Echoes of Wonderland

Castlecoming

Chloe's POV

The grand hall of Merlin Academy has been transformed into an ethereal wonderland for Castlecoming. Lights twinkle like stars across the ceiling, casting a soft glow over the room. Music fills the air, blending seamlessly with the laughter and chatter of students. The atmosphere is a mixture of excitement and anticipation, a perfect setting for a night that promises to be unforgettable.

As Red and I arrive, my heart skips a beat. I can feel Red's hand holding mine, her grip both reassuring and possessive. I glance at her, and my breath catches—she's stunning in her red dress, the fabric hugging her body in all the right places. She looks like she belongs to the night, fiery and fierce, and I'm the one who's lucky enough to be at her side.

When we walk in, I spot our friends immediately. Ella, Fay, and Bridget are gathered near the dance floor, talking animatedly. Ella, despite her initial reluctance to attend, looks like she stepped right out of a fairy tale. Her dress is an iconic gown—a shimmering pale blue that flows gracefully to the floor, with delicate silver accents that catch the light whenever she moves. Her hair is styled in loose curls, and there's a subtle sparkle in her eyes that suggests she's more excited to be here than she lets on.

Bridget, ever the picture of sweetness, is wearing a pink dress that suits her perfectly. It's simple yet elegant, not too revealing but definitely pretty. The dress flares out just below the waist, giving it a playful, youthful vibe that complements her personality. She looks as though she's ready to twirl across the dance floor at any moment.

Fay is a vision in her blue-purple dress. The color shifts subtly depending on the light, creating a mesmerizing effect that suits her mystical nature. The dress is a bit more daring, with intricate designs around the bodice and a flowing skirt that moves like water when she walks. Her hair is pinned back with delicate flowers, adding to her ethereal appearance.

They notice us approaching, and their faces light up. As we exchange greetings, I feel their eyes on me, and it's impossible to miss the way they admire how Red and I look together.

- You know you look insanely hot tonight, right, Chlo? - Red, never one to miss an opportunity to tease, grins and nudges me.

I laugh, a blush creeping up my cheeks. Before I can respond.

- Red, you might want to clean the drool off your face before someone else notices. - Bridget chimes in, grinning mischievously.

Fay giggles, and even Ella, who usually plays it cool, can't help but smirk at Red's obvious infatuation.

Red rolls her eyes good-naturedly but doesn't let go of my hand.

- I can't help it. - She says, her voice full of playful affection. - She's too gorgeous for her own good.

I shake my head, trying to play it off, but I can't deny the warmth that spreads through me at Red's words. We join our friends, and the night begins to unfold in a whirlwind of music, dancing, and laughter.

As the night goes on, I notice that Ella seems to be enjoying herself more than she'd anticipated. I catch sight of her across the room, smiling as she talks to Prince Charming. There's a moment of hesitation, and then he extends his hand to her, inviting her to dance. Ella looks surprised but pleased, and after a heartbeat, she places her hand in his. They move to the dance floor, and as they begin to dance, it's like watching a scene from a storybook—Cinderella and her Prince, lost in the music and each other.

The music played on, I noticed a group of familiar figures hovering near the entrance. Red immediately standing protectively close to me. It was the VKs, but they didn't have their usual bravado. Instead, they looked embarrassed, almost... defeated. It was so unlike them that it took me a moment to process what I was seeing. They had failed to pull off their prank on Bridget, and the shame of it was written all over their faces.