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“What happens at Auradon parties?”
Red’s voice, soft yet tinged with an unexpected curiosity, broke the quiet in the room. Chloe, sitting at her vanity and putting the finishing touches on her makeup, caught the red-haired girl’s reflection in the mirror. The question was so sudden that the princess blinked a few times before slowly turning to face her roommate, studying her.
Earlier, Chloe had casually mentioned that she would head out to Aziz’s birthday party that evening. To her surprise, Red hadn’t just pulled a face but had also seemed strangely distant since then. The rebel had barely spoken all afternoon, brushing off attempts at conversation with murmurs or curt nods. Now, sitting on the bluenette’s bed with her arms crossed in a defensive stance, she seemed ready to get whatever was bothering her off her chest.
Chloe set the lipstick down and spun the chair around to face Red directly.
“What do you mean?” she asked, letting out a short, almost nervous laugh.
Deep down, she thought Red was just teasing her, like she often did. But as she studied her friend’s face, she realized there wasn’t a hint of the usual mischief in her hazel eyes. Instead, she looked serious—serious in a way Chloe rarely saw.
It was a rarity for Red to act like this, and Chloe knew she had to tread carefully.
“Well…” The princess tilted her head, watching Hearts for a moment as she carefully chose her words. The warm light from the bedside lamp cast a soft glow over Red’s features, highlighting the striking contrast between her fiery red hair and the almost childlike curiosity in her expression. “There’s music, dancing, lots of great food, people chatting and having a good time.”
Red tilted her head slightly, taking in the description. But her gaze drifted to the floor, and Chloe noticed the shadow of something—maybe a distant memory—pass over her eyes.
“Did Wonderland have parties?” The bluenette asked softly, leaning forward just a bit. Her voice was low, filled with genuine curiosity but free of any pressure.
Red stayed quiet for a long moment, her eyes lost somewhere far away. Chloe could see the tension in her shoulders. She knew the rebel needed time, so she didn’t push.
Red finally let out a deep sigh, the sound heavy in the stillness of the room.
“Sort of,” she said, her tone tinged with melancholy and reluctance. She curled up further on the bed, her knees almost touching her chest. “We had... un-parties.”
Chloe frowned, puzzled by the term. Before she could follow up, Red carried on, as if she were trying to piece together the memory herself.
“It was like a party, but backwards. We couldn’t open the presents, touch the food, or… actually have fun.” She paused, her lips pressing into a thin line. “The ‘fun’ was seeing who could stay up the longest without falling asleep.”
The bitter smile that tugged at her lips was anything but joyful. Chloe felt her chest tighten, the weight of her friend’s words hitting her like a stone. Every time Red opened up, the princess discovered another scar, another story that laid bare just how much she had endured. Even though they had rewritten the past, the darkness of that old timeline still clung to Red, leaving marks that Chloe longed to smooth away.
“Red, that’s… awful,” Chloe said softly, her voice thick with empathy. She stood up from her chair and moved over to the bed, sitting down beside her friend carefully, as if one wrong move might drive her away. Gently, she reached for the girl’s hand but didn’t grab hold, letting the offer hang there instead.
Red glanced at Chloe’s hand but didn’t pull back. A small step forward, Chloe thought.
“It was…” Red murmured, her eyes distant again. “It all felt kind of hollow, like the point was to prove something… but I never figured out what.”
Chloe felt a lump rise in her throat. She wanted to say something, anything, but no words seemed good enough. Instead, she gave Red’s hand a light squeeze, offering a kind of support that didn’t need words.
The rebel looked up, meeting Chloe’s. Her hazel eyes, usually guarded by sarcasm or indifference, they now held something deeper—something raw and vulnerable. Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t often she saw Red like this, so exposed, even if only for a fleeting moment.
“Parties here are different,” Chloe said softly, almost in a whisper, as though afraid to shatter the fragile moment. “They can be good. Fun, even. Nobody has to prove anything.”
Red looked away, lightly biting her bottom lip. The small gesture didn’t escape Chloe’s notice, and she found herself captivated by the subtle vulnerability it revealed. Red of Hearts, with all her fire, had no idea how much of an effect she had, which only made moments like these more endearing.
“It sounds… overwhelming,” Red said after a pause, her voice hesitant, as if the words felt too heavy on her tongue. She wrapped her arms around herself instinctively, as though seeking some kind of shield.
