Alice's plan to overthrow the Queen of Hearts is thwarted by a dashing pirate with a hook. Years later, after the curse is broken, they reunite once again.
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Rochester is beautiful this time of year. The vibrant colors of the trees look straight out of a Bob Ross. Maybe it's because I live in NYC, but the smell here is so fresh, like newly washed bed linens. But the pumpkin patch is even more breathtaking. Bright orange pumpkins littering the ground everywhere while people pick out the perfect one while sipping warm apple cider. I look around at my students scattered around with a small smile on my face as they laugh and mingle with each other.
I feel my smile fall slightly at the sight of one of my students sitting off to the side by herself. Farah, a great art student with real potential. I'd like to say that all of my students have potential in the art world, but that's sadly not the case.
"Hey, Farah, what's wrong? Don't you want to pick out a pumpkin?" I ask once I'm only a foot away from her. She doesn't even look up when she answers.
"No."
"Allergic?" I ask, somewhat lightheartedly.
"No." I sigh, sitting down next to her, wrapping my cold fingers tightly around my warm cup.
"Allergic...to fun?" I ask teasingly, nudging her shoulder gently. She doesn't laugh. Instead, she looks down at her hands with a heavy sigh.
"My mom didn't give me the money on time to get one." She mutters and I feel a small sharp pain in my chest. I smile softly, leaning down so I can see her face.
"Go." I say. "Go pick one out, it's on me." Her eyes widen slightly as she lifts her head.
"I...can't pay you back." She says sadly, but I can hear the hopeful undertone in her voice.
"Sure you can." I tell her with a shrug. I pull out my wallet and hand her a warn out ten dollar bill. "I give you a pumpkin and you paint me a pretty picture on it." I pause before handing her another five. "Also, it's too dam-dang cold out so get you something warm to drink." Her face practically lights up, the life returning to her eyes.
"Thanks, Ms. Kingsley." She says before running over to get her drink. I finish my own in one long gulp, savoring the sweet apple flavor that dances over my taste buds. I go to stand up to get more but just as I turn, I catch a familiar figure from the corner of my eye.
"Hi." The man says with a small wave as he approaches. It's the man from the gas station that I'm always gushing to Emma about. He doesn't actually work there but we always end up getting gas in the morning around the same time as me. He smiles crookedly, clearly nervous. As usual, he's wearing a flannel shirt and a pair of slacks. "Hi, sorry to bother you."
"Trust me, you'd know if you were bothering me. I make this really weird face, my nose scrunches up..." I scrunch up my nose as a demonstration and he looks down with a soft chuckle."That's adorable." He mutters, almost to himself. I feel my heart stutter slightly. Emma is never gonna believe this.
"Sorry?"
"I-I just mean...I'm screwing this up, aren't I?" He stutters out, rubbing a hand on his forehead. I can't help but smile at how endearing the sight is.
