Chapter Text
Chloe had heard very little about Wonderland growing up. She heard the adults talk in hushed whispers about the cruel and ruthless queen. The most she ever learned about the land was that the people there were “All a bit mad”. She wasn’t sure what they had meant at the time, but watching her roommate have seemingly no understanding of Auradon customs and traditions she could see how people could jump to that conclusion. Now she didn’t think Red was ‘crazy’ or anything like that. She just needed a little help figuring out how to adapt to Auradon’s customs. One of the first things she noticed was the way Red swept the room every day. Every night before bed the taller girl took her broom swept the whole room and poured the nearly nonexistent pile into a small bin under her desk.
Another thing was at meals Red would set her fork parallel to the tray at the bottom and her spoon and knife at the top. The napkin was set underneath the table where no one else could see it. Upon questioning the redhead shrugged and asked why Chole set her table the way she did. Touche.
It wasn’t until Red got sent to Principal Uma’s office for the first time that Chloe worried. Red fumed as she retold the situation to her. “That asshat of a teacher should be fired for such blatant disrespect towards a student!” Chole was so confused at the girl’s reaction but sat patiently until the girl finished venting.
“So what did he do exactly?”
Red looked at her as if she had grown three heads. “He made me switch seats!”
Chloe nodded. Her eyebrows scrunched together as she tried to puzzle out why that was offensive. “Because he wanted you to be closer to the front, correct?” She could understand how that would be frustrating or annoying, but Red was reacting as if it was a personal slight.
“As if that excuses him commanding me about!” The girl continued to pace and ran her hands through her hair. “I would never do that to another person!”
Chloe sat up and caught Red’s gaze. “I’m so sorry, I don’t understand why this is such a big deal, can you explain it to me?”
A grunt was her reply, but after a moment words followed. “Seat placement is very important in Wonderland, even in a casual context. Forcing someone to move is like- hmm” Red paused her pacing as she thought of an analogy. “It’s telling someone they don’t matter and that their position is lower than the floor that you walk on.” Red shook her head. “I don’t know how to explain it, but you do NOT force someone to change seats, you can ask and if they move it’s a sign of respect.”
Chloe soaked in the response for a moment and sat with it. So from Red’s position, it was as if the teacher had told her she was a sack of dirt and didn’t belong in the class. Her heart broke for the girl in front of her. She was trying so hard to be good in Auradon and it felt like that teacher just spat in her face. “So when he made you move it was like he was saying that you didn’t matter?” Red nodded. “Oh Red, I’m so sorry that’s awful.” The taller girl huffed and crossed her arms.
“I’ve been trying so hard to be ‘good’ that I forgot things are different here.” She laid back on her bed and screamed into her pillow. “Clocks, I just want to do something right.”
“Hey, you are doing things right. And it’s not your fault you didn’t know.” Chloe sat beside her friend. “You are doing your best and that’s enough.” The redhead was facing away from her but she could tell by the rise and fall of her chest that she was fighting tears. A mumble came from the girl and Chloe leaned closer to hear.
“It’s never enough.” Red turned towards her, a frown deeply etched on her face. Tears threatened to spill as she continued. “As soon as I figure out one thing, something else pops up.” A frustrated scoff fills the air. “I’ll never belong here. I don’t belong anywhere, not anymore.”
Chole felt her eyes fill and spill over as Red spoke. How could her best friend think that? She belongs here! With her! Didn’t she know that Chloe would do anything to help her? “You belong here Red.” You belong with me. “I can help. Some things are a little different, but if you ever have questions or are confused you can always ask me.”
Red watched her for a moment and Chloe could hear the gears turning in her mind. “Thank you, I don't know what I'd do without you.”
Chloe smiled offered a hand. “I'm hoping you never have to find out.” Red reached out and squeezed.
“Me too, princess.”