Alice's Life in Wonderland

Chapter One - The Mad Hatter

It was a lovely spring day in Wonderland. Everywhere was covered in petals with different shades of pink. The streams rippled across the land and the trees rustled in the breeze.

Deep inside the Fantasy Woods, the Mad Hatter came out from his house. He put on his everyday hat and walked along the path towards Cutlery Lane. In the middle of his walk, he met the March Hare, hopping towards his own den.

"Morning, Hatter," he cried. "Are you coming to the tea party this afternoon?"

"Sorry Hare, I have an appointment with the Queen," Hatter apologized.

"Too bad, I just invited the Cheshire Cat and his daughter. You'd like to meet them."

"I wish the Queen doesn't know me."

"Of course, anyway, happy birthday Mad!"

The March Hare tossed Hatter a coin and left. Mad examined it carefully. It had a picture of a well carved on one side, and words on the other.

Hatter read the words, "The Wishing Well Coin."

He popped the coin into his waistcoat pocket and continued down the lane. Soon, he arrived at Cutlery Lane, crossed the street and arrived at the borders of the Queen of Heart's Castle grounds.

He passed the gate and went into the castle. He walked down a long hallway, pushed the door, and went inside the throne room.

The room was crowded with courtiers, servants and soldiers. At the far end of the room, the Queen of Hearts was perched up in her throne, with the royal vizier beside her. She looked rather anxious, as if she was late for something.

As the last of all courtiers finished his speech, the Queen's eyes lit up and clapped her hands.

"Very well," she announced. "You may leave now."

All the people squeezed their way to the door, knocking Hatter and stepping his feet continuously. Finally, they all left and Mad walked towards Her Majesty.

"You're on time," she said.

"I am," he replied plainly and sat on a chair next to the throne.

"Oh I've got so much to tell you since your last visit!"

"Umm, but it was like yesterday."

Ignoring Hatter, the Queen of Hearts talked on, "After you went away, I suddenly remembered it was your birthday today. Oh yes, happy birthday, dearest. Okay, where was I? Oh of course, so I went to Wonderland City to do some shopping. And guess who I saw?" She batted her eyelashes and looked at him.

"Who?" Hatter asked and took a cup of tea from the tea tray.

"Our old classmate! Melanie Walter!"

Mad turned pale and stiff. He put down his cup and turned to the Queen, "Excuse me, can you repeat that again?"

"Melanie Walter, she just married a few months ago, don't you know? She's a rich lady now."

"Florence?"

"Yes, Mad."

"I have to go, I'm sorry."

He stood up and rushed out of the room. He ran right out the castle, across the street, into the forest and back into his house.

He flung himself onto his bed and cried. Melanie had always been his truest friend during those times, and even more than that. They were always seen walking through the gardens of Wonderland Grove or walking to school together down the streets of Wonderland City.

She was an ordinary girl to anyone, but to him, she was the girl. She brought smiles to him every single day, and was the sweet smelling spring that chased away the cold winter. She was a pretty little thing back then, so young and so earnest.

But now, she was a beautiful fine lady, married to a rich man, never the baker's daughter he knew long ago. She was not Melanie Walter anymore, but Lady Whoever-her-husband's-surname-was.

How badly he wanted to see her, her face! But surely, she wouldn't want to see him. He was a poor man, and she was high classed. He needed to give his love to someone else, but who?

He will never share his love to the Queen, though she was in love with for a long time. He needed guidance, but where?