(Sorry - we're not quite up to date yet!! See TODAY's post here. I meant to post this last night, but I guess I didn't! Oops..)
We haven't gotten caught smuggling Pascal between our shelves. At least, she hasn't noticed yet.
November 13th, I got up at 6:30, which was my normal time, since the 5th. I hurried down to the deck with Pascal, and called softly.
"Eugene?"
"Come on in," he answered groggily, after a few minutes.
I stepped into his shelf and laughed. "Did I wake you up? I'm sorry."
He blinked a couple of times, tossing his hankerchief off of his legs. I went over and held a hand out to him, and he took it, standing. "Thanks - and it's fine," he chuckled, clearing his throat.
I reached to straighten his shirt collar, which was askew - just me being odd little me - and he pulled me close into a hug.
"What?" I asked, grinning at him and putting my hands on his shoulders.
"Nothin'. Do you want to, ah..,do something today?" He asked me. His face was red, but his eyes sparkled hopefully.
"What's my answer to that, every other time you ask?" I asked in return.
"Take that as a yes, then?"
"Mm-hmm," I grinned. "When?"
"Two..?" He asked.
I nodded. "Sounds great! I'll let you get back to sleep, I guess," I laughed, my face a little warm.
"I won't be going back to sleep, but okay. I'll see you at two, then!"
"Can't wait!" I smiled, turning and leaving for my shelf.
Well... I almost made it to my shelf. I caught sight of a book on the chair. Me and books...I love to read, so an opportunity to read never gets passed up. =]
I hurried over to it and immediately dragged it over to the window, scrambled onto the windowsill, curled up in the corner, and commenced reading.
You know what's coming, don't you?
I lost track of time.
Twenty-five pages later, Eugene and Pascal walked up to me.
"Hey," I grinned, looking up at him. It didn't process at first.
"Hey, yourself," he chuckled, and then I remembered.
I clapped my hands to my mouth and gasped. "Ohh my gosh. I am so, so sorry!" I buried my face in my hands, horrified. "I can't believe-"
"Don't worry about it," he said, kneeling in front of me and taking my hands in his, pulling them away from my face. "No problem."
"Yeah, it is. I wish I could actually do something right for once," I mumbled.
"Don't worry about it," he repeated, letting go of one of my hands to brush the hair from my face. "It's fine. No harm done, no problem, and actually...what were you reading?"
"Um...the first Anne of Green Gables book...." I trailed off, glancing back at the cover of the book.
"Cool. Do you want to read together, instead of going for a walk?" He asked.
"Well..you wanted to go for a walk, didn't you?"
"I'm open to anything...long as it's time spent with you, I think it's time well spent. Regardless of what we do." He gave me a bashful grin, and I blushed, reaching for the book again.
I patted the spot beside me on the windowsill, scooting forward and over a bit. He sat down, and I opened the book over both of our laps, leaning forward so I wouldn't lean up against him...which is what I'd be doing if I leaned back and was comfortable.
"You can lean back if you want," he told me.
Relieved, I leaned back and rested my head on his shoulder - but I made sure we could both still read - and we read in complete and utter silence for a good long while.
The day was heading rapidly for sunset when Eugene randomly and totally unexpectedly plopped a kiss into my hair.
I tried not to show my surprise, but my breath caught. And then I remembered that I still hadn't told him I loved him. I really did - sometimes, so much it hurt! - but I just hadn't gotten the courage to tell him yet. Just as I was thinking that, he set his one hand over the one I had holding his side of the book open.
I twisted around to look at him....and caught him giving me a look of sheer adoration. It vanished when he saw I had seen him. I swallowed, but my mouth was dry. "I-I...need to tell you something, Eu-Eugene." I stammered, my heart thundering. Why was I so nervous, if I felt the way I did about him?
"Okay?" He quirked a brow and tilted his head to the side, watching me.
I opened my mouth, but all that came out were a couple sputtering, non-sensical noises.
