Love Ain't It. (Or is it?)

Red

Red, the Princess of Wonderland, was pulled by a crane into Maddox's, the son of the Mad Hatter, house after my crime filled night.

As I was being pulled in, I shouted, "Maddox!" In a pouty voice, being dropped onto a mattress that was there for this exact occasion. I fell onto the bed with a smirk. The second I entered the room, Maddox spoke up.

"Those guards could have dragged you to the dungeon, Red."
Maddox had lavender hair and a thin but stocky build. He sported a forest green shirt with a carrot-orange ascot. His voice had a strong British accent, which shone through his every word.

I tossed a bit of her bright red, curly hair behind my shoulder, letting out a quick sigh of relief.

"What on Earth wers you thinking?!" Maddox asked, anger evident in his tone and on his face. I quickly snapped back, annoyance taking over.

"That my mom's portrait could use a little touch-up!" I stood up off the mattress.

Maddox glared daggers at me, which I found amusing.
"I am seriously worried about you, Red."
He stated simply.

I smirked again. "I hope she likes it." I said more to myself than Maddox.

Maddox quickly placed his plaid tophat, decorated in keys and other trinkets, on his head.
"If you continue down this path, I won't always be there to save you." The man scolded. He picked up his overcoat just as I replied again.

"Maddox Hatter, you know you can't save me. I'm a prisoner of Wonderland. I'm a lost cause." I repeatedly shook her head. I wasn't asking for Maddox's pity, just his understanding. I sat in the checkered armchair in Maddox's room, tilting my legs to the side.

Maddox leaned in slightly, scolding me as he has been this whole conversation.
"You, are not, a lost cause." Maddox sat in the chair next to me, placing his hands on his knees.
"As your tutor, I'm in charge of preparing you for your future." He began.

I scoffed gently, looking to the side before returning my pgaze to Maddox. What future? I thought. Little did I know how much my future had in store for me.

"And as your friend, I want you want to have one." Maddox finished, looking straight at me as I stared at nothing in particular.

I hesitated before I responded.
"What future, Mads? I literally have the most controlling mom ever. She's never gonna let me leave Wonderland!" I ranted, blinking multiple times.

Maddox whispered back, avoiding the girls gaze.
"I know it hasn't been easy growing up with a mother that's so..." he trailed off. "Particular." His voice slightly cracked. Particular? Try annoying.

I never once moved my eyes away from Maddoxs face. I scoffed again.

Maddox spoke up, still mumbling.
"But she wasn't always this way."

I rolled her eyes. How could a cold, controlling mother not "always be this way?" It's impossible.

"It's true!" Maddox shouted, trying to get me to believe him. He lowered his voice again. "We're all products of our past," Sure. "and your mother's was certainly unfortunate."
Why is Maddox lying to me?! Why would he try to convince me that my evil mother was actually... good?!

"She just wants to turn me into the next evil queen like her. And I don't wanna be Queen! I just... wanna be in charge of my own life. But what I want doesn't matter to her." I argued, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh. Red.." Maddox whispers in guilt.
Maddox thinks for a moment before speaking up.
"I wasn't going to show you this until you were a little older, but I finished it." Okayyy... I'm interested..

"Hmm!" He said, smirking. He quickly stood up and walked off somewhere. A curious expression floods my face as I hesitantly get up to follow him.

We enter an area of his room that's filled with gears, books, and other crowded trinkets. Infront of me sits a stand covered with a velvet red blanket. What could this be?

Maddox quickly pulls the blanket away, revealing a shining, gold pocket watch.
"My time machine!" He exclaims. What?! How in the world did he create a time machine...

"It takes you to the moment in time that can give you what your heart wants most." He goes on. Ominous...

"If you really want a different life, Red, I want you to have that choice." Is he really going to let me go back in time? I stare at the watch as I slowly inch closer, curiosity taking control.

"But I should warn you," Of course. "when you alter the fabric of time, there can be some unpredictable consequences."
I think for a moment before replying
"I think I can live with that!"

I reach out for the pocket watch when Maddox covers it from my grasp.
"Everything could change." He picks it up. "You could lose your mother entirely..." he sighs and mutters something to himself that I couldn't hear. Typical Maddox, rethinking everything.

"Not yet. When you're more mature." He quickly stuffs the time machine into his coat pocket.

Seriously?! C'mon...

"I know you're frustrated, Red," no really?! "but I'm trying to look out for you. I care about you very much."

I cross my arms. I think for a moment before walking up to Maddox and abruptly hugging him.

"Thanks, Mads."

I say as I stealthily take the pocket watch from his pocket, making sure he didn't notice.

"Oh." He replies, hugging me back.

I pull away.
"At least someone still does."
I smile.

Too easy.
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A//N: Hope you like it so far! If you have any questions or suggestions just add me on Discord: adiar.adiar
Next chapter will be Chloes POV!!