Star-Crossed

Ch.13

*Chapter 13*

Ralph gazed at her nervously, still gripping her hand. She gazed gently into his eyes, her hazel eyes true and confident. Ralph slowly nodded and hesitantly let go of her hand. She calmly turned back towards the lake and began to venture towards it again, her eyes eager yet nervous. Ralph took a few steps closer as if to spot her, he was praying that she'd be reachable if anything were to go wrong. Ralph winced with every confident step she took closer to the vanilla ice. He watched her every single move, becoming one with her gestures; he stayed within arms reach of her, terrified out of his mind.

Vanellope gently took a confident step into the lake. The lake flinched and bulged, as if to welcome the presence. The vanilla ice around her ankle slowly began to turn crystal clear, a calm light blue. She gazed down at the lake and continued to step in. Ralph stopped at the very edge of the lake and held out his arm to her as she steadied herself on his large arm and hand. She eased her way into the lake farther, the lake jolting and glitching, trying to identify the new presence. The Lake was alive with all sorts of different, playful movements. Vanellope smiled as she got about waist deep. She looked all around, noticing the lake quickly turn from vanilla ice to a clear, crystal mint blue. The water reflected like blue diamonds under the cherry trees. She gazed down to the bottom of the canyon like lake, noticing the massive red vines at the bottom. They were glowing a luminescent light blue, lighting up the whole entire lake with beautiful blues of all sorts. Light blues, dark blues, turquoises; Vanellope didn't even know that she could see so many different kinds of colors.

Ralph eased and gazed into the lake, it being transformed completely. Vanellope glitched a few times, but it was smooth and delicate. It bulged and showed her code in a graceful way. It swirled around her, the water simply replying and glitching in the same way in return. She turned back to Ralph with an eager smile before diving into the crystal water. The lake lit up like lightning had struck, it bulged and moved with her, as if it were completely alive. Vanellope swam all around, laughing with joy. She gently perched herself on a small boulder that was emerged from the lake. As she climbed out of the water, the lake quickly grew icy vanilla again. It swirled in it's usual method, sparkling like the sun. Vanellope quickly beamed at Ralph and waved. Ralph nervously waved in return.

"Ralph, join me!" Vanellope called happily.

"Hooo no," Ralph laughed as he took a few steps backwards, "I may not be the smartest guy in the arcade, but I know that has to be the stupidest decision ever."

"Ralph," Vanellope whined. Ralph shook his head.

"I-I can't," Ralph frowned, gazing across the icy lake to Vanellope.

"Why not?" Vanellope asked calmly. Ralph slumped his shoulders.

"I'm a bad guy," Ralph uttered, "Do you know how many buildings I've destroyed, how many people have scampered out of my way in Game Central Station?"

"Ralph, those are all things you can't help," Vanellope explained, "Those aren't wrongs you can help. You were programed to wreck the Niceland building. People are always scared of bad guys. It's nothing you can help."

Ralph stayed silent and gazed out at the lake as if to contemplate his decision. He heaved a long sigh before giving Vanellope a scared look. Vanellope smiled lovingly towards him.

"Ralph, you're a bad guy, but that doesn't mean you're a BAD guy," Vanellope chuckled. Ralph heaved a long sigh, wondering how many times he's heard that.