"You can tell me anything, you know that, right?" He gave me a gentle, mildly concerned expression, and reached to brush the hair from my face.
I'd never felt more loved, more accepted, or more at home in my life, up until I'd met him. Only when I was with him, did I feel this way. What was I waiting for?
"I love you." I blurted, finally, taking in and releasing a relieved breath once I'd said it.
He simply beamed at me. That's the only word I can think of to describe the look on his face.
"I love you, too, and I could just kiss you right now, but I know you want to wait till you're engaged."
I laughed. "It's dumb, I know."
"No, actually...it's understandable."
I tipped my head up and gave him a kiss on the jaw. "I guess that'll have to do."
"For now," he winked, letting go of the book - it was getting too dark to read anyway - and wrapping me up in his arms. I noticed his face was a tiny bit red.
I grinned and leaned my head on his shoulder, enjoying his warm embrace.
We stayed that way for awhile, but then we headed back to the shelf.
"I'll see you in a bit, then?" He asked me when we were at the deck.
"Yup...see you in a few hours!" I told him. I wished I could take Pascal up to my shelf now, to save us both a trip, but everyone was still awake - understandably, since it was only 5:30! But oh well - this is how life had to be.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Nov. 14, 2013 (:
Today (11-14-13....we're back to the present now =D ), Anna, Elsa, and I finally convinced Tangled Fan to let us go outside. It had snowed on the 12th, but she'd been busy yesterday...so we got our way today!! Anna had a second set of clothes that was nearly identical to hers, so she let me wear them...which was nice, because my other dresses are summery and definitely NOT fit for winter. I braided my hair and bundled a bit of it up so it wouldn't drag in the snow. Very messy, but effective. Maybe.
I tried to convince Euegne to come along, but he said that he'd hang back. I'll get him out in the snow sometime!
But regardless. Elsa was sooo totally in her element. We were only allowed on the top of the grill and the railing on the deck; because Tangled Fan said we might get dirty or trampled on the deck.
As soon as she set us down on the grill and left, Elsa twirled around.
"This is awesome!" She exclaimed. 
Anna and I grinned at her, and then a gust of wind hit me.
I moved a step closer to Anna. "It's chilly, isn't it??"
"Yeah - but it'll be okay. It can't snow and be warm out!"
I laughed. "I guess not," I said, wrapping my arms around myself.
Anna put a hand on my back and then leaned over to whisper in my ear. "I'd keep an eye out for Elsa. She might go a little crazy and start throwing snow at us...."
I giggled, watching Elsa as she kicked snow around giddily.
Forgetting my cold hands, I walked a few steps and stared at the snow. It was soo pretty!!
Pretty soon, Anna, Elsa, and I were running back and forth, giggling and playing like little schoolgirls. I was thinking that I hadn't even tripped once when...
I fell.
In the snow.
In the cold, wet snow.
Surprised, my arms flailed out until I hit the pillow-like snow.
Anna and Elsa both turned to me to see what had happened. I flopped my arm across my face, giggling.
"Yay me," I laughed. "Help? Please?"
Anna grabbed one arm, and Elsa the other, and they hauled me upright. A little snow skittered down my neck, and I shivered as I thanked them.
I took a step away from the two of them, and didn't realize that the edge was RIGHT THERE.
I skidded down, scrambling to try to get up.
With a gasp, Anna grabbed my hand just in time and hauled me upright. Again.
"Thanks..." I giggled. "Oh my...Don't mind little awkward me.." I said, looking at my snow-covered self. Snow had gone up my sleeves, down in my boots, in my hair, and even caked onto my LEGS. Brrrr! I shook like a dog, and Anna jumped away.
"Oh, thanks for that, Rapunzel!" She giggled. "Now I'm going to have to retaliate."
She scooped to pick up a handful of snow, forming it into a snowball.
"Not if I do first!" I giggled gleefully. I scooped up a handful of snow, shielding my face so I wouldn't get hit in the face.
