Echoes of Wonderland

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Red's POV

As I wake up on the first day at Auradon Prep, everything feels different—new, but familiar, like I've walked this path before but now there's something deeper guiding me. Chloe. Last night, as we kissed under the stars, I felt it—the closeness, the connection that we'd both been tiptoeing around for weeks. We've been taking it slow, playing it safe, and I've needed that. She's been so patient with me, letting me set the pace, but there's this tension between us that's impossible to ignore.

I drag myself out of bed, the weight of everything hanging in the air. Today's the start of something, and it's not just the first day of school. It's the beginning of me trying to get back to some version of normal, whatever that means. I toss on my jacket, the red one I've worn a hundred times, but today it feels like armor. As much as I want to be excited, school has never been my thing. The routine, the noise, the people... I've always felt like I was on the outside looking in.

But now, with Chloe, maybe it'll be different.

Today it's moving day. Classes start tomorrow, so today we've got time to make ourselves comfortable.

Chloe pulls up in front of my house, her truck packed and ready for the ride to Auradon Prep. The sun's barely up, and yet there she is, beaming with excitement like it's the start of some grand adventure. To her, maybe it is. For me, it feels like the start of something more intimidating—school, moving in, sharing a room with her. It's all hitting me at once, but Chloe? She's in her element.

She jumps out of the truck, bouncing on her toes, and throws open the door to help with my bags.

- Ready to go? - She asks, her grin infectious.

I nod, my hands gripping the handle of my luggage.

- As ready as I'll ever be.

Chloe loads everything into the truck bed with ease, and before I know it, we're on our way. It's weird—this is the first time I've felt any kind of calm about school. Maybe it's because Chloe's with me, or maybe it's the fact that we've been through so much already. Either way, today feels different.

- You still good with rooming together? - Chloe asks, glancing at me as we drive.

- You already convinced Uma. What choice do I have? - I roll my eyes playfully.

- You have all the choices in the world, Red. - Chloe smirks. - But, come on, admit it—you're glad it's me.

I give her a sideways look, then let out a small laugh.

- Yeah, okay. I'm glad it's you.

We pull into Auradon Prep not long after, and the campus is already buzzing with students moving in. It's loud, crowded, and I feel that familiar knot in my stomach, but when Chloe parks the truck, she's out in a flash, throwing her arm around my shoulders like it's no big deal.

- This is going to be great. - She says, her voice bright. - You, me, our own little space. What could go wrong?

I smile, more for her sake than mine, but there's a warmth growing in my chest. We grab the rest of my things from the truck and head toward the dorms. As we walk through the hallways, it hits me—the room number on my key. I stop, staring at it.

- No way... - I mutter.

Chloe looks over, her brow furrowed.

- What's up?

- This is the same room we had when we time-traveled to Merlin Academy. The same exact one. - I hold up the key, showing her the number.

Chloe's eyes widen, and a slow smile spreads across her face.