Our Own Fairytale

Welcome Back

"Welcome Back" The sloppy, black frosting on top of a small lemon cookie read. Brandon smiled with pride; it may not be very pretty, but that wasn't the point. Lemon cookies were just about the only sweet treat his friend, Faith, enjoyed. For that reason, he gave them to her on special occasions. This occasion being her return from her weeklong family vacation. Faith never enjoyed family vacations because instead of being fun or relaxing, they were always a mess.

The sound of his phone ringing pulled him out of his thoughts as he rushed over to check who it was before answering.

"Faith! How are you?"

A muffled, "I'm ready to throw myself into a suitcase", gave him a clear answer.

"I thought you were coming back today."

"I am. Everyone is giving everyone else a hard time. The twins are the only ones who aren't going for anyone's throats and they're 6."

"They're very mature and smart, just like their big sister." Although he couldn't see it, the comment made Faith smile and her heart warm. She gave a quiet "thank you" in response. Being the oldest child, Faith always felt a responsibility to be the most mature and always strived to be the best at things. Hearing that she was doing a good job, made her feel validated.

After agreeing to meet up at the park the next day, they said their goodbyes and hung up, exchanging texts until Faith had to get on a plane ride back home.

• • •

"We're home!" Faith's father bursted through their front door, taking the keys out of the lock and stepping inside. The trip had been stressful and after finally arriving back by 11pm, everyone was relived.

"Something like that." Faith mumbled under her breath as she stepped inside, pulling her luggage in behind her.

"What's that, sweetie?" Her mother said in a sweet tone, with a bright smile.

"Nothing, just..glad to be back." Her mother nodded, pulling suitcases inside as the twins ran through the house with laughter.

"Get the rest of your things and take off your shoes when you're done!" Their mother yelled and children raced back to the car.

"I win!" Rachel declared, taking the bags with their toys. Which left her twin brother, James, to get the others.

Faith helped her family get their things before heading back to her room, unpacking her things, then plopping into bed after turning off the light, not bothering to change clothes. Surrounded by darkness, she reached back down to a small nightlight that one of the twins, Rachel, had made her and turned it on. It admitted a warm, dim glow that gave Faith comfort in her time of stress.

Faith unlocked her phone and checked the time. It was almost 12am. She sighed, and sent a text to Brandon.

"I got stranded on a deserted island, but I'll be back in time to meet you at the park. Don't forget, goodnight."

As Faith rolled back into a comfortable position, she closed her eyes and pictured the castle nightlight. She had drawn her dream castle many times as a child, so once she got older and gave the twins her sketchbook, Rachel repurposed the childhood art into a gift that her older sister would forever cherish. It was unique and beautiful to Faith. The memories of the castle peacefully faded away as she fell asleep, excited for the next day.

• • •

"Mom?" Brandon peeked his head into the living room and saw his mother sitting on the couch, typing away on her laptop.

"Yes, dear?" She asked, not yet looking away from the screen.

"I told you I'm meeting Faith tomorrow, right? It's at the park and I was hoping you could drive me."

"I have a meeting at 12 and until 6, so as long as it's before th-" She finally looked up at Brandon and saw the clock behind him. "My word, it's almost 12am! What are you still doing up?"

"Waiting for a text from Faith and for you to get done with your report."

DING

Brandon looked at his phone and smiled, "I take that back, just waiting for you to get done with your report."

His mother sighed, agreed to take him before she went to the meeting, then they both headed off to bed. Before falling asleep, Brandon sent Faith a goodnight text.

"I always knew those swimming lessons would come in handy. Night night!"

He smiled, Faith was like his little sister. Brandon had missed her dearly and worried about her quite a bit while she was away, so seeing her again would hopefully calm his nerves. Brandon laid on his bed, reminiscing about all the good times they'd shared. Some of his favorites were when Faith would draw pictures of them in castles, fighting and possibly befriending dragons along with other mythical creatures, defending kingdoms, having magic, and so so much more. Those times were easier for them both, but they would never forget them. Brandon even had some of the drawings Faith had made when they were both just toddlers. He smiled gently as he fell asleep in his memories.

• • •

Faith opened her eyes, greeted by a room similar to hers. Similar, but not exact. Things had been shifted around and moved. Some things were missing, some things were there that weren't before. She hopped out of bed and frantically looked around. Wherever she was, it wasn't home.

DING

Faith ripped her phone off the desk. It was Brandon.

"Hey, Faith? I think something happened."

She called him and he immediately picked up.

"What happened?" She asked, as she walked through her house that was now vacant.

"It's the same for you too? My mom looks...different. Her hair is short and blonde, her eyes are green.."

"At least your mother is around, my house is empty. Not to mention, it looks odd. Everything is switched around. My kitchen is upstairs and all the bedrooms are locked, but mine." She wandered through her new house. Her legs felt weak with every step.

"If that even IS my mother. Meet me at the park."

"Where IS the park?"

"I don't know! Take the same route we usually do and BE CAREFUL. We don't know what did this."

"On it."

Just like that, the two walked as fast they could to meet at the park, however the faster they tried to run, the harder it was to move. It was like a new world and for all they knew, it was.

Although the land was different, with yellow trees and green clouds, the park was untouched. In the same spot, with normal swings and slides.

"Faith!" Brandon called as they ran to each other. They tightly hugged each other. Now that the world was blank, all they had was one another.

"What the hell is going on?" Faith cried, neither of the teens understood what or why the world was painted into a new form.

"Well, we-" Brandon began, but stopped as his eyes were now focused behind Faith.

"We..what, Brandon?" She asked, turning to the direction of his gaze to see a small fairy with a box, bigger than she. Gently, she placed it on the ground with a small note on top, before zipping away so fast, the two couldn't follow.

Without a word, the two looked at one another and walked over to the box. Brandon took the note as Faith took the box.

"Follow the steps to the tree and soon you'll meet me. First, go to the  cafe and order the special of the day."

Before Faith or Brandon could react, they both awoke in their beds, dazed and confused.

•••
// thank you for reading!