Bitter-Sweet Fairy Tales

Rapunzel

Bitter Sweet Fairy Tales

All Rights Reserved

©2018 Katheryne N., Nievana J.

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"So, what was his name?" - Penelope

"I don't know. I didn't even ask!" - Rapunzel

- Barbie as Rapunzel 

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  Once upon a time, there was a girl named Rani who lived in Manhattan. She was a quite young girl, who usually kept to herself. However, many of the people who lived in the city knew who she was because of her long, raven black hair that reached her her ankles and was always kept in a simple, fishtail braid. In a room full of people, her hair was a beautiful giveaway.

  Rani was a lover of art from a young age. She would spend hours in her room drawing and painting pictures of things she would see in Central Park: people walking their dogs, old couples sitting on benches, flowers growing alongside the ponds, and the occasional proposal. But despite Rani's love for art, her mother didn't not approve of this pass time. She believed it to be "too imaginative" and "impractical" for a young woman. Why her daughter didn't find an interest in business or biochemistry, she would never understand. 

  Nevertheless, as Rani grew up she continued to paint and keep in touch with her artistic abilities. She got a job at an art supplies store with her best friend, Preya, and was working towards her degree in Art History at NYU. She had her life all planned out and everything was going according to plan, even with her mothers' protests.

  One day, Rani and Preya were working the night shift at the store. Night shifts were the best since hardly anyone was coming in at this time. There wasn't much to do other than making sure the shelves were all neat.

  "Have you decided if you're going to the Art Gala yet?" Preya asked Rani whilst sweeping behind the front counter. NYU was having a gallery displaying all the art work done by the students. People could also purchase art.

  "I have to, I'm painting the major piece!" Rani was asked to paint a picture with deep meaning. She had absolutely no idea what she was going to paint. And the Gala was in three weeks.

  "I'm only asking." Preya said putting her hands up in surrender. "Some of the other artists aren't going. They figured no one would buy their pieces so what's the point on wasting a Saturday night." 

  Rani laughed and continued organizing the acrylic paint shelf.

  Just then, the store's door opened and closed. Footsteps echoed through the store and shuffling of items could be heard. Rani brushed her hands on her jeans and walked over to the front of the store.

  "Hi, is there something I can-"

  The person turned around before Rani could finish and she was at an instant loss for words. It was a boy not much older than her. He had skin like milk and short, hazelnut curls. And the most beautiful forest-green eyes she had ever seen. He was handsome.

  "Uh, hi. I'm, uh, looking for some terracotta." The man said then cleared his throat. He was stunned by Rani just as much as she was by him. Never before had he seen a girl with such beauty. And such long hair.

  "Um, yeah. Yeah. It's in aisle three. I'll grab it for you," Rani quickly ran over and grabbed the clay off the shelf then ran back over to the counter. The man was patiently waiting for the beautiful girl to come back. He smiled at her.