Two Worlds so Different
Night had fallen upon Wonderland, enveloping the palace in oppressive darkness. The torches on the walls flickered in the icy wind, casting eerie shadows that danced ominously. Maddox, the Mad Hatter's son, was abruptly awakened by merciless guards and dragged before the fearsome Queen of Hearts. Her face was a defiant smile, her heart pounding furiously in her chest.
The Queen of Hearts, seated on her imposing throne, stared at Maddox with icy anger. "Where is she?" she snarled, her voice echoing through the throne room like a clap of thunder. "Where is my daughter?"
Maddox remained silent, his gaze fixed on the Queen's. He knew that Red had placed her entire trust in him, and he was not going to betray her. “I don’t know, Your Majesty,” he finally answered, his lips curling into a defiant smile.
The Queen of Hearts stood abruptly, her face contorted with uncontrollable rage. “Don’t play this game with me, Maddox!” she roared, fury twisting her features. “You’re the only one Red could have trusted enough to tell her where she was going. Now speak!”
Maddox held her gaze, refusing to give an inch. “Red deserves better than this life of tyranny,” he said quietly, his words resonating like an affront.
The Queen of Hearts snapped her fingers in anger, and the guards seized Maddox violently, dragging him to the cell. “Search Wonderland from top to bottom!” she screamed, her voice thick with hatred. “I want my daughter found!” »
As he was dragged out of the throne room, Maddox smiled to himself. If the queen was only focusing her research on Wonderland, then Red was safe, for now...
*****
The sun had barely risen when an excited Chloe nearly threw herself into her roommate's bed. "Red, wake up! It's our shopping day!" she called out with boundless enthusiasm.
Red jumped, her defensive instincts spontaneously emerging. Her fists clenched, ready to strike, her old reflexes taking over. But she quickly recovered when she saw Chloe's blue curls dancing happily. "What... what's going on?"
Chloe, realizing she could have been gentler, tried to calm things down. "Sorry I woke you up so abruptly. But it's time to get up, we have a lot to do today."
Red groaned, lying back down, glancing at the clock. "It's still early..."
Chloe insisted, her energy seemingly inexhaustible. “It’s going to take us a while to gather everything you need. Come on, get up.” Reluctantly, Red stood, his thoughts still clouded by the stark reminder of his days spent fighting for his life. They ate lunch in silence before heading out.
Downstairs, a car was waiting for them, along with a man willing to drive them and help them carry their bags. Chloe, as charming as her name suggested, introduced herself to him. “Hello, I’m Chloe Charming, and this is Red. Thank you for joining us today.”
The equally charming and kind man replied with a smile. "It's a pleasure, Miss Chloe. My name is Alan. If you need anything, I'm here." Trying a joke, he added, "And I promise not to get lost, unlike the last time I accompanied students."
Chloe burst out laughing, her crystalline laugh echoing in the morning air, but Red remained impassive, her reflexes still on alert. She carefully observed every movement, every word, thinking about what this day might have in store for her. The contrast between Chloe's overflowing enthusiasm and Red's constant vigilance was striking, but perhaps this shopping day would be an opportunity for her to let her guard down slightly and get a glimpse of Auradon's charm.
The day began in a lively atmosphere, but Red was not at ease. She remembered the few times she had dared to ask her mother for something, experiences marked by fear and disappointment. Once, when she was only seven, she had shyly asked for a new dress for her birthday. Her mother's response had been a scornful laugh followed by a cruel comment: "Why waste fabric on an ungrateful child?"
The painful memory resurfaced, making Red even more hesitant to express her needs. Chloe, noticing her discomfort, tried to put her at ease by suggesting outfits based on Red's current style. "Look at this red jacket, it would go perfectly with your look. And this black shirt, what do you think ?"
Little by little, Red seemed to relax. Chloe continued to show her different outfits, trying to guess her tastes and make her smile. As she shopped through the stores, Red began to feel a little more comfortable, shyly accepting a few items of clothing. The bustling streets of Auradon, with their bright shops and colorful stalls, contributed to a cheerful and dynamic atmosphere that gradually allowed Red to open up.
At one point during the day, Chloe received a call from her mother. "Hi, Mom. Yes, everything is going well. Red is starting to find things she likes. Yes, we are having a lot of fun."
When Chloe hung up, Red asked her, "What was that device?"
Chloe looked at her in surprise. "Don't you know what a cell phone is? It's a mobile phone. You can call, send messages, go online, and much more. You should have one too." »
Curious but wary, Red followed Chloe to a phone store. Inside, Red was shocked by the prices displayed. She had never owned something so expensive. Memories of the few times she had dared to ask for something resurfaced, rekindling her fear of being reprimanded.
Chloe, seeing the panic in Red's eyes, figured she was simply embarrassed by the fees. "Don't worry about the prices, Red. My mother and Uma said everything would be taken care of. Choose the one you like."
Despite Chloe's assurances, Red was careful to choose one of the cheaper models, preferring not to take advantage of the generosity of others.
The day continued, the city streets seemed to vibrate with a particular energy as Red began to feel more relaxed. She smiled slightly as she looked at a display case filled with art supplies, particularly spray paint and sketchbooks. Her fingers were itching to create something new.
Chloe, noticing Red's interest, was touched and delighted to see this spark of passion. "You like art, don't you? Choose what you want. This is a day to treat yourself."
Red, touched by Chloe's kindness, chose a few items. They returned to Auradon Prep with everything Red needed to start a new life. Chloe couldn't help but smile, pleased to see Red blossom, even if it was only for a short while.
This first day was far from ordinary for Red. She had experienced generosity, budding friendships, and the discovery of new experiences. But more importantly, she was beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, she could finally find her place and be herself.