a/n: for @narrative 's second round of Mistletoe. It's christmas in Disneyland and the lovers meet the same as they do in a Dinsney film. See if you can work out which princess my story is based off ;) also, just want to say it's really bad because I am super busy at the moment and I'm writing this really late but oh well it's been fun to write something cute hehe p.s. I don't know if they have a ball I made that up- I've never been to Disneyland D: xxxx
I inhale the scent of Christmas: that wonderful mix of fur trees, cinnamon and roasted chestnuts. The air itself is cold but with forecasts of snow to fall this evening, I don't mind. Besides, I'm wrapped up in my nice warm coat and scarf.
I follow the street down, admiring shop windows and frantic Christmas shopping. I think this could be a good time for me to buy my father something so I keep an eye out. It's not often I get some time to myself.
Suddenly I spot the embarrassing bounce of my step-mum's hair as she makes her way down the street towards me, dragging my younger step sister along with her.
"Ella!" she calls out, dramatically waving at me, pushing past people. I glance around quickly. If I could just step out the way somewhere...
"Ella, thank goodness." Too late. My step-mum is a tall, intimidating lady who tries too hard to stay young. "Ella you simply must look after Wendy for a while. I have too much to do with her trailing after me. Okay, thank you, see you later." She says it so quickly, I'm left just gawping at the place she just stood.
"Hi Wendy," I finally manage to say, bending down and giving her a big hug.
"Mummy says I'm a very annoying six year old," she tells me, her lip quivering.
"It's okay, she doesn't mean it. She's just tired."
"You always say that."
"She's always tired. Now, shall we go and find somewhere magical?"
"Like Disneyland?"
I smile. "Yes, like Disneyland," I reply to keep Wendy happy. But there's no Disneyland in England and the closest Wendy and I have been to Disneyland is the pictures in the brochures.
It did look quite magical though.
We turn a corner, chatting and laughing. I like to treat Wendy like someone older than six because she's so clever, sweet and I can have conversations with her. I know the park is somewhere around here and it's all lit up in lights so that's going to be our substitute Disneyland.
Suddenly the smell of sugary foods is overwhelming and there is the faint laughter of children. We must be closer than I thought.
Ah, the bushes next to us are the back of the park. We could go through them instead of walking all the way round.
"Come on, Wendy; let's go through here, it's quicker."
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see."
We push branches out of our way and run lightly through the small clump of trees. I can see coloured lights flashing through the branches.
When we emerge, I am awe-struck. I feel like I have just walked through the wardrobe to Narnia for in front of us is not the park, or any other part of our town, but the Maine street of Disneyworld. And it's just as beautiful as it is in the photos.
So many questions arise in my mind- the impossibility of it all. But I ignore them, because we're here and Wendy's face is lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Disneyland," she breathes, enchanted.
We go on some of the small rides and I have the greatest time. Wendy is just a constant squeal of joy. We take pictures of ourselves with the characters that roam the streets and eat food from the stalls. It's so full of Christmas.
