The Melancholy of Wonderland

The Return of the Girl Who Cared

Ugh... My head hurts. Anya opened her eyes but quickly shut them; the sun was too bright. The grass she was lying in was green and damp and smelling of dirt. Furthermore, the grass was growing on the side of the road. Why was she here again?

Anya gasped as the influx of memories sped through her head. Oh yeah... I went to Wonderland, didn't I? Or, was it all just a dream? She shielded her eyes with her left hand when the sunlight caught something and shone some light into her eyes. Anya frowned as she sat up, glaring at her hand. She felt her breath hitch as she turned over her wrist.

It was a bracelet with a silver chain and a raven charm with blue-violet eyes. The gift from Raven. Her Raven.

Anya smiled and held it close to her heart, flipping through the memories of her love in her head like a picture book. Wonderland was real. The people she met and the emotions she experienced... Nothing was fake.

Anya tried checking the time on her phone, but it wouldn't turn on. Well duh, it got tossed around in an ocean storm for God knows how long! Anya sighed and shook her head. It didn't really matter, she probably wasn't going to be late. The sun was still climbing its way through the sky and she saw people walking to school. Oh, wait. Oh no.

She had a math test today! And it was first period! Anya scrambled to her feet and fumbled with her backpack to grab her math textbook. If she was efficient, then maybe she could get in some last-minute studying. At her worst, she'd fail, but at her best, she could probably scrape a high C.

The first step to making a future for herself was doing well in school. She had completely flunked freshman year, so she had to make it up now. If she was going to college, then it was now or never. Junior year was the most important, but a lot of colleges looked at sophomore year too.

Anya started rushing towards West High School, nose buried in her textbook. She startled quite a few people, who began whispering and pointing at her.

"Isn't that her? That plain girl?"

"What's she doing, rushing over here? Wow, she's actually really fast!"

"Is that a math textbook? Is she actually studying? I guess everyone crams some studying in at one point."

"Maybe she's finally putting in some effort."

"Well if she actually tries, then maybe she'll have a shot."

"I mean, I guess she's kinda cute."

Anya grinned, harrowingly avoiding collision with some seniors. From this point forth, the old Anya Haroldsman everyone knew was gone. In her place was a girl ready to carve out her place in the world. No one was going to stop her. She had people who believed in her, people she couldn't let down.

Raven, everyone... I hope you're watching, 'cause this girl is gonna knock people's socks off. I'll make a place where I belong with my own two bloody hands. Just watch me.

Slowly but surely, Anya felt her old self leave her body and a new, fresh spirit take its place. She felt somebody smile near her and cracked a smirk herself.

"I'm proud of you, Anya."