“It is,” Chloe admitted with a soft laugh. “It’s noisy, busy… but it can also be a lot of fun. It all depends on how you decide to take it in.”
“And people enjoy that?” Red tilted her head to one side, her intense gaze fixing on the bluenette in a way that made her suddenly feel self-conscious.
Chloe smiled, almost tenderly, at the skeptical tone in her friend’s voice. It was such a Red thing to say—always questioning, always sizing things up before accepting them.
“Most people, yeah. But not everyone. Some find it too much. Even I get worn out sometimes, but it’s still a chance to enjoy yourself, depending on who you’re with.” Her eyes sparkled slightly as she said the last part, and she realized too late that she might’ve let on more than she intended.
“Sounds… exhausting.” Red’s voice dropped into a murmur, her arms hugging herself tighter. Chloe recognized it as one of those silent pleas for space—or maybe, just maybe, for comfort.
To the rebel, Chloe and Red’s quiet nights together meant everything—a break from the noise and chaos of the world. Red hated to admit it, but the idea of the bluenette going out tonight and leaving her behind gnawed at her more than it should. She knew she should turn it down. Parties weren’t her thing. But the thought of Chloe laughing with others, having fun without her, twisted something inside.
“Do you actually enjoy them?” she asked, her tone hesitant but edged with a hint of challenge.
Chloe paused, caught off guard by the question. She searched for an honest answer, one that didn’t feel forced.
“Sometimes. But not as much as I would if you were there.” Her soft smile was accompanied by a look so sincere that it made Red’s cheeks burn.
The blush crept up Red’s neck, spreading across her face. She turned away, biting the inside of her cheek to hold back a smile. Chloe always knew how to knock her off balance, and the rebel hated how much it worked.
“There are other ways to have fun that don’t involve being stuck in a loud room,” Red muttered, still avoiding Chloe’s gaze. But there was something undeniably charming about her shyness that made the princess’ heart feel warm.
“Maybe,” Chloe teased with a shrug, her grin turning playful. She stood up, grabbed her bag, and made her way to the door, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You could tag along, just to try it out. What do you say?”
Red’s eyes widened, and she shrank back on the bed. Parties were everything she avoided—noise, crowds, forced socializing. But Chloe’s hopeful look made her heart falter.
“No way.” Her response was quick, almost panicked.
“Okay, okay,” Chloe said, raising her hands in mock surrender, her laugh soft. “No pressure, promise.”
She opened the door, ready to leave, but stopped when she heard Red’s voice again, quieter this time.
“Just to try?”
Chloe turned back, her eyes lighting up with surprise and a soft, hopeful smile forming on her lips.
“Of course. If you don’t like it, we’ll leave.”
Red sighed, her gaze locking onto the princess’ for a moment. There was a vulnerability there that made Chloe hold her breath.
“All right, I’ll go,” Red whispered, crossing her arms firmly as if to protect herself from second-guessing her decision.
Chloe’s grin widened, lighting up the room. Without thinking, she stepped forward and clasped Red’s hand in hers, the touch light but full of meaning.
“You won’t regret it. I promise.” Her voice was gentle yet steady, as if offering something far more valuable than just an evening out.
Red didn’t reply, her eyes drifting to their joined hands. Chloe noticed the look and, blushing slightly, pulled her hand back with a nervous laugh.
Red, however, felt the absence of the bluenette’s touch almost immediately. She glanced away, but the faint smile on her lips gave away more than her words ever could.
The party was everything Red feared and then some. As soon as they walked through the massive double doors, the noise hit her like a wall. The music thumped through the floor, lights spun wildly, and strange shadows danced across the walls. The air was thick with perfumes, voices, and laughter that seemed to come at her from every direction. It all felt like too much—way too much.
Chloe, on the other hand, fit right in. Her face lit up as she spotted friends, getting pulled into hugs and conversations. Red hung back, her arms crossed and her shoulders so tight they ached. She watched her friend drift away, her smile dazzling and sincere, and something in the rebel’s chest tightened painfully.
She tried to get her bearings, scanning the room for a familiar face. People were dancing, laughing. A group near the snack table burst out laughing, while another seemed caught up in an intense conversation. Couples spun around the dance floor, carefree, as if they were the only ones there. Others lounged on scattered sofas, chatting and sipping drinks, their laughter floating effortlessly in the air. Everything looked so natural for them, so easy, in a way Red knew it would never be for her.
