Key of Souls: Twisted Wonderland

Chapter 16: Getting Ready for Today

3rd POV

*KNOCK, KNOCK* *KNOCK, KNOCK*

"Ugh... Who comes pounding at the door this early.", Ace moaned as he started to wake up from the loud knocks. It was now early morning at the Ramshackle Dorm as Ace spend the night here ever since his Dorm Leader collared him last night. Just as Ace started to sit himself up, he found himself caught in a dust shower. "Gehh! The place is so rundown, dust comes falling at the smallest shake! I hear you! I'm coming so stop hitting the door!", he called out to whoever was at the door. He quickly got up and bolted towards the foyer and headed to the front door.

Just as Ace arrived, he saw Dawn coming down the stairs with a sleepy Grim hanging off her shoulder. "Good morning Ace. Did you sleep well?", Dawn asked. Ace held back a blush as he remembered what Dawn did for him last night and replied, "Sure did! Thanks for the blanket." Grim let out a huge yawn and asked, "Whose banging on the door now?"

Ace opened the door and standing in front of them was Deuce Spade from his dorm. Dawn looked at him and smiled and waved. "Hi, Deuce. Good morning.", she said with a bright smile. Deuce blushed a bit as he saw Dawn's face and gave a small smile. "Good morning Dawn. I hope you slept well.", he said. Then he saw Ace right next to her and his expression changed to a serious look. "So you did come here.", he told him.

"Ugh. Deuce...", Ace groaned.

"I heard what happened from the other residents. You got collared after you stole the Dorm Leader's tart...", said Deuce as he shook his head in disappointment. "You are a complete idiot."

Ace glared at Deuce. "Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from you!", he snapped back. He levelled his tone of voice and asked, "...By the way, was he still mad?"

Deuce shook his head and said, "Not really. He looked a little irritated at some guys who were late for the morning roll call but...Three people met the same fate as you."

"He hasn't calmed down at all! He's definitely pissed!", Ace shouted.

"Don't worry Ace. I'm sure once you apologize to the Dorm Leader, he'll settle down and remove that collar from you.", Dawn said, trying to reassure him.

Ace let out a huge sigh and said, "Fiiine, let's just get this over with."

Dawn nodded her head and looked at the two boys. "Great. I just need to get change and then we can all walk to the dorm together. Let me just go upstairs so I can-"

"HOLD IT!!!"

"Waaaaah!!" The loud voices made the three teenagers and Grim jumped as they were started by something suddenly appearing out in front of them; it was none other than the three ghosts who live in Ramshackle Dorm.

"Y-you ghosts! What are planning to do now?", Grim demanded.

"Now, now. No need to get your tail in a knot.", answered the chubby ghost.

"We just wanted to give something to the little lady who is now living with us.", said the small ghost.

"Here. This was mailed to the dorm earlier in the morning, it was addressed to you.", the skinny ghost said.

They approached Dawn and handed her a large white box with a black, white, and red ribbon on top; attached to the box was an envelope addressed to her as well. "Ummm... thank you. But why would you guys do this for me?", she asked.

"Well, since you and Grimmy will be living with us for the time being, it's only right that we should all get along, right dearie?", the chubby ghost replied.

Dawn pondered for a bit; she wasn't a big fan of ghosts, but if these guys were trying to be nice to her, she could try to be good to them as well. "Well, I guess when you put it like that, then be friends.", she answered with a small smile.