Cinderella After Midnight

{ I n v i s i b l e Wall }

"I don't know why everyone calls her Cinderella, but her real name is Amelia," Liam told the Prince.

"Amelia?" asked Kris thoughtfully.

"Yes, why? Is something wrong?" Liam questioned. Kris shook his head lightly before answered.

"No, the name is just familiar."

"It's a common name," Liam said.

"You're right." Kris nodded. "Anyway, where is she?"

"In your private garden. Should I come with you?" Liam questioned.

"No, please find out more information about her," the Prince replied, leaving hastily.

"And when am I going to meet her?" Liam called after his friend.

"Soon enough, just help me with the information first. Thank you!" Kris shouted back.

It was blooming season and the scent of the flowers was everywhere in the air. The Prince found Amelia in the garden, standing under tree a with her hand in the air and her eyes closed, as if she was feeling the pink cherry blossoms falling on her skin. For one second, Kris forgot what he was supposed to do. He just stood there, watching the girl while a smile unknowingly appearing on his lips. This beautiful picture brought back memories.

The Prince heard his friend call. Amelia was standing under their favorite cherry tree, waving at him. It was the biggest and oldest one in the whole castle and its flowers were mixed uniquely, with white and pink. It was cherry blossom season. The garden was pink, covered with those cute little blossoms. Cherry petals were falling down from the tree slowly, as if they had wings and were carefully landing on the ground, and every time a breeze went by, the air was immediately filled with thousands of little pink petals, making it look like a small pink snowstorm.

"Silly girl, that isn't snow," Kris said as he came closer, patting the little girl's head gently.

"I'm not silly," Amelia pouted. She grabbed Kris's hand and raised it into the air.

"You have to feel it. Come on, close your eyes," Amelia beamed as she turned her head up too and closed her eyes.

"What are you doing?" Kris asked, breaking the silence.

Amelia flinched but soon she turned around. She was so deep in her thoughts that she hadn't heard the Prince coming.

"What are you doing?" Kris repeated.

"Feeling the snow," answered Amelia, half playfully, half seriously.

"What?" Kris asked in disbelief.

"Just kidding, I'm not silly," Amelia laughed, causing Kris to smile unknowingly at the memory he had never forgot.

"I'm so glad this tree is still here," Amelia said and all of sudden, Kris's smile disappeared and his expression became serious again. How could he forget his real intention? Stupid cherry tree.

"It seems you've been here more often than I thought," he said with a low voice that caused Amelia to remember in which situation Kris and she were. For a short moment, she thought she was talking to the old Kris. But she wasn't.

"Now, tell me the reason you sneaked into the ball. Did the killer send you? Who is he?" the Prince asked impatiently, causing Amelia to roll her eyes in disbelief. How could someone's mood change so fast?

"In case you haven't realized it yet, the killer is sitting in a so-called jail... alive ... thansk to you." Amelia said, feeling the anger taking over her slowly. Her mom was dead, murdered, and all Kris cared about was how to save the killer? How could her childhood friend have changed so much?