Spoken For - A Royale High Fan Story

Chapter One

     FIERCE winds howled through the thick pine forest. I had been waiting for what felt like the entire night for the flames to finally cease. Genevieve had taken my dark cape to use as a makeshift blanket, it actually had a fur collar, so I would assume she'd be fairly warm under it. I didn't mind the cold. If I stayed curled up, and close to my sister, I'd be fine. For now. Genevieve herself was sound asleep, having been tired out from all the panic and tears. There was no way I could sleep. What have I done? I ruined my mother's name. She'd be furious. Everything was gone. I hated that house anyways. I hated the stairs, the rugs, the drapes, everything. Hah. This at least means I won't have to attend those horrible dance lessons anymore. But what about Genevieve? She loved her ballet class. Oh well. Finding a better shelter is much more important. I wonder what realm Mother will make us move to now. We had been in Ash Isles for years, and the twisting spires of igneous rock and smog filled air was getting quite depressing. I now know where it got its name. Not to say it didn't have a disturbing charm to it, though. The glowing yellow crystals that sprout from the cracks in the roads and sidewalks were pretty nice.
     I had never really expressed this much, but the one realm Mother has always wanted to live in is the one I hate the most. Divinia. It's too posh. Too loud. Too... royal? If that was even a way to describe it. Everyone there was dramatic, and beyond annoying. But, sadly enough, it's probably exactly where we'll be going. Genevieve loves that realm too. She really just wants an excuse to wear a ball gown everywhere, honestly. I leaned against the base of a lush evergreen. My breath came out in the form of a hazy cloud when I sighed. It was that cold. I couldn't feel the tips of my fingers anymore. At least Genevieve was okay. At least she was safe. Ish. I have got to be the worst older brother in the known universe. I did put both of us in serious danger all because I was a bit upset. If being a 'bit' upset entails burning your family's house down. Not saying that I did that. I totally didn't. No way. (Liar.)
     "What's wrong with you, Atticus?" I asked myself. It always felt weird saying your own name out loud. I definitely cringed a little. Regarding the question itself, I don't know. I don't know what's wrong with me. I wish I did. Life would be a little easier then. I tucked my hands into my sleeves, clutching the ends closed with my fists. I was trying to stay warm. When dawn breaks, Genevieve and I can search the debris for any surviving belongings. Maybe we'll find Esmerelda, Genevieve's favorite doll. Whom she forgot to grab. Deep down I was hoping that godforsaken doll was nothing more than ashes. Those lackluster brown eyes always gave me chills. A lifeless stare. Is being a doll more fun? More peaceful? Who knows. Maybe a doll knows. But dolls don't speak. Not here, at least.
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     It was the drowsy calls of birds that had woken me up the next morning. I do not know how I fell asleep, but I did. My sister was already up, shivering under my cape.
     "You alright, sister?" I inquired, kneeling next to her. She rolled over to look at me. Her brunette ringlet curls framed her pale, cold face. She shook her head slowly, making it more obvious how cold she was.
     "I-I want to si-sit by the fireplace..." Dang. I almost felt bad about ruining the house for her. Was I selfish? Regretfully, I probably was.