Not Your Average Fairytale

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

            Ashleigh reached the doorbell first, pressing it as Wynter walked up the few steps onto the front porch. It wasn’t exactly a porch, just a little landing to stand on in front of the door, but it was close enough for Wynter.

            She could hear the faint electronic chime of the doorbell inside before a long silence stretched out. No one moved while they waited for their friend. Wynter began to nervously second guess herself once more as she waited anxiously.

            Perhaps he wasn’t home, or he couldn’t hear the doorbell. Maybe they wouldn’t be able to find him today. Wynter let herself get lost in her thoughts for a moment.

            The door suddenly swung open, startling her as she looked up. A young, middle school boy stood in the doorway, staring back at them.

            “Is Baylor home?” Ashleigh asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

            “Baylor!” the boy yelled back inside in way of response. “The door’s for you!”

            A thudding sound came from the stairs as an older boy appeared behind him. “You can go, Michael,” he said as the younger brother ran off.

            “Ashleigh, Wynter,” Baylor said, looking surprised to find them at his door. “What’re you doing here?”

            Baylor was handsome for sure, with light brown hair and eyes to match. He’d had one or two girlfriends before, but he didn’t really pay girls that much attention, although they paid him plenty.

            He wasn’t dressed up much, just wearing a pair of shorts and tee shirt, but he emanated this aura of confidence that made people respect him. All and all, he was the perfect candidate for a prince.

            Ashleigh glanced over at Wynter, trying to communicate silently. “Something happened to Rosalyn,” Wynter began slowly.

            “What? Is she alright?” he asked quickly, his voice turning to concern.

            “She’s fine,” Ashleigh said just a little too quickly.

            “It’s a long story,” Wynter said with a shrug. “Can we talk?”

            He stepped forward out of the doorway, shutting the door behind him. Walking a couple steps down, he took a seat on the stairs. Ashleigh sat on the other side while Wynter stood on the sidewalk.

            “What’s happened to Rosalyn sounds insane, but you have to believe us,” Wynter began.

            “What did happen to her?” he asked again.

            “Well, she—um—“ Wynter stuttered.

            “Rosalyn was keeping an important secret from us,” Ashleigh began for Wynter. “Are you familiar with the story of Sleeping Beauty?”

            He nodded slowly, looking confused. “Well, Rosalyn in the modern version of Sleeping Beauty,” she continued.

            “She’s passed out?” Baylor said, alarmed.

            “Yes, but I mean she’s literally Sleeping Beauty, Baylor,” Ashleigh explained. “Like apparently we’re all fairy tale characters in real life, and Rosalyn has been collecting us together for some reason.”