We threw the snowballs...both of us missed. Anna came close, but I ducked out of the way just in time...heehee!!
The next snowball I threw, I accidentally hit Elsa, who was standing behind Anna --planning on stuffing snow down her shirt collar. She gasped, but then a big grin spread across her face.
Anna, too busy to notice her sister, screamed as soon as Elsa jammed her icy-cold handful of snow down her back. She whirled, grabbed up a handful of snow, and whipped it at her sister.
Laughing, she backed up, wiping her face. While I had the opportunity, I threw a snowball at the back of Anna's head.
She whirled back towards me and threw another snowball.
We went back and forth a few times, but then I caught a glance of Elsa over Anna's shoulder.
She had a HUGE snowball (okay, huge for us) in her hands, a sneaky grin on her face.
"Um, NO!" I giggled, ducking down.
We continued the snowball fight for I don't know how long.
It was soo much fun, though!
When we came back inside, though, I couldn't feel any part of my little plastic self, I was laughing, and I was freezing.
Tangled Fan ushered us back to her warm bedroom, and then left us on the chair.
We hopped over to the deck, and Eugene immediately noticed us.
"Hello, girls," he called politely to the three of us. We all turned to look, and he came out onto the deck as well. He flashed me a quick, yet welcoming, grin. "Cold out there?"
"Mmhm!" I said.
Anna and Elsa agreed, but then they left for the shelf above and to the right.
Thinking of a good prank to pull on him, I gave him a smile. "Hold my hands!"
Bewildered at my straightforwardness, he gave me a surprised look; but he fell for it; reaching for both of my freezing-cold hands.
As soon as he touched them, he jerked his hands away.
"Good grief, you're frozen!"
I laughed. "I can't believe you fell for that!"
"You..." he pretended to be exasperated, but then while I was still giggling, he reached over and pulled me into a hug. "But I'm glad to see you....annnd I think I just stuck my hand in some un-melted snow that was stuck to your cape. Sweet."
I laughed even harder. "Sorry!"
"Ehh, that's fine. Little bit of snow never hurt anyone."
"Yes. And you're coming with me next time we go out to mess around in the snow. It's sooo much fun!" I told him.
"Is it, now?" He asked with a smile. "Sorry I didn't go!"
"That's fine. We'll just have to make plans to go out again! If Tangled Fan lets us --that'll be the kicker."
He nodded. "She probably will. Nobody got dirty or fell or anything, so she'll likely give you another opportunity." "Yeah," I agreed.
"And why don't you take your duds off and stay awhile? I missed my girl today."
I giggled. "Your girl, hmm?"
He blushed and ducked his head, and I laughed, pulling away from him to pull my hat off and get my hair out of its' outrageously un-pretty bundle.
The second I was done --the hat still hadn't left my hand, but I let it slip onto the deck-- Eugene pulled me close again.
I put a hand on his shoulder and smiled coyly. "Well, I guess I missed you too, today," I admitted, blushing. I had, even though I'd had a lot of fun.
He chuckled. "Well...why don't you come in? Pascal's on the wicker chair...sleeping...he stole it from me."
I didn't take my cape off (I was still sooo cold), but I followed him into his shelf. I bent and peered down at adorable Pascal, who appeared to be having a very good snooze.
I grinned. "Look how adorable he is!" I added with a squeak. I didn't take my cape off (I was still sooo cold), but I followed him into his shelf. I bent and peered down at adorable Pascal, who appeared to be having a very good snooze.
He chuckled at my affection for my reptile, but he came over to look as well. "He does like that chair."
I smiled and turned back to him. He sat down on the floor and patted the floor beside him.
I plopped down as well, and he grinned at me.
"Sooo...what did you do today?" I asked, looking around at his shelf.
"Oh, thinking about something important...talked to Tangled Fan...about you," he said casually.
Curious, I looked back at him. "Oh really? About what?"
"Important things," he laughed, his face turning absolutely beet red.
