Wonka & Me

Chapter Three

"What did you say?" Slugworth says.

"I said you're not taking them anywhere." Willy glares at them.

"Then you'll be sued for all you have." Prodnose says.

"Y-you can't do that!" I exclaim.

"We most certainly can." Fickelgruber says.

"Take me." I say.

"What!?" Willy exclaims.

"Willy, it's been your life-long dream to be a chocolatier. I'm not gonna sit here and let them sue you just because I can fly." I say.

"But..." Willy says.

"I'll be fine." I smile. "As long as I've known you, I've followed you, trusted you. It's time for you to trust me."

(Anyone catch that reference?)

"But..." Willy says.

"Do you trust me?" I ask.

"I...I trust you." Willy says.

I smile. "Good."

Slugworth grabs my arm to pull me along.

I shake my arm away. "I don't need help."

Slugworth nods. He starts to walk off with me, Fickelgruber, and Prodnose.

"Goodbye, Willy." I say.

"Goodbye." Willy says.

I walk off with the three chocolatiers.

I hear Willy softly cry to himself. I sneak up behind him. "Ahem."

Willy turns around. "Ramona!?"

"That's my name." I say.

Willy hugs me. "But..how!?"

"I sent a robot in my place." I say.

"A...robot?" Willy asks.

"Yeah. I made it in class." I say.

"That's...that's awesome!" Willy exclaims.

"I know." I say.

Willy hugs me tighter.

"Air..escaping...LUNGS." I say.

Willy stops hugging me. "Sorry."

"That's okay." I say.

"I'm just so glad you're safe." Willy smiles.

"I am, too." I smile back.

"But won't they be mad when they find out it's not you?" Willy asks.

I shrug. "Probably."

"And you're not worried about it?" Willy asks.

I giggle. "I slipped some acacia mints into the robot's pocket, did my best giraffe call, and sent the robot away. The giraffe should be there in about..."

I hear screams and yells from the lab.

"Now." I say.

Willy smirks. "You sneaky little child, you!" He ruffles my hair.

"Don't do that." I smooth my hair out.

"Sorry." Willy says.

I hear a girl laugh behind me.

I turn around, and see Noodle. "Oh! Hey there!"

"Hey!" Noodle says. She chuckles. "You really know your stuff!"

Willy smiles at Noodle. "Hi, Noodle."

"Hey, Willy." Noodle says. She turns back to me. "That was a really good trick."