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Red couldn't take it anymore. Chloe was too much of a princess, she was good in class, she was good at being captain, and she would surely be good at every single thing she did. But what did Red have? Nothing, she had nothing.
It was a problem, she wasn't a good student, she wasn't the captain of anything, and every single thing she did seemed to fail. Red next to Chloe was a parasite in a way, but still Chloe was her girlfriend, she always told her how much she loved her every chance she got. "I love you" that word that came from Chloe's lips at every occasion caused Red discomfort in his heart. Red wasn't good enough for Chloe and Chloe was too good for Red.
The room she shared with Chloe was most representative of their differences. On Red's side everything was in disarray, things were always shifting around, never staying in one specific place. Chloe's side was organized and her things were always in the same place, her swords polished and put away. Sometimes Red felt that if she set foot next to Chloe's room everything would be damaged immediately.
Red's thoughts eating away at her head doesn't notice Chloe enter the room. With her blue hair pulled back and even with her Swords and Shields uniform being completely sweaty she was beautiful. Chloe quickly walked over to Red's bed sitting down across from her, the first thing Red sees when she looks up is Chloe's bright and charming smile.
"Red, you're coming to the actual Auradon dance right?" Chloe's eyes as she asked Red if she was going to the dance were bright , full of hope and... love. The truth was, Red didn't want to go to a prince and princess ball where she would have to learn organized dances without a single mistake. She would ruin everything, she wasn't good at keeping a dance coordinated, and seeing the faces of the people she couldn't stand was the worst.
"But if you have something important to do I'll understand. But going along with you to the dance would be magnificent" Chloe's ease at having empathy for a person was enviable for Red, how was she so good? How could she have a smile even when things were complicated?
"I'll be there, boo." How could she say no to her face, is it even possible to say no to her?
"It's my turn to clean at the club today. I'll wait for you at the dance yes? I love you" A kiss on the cheek from Chloe to Red is all you needed to see a blushing Red. Red would deny such an accusation against her, of course.
Why would Chloe say goodbye to Red with a kiss on the cheek instead of the lips? Well, that was easy, Red wasn't ready for it. A kiss on the lips in Wonderland meant one would spend their whole life together with that person. Red wasn't worthy of being with Chloe.
The blue-haired girl would come to realize that.
. ____________________________________
One could say that Chloe was the best of the best in all of Auradon High School. But she thought otherwise, every person was worth this place, no matter how bad they were at something, they would always shine in one way or another. That's what Chloe was supposed to say to encourage a person. But to her, Red shines so bright it's impossible not to look at her. So beautiful, a gorgeous rose with thorns, yes, but beautiful nonetheless.
She knew Red had self-esteem issues. She was pretty sure of it, Chloe was on a mission to tell her I love you every time she saw her. She would heal Red's heart even though it would take years and years. She would kill whoever hurt her love's heart. She's not supposed to since she's a princess, but her instincts and heart tell her otherwise.
Red thinks Chloe doesn't notice the looks of disappointment and anger when Red fails at something. Sometimes, Chloe would like to hug her and snuggle her into her arms even though it would lead to stares. She doesn't mind at all, they could stare if they want to. That wouldn't stop her from comforting her princess of hearts.
Her parents have told her the same story a million times. At the high school dance they fell in love and acknowledged that they loved each other. Chloe wanted that dance so badly to kiss her love. Red had told her she wasn't ready to kiss her yet. Chloe respected her decision, she would settle for giving her a kiss on her cheek. She would wait until Red was ready. She would never do anything to break the trust Red had in her. She would always ask for her consent first and foremost.
Being captain of the swords and shields team had its advantages and disadvantages. Today she was alone cleaning up. meaning that right now it was a disadvantage to be apart of this club. Chloe wanted so badly to be around Red before the dance in the evening but today it was her turn to clean the club room. Her mind was focused on what would be her dream inside the dance. Chloe smiled at the thought of Red in a dress dancing with her.