"Hmm," I said, and he chuckled, giving me that sweet grin of his. "I'll let it slide this time."
"Thank you, your highness; I was so concerned that I would be-ow!" He broke off as I gave his arm a playful swat.
"That did not hurt," I reprimanded him, and he laughed again, tickling me in retaliation. "Hey!"
He laughed and then reached for my hand, lacing his fingers with mine.
"So....Would you be interested in doing something tomorrow evening?"
"Evening? It'd be dark!" I wrinkled my nose.
"But if...ah..well, yeah. Okay...just sometime tomorrow!" He chuckled, his face turning red yet again.
"You don't have to get all red about it," I winked and rested my head on his shoulder. "I'd love to."
Monday, November 11, 2013
November 3, 2013
Over the next 11 days, after Punzie got a glimpse of my affection towards Eugene, she truly did make my life miserable. Cruel jokes on every turn between her and Punzie, trying to bring me down, saying horrible stuff about Eugene, and just being mean. Zelia joined in, of course.
November 3rd was the worst of their cruelness.
I got up bright and early, at 6:45. Pascal was still asleep, so I left him on the shelf, figuring I'd come back for him later. He didn't take too kindly to being woken up before he was ready to get up...and really, who likes getting woken up before they're ready?
I crept down to the deck and started for the chair, planning on sitting at the window for awhile.
But then Eugene heard me.
How had he even heard my attempt to tiptoe to the chair?!
"Hey, that you, Rapunzel?"
I swallowed a gasp, surprised to hear him at first, but then I cleared my throat and turned towards the shelf. "Um..yeah."
"What're you up to this early?"
"Nothing much. Did I wake you?"
"Nope. If you want to come in and sit, you can." He appeared at the edge of his shelf and then stepped out on the deck. He gave me that grin of his, and I smiled back, going over to him and following him into his shelf. "Feel free to sit, if you want." He told me, gesturing towards his wicker chair.
"I'm good," I told him, and he reached over and gave me a quick, but warm, hug. "What was that for? Are you glad I didn't want to sit?" I joked.
"Just because," he winked, and I laughed through my nose.
"Not like I mind or anything..." I said, clearing my throat. "But anyway. What're you planning on doing today?"
"I was just going to ask you that. Not much of anything," he said. "What about you?"
"I'm steering clear of the shelf today...I'm being subjected to Zelia and Punzie's wrath, once more. Yay me!" I exclaimed sarcastically.
"Sorry..." he gave me a sympathetic look.
"It's not your fault they're jerks." I told him. "It's more like mine for going against their silly rule. But I think it's worth it."
He chuckled. "I do, too. But then again, I don't have to deal with them all the time."
"Oh, they're not that awful, I suppose...I'm probably overreacting."
"If they're anything like what they were like towards me, you're not overreacting. I've never seen you overreact, unless it's over something you did."
I laughed. "Then yeah. I overreact a lot."
"Which I don't get," he said. "You're not that horribly awkward."
Just as he said that, I noticed how close we were still standing, and I backed up a few steps...stepped on my hair..and almost went over backwards. He grabbed my arms and hauled me back upright and back towards him, setting his hands on my shoulders.
I laughed, my face getting hot. "Still think that?"
He chuckled. "Yes. Definitely...maybe." He winked to let me know he was joking, and I giggled.
When my giggles subsided, my eyes met his and I immediately felt a warmth wash over me.
And then there was the bloodcurdling scream.
I gave him a wide-eyed stare, and he gave the same to me. And then I heard yelling.
Punzie.
Pascal!
I gasped and whirled away. "Pascal! I left him up there because he was still asleep, and-oh no!" I raced from the shelf to the alarm clock, jumping up onto it.
And then the stupid alarm clock started to tip. Eugene, who was right behind me, slammed his foot down on the alarm clock on the other side, steadying it, and then he gave me a boost to the shelf while he was at it.
He propelled me right into Zelia.
Zelia fell down, and I flopped right over her.