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. The sound of chatter and music swirled together, building into a wall of noise that only seemed to close in on her. Her breathing came up short, her vision blurred, and her heart pounded as though it wanted to break free from her chest. The weight of memories began creeping out of the shadows, dragging her down.
She shut her eyes for a moment, hoping to block out the chaos, but the memories rushed in like a tide she couldn’t hold back.
They were in the Enchanted Forest, sitting beneath the shade of a sprawling tree. It was a quiet hideaway, safely out of reach of the card soldiers and the Queen of Hearts. The air smelled of flowers, and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze contrasted sharply with the conspiratorial tone of their conversation.
“Hmm,” Red muttered, frowning as she fiddled with nearby branches. But how could we pull off a real coup? Ace, you should see these kids at the un-parties. Standing silently for hours, ignoring the cake and presents—they are in deep.”
Chester leaned back on his hands, balancing casually, while the other boy let out a low laugh.
“That’s it!” Ace suddenly exclaimed, slapping his hands on the ground so hard Chester nearly toppled over.
“What?” Red stared at him, startled.
Ace’s grin was devilish, his eyes glinting with a spark of mischief only he understood.
“We’ll throw a party!”
Chester raised an eyebrow, his expression hovering between skepticism and intrigue.
“A real party?” Red asked, leaning forward. “Not an un-party? I don’t even know if that’s been done in Wonderland before.”
“That just might work,” Chester mused, scratching his chin as he glanced up at the sky. “Have you heard of the ones they throw in Auradon?” He spread his arms wide in a theatrical gesture. “Pizza, nachos, ice cream—the works. Loud music and dancing. You can do anything you want there.”
Red hesitated at first, but soon found herself caught up in imagining what it would be like, inspired by the stories she’d heard about Auradonian parties where people danced, ate freely, and simply enjoyed themselves. The idea was revolutionary, and absurd as it sounded, something about it pulled her in.
The first attempt was held in the forest, far from the Queen of Hearts’ watchful eyes. Despite their efforts, it flopped; only a few people showed up, and those who did were too shy to join in. But their enthusiasm didn’t fizzle out. They decided to give it another shot, and this time, the perfect opportunity came when Red’s mother announced she’d be away for three days.
With the castle empty, they turned the ballroom upside down. There was no grandeur, but the space came alive with makeshift decorations and a kind of chaotic magic. Music echoed through the walls, laughter filled the air, and for one brief moment, it felt like Wonderland had broken free.
Red remembered Ace dragging her onto the dance floor, their awkward laughter blending with the music. Chester, with his natural charm, cracked jokes that had everyone smiling. It was pure joy.
And then her mother showed up.
The Queen of Hearts’ voice thundered through the ballroom, silencing the music and snuffing out their happiness in an instant. The air turned cold, and everything fell apart.
Red’s eyes snapped open, jolting her back to the present. But the weight of the past clung to her, dragging her down. The sounds around her seemed to grow louder, every laugh, every note of music blending into an unbearable roar. Her chest felt like it was caving in, her hands trembling.
It was all too much.
And then, a familiar voice cut through the haze.
“Red?”
Chloe was beside her, holding her hand firmly but gently. Her eyes brimmed with concern, but there was also patience in her gaze.
“Hey, are you okay?” she asked softly, her voice like an anchor for Red to hold on to.
Red shook her head quickly, unable to answer. Her eyes were wide, and she stumbled back a step.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you out of here,” Chloe said with quiet determination. She turned to the group, flashing a quick smile. “Sorry, everyone, but I’ve got to head out early.”
Before anyone could protest, the bluenette led Red out of the party. As soon as they stepped outside, the noise faded, replaced by the cool, quiet night air. But the tension inside Red didn’t let up. Her hands were still shaking, and she shut her eyes, trying to push the memories away.
Chloe didn’t let go of her hand, guiding her back to the dorm with steady, purposeful steps.
Once inside, the princess closed the door softly and turned to Red, her eyes full of worry. The red-haired girl was still trembling, her arms wrapped tightly around herself. Chloe hesitated for a moment before gently tugging her friend over to the bed.
