✩𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 - 𝐀 𝐬𝐨𝐛 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲✩

𝐗𝐈𝐈

Chloe's Pov

The first rays of sunlight filtered through my curtains, casting a soft glow over our cozy living room. The world outside seemed distant, its problems muted by the quiet sanctuary we had created. Red was curled up beside me on the couch, her head resting on my shoulder, and her fingers intertwined with mine. Her breathing was steady, and for a moment, I could see the weight of yesterday's troubles lifted from her face.

The events of the previous day had left a mark on both of us. Red had faced unimaginable cruelty from her mother, and though we had made it through the night, the scars, both visible and invisible, were still fresh. Today, we had decided to stay in, focusing on creating a space of peace and comfort to help her forget, even if it's only for a little while.

I glanced at the coffee table, covered with our favorite snacks, popcorn, chocolate, and a bowl of fresh fruit. It was a small attempt at normalcy, a way to ground us in a simpler pleasure. Red had a slight smile on her lips, and I knew that this was our moment to rebuild, if just a little, from the wreckage of yesterday.

"Are you ready for movie marathon number two?" I asked, my voice low and playful as I brushed a strand of hair from her face.

Red tilted her head back to look at me, her eyes softening as they met mine. "Absolutely. I think I need all the comfort food and bad movies I can get."

We had started with a rom-com and had moved on to a drama, the kind of movies that made us laugh and cry, but always left us feeling a little better. Red seemed to be getting into the spirit of things, her earlier tension melting away with each passing scene.

I picked up the remote and clicked through our playlist of movies. Red snuggled closer, her head finding its familiar resting place on my shoulder. The warmth of her body was comforting, and I could feel the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against me. It was a sensation I cherished, a reminder that we had each other.

"I love these days," Red murmured, her voice muffled by the blanket we were sharing. "It's nice to just forget about everything else for a while."

"Me too," I said softly. "You deserve to have a day where you don't have to think about anything but how cozy we are and which movie we're going to watch next."

She chuckled, a sound that was music to my ears. "I'm really lucky to have you."

The words warmed me more than the blanket ever could. I squeezed her hand gently, feeling the softness of her skin against mine. We continued to watch, occasionally sharing a laugh or commenting on the ridiculous plot twists of the films. Every so often, Red would nuzzle closer, her fingers lightly brushing against mine as if reassuring herself that we were here together.

At one point, during a particularly cheesy scene in a movie about a time-traveling romance, Red's laughter filled the room. It was the kind of sound that made everything feel right, a nod to the way she was slowly letting go of the shadows from yesterday. I was glad to see her smile, to hear her laugh.

As the afternoon turned into evening, we took a break from the movies to make dinner together. It was a simple affair pasta and a fresh salad but the act of cooking side by side was a comfort. Red moved with a lightness I hadn't seen in days, her hands working efficiently as she chopped vegetables and stirred the sauce. We chatted about trivial things, the kind of conversations that felt like a burst of happiness.

Dinner was filled with easy laughter and affectionate teasing. We ate at the small kitchen table, the candlelight casting a warm glow over us. Red's eyes sparkled as she spoke about plans for the future, dreams that had seemed distant only a day before. It was a precious glimpse into the hope that still existed despite everything.

After dinner, we returned to the couch, the movies resuming their place as our background entertainment. Red seemed to be more relaxed now, her eyes closing slightly as she nestled against me. I gently stroked her hair, feeling a deep sense of contentment as I watched her drift toward sleep.

Then, just as I was about to pick up the remote for the next movie, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I glanced at it, expecting a routine notification, but instead, I saw a new text message from an unknown number. The screen lit up, displaying a single line of text.

"Did you think you could escape so easily?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I glanced at Red, who was still peacefully asleep, her lips curled up in a soft smile. I wanted to keep her safe, to protect her from whatever darkness was beyond the gates of Auradon.

I hesitated, staring at the message, trying to make sense of it. My mind raced with worry. Was this connected to her mother? Was there something more sinister at play? I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart.

The peaceful moment we had created together felt suddenly fragile, the comfort of our day threatened by the message. I tucked my phone back into my pocket, deciding to address it later when Red was more aware. For now, I wanted to focus on keeping her safe and preserving the peace we had worked so hard to build.

I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. The warmth of her body against mine was a reminder of why I had to stay strong. We had faced darkness before, and we would face it again if necessary. But for now, as we curled up together, I held on to the hope that we could find peace and safety within our own little world.

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Wrote this directly after the last chapter as i had the idea already so it has the same writing style and the same big words i don't usually use so again let me know if it's not liked. I'm not too sure how i feel about the more professional words i'll probably stop doing that it makes me feel like i'm reading an actual book. I don't know. Unless you guys like it when it's more full and professional then i can keep them.