" A dream is a wish your heart makes" She had started singing. Her mother had told her that singing brought out everything your heart desired and longed for. " When you're fast asleep"
Cleaning out the lockers as fast as she could. Chloe began to move with rhythm as if she was already at the dance. " In dreams you will lose your heartaches " She smiled remembering how she had fought with a girl for being rude to Red. "Whatever you wish for, you keep"
Chloe kept humming as she cleaned every corner. Her parents' teachings were always with her. Chloe had to have faith in her dreams and maybe someday a rainbow would come. The trip back in time with Red had taught her a lot. Getting your hands dirty for someone you love isn't so bad. She also discovered that her mother was also wise when she was a teenager.
When she and Red saw in the mirror how Bridget had killed her mother she was devastated. She just wanted to cry and at the same time kill Bridget at that moment. But at that moment a piece of advice from her father flashed through her mind. No matter how grieved your heart is, if you keep believing, the dream you wish for will come true, and so it did.
She and Red shouldn't work together but they did. They got what they wanted, Red now had a mother she should have had all along and she had saved her mother. But that wasn't what Chloe was most happy about. She was glad that it strengthened her relationship with Red. From the moment she saw Red her heart began to pound. Something attracted her to that red-haired girl. She didn't know if it was because of the unknown or because Red was beautiful. But what she was sure of was that from that instant she had fallen in love with her princess of hearts.
Her mind had become so distracted that she was almost done cleaning. She only had a few more of those to clean up and she would be free. "No matter how your heart is grieving." All the pain she had felt when she thought Red would never agree to be her girlfriend, she would never forget. "If you keep on believing," but she was so wrong. Being Red's girlfriend was a dream come true, her fear had made her forget what was important. Having Red as a friend was enough for Chloe. " The dream that you wish will come true."
By the time she finished singing she had finished cleaning up. It only took her an hour and that was good. She could finally get ready for the dance that was supposed to start in an hour. Chloe wasn't worried about the time, she knew how to dress and do make up fast. Being a princess had its advantages.
Chloe smiled as she hurried to her room to get ready. She was so anxious to see her princess.
. ——-————---------------
The ball was just as Red expected. Full of classical music and chatter among royalty. This was boring. Chloe hadn't arrived yet, she had told her that she would be there in about two minutes and Chloe always kept her promises.
"Shouldn't you be with the crowd?" Red turned quickly to see before her Evie Grimhilde herself.
"Not my style," Red only scoffed at what she saw before her. A ball full of hypocrites, raised like they were the best that they even had a ball all to themselves. She hated being in the princess category so much.
"I guess you're waiting for Chloe. She could take you downtown for a dance. She is a Charming after all" Evie's tone of voice sounded like she was trying not to laugh at what she said. Chloe always stood out, even to Queen Mal's friend. Chloe had helped in programs to assist VKs who still couldn't fit in.
"Chloe would never do anything against my will." Red came out to defend Chloe. No one could change her mind with respect to Chloe. She was a princess worthy of her title. She fought for every single thing she earned in her life. And she was always helping those in need.
"I know, and that's why I asked you Red. Chloe is always by your side. You're like Mal and Ben back in the day." Red's face at hearing this was disgusted.
"Chloe and I are nothing like the royals." Chloe may be royalty but she wasn't the same as King Ben. The only thing they shared was empathy that they seemed to have no control of.
Evie just laughed and looked back at Red. This only made Red nervous, suddenly a voice she knew very well appeared, "Forgive me for not being on time Red. The mice didn't want to cooperate" Chloe looked beautiful. More beautiful than usual and that was almost impossible. In a light blue dress with some white and silver sparkles. Red began to feel her heart start to skip a beat just looking at Chloe.
"A mouse joke Chloe? I thought you were better than that" Chloe just laughed not taking her eyes off Red. Her dress looked like gothic and Victorian fashion, it was so Red that Chloe was fascinated.
"It's a running joke from the Charmings, Red." Chloe reached over to Red to gently grasp her hands.
"Since your princess charming has arrived, it's time for me to retire," Evie waved goodbye to the girls as she winked.
Both girls just looked at each other. "And what are you doing here princess? Alone in a corner when the whole party is in the center" Red measured her with her eyes rolling. "Me? With some princes and princesses who are worthless? No thanks."