“Come here, Reddie,” she murmured, sitting down. She opened her arms, but Red stayed frozen in place. “It’s okay. You can come closer.”
Red took a hesitant step forward before collapsing into Chloe’s lap, wrapping her legs around her waist and burying her face in her shoulder. The bluenette’s arms came around her immediately, holding her tightly.
“It’s okay,” Chloe said, her voice soft but steady. She began running her fingers through her friend’s hair, stroking it gently. “You’re safe. Just breathe with me, okay? In… and out…”
Red tried to match her breathing, shaky at first, but slowly finding a steadier rhythm. Chloe’s hand moved in slow, soothing circles on her back, grounding her in the present.
“She’s not here anymore. We won, remember?” Chloe murmured, a soft smile tugging at her lips despite the worry in her chest. “It’s just us. She can’t hurt you anymore.”
Red clung to her tighter, as if needing to confirm she was real. The warmth of Chloe’s embrace and her light, comforting scent started to loosen the crushing weight in her chest. Gradually, the tension in her shoulders eased, replaced by an almost comforting exhaustion. The bluenette didn’t let go, whispering soft words of encouragement and care.
“I’m sorry,” Red mumbled, her voice muffled against Chloe’s shoulder. She wasn’t even sure what she was apologizing for, but it felt necessary. Her fingers clutched lightly at the fabric of her friend’s shirt, as if afraid she might slip away.
“You don’t need to apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Chloe replied firmly, her voice carrying a sweetness that was impossible to miss. She hugged Red a little tighter. “Parties aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay.”
Red slowly lifted her head, her red, watery eyes meeting Chloe’s. For a moment, the silence between them felt heavy, but not uncomfortable.
The princess raised a hand, gently tucking a strand of Red’s hair behind her ear. The soft touch sent the rebel’s heart racing, a surprising warmth blooming in her chest.
“Do you always do this?” Red asked, her voice low and slightly hoarse, as if afraid to break the spell.
“Do what?” The bluenette tilted her head, the smile on her lips impossibly sweet.
“Make me forget the world for a few seconds.”
The words caught Chloe off guard, her eyes widening briefly before softening with a tender glow. Her smile didn’t waver, even as her own heart pounded in her chest.
“Maybe it’s because you deserve a better world than this one,” Chloe replied, her voice light but carrying a conviction that made Red’s heart beat even faster.
The silence that followed wasn’t empty but brimming with unspoken feelings, stories told through glances alone. Normally so guarded, Red allowed herself a small smile, shy but genuine, as though she’d touched something rare.
The silence that followed wasn’t empty but filled with unspoken feelings, with stories that only glances could share. Red, usually so reserved, let a small smile slip—shy but genuine—as though she was touching something rare.
“Those people moving together… Were they dancing?” Red asked after a few seconds, her voice controlled yet soft.
“They were,” Chloe replied, her smile warming up the atmosphere once again.
Red’s smile faded as Chloe’s words sank in. The thought of dancing—something so simple and innocent—brought back memories of her homeland, but not the good ones.
“Dancing was forbidden in Wonderland,” Red confessed, her voice quieter, almost hesitant. “One day, me and Ace tried... it didn’t end well.”
The bluenette tilted her head slightly, surprised by the crack of vulnerability in the rebel’s voice. She held back any response for a moment, letting the silence speak for itself.
Then, without a word, Chloe picked up her phone and began scrolling through it, her fingers moving with purpose, as though she already knew exactly what she was looking for. When she found it, she hit play, and a soft melody began to drift between them.
“There are no crazy rules here, and no one’s going to come after you,” she said, her eyes sparkling with a mix of tenderness and challenge. “How about we do this properly? Just the two of us.”
Red hesitated, her eyes glued to Chloe’s phone as though the idea was too far out of reach. The thought of dancing again, without fear or punishment, felt impossible—or at least that’s what she told herself. But there was something about the steady confidence in the princess’ eyes that made it hard to look away. Slowly, Red nodded, though her stomach turned into knots.
The melody playing was a young King Ben singing “Be Our Guest” with the Auradon Glee Club—the same song Red had danced to for the first time, with Ace. Before she could get lost in her thoughts again, Chloe stepped forward and reached out for her hand, pulling her into the moment.
“This one’s a classic,” The bluenette said, gently taking hold of Red’s hands and tugging her closer. “Don’t overthink it, just go along with me.”
