A Squeeze of the Hand

The Heart Knows Best

A/N: Hope you enjoy! Let me know what you think.

Chapter 7

Raphaela is awakened by a ray of sunshine hitting her face. She wishes for nothing more than to return to sleep. Her heart still weighs heavy in her chest despite her loving brother offering comfort the night before.

"Wake up!" Lonnie shouts, "It's coronation day!"

She reaches out and grabs ahold of Raphaela's hands. She pulls her friend out of bed and onto her feet before swinging her around the room in giddy excitement. It's then that she notices her friend's drawn face.

"Hey, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

Not wanting to discuss it again and thus picking at the fresh wound, she says, "It's nothing. I'll tell you later."

She sarcastically chuckles, "You'll tell me now."

She leads Raphaela to her bed and sits beside her. She gives her all her attention, making sure she is heard.

Knowing there is no way out of this, as Lonnie can be as stubborn as her mother, she decides to divulge the details of the night before.

"Carlos and I kissed."

"What? That's great news!" Lonnie squeals. "My ship has sailed!"

"Not really," she says, "He said he only strung me around to win a bet with Jay. He bet him that he could kiss me before coronation day."

"Aw, honey, I'm sorry." Lonnie rubs her friend's back.

She wishes she could find a better way to console her friend but can't think anywhere past her shock. She would've never dreamt he'd hurt her in a million years. The way he looks at her, it's obvious he'd jump out a tower if it would make her smile.

"I should've known he was lying," Raphaela continues, sniffling. "Not because of who he is and where he comes from but because of who I am. Who am I but the silly girl who keeps to herself? Nothing interesting to behold."

"That's not true. You're strong-willed, a dreamer, adventurous, and you see the good in everyone. You're my best friend." Lonnie brings her close and hugs her with all her might.

"Thank you, Lonnie. But perhaps there isn't good in everyone. I led with my heart and now it's broken. I just feel so used," she says, leaning into her friend's arms.

"Who needs him?" Lonnie says, "You got me and I love you."

"I love you, too," she says, prompting wiping away the few tears that fell, "Now, today is supposed to be a day of celebration. It's Ben's day and I'm going to do my best to enjoy it. My brother is even going to escort me."

"You two made up!" she gasps, "Oh, that's awesome, Raphaela."

She tries to suppress her smile but finds it impossible, "I can't lie and say it's not. I am glad to have him by my side again. Now, I call shower first."

"Aw man, fine," Lonnie teases.

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Raphaela exits the shower in a bathrobe and with damp hair. Lonnie jumps in right after her, despite choking on the hot steamy air from Raphaela's own shower.

She sits on her bed, towel drying her hair when she hears a muffled voice.

"Lonnie?" she calls out to no answer.

She doesn't even hear her tone-deaf friend belting out "Make A Man Out Of You".

She looks around for the source of the muffled voice and finds her way to her satchel. The sound gets louder so she shuffles through her belongings until she reaches her ruined sketch book. Her heart sinks at the thought of all those memories destroyed by the enchanted lake. She flips through it and with each turn, the voice grows louder and less muffled. She remembers drawing each one like her parents under the tree in the backyard, Pascal begrudgingly striking a pose in a dress her mother made, and-