Started With A Kik

12 = The Adventures of Rapunzel slash Glader and a lot of 'ducks'

Dedicated to Stunne for the feedbacks and thoughts about this story. Arigatou!

CALLING DUCHESSLUNA'S ATTENTION: When are you going to read the rest of the chapters?? I missed you already! T.T

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C H A P T E R  T W E L V E

The Adventures of Rapunzel slash Glader and a lot of 'ducks'

Let me tell you a short tale of Crystal's preparation for first day of school.

Yes, my very first day of school.

I remembered it clearly. I remembered the excitement of wearing my uniform and the thought of meeting other kids. Yes, I know, I'm not really good in making friends but I was so curious that I could feel the jitters in every nerve of my body. I remembered how many times I went to see myself in front of the mirror just to check my appearance. I remembered creating thousand scenarios inside my head as to what my first day would be like.

I was very nervous yet excited at the same time.

I adjusted the red ribbon in front of my white blouse as Gregory sped our way towards the school. I brushed my fingers through my hair. I pulled the hem of my sleeve a thousand times, wanting to end the day already. The drive felt like forever and I was beginning to feel agitated especially when Queen Martha was sitting beside me. She looked as stiff as ever, like a statue of a hundred years old. Her dark hair was turn into a tight roll at the back of her head and her eyes were staring straight ahead, clearly hating the whole journey. It was very awkward and tense and the only sounds I heard were the slow hum of the car's engine and Martha's snappy tone of voice every time Gregory hits a not so smooth road surface.

Without warning, the car halted and I was jerk forward, my face almost kissed the back of the front seat. Thankfully, Martha got a hold of my arm before that could happen. Surprisingly, Martha didn't let go of me even after I took back my place. She held me tightly, feeling her fingernails digging on my skin. I winced. I wanted to free my arm from her iron grip but I couldn't. Besides there was a strange comfort as Martha held me.

Did I just say that? Maybe I banged my head after all.

She looked at me, her eyes soften a little and I swear that was the very first time she showed some kindness to me.

"Are you okay?" Martha asked.

I nodded. I was too shocked to utter a single word.

Ever since Martha worked for us, I did not see any  kindness on her. At all.  All I ever saw was her cold eyes, her obsession to perfection and her unyielding anger issues that made her looked twice as old than her actual age. I'm not kidding. However, looking at Martha on that day, remembering the softness of her stare made me think that maybe I was wrong. Maybe she wasn't so bad after all.

"Quit slacking and drive carefully, you old man!" Martha reprimanded Gregory and I wanted to slap her for shouting at him. Gregory is my favorite. I pulled my arm from her grip. I could feel the fingermarks burning on my skin.  Martha looked at me and I swear, I saw some hurt on her face but as what she always do best, she hid it immediately.

"Sorry, a dog suddenly jumped in front and I -,"

"Just drive the bloody car!" Martha cut him off.

Gregory snorted, "Are you okay, Miss?" I did not need to raise my head to know that he was referring me and completely ignoring Queen Martha's stupid orders.

I smiled, "Yes,"

"Good. As an apology, I will buy you your favorite ice cream after school. How's that sound?" Gregory looked at me in the mirror. His old eyes were smiling.