"Sorry!" I gasped, rolling away from her. I ended up right in front of Punzie. She dropped Pascal onto my chest.
"New rule, sweetie-pie. No reptiles."
"Wh-why?" I asked, bewildered and confused.
"That..that THING woke me up, by sticking his tongue in my ear!" She yelled, still towering over me. She shuddered, as if reliving the obviously horrible experience.
"Oh, it's not that-"
"Yes, it IS. Now, either you get rid of that..that beast, or you both leave!" She glanced up and her expression grew darker. "And you! I told you to never-"
"Leave him alone!" I yelled, standing up. "Leave us all alone!"
"No...I'd suggest you leave." She gave me a deadly glare, and I felt myself backing up. Anna and Elsa gave me wide-eyed stares, and Elsa started to put a hand over her mouth. Piper and Emma stared silently as well.
I pushed down the tears urging to burst out.
I turned around and brushed past Eugene. I felt him reach for my arm, but I didn't stop.
I knew if he'd do anything to comfort me, I'd burst into tears, and I couldn't cry. I just couldn't.
Stumbling down to the floor, I leaned up against a leg of the chair, curled into a ball, and took a deep breath, willing the lump in my throat to go away.
I took Pascal off of my shoulder and held him in my hands, staring at him. "Oh, buddy....what do I do? I can't..I can't get rid of you. I won't!" I cried, my stomach twisting.
And then I felt a hand rest on my head a second before sliding down my hair and landing on my shoulder. "Sorry about what happened up there."
I gasped in surprise, but then I looked up to see Eugene standing behind me. He gave me a concerned look before sitting down by me.
"It's fine." I lied.
"Rapunzel, you and I both know that it definitely is not fine. Y'know, you don't have to hide your emotions from me - I'd feel better if you were truthful and open about them." He gave me a pensive stare.
Somehow, that stare made me open up. "I don't know what to do or where to go, Eugene...I can't give up Pascal! He's been my only friend for so, so long..."
He looked away for a few seconds before looking back at me. "I could take him. You could bring him to me bright and early in the morning, and then you could take him back at night, once everyone's asleep. Nobody would know - nobody'd have to know!"
I stood up. "Thanks, Eugene...I really appreciate it, but you can't...it's too much. He's my responsibility. And if you would, I'd be wanting to see him all the time, and I'd be a pest, and I know dolls can only handle me in small doses," I gave a short, humorless laugh.
"I'm serious," he told me. "It's no big deal." He stood and watched me pace.
"It's...it just wouldn't work. You'd get sick of me - probably sooner rather than later, too. Everyone does-"
He carefully snagged my arm, and I whirled to face him, surprised.
"I'm serious. It's not that big of an issue, really, Rapunzel. And I wouldn't mind if you'd be a pest. I'd have someone to talk to, then! I literally have nobody but you to talk to. And I don't think I'll get sick of you anytime soon."
I met his eyes. "Really? You'd do that?"
"Yeah, of course I would,"
I sighed, undecisive. "I-I dunno....it's just too much to expect-"
He reached over and brushed the hair from my face. "I don't mind at all. It'd be fun - I think, anyway."
My heart squeezed. "And my next question...how will I ever repay you?" I asked before I tackled him into a relieved hug. When I pulled away, he gave me a grin.
"You just repaid me." He chuckled before pulling me close again.
I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. "Thank you...thank you so, so much. For everything."
"But of course, m'lady," he whispered, and I laughed.
He held me close for a few more seconds, and then I pulled away. "What time should I bring him to you tomorrow?"
"Well...I'm up anytime after six" - when my nose wrinkled slightly, he laughed -"but anytime will do."
"Okay," I said. "Thanks...again."
"No problem; no problem at all," he gave me that grin of his.
