Once Upon An Enchanted Ball ( A Rise of Red/Glassheart Fanfic)

Chapter 6: Vines and Error

Even after a few days, the Enchanted Garden still left much to be desired. Sure, the flowers weren't as wilted, and the moss had taken on a more vibrant green, shedding its former swampy hue, but that was just optimism talking. Chloe, full of that optimism today, seemed determined to see the beauty in it all. Red, however, wasn't quite as enthusiastic.

Since the kitchen incident, Red had made it a point to steer clear of Bridget, which inevitably led to spending more time with Chloe. They were co-workers after all, and Red had expected this. What she hadn't expected, though, was actually enjoying her time with Chloe.

Despite the mess and chaos that had ensued in the kitchen, Red found herself appreciating Chloe's company. She'd never admit it, but having Chloe by her side made the planning committee less of a chore. The girl's infectious energy and determination to make the garden beautiful had a way of rubbing off on Red, even if she tried to resist it. And with a few days since the icing battle, it was clear that Chloe wasn't going anywhere anytime soon.

"It just gets worse every time I come back" Red shudders, the cold wind not as vipering as the sight in front of her eyes. With a broom and rag in hand, it seemed the two would now have to conquer the second part of their to-do list, decorations. But without a clean ground to lay anything on, it seemed that two girls would have to take that into their own hands.

"Well, at least we're not alone. Bridget, Ella and Charming said they would join us later to help with streamers and well, cleaning too." Chloe gleams despite the nerves already getting to her.

Red sighs. "You really invited them?", She turns to face Chloe, her expression determined in contrast to the other girl.

"After the little icing incident, Bridget has been really keen on making sure everything is in order...she technically invited herself" Chloe chuckles and Red lets out a small scoff, "We are in order. We're almost halfway through the list, aren't we?"

"Somewhat," Chloe replies. Red would rather not let out another sigh. If her cousin wanted to help, so be it. Less work for her to do anyway.

"Okay, so, I take the right, and you take the left?" Chloe questions and without a response, Red takes the left side of the garden to start her work. Chloe would have rebuddled but she's grown to learn that sometimes Red's silence was just her being nice. And Chloe found it quite rewarding to see she was slowly getting through to Red one day at a time. The blue-haired girl, true to her words, takes the right side of the garden to begin her work. Enveloped around a giant pond, Chloe's mop seemed rather unfitting for the trail she would have to clean up.

As the two got to their cleaning, the silence Chloe once appreciated before was becoming awkward. The urge to say something took over her senses. "I bet Wonderland isn't as mossy as this." She states.

Chloe looks to the other side of the garden where Red stops her sweeping. It's at that moment she realises she's broken the golden rule of not mentioning Wonderland.

But Red's pause isn't one of anger but, even if she would rather not talk, it's not to say Chloe's curiosity didn't seem slightly endearing. "Beyond the Kingdom, maybe...I rarely ever saw it though." Red's tone is sombre.

When Chloe assumes the coast is clear, she continues mopping, "Guess it's good you're here then. As shabby as this place can be."

Red chuckles at the comment, "I call it shabby but it's nice to see something more than...red. All the greens, yellows, blues, like a breath of fresh air.". Red stops her sweeping to admire the blues of the morning sky, a tinted colour of grey due to the rather chilly weather. Chloe notices the other girl staring at the sky with a type of wonder she has never seen before. It was warming to see.