Chloe knew Red wasn't a fan of royalty, but it was still kind of ironic since Red is a crown princess from Wonderland.
"So this princess wouldn't grant me a dance?" Chloe squeezed Red's hands a little tighter but without hurting her.
"I didn't say otherwise Charming" The security Red felt from being with Chloe was something that no one could provide her with. Not even herself, no one could give her this security.
Chloe smiled as she listened to her " Then be my dance partner for this one day, just until the night is over" Red's cheeks turned as red as her name.
" You don't need to do romantic lines, Chloe." They both laughed and headed towards the center where very soon an upcoming dance would begin. Red was trying to hide the nervousness she felt. Chloe deserved this more than anything. She had to make it up to Chloe for being with a lost cause.
Everyone was already getting ready for the next dance. Chloe looked at her and Red knew exactly what she wanted. She'd let her. Chloe had placed one of her hands on Red's waist ever so gently.
"We don't have to be like everyone else Red. Remember that. It's just you and me here" Red would like to believe that, she really wanted to believe it.
The music started to play and everyone had started to dance. They were all coordinated as if they had practiced and knew what the other couple next to them would do.
Chloe and Red didn't dance like the rest. They danced in an odd way by the standards of a real dance. Red didn't know how Chloe had learned about dancing in Wonderland. Chloe did the moves gracefully even when the dance was so strange. They spun as they held hands and moved closer when it was time.
For once Red wasn't paying attention to the looks of the others. She was focused on Chloe. And most importantly, she was having fun.
All the people stood still as they watched the pair of girls who were dancing in a different way. They looked strange, yes, but they also looked amazing.
Chloe felt amazing. All the practice she'd had to dance like they did in Wonderland had paid off. Red looked calm and that filled Chloe with joy.
But it all went to hell when Red for a moment saw that a girl was laughing. Red looked around and saw that everyone was watching them and only they were dancing. Red's breath began to hitch.
"Red? Is everything okay?" Chloe had noticed how Red had tensed up. Chloe gripped Red's hands even tighter.
"I-...." Chloe didn't deserve this. Chloe didn't deserve the teasing from the others because of her. She had to leave. She had to get away from Chloe.
Red broke away from Chloe and began to run as if her life depended on it. Even though her dress wouldn't allow her to run like she wanted to. She hears Chloe's voice saying "Red!-" She ignores her, she had to get away from Chloe. How could Red be selfish with Chloe? How could she allow herself to give Chloe this public humiliation.
She ran, she ran all the way to the top floor until she came out onto a large balcony to sit on the floor and start crying her eyes out.
"Red!- wait!" Chloe tried to stop Red but found it impossible to do so. Chloe watched as everyone in the large room was looking at her. She wanted to yell at them, but that wasn't what was important now. She had to find Red, she walked out of the great hall to start looking for her. Chloe didn't know where Red could be.
. ——————————————------------------
Chloe had been looking for Red for almost 30 minutes. She was desperate to find her girlfriend. She had searched all over the place and hadn't found a trace of her. Only the top floor was missing and that was her last hope. She had tried to call Red on her phone but there was no answer from the other girl.
Already on the top floor Chloe started looking everywhere until she saw a flash of red hair, "Red!" She quickly ran to the balcony and found Red sitting on the floor looking out into nothingness.
Chloe knelt down in front of Red grabbing her shoulders. "Red, please look at me."
Red looked up at Chloe and more tears began to flow.
"Why do you worry so much, why do you have to be so good?" Chloe looks at Red with a look of concern.
"I worry because I love you." Chloe gently with her hand holds Red's cheek, caressing it.
"You shouldn't love me, I'm a mess Chloe, I can't do anything right. I don't fit into Auradon no matter how hard I try" Red moved closer to Chloe's hand, enjoying her affection.
"You don't need to fit in Red. You're from wonderland, a girl who doesn't need the approval of others. A girl whose so beautiful Auradon can't match her pace."
Red just let out more tears; "I'm not beautiful Chloe, I'm a walking disaster."
Chloe's look changed and Red was being lifted to her feet. "Then let me show you how beautiful and important you are to me." Chloe with one of her hands grab Red's waist to pull her closer, "just listen to me Red."