Honestly, that guy is the sweetest doll I think I've ever met. Not many beings - people or doll - would take on pet-sitting a chameleon every day until who-knows-when, for someone they've only known for about a month and a half!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
October 18th - 23rd, 2013
Last night - October 17th - I couldn't sleep at ALL. (If you haven't read the Oct. 17th post, you're gonna be super confused in this post..just a heads up!) So around three or so in the morning, I crept off of the shelf. I figured that I could maybe call quietly for Pascal, if nothing else. Every bit helps, right?
I was tiptoeing on the deck, to the bins beside the chair when I heard Eugene whisper.
"Rapunzel - that you?"
How on earth had he even heard me?!
"Yes?" I asked quietly.
"Come over here, please,"
"Why?" I asked, uncomfortable at the idea.
He caught on, and from the light of the alarm clock, I saw him appear at the edge of his shelf.
He looked terrible...bags under his eyes and sleepy...but I suppose I shouldn't say anything, because I probably looked WORSE!
Stepping out to meet me on the deck, he touched my arm. "Can't sleep, right?"
"No..." I sighed, burying my face in my hands. "Why're you up?"
"Same reason," he told me.
I instantly felt terrible. Pascal wasn't even his responsibility, and yet I'd made him worried about him. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have told you..Pascal's not even your responsibility! I...ugh...I just feel so bad that you can't sleep either! I mean, I know why I can't, and it's because I just feel so alone and I'm so afraid, and..."
"Hey. Quite frankly, I'm glad you told me, because if you woulda just gone AWOL, I woulda been even more worried. I was just...gosh, it just kills me to see you like this, I wish I could do something about it, and I'm worried about the little bugger, too." He finally admitted.
I was touched. We'd only known each other for little over a month, and he was willing to give the search his all. All I could say was a quiet thank-you, wilst staring down at my feet. I stayed that way for a minute, but then I took a step towards him and then grabbed him into a hug. I think he was surprised, because it took a moment for him to relax - when he did, he pulled me close and held me for a few seconds.
"Now...go back to sleep, sweet girl. Get rested up so we can start searching in a few hours, okay? I'll do the same...or try to." He winked, and I knew he was trying really hard to get me to lighten up. I gave him a small smile and a nod.
"Okay...well, good night. Or good morning...whatever it is," I told him.
He chuckled. "Same to you." I pulled away and started back for my shelf, but then he called out again - quietly, of course. "And, Rapunzel?"
"Yes?" I asked.
"I love you."
I almost returned it, but I didn't think this was the right time, so I just turned to give him another small smile, and left.
Four hours later, at seven, I got up, brushed my hair out, braided it, and changed into my dress - I just now had realized that I'd gone in my nightie all day yesterday, and quite frankly, was horrified. But regardless.
Everyone else was still asleep, so I went right down to the deck, knocking on the side of Eugene's shelf quietly.
He promptly appeared at the edge of his shelf.
"Good morning, darling girl," he told me with a smile. "Ready to go on another search adventure?"
"Hmmh..." I sighed. "I just hope we find him today!"
"You and me both. Don't do into it hopeless today, though, okay?"
"I'll try not to," I told him. He reached towards me and took my hand into his, and then we left.
But we didn't find Pascal that day, or the next...or the next. By October 22nd - I had given up completely. Eugene, Elsa, and Anna still tried to keep my spirits up, but I was really bummed - I mean, losing a friend of three years is hard! :[
October 23rd, I didn't meet up with Eugene in the morning, like we'd been doing all week.
He was obviously worried, because he came up to the shelf at seven. I was the only one up, so I was sitting and just staring up at the top of the shelf.
"Hey...you gonna come with me to look some more?" He peered down into my face, quite obviously concerned.
I shook my head. "Nah..."
"Well, I'm gonna go - why don't you want to come with? We could just go for a couple hours-"
"Eugene, I appreciate your determination...I really, really do, and I'll be forever grateful for your helping me search even when nobody else would..but it's been almost a week. We've searched this place top to bottom - as best we could, anyway. I don't think we'll be able to find him."
He sighed. "You might have a point...I'm sorry, Rapunzel. I was just...I thought for sure we could find him..."
