Alice Awakened

Welcome to Alice Academy

The feel of soft, warm sheets against my body was more than enough for me to decide not to face the day yet. A few more minutes, I thought. Besides, it was the weekend and I had no school today, so all was good. Too good, actually.

I was lying on my left side, and my pillow was perfectly fluffy against my cheek and smelled like.. spring soap? That wasn't right..

Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw the colors red and grey. I blinked twice, then squinted my eyes, trying to focus what was in front of me. It seemed like a red-head had fallen asleep at my bedside. Broad shoulders. Muscled arms. A guy?! Okay. Calm down, Sang. Think!

Last night. What happened last night? I paused to take a few deep breaths, then immediately gulped.

All at once, everything was clear as day. Like it had all happened just minutes ago. The huge gates; Mr. McCoy; my heroes.. Mr. Blackbourne, Marc, Gabriel and Luke.

Alice Academy. I couldn't believe it. I made it inside, Mom. Finally.

I was feeling so happy and well-rested, I didn't think too much about whose bed I'd occupied for the night. All I knew was that it was a good day to be alive. I'd ask questions later about what had happened back in the car, but, for now, this boy's red hair had been calling for my undivided attention since I'd opened my eyes, and I wanted to touch it before he woke up.

Intrigued, I had this weird feeling that I'd seen this particular shade before. Maybe in a magazine? Would this color look good on me? Shaking my head, I shrugged the thought away.

Then, as silently as I could, I raised my right hand and stretched my arm out to reach for it. But, as I was about to touch his red locks, I noticed an IV in the back of my hand. What's this for? I'm certainly not feeling sick. I must've had it bad for me to be admitted to a hospital. If this was even a hospital. If so, at the very least, it didn't smell like one.

I examined my hand and spread my fingers out. Realizing that what I'd been about to do was creepy, I started to lower my hand back to the bed. I paused when I heard distant giggles, then my vision became a bit blurry. Images. There were blurry images before me. I squeezed my eyes shut in concentration and hoped... hoped that I was right about this. Please.

When I opened my eyes, I was left in awe.

I was standing in a vast meadow of flowers. There were butterflies all over the place. It was sunny and the weather was just right.

I was bending over to touch the flowers around my feet when I saw small, bare feet.. and small hands. Standing back upright, I glanced down at my body and saw that I was wearing a white taekwondo or judo uniform. A kid-sized uniform.

Seconds later, my feet started running off across the field. I looked behind and saw a small boy wearing the same-looking uniform I had on. He was chasing after me, shouting, "Sang! Come on! Touch it, just once! I promise it's not made of fire! That's not my alice and you know it!"

Giggles erupted from my lips. But I wasn't in control. I was right. It was a memory. I was reliving a distant memory.

"No! Dakota says I shouldn't," mini me said.

"But he's not here!" he whined. The boy looked exhausted, chasing after me. He stopped and placed his hands on his knees, bending forward to take a breath.

Mini me slowed down, then turned to him. He looked up, and I saw that his crystal blue eyes were in direct contrast with his red hair. It was pretty. "Exactly why I shouldn't! He's not here to put out the fire!" I said in a teasing tone.