Red looked at her, not knowing what to say. Chloe always had to do something to surprise her. She didn't know how Chloe did it but Red was grateful.
Suddenly Chloe started to sing. "Do I love you because you're beautiful,"
Red stared at Chloe not knowing what to say. "Or are you beautiful because I love you".
"You don't have to fake it Chloe." Red pulls away from Chloe, keeping her distance.
Chloe walks over once more and grabs her hands. "Am I making believe, I see in you," Chloe tightens her grip even tighter. "A girl too lovely to be really true"
"Do I want you because you're wonderful" Chloe looked at Red as if she was the most beautiful thing on this earth. With every touch Chloe made Red feet like her heart was going to burst. "Or are you wonderful because I want you?" Chloe brought Red's hands to her lips and kissed both hands gently.
"Are you the sweet invention of a lovers dream" The blue princess grabbed Red's cheeks then pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "Or are you really as beautiful as you seem?"
Red felt something stir in her chest more and more. She didn't like to sing, but something was making her sing. "Am I making believe, I see in you," Chloe was surprised when she heard Red's voice. It was the most wonderful thing she had ever heard. "A girl to perfect to be really true."
Chloe sighed at what she was hearing. Still with her hands on Red's cheeks . "Do I want you because you're wonderful" Chloe finally understood why her parents sang every time. Hearing the one you love singing like that was the most beautiful thing you can experience.
" Or are you wonderful because I want you?" Red didn't know why Chloe's lips looked so beautiful today. She felt like kissing them, she didn't like the idea of kissing Chloe. But right now she wanted so badly to be on those lips that looked so soft.
Red had always teased her every time she heard how in stories the prince and princess would always sing along knowing what the other was going to say.
"Are you the sweet invention of a lovers dream," as if it was part of a movie the stars were shining brighter than ever on that balcony.
"Or are you really as wonderful as you seem?" Red grabbed Chloe's hands that were on her cheeks squeezing them. Chloe's eyes were sparkling. Red didn't know if it was because of the lighting in the place or was it because the magic of the place reached Chloe.
As in the stories she had teased so much in the past they had both begun to sing a duet. "Are you the sweet invention of a lovers dream" Red hugged Chloe to be closer to each other. Their lips as close to each other and their foreheads pressed together as they had been in the past.
"Or are you really as wonderful as you seem?" Chloe stepped forward before Red did anything and her lips were on top of Red's. Chloe's lips were just as Red imagined them to be. So soft and delicate. In the kiss you could feel all the love Chloe felt for Red.
"I love you Red, more than anything in this world" For lack of breath their lips parted. Red wanted more.
"Do you really want to be with someone from Wonderland?" Red didn't want Chloe to suffer with her. Wonderland was so different from Auradon. Their cultures were totally different.
"If I have to move with you to Wonderland. I will. Wherever you are, I'll be there," Chloe's voice sounded sure of what she was saying, "If I have to leave Auradon to be with you, I will."
"You really are charming aren't you?" With one of her hands she caressed Chloe's lips.
"I can be more than that Red" Chloe kissed her lips again but this time the kiss felt different. Red felt Chloe's desire.
"You don't know what you're getting yourself into Chloe Charming. Wonderland chooses its ruler's mate to be their ruler's right hand woman." Red looking at Chloe saw how the air in the place was changed.
"I can be your knight my princess. I would protect you from all evil" Red laughed when after these words, on Chloe's hand something like a tattoo of a red colored heart appeared.
"You're doomed Chloe Charming...or should I call you, Chloe Of Hearts?" Red started laughing harder when she saw Chloe's face. Red had given her a book where she told all about her culture. Chloe knew very well what that symbol on her hand meant.
"If I'm commiserating with you. Then I will gladly accept my crime" Chloe hugged Red to be closer to her. Her head was on Red's shoulder.
"So this is love Chloe?" Red hugged Chloe even tighter.
"Yes Red, this is love" The scene they had formed was so wonderful that Wonderland wanted to join in. Several heart petals were gently drifting in the air celebrating their future rulers.