We'll make sure you get everything you need. I'll take care of all the expenses."
Red felt a lump form in her throat at the offer. No one, other than Maddox, had ever been kind to her without expecting anything in return. The idea that Cinderella would offer such help out of pure kindness was hard to accept. She knew she couldn't refuse, since she did indeed need these things, but a part of her remained wary. The offer made her feel a whole bunch of conflicting emotions: gratitude, wariness, hope, and disbelief.
"Thank you, Mrs. Charming..." she finally whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Chloe, watching the scene, felt an even greater admiration for her mother. She knew how many hearts her mother had touched with her kindness, but seeing it up close, with Red, strengthened her desire to follow in her footsteps. At the same time, she felt a strange warmth deep in her heart. She had fallen for Red at first sight, even if she didn't fully understand that feeling yet.
The introductions made, Chloe and Red began to settle into their new room. Cinderella, after tenderly kissing her daughter and assuring Red of her support, left the room, leaving the two young girls to get acquainted.
The silence that followed was filled with tension and uncertainty. Red, arms crossed, watched Chloe out of the corner of his eye, as she tidied up her things with natural elegance.
“I hope we can get along,” Chloe finally said, breaking the silence. “I can’t wait to get to know you, Red.”
Red, surprised by Chloe’s sincerity, raised her eyebrows slightly. “Thank you,” she replied simply, not knowing what else to add. She felt a strange warm feeling inside her, something she had never felt before. For the first time, she allowed herself to hope that maybe, here at Auradon Prep, she could find something she had never had before: a true friendship.
Chloe, for her part, felt a surge of curiosity and determination. She was determined to understand Red and help her, in her own way. She could already see fragments of goodness beneath her new classmate’s shell, fragments that she was eager to discover.