“If I trip and fall, you promise no one else will hear about it?” Red muttered, her tone sharp with sarcasm, though her eyes gave away her nerves.
Chloe laughed, giving her hands a reassuring squeeze.
“I promise. But you’re not going to fall, Red. Not while I’m here.”
At first, Red’s movements were stiff and jerky. Her body seemed weighed down by the memories clinging to her and the insecurity of the moment. She tripped more than once, her eyes glued to the floor like it could somehow stop her from messing up. Every note of the music pulled at a distant corner of her mind, where shadows of the past lurked.
But Chloe didn’t let it get to her. Her patience held strong, as light as the smile on her lips. Her small, encouraging laughs—so free of judgment—chipped away at the tension in Red’s shoulders.
Little by little, the rebel started loosening up. Her steps grew less clumsy, still awkward but easier, as she allowed Chloe to lead her. When the princess twirled her gently, their fingers brushed, sending a spark of warmth shooting up Red’s arms.
“See? You’re doing great.” Chloe’s voice was soft, touched with pride that made Red’s heart skip a beat.
Red let out a low, breathy laugh before she could stop herself.
“Don’t get carried away, Charming.”
The two of them laughed together, and the sound seemed to fill the space around them, washing over them like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
When the music shifted to a slower melody, Chloe’s smile softened, turning almost nostalgic.
“This one’s special to my family. It’s called So This Is Love . It’s the song my parents danced to at their first ball—the night they fell in love.”
Red blinked, surprised by the admission. Before she could say anything, Chloe stepped closer, sliding one hand gently onto Red’s waist while holding the other with a steady, careful grip.
“This one’s slower,” Chloe murmured, her voice as soft as the music. “Just follow me, okay?”
Red’s heart hammered in her chest, so loud she was sure her friend could hear it. But the steadiness in Chloe’s gaze pulled her in, like an anchor in a storm. Slowly, she started moving, her hesitant steps gradually falling into the rhythm of the song.
“See?” Chloe whispered as they began to sway together. “No rush, no rules. Just us.”
Their steps were slow, almost timid, as though they were testing the waters of something new. Red could feel the music humming through the floor, but it was Chloe’s warmth, her steady touch, that really guided her. The tension that had wound itself around her slowly began to unravel, replaced by something she couldn’t quite name—a feeling that sent a buzz through her chest.
Her eyes lifted, finally meeting Chloe’s. The princess’s gaze was so sincere, so full of pride and tenderness, that Red had to fight the urge to look away.
“You’re better at this than you think,” Chloe said, her voice full of warmth and playful teasing.
Red’s lips tugged into a small, reluctant smile.
“I’m just trying not to step on your feet.”
Chloe laughed, the sound soft and melodic, as though it carried its own tune. It was lighthearted but full of something real, something that seemed to spill into the world around them.
“And you’re doing just fine,” Chloe replied, her thumb brushing lightly over the back of Red’s hand—a tiny gesture, almost imperceptible, but one that sent warmth flooding through her. “But honestly? I’d dance with you even if you stomped all over my feet.”
Red looked away quickly, her face warming up as Chloe’s sincerity threatened to overwhelm her.
The music flowed around them, cocooning them in a bubble of comfort that felt like it existed outside of time. For the first time, Red’s memories—of Wonderland, her mother, the Wonderland Party Commission—felt far away, unable to touch her here.
She blinked, her breathing faltering as she realized just how close they were. The intensity of the moment pressed down on her like something tangible, and her heart pounded wildly, as though trying to break free. Chloe watched her carefully, as if she were asking a question without saying a word.
“Red…” Chloe leaned down closer to her. The princess’ voice dropped to a whisper, blending with the music like it was part of the melody itself.
Time seemed to freeze. Old memories tried to rise up—memories of another dance, another time. Ace’s hand in hers, their laughter, the Queen’s sharp voice cutting through it all like a knife.
But something held those memories at bay. It wasn’t Wonderland anymore. It wasn’t Ace holding her hand.
It was Chloe.
Chloe, who had time traveled with her and changed the present. Chloe, who danced with her not out of duty but to show her she could. Chloe, who laughed with her, who understood her fears, who held her hand when the world felt like it was caving in.
Chloe Charming, who made Red’s chaos feel bearable.
