This Enchanting New World

Chapter 7

I couldn't believe it. Walking here in Auradon, I wanted to cry, scream, and cheer all at the same time, but mostly, I felt a strong yearning to have that position, to join everyone I passed and be a part of it all. And the thought that now I was made me feel so free, and sent an unlimited rush of excitement down my spine. It was so unbelieveable, yet somehow I believed anyway.

Suddenly I understood where Goth got her spirit. Even if she couldn't have had adventures like this on the Isle, she could think herself into one and have the same experience. 

Before I knew it, Dizzy had pulled me into a bear hug. I lost breath. "Oh, Dizzy, I'm so glad to see you again!," I squealed. 

Dizzy couldn't conceal the huge and somewhat wicked grin on her face.

I arched an eyebrow. "Dizzy...what did you do?," I accused, but with a lighthearted gleam in my dark eyes. 

Suddenly Dizzy burst into thrilled screams. 

"Oh, I can't take it anymore! I made you and Goth Auradonian gowns!," Dizzy exclaimed excitedly.

I gasped in shock, selfish, vain, and shallow as it was.

"Dizzy..when? How?," I sputtered, my usual elegant composure all but gone.

She let out another elated gasp of joy. "Evie," she clarified."They're in our dorm room!"

This kept getting better and better. "We have a dorm room together?," I said, holding in a breath. 

"Us and Goth," she said. 

I was suspicious once again.

"I thought it was two to a room," I questioned.

"It is. Goth made a plot to sneak in and stow away with us," Dizzy giggled.

I rolled my eyes. 

"Why are we standing here, then? Let's go!," I ordered, sounding every inch as commanding as my mother.

Dizzy gave an amused salute.

And then we left. On many levels, today we had simultaneously left and arrived. 

Finally I could see a path shining before me, the one I wanted, the one I was entitled to, the one I would dictate for myself if I was able to.

At the end of it, a bright light gleamed- like the sun, so close and clear and yet so far.

My happy ending.

However, what I didn't know is that whenever there's bright light, there's also someone lurking in the shadows, whispering, "Say goodbye to your happy ending."

Or someone who might become it if I could only see him.

But I couldn't.

It was too dark there, like him.

CLARISSA'S AURADON OUTFITS:

(Credit to Firefly Path for all gowns. Picture Clarissa's ones on the girl on the cover of the book.)

GOTH'S AURADON OUTFITS: