With all the lovey dovey feelings left over from yesterday and decided to write a little romantic scene between two of my characters. It got way more deep than I was expecting...
Chesh stood outside Alice’s door. His hand was poised to knock, but something held him back. He looked down at the single white rose in his hand. It was slightly crushed and wilted because he had snagged it out of a dumpster behind a flower shop. He watched as a petal fell lose and dropped to the floor.
What was he doing here?
He dropped his hand. Now was not the time for flowers. Not when the Queen’s men could arrive at any moment. This had been a stupid idea.
Chesh turned to go. Just as he reached the stairs the door opened. Chesh whirled around, bumping his arm on the railing and smacking him into the wall. Alice stood in the doorway, blinking sleepily. She was dressed in a long t-shirt and shorts. Chesh felt his face grow warm as he tried not to stare.
“Chesh?” Alice asked sleepily. She ran her hand through her sleep-tousled hair, making it even messier.
“I—what? Nothing!” Chesh stammered, he tried to back away but he tripped on the top step. Alice’s eyes sparkled with laughter.
“What are you doing here silly cat?” Alice asked, her voice was soft and sleepy. Chesh shallowed and tried to regain his composure.
“I—uh,” Chesh scrambled for some kind of explanation.
“What’s that?” Alice asked. Chesh looked down at the rose still clenched in his fist. He quickly put it behind his back.
“Is that for me?” Alice teased coming close. Chesh felt his face burn.
“I—yes,” Chesh said softly. When he looked up he saw the teasing look in Alice’s eyes had been replaced by surprise.
“Really?” she asked.
“Uh, yeah,” Chesh said, taking a small step forward. He looked down at the sad little flower, “I found it and I, uh . . . well I thought of you.”
Alice had a look in her eyes that Chesh had never seen before. She looked like she was about it say something but instead she gentle took the rose, her hands lingering on his for a moment. Chesh felt a thrill of electricity everywhere that he skin touched his.
“A white rose,” Alice muttered, “I’ve only ever seen red ones here.”
“It’s special,” Chesh said. Suddenly feel bold her took another step toward her, “like you.” Alice looked up. Her eyes where misty blue pools, shining with some emotion that Chesh couldn’t name.
Or was afraid to name.
“Chesh,” Alice said softly.
Chesh felt his heart falter. She was so close. He took a tiny step back.
“You can take her down,” he said, “I know it.” he grinned, hiding his panic.
“I—” Alice began.
“You should go back to bed,” Chesh finished, “We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”
Chesh left Alice standing in the hall. Words left unsaid still hung between them.
“Come on Chesh!” Alice called as she wove through the crowd filling Heart Plaza. Chesh struggled to keep up with her. It was Wonderday so the plaza was packed with people who had come to see all the performers in Wonderland put on a show.
People jostled and shoved Chesh as he ran after Alice. He tripped over a lady’s foot, stumbling to the ground. The lady scowled at him and muttered, “Cat.”
Chesh shook off her insult and spun, searching for Alice but she was nowhere in sight. He was about to call out for her when a hand grabbed his.
“I told you to keep up,” Alice said as she dragged him along.
“Sorry,” Chesh said. Alice dragged him along until they came to the center of the Plaza. The people here were all gathered around Wonderland’s most famous acrobats and storytellers, eager to see the performance. Alice jumped up and down next to Chesh.
“I can’t see! I can’t see!” she said. Chesh glanced around the crowded heart-shaped plaza.
“This way,” he said, tugging Alice toward a cluster of shops.
“Where are we going?” Alice asked, giving him a puzzled look. Chesh shot her a grin.
“You’ll see.”
He led Alice back in o the alley behind the shops. Flies buzzed around the dumpsters and it smelled like overly ripe fruit. Alice pinched her nose.
“The dumpsters?” Alice asked, sounding nasally, “Why’d you bring me back here?”
“I wanted to get a better view,” Chesh said, pulling himself up onto one of the dumpsters. He reached down and help Alice up after him. From the top of the dumpster Chesh could reach the windowsill of the of the second story window. He boosted Alice up and then followed. From there they used the rain gutter to pull themselves onto the roof.
Alice and Chesh quick scrambled around to the front of the shop. From there they had a full view of the Plaza.
“Wow,” said Alice, plopping down, “look at that!” She pointed out at the acrobats black flipping across the Plaza. Chesh sat down next to her. Their fleet dangled over the edge of the roof.
“Aren’t they amazing?” Alice asked, leaning her chin on her hands. Chesh watched one of the acrobats do a double flip with a twist.
“I bet I could do that,” he said. Alice snorted.
“Yeah right,” she said, “You’ll be an acrobat and I’ll be a juggle.” Alice pretended to toss a ball in the air, fumble, and drop it. Chesh laughed.
“We could be our own little circus.”
“A terrible circus,” Alice teased.
“True.” Chesh shrugged, “But it would be fun all the same as long as we were together. We’re a team, you and me.”
“Best friends forever,” Alice said, nudging him with her shoulder.