Red’s mouth fell open, but no words managed to come out. Maybe it was courage, or just a sudden impulse, but in that moment, she leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them. Her lips brushed against Chloe’s in a hesitant kiss, one full of uncertainty.
The princess’ touch was everything Red hadn’t realized she’d been longing for: firm, steady, but at the same time as gentle as the rustle of leaves in the wind. Chloe kissed her back with an almost disarming tenderness, her movements calm and deliberate, as though she was trying to keep the red-haired girl from slipping away. One of her hands slid down to Red’s waist, while the other came up to her face, her fingertips tracing small circles against her warm skin. It was so affectionate, so careful, that it made Red forget—just for a fleeting moment—where they were, or who she had been before Chloe had stepped into her life.
When they pulled apart, the silence that settled around them felt almost tangible, pressing down like a heavy blanket. Their foreheads stayed pressed together, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. Red drew in a shaky breath, like she was finally letting go of months of pent-up tension.
“I… I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely carrying, thick with uncertainty. Maybe it was guilt, or just the fear of having crossed a line she wasn’t supposed to.
Chloe smiled softly, that gentle smile of hers lighting up the night around them. Her fingers kept moving across Red’s face, tracing small, soothing circles without any rush.
“Sorry for what?” Chloe asked, her voice warm and steady. “You don’t need to apologize. If that’s what you wanted…” She trailed off for a moment before her smile turned brighter. “Then I couldn’t be happier.”
Red opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Chloe’s so close. The princess’ eyes sparkled, as if they were holding tiny stars. A small, shy smile tugged at Red’s lips—rare but so genuine it almost startled her.
“I did want it,” Red admitted softly, like she was sharing a fragile secret.
Chloe’s expression softened even more, as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.
“I wanted it too.”
This time, Chloe leaned in, closing the distance once more. The second kiss, though, was steadier—more confident—but it still carried that tenderness that made Red feel safe, as though Chloe was holding her together. The bluenette’s lips moved gently but assuredly, guiding the red-haired through something unfamiliar, yet so comforting that it felt like coming home.
When they finally broke apart again, no sound seemed to matter except the quiet rhythm of their shared breaths. Chloe kept her forehead pressed gently to Red’s, as if she wasn’t quite ready to let go of the moment either. She smiled, a peaceful, content smile, so full of something Red couldn’t name—but it made her chest feel warm all the same.
“Are you okay?” Chloe asked softly, her voice full of care, like she was treading carefully around something fragile.
Red nodded, her smile still playing on her lips.
“I’m more than okay.”
For a while, they stayed there, leaning against the balcony of their dorm, far away from the noise and chaos that rumbled on the other side of the door. The cool night breeze picked up, rustling Red’s red hair and sending Chloe’s blue strands dancing through the air. But the cold didn’t reach them. Something warm hung between them, like an invisible bubble shielding them from the outside world.
The silence that settled in was unlike any Red had ever known. It wasn’t the kind of silence that pressed down on her like a warning, the way it had back in Wonderland’s castle, where trouble always lurked just out of sight. It wasn’t the uncomfortable silence full of awkwardness or expectation either. It was whole—peaceful—something Red hadn’t even thought could exist.
The red-haired let out a long breath, her shoulders slumping as though years of tension were finally melting away. Chloe noticed and pulled her into a gentle embrace. Red hesitated for a split second, but as soon as she felt the steady warmth of her princess’ arms wrapping around her, she let herself sink into it, relaxing completely.
Her mind couldn’t help but wander back to the night of the party she’d organized with Ace and Chester.
The noise, the chaos, the way things spiraled out of control—it was like the clamor had seeped into her, finding a home in every corner of her mind. That night had left behind scars, both visible and hidden, that throbbed whenever she found herself in crowded places. Chaos always seemed ready to drag her back down into the past.
But now, with Chloe, things felt different.
The princess slowed the world down. Time seemed to stretch out, softer, gentler, as the noise around her faded into distant murmurs. The chaos that usually loomed like a storm seemed to lose its edge, dissolving into nothing. For the first time, Red didn’t feel like running. Or fighting. Or hiding.
In that dorm room, with the soft melody still playing from the bluenette’s phone, the cool breeze brushing over them, and Chloe’s warm hands holding hers, Red of Hearts finally felt safe.