Chapter Text
August 28th
Chloe said she loves me.
We were out. Me, her, and Pink. Out at the Lumoria Tree and as Pink was running around chasing the Mome Raths in circles Chloe took my hand and she. She said it. I wanted to say it back, but instead I was being a jerk again. I asked her if it was proper, for a knight to fall in love with their lady. But guess what, she said she didn't care if it wasn't. Can you believe it, Chloe Charming just said she doesn't care about being proper. If Chloe Charming can stop caring for a moment, then I guess I can too.
I love you too, Chloe.
~~~ Red ~~~
After being half startled when their mother took a particularly bumpy turn Red closes the book she had in her lap. Nowhere close to finishing, yet feeling like she's gained much understanding of who she was in this life. All thanks to her little sister, Pink, who gave her the book just two nights prior. She's still grateful for it, but a part of her still wonders if she's intruding on something she shouldn't be. Their names may be the same, but they were different inside. The more she read the more that was clear to see.
Speaking of Pink, the girl currently had her head on Red's shoulder, having been fast asleep for at least an hour. Last night they had spent the remainder of their weekend just being in each other's company, and even though Red was surprised to discover her sister a night owl, she can still imagine an all nighter before a school day can be pretty exhausting. Their mother had maybe just a bit of trouble getting them up, and ready, and out the castle doors. And yes she even insisted that it be her to drive them instead of a chauffeur this time, but it really was just a bit. Still, Red will have to do better to put her off such notions next time. Not that she didn't like her mother or appreciate it, just that her mother's music taste was very much not it.
As they passed the sign that indicated Auradon Prep was ten minutes away, and knowing that her mother will get there in half that, Red lightly shakes Pink in order to get her to wake up. "Wah?" Says the sleepy girl with hair sticking up all over that Red has to hold back from laughing.
"We're almost at school. Might want to fix your hair, the bow's come loose."
"Oh!" Pink wasted no time removing her bow, then the scrunchie she uses to keep her hair tidy, before putting it in her mouth to give her hair a quick brush with her fingers. First thing after waking up too, if only Red had such a strong will. Pink turns to Red when she's almost done putting the bow back in its place. "How long was I asleep?"
"About an hour."
That's when Pink looks down and notices the closed book in Red's lap. "You've been reading it this whole time?"
"Yeah, it's...kinda interesting actually." She can see that Pink is tempted to ask, or say, something else but she refrains. Instead she looks towards their mother driving the car, Red realizing then that at some point she had thankfully turned off the music.
"Thanks for driving us, mom." Pink, ever the more polite one of the two.
"Oh it's no trouble at all, little flower. Just be sure to keep that sister of yours in line."
"Mom, I don't need to be kept in line." Red huffed as Pink shook her head with a giggle.
"She's right mom, you should know that those at school say Red is an amazing student."
"Okay Pink, you don't have to lay it on so thick." Red may not be a delinquent, anymore, but she certainly didn't want the goody two shoes HK image either.
"But it's true though." Pink looks at her innocently, as if not understanding what's wrong with what she said.
"That may be, but it doesn't mean you should say it."
Bridget smiles as she catches them bickering from the corner of her eye through the rearview mirror. She'll take the bickering over how they were recently any day. What with Red's complete avoidance of her little sister all together. She still has no idea what happened there, but figures her daughters would tell her if it was something she needed to know. Right now however, she'll take all the chances to be with them she can get. Every day was a day closer to when times like this would cease. Red will be queen one day. And Pink. Actually she's not sure if Pink has decided on anything yet. But whatever it is. She'll be there for her. For both of them.
Soon enough Auradon Prep comes into view and their mother pulls up to the drop off point. "Same time next month, girls?" She asks them as they get their belongings in order and make to exit.
"Sure thing mom." Pink is the one who replies. "Love you."
"Love you too my little flower, and my big flower, even if she doesn't say it."
Red playfully rolls her eyes, but she does indeed love her. It's just hard to say right now. That's why she's grateful whenever Pink says it for them. But, there are some things she can say. "You know I'm there, I'd miss home too much not to go." She never thought she'd say something like that before. Her old home was a prison. But this new home she found herself in was so beautiful. She genuinely does want to experience more of it. Maybe next time me and Pink can finally visit that town we were planning on going to. She's still not sure what her relationship with the townspeople are, but it has to be a million times better than before.
Seems that was enough for her mother, who smiles and blows them a kiss before driving away.
As Red walks Pink falls into skip beside her, as comfortable as if they've been doing it since day one. Red remembers the day she 'met' her sister. After all it was just little more than a month ago. She had felt bad for the way she treated her then, but it was buried under all the other things she had to face at the time. Now though, she feels it vividly. So if Pink inches just that much closer then fine by her. She won't pull away again.
"Are you ready?" Pink asks her, with all the care of a little sibling asking their older sibling if they're sure about what they're doing.
Red reaches into her pocket and feels for the object. It's still there. Round with slight edges that indicated where the gems were. She wanted to pull it out and look at it one last time yet decided against it, lest someone see her and it somehow gets back to Chloe before she can bring it up. "Yeah, I am." She receives a look of reassurance in return and it does help a little. Just for a moment.
That is until they see Chloe Charming and Hazel Hook walking towards them.