"It's fine," I gave him a small smile and reached up to give his hand a squeeze. He squeezed back and then knelt beside me.
"You okay? You just look so...I dunno. I mean, yeah, you have a right to be upset - I'm upset too! - but you just look so, so...devastated."
I started to say I was fine, but then I realized how big of a lie that was. "No, I'm not okay. I just...losing a friend of three years - especially when the stinkin' thing was your only friend, and it was a chameleon, for goodness' sake! - is really...really hard. He was my only buddy there for soo long, and now he's gone." I sighed, too tired to even cry anymore.
He gave me a pained expression. "I'm so, so sorry."
"I'll get over it," I told him. He put a hand on my shoulder.
"If you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate. Come down and chat - if I had a door, it'd be open. Even if you want to talk at...two in the morning! Just come in and yell in my face till I wake up, okay?" He joked, trying to lighten the mood.
I giggled at the thought and nodded. "M'kay. Thanks."
"Anytime, sweetie. I'll see ya later."
"See ya," I told him. He gave my shoulder a gentle pat before he stood and left.
The day dragged. Anna also tried to convince me to go look for Pascal some more, but I didn't want to. Eventually, she just gave up - with an aggrivated huff - and left me be for the rest of the day. Elsa tried to cheer me up, but that failed big time when she mentioned that everything happens for a reason. What reason would that be, exactly?!
Punzie, of course, made hay while the sun shone (for her), and harrassed me mercilessly; taunting me and calling me irresponsible - among other things. Even Zelia shot her a few surprised, horrified looks from what all she was calling me! Even. ZELIA.
Around three, I was sitting in my corner with my eyes shut, thinking about Pascal, Eugene, and just random stuff in general, when I felt something climbing into my lap.
I opened them to find...none other than Pascal!
I screamed in delight, scooping him up to excitedly check him over to make sure he was okay. He was. I cuddled him against my cheek. "Buddy!! Where were you?! We were all so worried!" I exclaimed to him. Everyone turned to look. I grinned from ear to ear and set him up on my shoulder.
Anna spoke up. "You might want to go talk with that handsome guy over there. I think he has something to do with Pascal's homecoming." She jerked a thumb towards the edge of the shelf, and I followed it.
Eugene was standing there, giving me that cute grin of his.
I gasped, standing up. "You found him?"
"Yeah. I was just walking on the floor, not even looking for him, when I thought I saw 'im go by, and I almost didn't look back, but then I thought, 'well, you know, that looked like him,' so I turned to look and there he-" He didn't get a chance to finish, because I took one huge step and then threw myself towards him, grabbing him into an excited hug. He caught me - luckily - and chuckled.
"I could seriously kiss you right now!" I whispered in his ear. In a normal tone, (well, what was normal for me when I'm excited :P) I added, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He laughed before whispering back, "Anything for my girl."
His girl, eh? Hm.
I grinned into his shoulder and then he set me back onto my feet. Actually, I hadn't even noticed that he'd grabbed me into such a tight hug that my feet had left the ground!
I suddenly realized where we were - and more importantly, our audience - and backed away.
"Uh...thanks. Soooo much." I gave him a huge smile, and he gave me a wink.
"You're welcome." He grinned again, and I reached to give him a one-armed hug. He bent to whisper in my ear the second Zelia glanced away from us. "I'm gonna head out before things get ugly, okay? See you later."
"Mmhmm. See ya," I whispered. "Thank you so much!"
He gave me one more smile and then left.
"Wow. I guess you really do like him!" Zelia crowed as soon as he left.
"Nooo," I laughed it off. "Nope." I knew it was bad to lie, but I knew Zelia and Punzie would give me grief beyond reason. I'd been denying anything Zelia said since I came here, anyway.
"Why'd you hug him, then?"
"Zelia, I woulda hugged and thanked you the same way if you'd found Pascal."
