Star-Crossed

Ch.14

*Chapter 14*

"I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world if Taffyta found Vanilla Lake," Vanellope huffed, "But it's our secret, and-"

"And our secret, it shall remain," Ralph chimed confidently, "Now c'mon, she can't be too far."

"Vanellope?" Taffyta called, her voice closer. Vanellope exhaled a sharp sigh after walking in silence for a handful of minutes.

"Taffyta, we're over here!" Vanellope called. Ralph stood on tip toes to peer around the candy trees. He could spot Taffyta through the thick of the candy trees, far off. The three of them slowly closed the gap.

"There you guys are," Taffyta huffed as the three finally were in each other's presence.

"Is everything ok?" Vanellope asked. She suddenly froze as Taffyta began looking her over.

"I was jut going to come find you guys to see if you needed any help. Why are you guys all wet?" Taffyta asked, her voice oozing with curiosity. She crossed her arms quickly. She was dressed in her racing attire, her dark pink, short sleeved racing jacket tucked close to her body.

"W-we, were just," Vanellope stammered. She looked down at her soaked, dark green shirt. Her hair was also down and drenched. She could feel a lump gather in her throat.

"I-I accidentally pulled on a hollow candy tree branch," Ralph beamed sheepishly, "It was full of rain water."

"I see," Taffyta said in a disbelieving voice, "I thought you guys said you'd be at Diet Cola Mountain?"

"We got lost," Vanellope stated, suddenly realizing her mistake.

"The President, of Sugar Rush," Taffyta prolonged, "Got lost…"

"It was my fault," Ralph saved, again, "I thought I saw something and we got detoured."

"What did you think you saw?" Taffyta urged.

"It's not important," Ralph smiled as he pushed past Taffyta, "We're headed to Diet Cola Mountain now."

"I'll come with," Taffyta smiled as the two girls quickly began to follow Ralph. Vanellope rolled her eyes behind Taffyta and threw her arms up.

"Sure thing," Ralph said surely. Vanellope shot him a look, causing him to shrug a little in a confused way.

"That candy tree branch hull must've really been pretty big to soak both of you guys like that," Taffyta prod, her eyes curious and doubtful. She brushed her choppy white hair out of her face a little.

"I-I thought it was a double stripe," Ralph fibbed, "I grabbed it to watch it vanish but it just snapped and drenched us."

"Double stripes," Vanellope Taffyta, "Don't remind me."

"What?" Ralph urged.

"Rancis's sword was made from a double strip branch," Taffyta explained calmly.

"How is that possible?" Ralph chuckled, "It vanishes before you can do anything with it."

"Not if you're quick enough," Vanellope said plainly.