"Good morning, Rosie," said Olivia, shaking Rosie awake. "Happy Birthday."
"Happy Wedding Day, too," added Neva.
"And happy Curse Day," Rosie retorted.
"Oh, that's just a story," scolded Olivia. "Don't be silly. You have enough things on your mind!"
"Actually, I'm trying to keep my mind off of everything right now," Rosie replied laughing.
"Oh honey, you'll be fine!" said Neva. "Do you want me to babble?"
"I'd love for you to babble," Rosie answered, relieved.
"Then I'll babble," Neva said. "Let's see, what about?"
"Actually, I know nothing about the man I'm about to marry," Rosie responded. "Will you babble about the prince?"
"Gladly," Neva said. "Let's see: he's tall, and handsome, and very sweet. He is a good ruler, very fair, and very humble. When he's right, he will argue his point forever. But when he is wrong, he will admit it graciously."
"How do you know?" Rosie asked curiously.
"Well..." Neva trailed off.
"Neva?" said Olivia accusingly.
"Oh, hush," Neva scolded. "I was cleaning in the same room he and his tutor were in. They were fighting over about five things. He was right about four."
"Oh, good," Rosie said, sighing. "I'm not being married to an idiot."
"No, you're not," said Olivia. "Now get up so we can get you into your dress, sweetie."
"Fine," Rosie grumbled. She sat up, swung her legs over the side of the bed, yawned and stretched, then finally put her feet down on the floor.
"Cold!" she squealed. "Where are the rugs?"
"There are no rugs in your temporary room," Olivia responded.
"So as soon as I'm married, I get rugs in my room?" Rosie asked.
"Precisely," answered Neva.
"Then let's get going!" Rosie said, getting up and hopping from foot to foot. "I want my rug!"
"What a reason to get married," Olivia said wanly.
"Best I've heard," replied Neva. "Rosie's right, let's hurry."
They got her up and into her dress, taking another few hours. It was very boring, as usual. The dress was gorgeous, though, and Rosie wouldn't have had it any other way. The girls were babbling, but Rosie missed most of it. She caught snippets though.
"Poor girl, worrying about everything today."
"Hush Neva!"
"Very cute prince though."
"You don't think the curse is real, do you?"
"I just don't know. She is an evil fairy."
"The Green One... That name strikes terror, doesn't it?"
"Sarcasm doesn't become you, Neva."
"No, she needs a better name. What about Bieber?"
"Nah. How about You-Know-Who?"
"Meh."
"Do you think she knows how to dance, Olivia?"
"Why?"
"Because of the ball in honor of the wedding."
"I see. I hope she can dance?"
"Me too."
"What's her best color?"
"What?"
"For a dress. What would be her best color?"
"Pink, I think. Why?"
"For a ballgown. And I think blue, Olivia."
"No, Pink."
"Blue."
"Pink!"
"Blue!"
"It's a bit like a fairy tale, isn't it, Olivia?"
"What is?"
"Rosie's life."
"Rosie is standing right here, Neva."
"She is off in her own world. But isn't it like a fairy tale? Being a normal peasant girl, then being swooped off to be a princess? Getting to marry a prince?"
"I suppose so. But she may not see it like that."
Rosie had many thoughts on these conversations, but she did not share them. These were her thoughts, in order:
-Yes, I am a poor girl, but it's good that he's cute.
-I certainly hope that the curse is not real! And the best name was You-Know-Who.
-Of course I learned how to dance! The fairies taught me.
-My best color is actually green... Emerald green, like my eyes. It looks wonderful on me.
-I can hear you, you know. I do not see it like a fairy tale. It feels more like I was ripped out of my life and was dropped into another. It's quite unnerving, actually, and if you ask me about it I will tell you my thoughts.
After the last conversation, the girls were silent for a few minutes. Just then, the door crashed open and three lovely figures came in.
"My dear!" cried Flora. "You look wonderful!"
"Thank you, Flora!" Rosie replied. "As do all of you."
The fairies were dressed up for a summer wedding, with flowing skirts and capped sleeves. Flora's was pink, Fauna's green, and Merryweather's blue, all pastel. They looked like springtime flowers in a summer meadow.
"Why thank you my dear," Fauna said. "We just wanted to drop in and say good luck."
"Not that our girl will need it!" added Merryweather. "We are so proud of you!"
"Thank you all," Rosie replied. "Have you met my ladies-in-waiting? This is Olivia and Neva." She gestured in their directions as she spoke their names.
"How do you do?" asked Olivia.
"Very well, thank you," said Flora. "I hope you've been taking good care of my girl."
"Oh, we have been," Neva replied cheerfully.
"Good," Fauna said. "Now, girls, do you need any help?"
"Actually, we're done," Olivia responded. "Ta da!"
They all oohed and aahed as Rosie twirled. She really did look beautiful, stunning even. How she had always wanted to look on her wedding day. Getting married to the love of her...
"Oh, my dear, you're crying!" Fauna said sympathetically. "Is there anything we can do for you?"
"Actually," answered Rosie. "May I please have a few minutes? To gather my thoughts and whatnot."
"Alright," Flora replied. "Call us back in when you're ready."
"I will," Rosie said obediently, as they all filed out one by one. Soon, Rosie was left alone with her thoughts.
The door swung shut with a creeeaaak! As soon as it shut, Rosie saw a green light appear in front of her. She had no idea what it could be. Suddenly she felt very weary.
The glowing green orb in front of her started to move, and she had an overwhelming desire to follow it. She did. It guided her to the full length mirror on the wall.
Suddenly, the mirror swung out of the wall, showing a secret passageway. The green orb went down it, Rosie right behind. She came to a small, stone room with only one object in it: a small spinning wheel in the very center. She was drawn to this, and she saw the needle on one end. Somewhere in the back of her mind, an alarm went off, but the desire to touch the needle was too overpowering. Rosie put her hand out to touch the needle.
She pricked her finger.
Rosie collapsed onto the floor.
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There you go, Jenny. You've been pestering me, so here you are. Have fun with this cliffhanger. That's all I have. Happy reading!
