A Squeeze of the Hand

Daytime Mayhem

A/N: I just finished watching Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure and I mentioned parts of it so light spoilers ahead. Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Carlos tossed and turned for the rest of the night. His nerves did not quiet enough for him to find sleep. Even reciting the periodic table, something that has always calmed him in the past, didn't help. He no longer fears that harm had come to the girl he had fallen for. He is upset because he couldn't tell her what was in his heart.

He loves her. He has hopelessly fallen in love with her. He adores the way she skips to her classes. The way she glances up through her eyelashes drives him mad. Her hand in his makes him feel as if a spark travels from his heart to his toes. But he can't say it.

It isn't as if he hasn't tried to tell her. Even this past night he has attempted to share his feelings with her but found himself unable. Memories from the Isle flowed through him in that moment. He remembered all of the horrid things his mother had ever called him. He recalled how she said he was useless aside from chores, how she would call her car her baby in front of him, how he was not her greatest love; her furs were.

If his own villainous mother could not love him, how can someone as wonderful as Raphaela?

The next day could not come quick enough. Since classes are shortened due to the long weekend leading to Cotillion, most professors either have assigned silent reading or allowed for the students to talk freely amongst themselves. The only class that will contain any real work was Music Class. The first half of presenters will go today while the rest go on Monday.

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Raphaela is first to arrive to her Music Class. She glides into the classroom and collapses in her usual seat situated behind Carlos. She takes out her sheet music and gives it a once over. She makes sure the key is correct as well as any accidentals. She cannot wait to perform her piece and see her friends' reactions. After all, she had chosen it with them in mind.

A gaggle of students walk in and head to their seats. She sees Evie as the beautiful blue haired girl is easy to spot in a crowd. She waves to her and instead of heading to her seat, which is in front of Carlos's, she heads to Raphaela's desk.

"I've just finished your dress last night!" she exclaims.

"Really?" Raphaela says, "I'm so excited to see it."

Evie momentary plops down into Carlos's seat and fishes her phone from her heart purse. She unlocks it and scrolls through her photos until she finds the one she had been searching for.

"I have a picture right here. Give it a glance and tell me what you think."

She hands the phone to her friend. Raphaela nearly squeals with delight at the sight of the beautiful lavender dress Evie had created. It was wonderfully simple but beautiful. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the embroidery on the bodice. She absolutely loves it.

"Oh, Evie!" Raphaela cries, her hand flying to her chest. "It's beautiful. Are you sure you don't want any money for it?"

"No, you and Mal are my closest friends. I could never charge you," she says.

"I love it!"

"And the emblem?"

She hands the phone back to Evie. She takes it and places it back into her purse, a satisfied smile on her face.

"It suits the dress better than I expected!" Raphaela says with excitement evident in her voice.

"I can't wait for Carlos to see you in it." Evie says.