Echoes of Wonderland

Secrets in plain sight

Red's POV

I stormed out of the room, barely able to contain the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. The fight with Chloe replayed in my mind on a loop, every harsh word cutting deeper than the last. I was angry. No, I was furious, but it wasn't just at Chloe. I was mad at the whole damn situation. Everything felt like it was falling apart, and I couldn't stand all this shit.

As I stalked through the empty hallways, the anger started to give way to something else. Guilt, maybe? Frustration, definitely. And confusion. A whole lot of confusion. Did I cross a line? Probably. I hated how accusatory I'd sounded, how quickly I'd lashed out. Chloe didn't deserve that, especially after last night. The way we looked at each other, the concern in her eyes, and the unspoken understanding we shared. It felt so real. And waking up next to her, spooning like we'd been doing it forever... it meant something to me.But now? Now it just felt like a mess. I knew Chloe was hurting too, and that made it even worse. But I couldn't shake this nagging feeling that something was off. Uliana couldn't be the only one behind everything. There had to be more, and I needed to find out what. I can't leave it like this. It's not about proving Chloe wrong; it's about finding the truth. I have to get the proof we need, even if it means diving deeper into the past than either of us is ready for. I don't want to believe her mom could be involved, but we can't ignore the possibility.

As I gather my thoughts, I unexpectedly bump into Bridget and Ella.

- Red! Hi. - Bridget greets me, and I nod in acknowledgment, returning the greeting.

- Hey, Red. - Ella chimes in. - Didn't catch you in class today, you good?

- Yeah, all good. Just got into some trouble, and Head Master Merlin decided to give me the day off. - I reply, trying to sound nonchalant. I'm too embarrassed to admit I got suspended.

Bridget's eyes widen as she points to my face.

- Is that how you got that cut? I noticed it last night but didn't want to pry.

Bridget smiles at Ella, a subtle signal that we hung out last night. Ella, in response, puts on a small, somewhat forced smile. It reminds me of how she's supposedly in the theater program; maybe the acting classes haven't paid off yet.

- Yeah, just a little encounter with the VKs. Nothing major. - I answer, keeping it brief.

- How's Chloe doing today? - Ella asks, her concern genuine. - Bridget mentioned she got a pretty bad concussion in P.E. playing dodgeball.

- Why isn't she here with you? You guys are besties. - Bridget nods in agreement, pulling Ella into a side hug. - Just like us!

- She's doing better. I just wanted some air, so I went out of the room to walk for a bit and grab us some takeout lunch from the cafeteria.

- That's good to hear. - Ella replies, her expression undecipherable.

- Yeah, I'm glad she's getting better. - I say genuinly. - Hey! Maybe we can all hang out later? if she's feeling up to it.

- Fun! - Bridget jumps in excitement. But her excitement gets cut off by Ella.

- Sorry, I can't today. I gotta do something at home.

- Aw, that's too bad. - Sounds like a lie to me, but I play it off. - Anyway, I should get going. I'll see you around.

As I walk away, I can feel their eyes on me, but I don't look back. There's a lot on my mind, and I can't shake the feeling that there's more to uncover. I'll have to find a way to talk to Ella alone later; there's something about her that's been bugging me. For now, I need to keep moving and figure out what my next step should be.
But first I gotta get Chloe some food, as she hasn't had anything to eat today and I know she doesn't eat when she's upset.

After grabbing a sandwich and a soda for Chloe, I head back to our dorm. When I walk in, I see her sitting at the desk, scribbling furiously on a piece of paper. She doesn't look up, doesn't acknowledge me at all. She must still be really mad and hurt. Maybe I crossed a line.

- Brought you lunch. - I say, a bit more sharply than I intended.

- Mhm. - She hums in response, not looking up and continuing to write.

- I know you hate me, but I don't want you to starve. - I say, stepping closer to her. - So, please, just eat.

- Did you poison it? - She snaps, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

- Why would I... - I pause, frustrated. - You know what, whatever. I tried.

- According to you earlier, I'm blinded by my loyalty, so why should I trust you?

- I'm not doing this again, Chloe. - I reply, trying to avoid another argument.

- Well, technically, you're not 'doing this again,' since you ran off like a coward earlier. - She fires back, her words stinging.

- Alright, that's enough. - I say, trying to keep my temper in check.

- Why can't you just admit you're wrong about my mom? - Chloe's voice rises, frustration evident.

- Seriously, Chloe. - I say, exasperated. - I'm done.

- Oh, but I'm not. You were so quick to accuse her this morning. - She challenges, her voice sharp. - So come on, let's hear it.

- Why are you so desperate to pick a fight right now? - I snap, my patience wearing thin. - What do you want?

- Because you can't keep your mouth shut! - She yells, standing up. - You just had to go and accuse my mom without any proof.

- I told you, I'll look into it. - I try to reason, but she's not listening.

- And what if you're wrong? What if she's actually innocent?

- What if I'm right? - I snap back, unable to hold back my frustration.

- You don't get it, do you? - She says, voice dripping with disdain. - You're so obsessed with proving you're right, you don't care who you hurt.

- Maybe I am, but you are no saint either. - I say bringing up a valid point. - Or we wouldn't be having this argument.

- You're so desperate to prove that my mom's perfect little world isn't real, but you know what? Maybe Bridget deserves to be humiliated. - Chloe's voice rises, filled with anger. - Maybe she needs to see what it's like to be on the other side for once.

- Are you seriously saying that? - I can't believe what I'm hearing. - You think Bridget deserves to be pranked and turned into a monster just because she's actually a good person?

- Come on, Red. - She says fake laughing. - We both know she is only showing her truest self.

- Are you done? - I raise my voice. - Because I am.

- She's not that perfect, Red! No one is! - Chloe yells, standing up. - And maybe a little reality check would do her some good!

- That's just... wow, Chloe. - I shake my head in disbelief. - That's low, even for you.

- Oh, so now I'm the villain, huh? - Chloe's voice drips with sarcasm. - Because I actually see the flaws in people and don't worship them like you do with yourself.

- Back off, Princess, I mean it - I say, exasperated.

- You think you're so much better, don't you? - Chloe sneers. - Just because you've had it rough, doesn't mean you get to judge everyone else.

- You know what? I wanted to come back here to save you, so I didn't lose you. - I turn away, feeling the sting of her words. - Guess you don't give a fuck about losing me.

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I'm sorry.