"Why do I not believe that...,"
"Because you didn't go look for him," I finished. I was too happy and thankful to let Zelia bring me down.
I was tiptoeing on the deck, to the bins beside the chair when I heard Eugene whisper.
"Rapunzel - that you?"
How on earth had he even heard me?!
"Yes?" I asked quietly.
"Come over here, please,"
"Why?" I asked, uncomfortable at the idea.
He caught on, and from the light of the alarm clock, I saw him appear at the edge of his shelf.
He looked terrible...bags under his eyes and sleepy...but I suppose I shouldn't say anything, because I probably looked WORSE!
Stepping out to meet me on the deck, he touched my arm. "Can't sleep, right?"
"No..." I sighed, burying my face in my hands. "Why're you up?"
"Same reason," he told me.
I instantly felt terrible. Pascal wasn't even his responsibility, and yet I'd made him worried about him. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have told you..Pascal's not even your responsibility! I...ugh...I just feel so bad that you can't sleep either! I mean, I know why I can't, and it's because I just feel so alone and I'm so afraid, and..."
"Hey. Quite frankly, I'm glad you told me, because if you woulda just gone AWOL, I woulda been even more worried. I was just...gosh, it just kills me to see you like this, I wish I could do something about it, and I'm worried about the little bugger, too." He finally admitted.
I was touched. We'd only known each other for little over a month, and he was willing to give the search his all. All I could say was a quiet thank-you, wilst staring down at my feet. I stayed that way for a minute, but then I took a step towards him and then grabbed him into a hug. I think he was surprised, because it took a moment for him to relax - when he did, he pulled me close and held me for a few seconds.
"Now...go back to sleep, sweet girl. Get rested up so we can start searching in a few hours, okay? I'll do the same...or try to." He winked, and I knew he was trying really hard to get me to lighten up. I gave him a small smile and a nod.
"Okay...well, good night. Or good morning...whatever it is," I told him.
He chuckled. "Same to you." I pulled away and started back for my shelf, but then he called out again - quietly, of course. "And, Rapunzel?"
"Yes?" I asked.
"I love you."
I almost returned it, but I didn't think this was the right time, so I just turned to give him another small smile, and left.
Four hours later, at seven, I got up, brushed my hair out, braided it, and changed into my dress - I just now had realized that I'd gone in my nightie all day yesterday, and quite frankly, was horrified. But regardless.
Everyone else was still asleep, so I went right down to the deck, knocking on the side of Eugene's shelf quietly.
He promptly appeared at the edge of his shelf.
"Good morning, darling girl," he told me with a smile. "Ready to go on another search adventure?"
"Hmmh..." I sighed. "I just hope we find him today!"
"You and me both. Don't do into it hopeless today, though, okay?"
"I'll try not to," I told him. He reached towards me and took my hand into his, and then we left.
But we didn't find Pascal that day, or the next...or the next. By October 22nd - I had given up completely. Eugene, Elsa, and Anna still tried to keep my spirits up, but I was really bummed - I mean, losing a friend of three years is hard! :[
October 23rd, I didn't meet up with Eugene in the morning, like we'd been doing all week.
He was obviously worried, because he came up to the shelf at seven. I was the only one up, so I was sitting and just staring up at the top of the shelf.
"Hey...you gonna come with me to look some more?" He peered down into my face, quite obviously concerned.
I shook my head. "Nah..."
"Well, I'm gonna go - why don't you want to come with? We could just go for a couple hours-"
"Eugene, I appreciate your determination...I really, really do, and I'll be forever grateful for your helping me search even when nobody else would..but it's been almost a week. We've searched this place top to bottom - as best we could, anyway. I don't think we'll be able to find him."
He sighed. "You might have a point...I'm sorry, Rapunzel. I was just...I thought for sure we could find him..."
"It's fine," I gave him a small smile and reached up to give his hand a squeeze. He squeezed back and then knelt beside me.
"You okay? You just look so...I dunno. I mean, yeah, you have a right to be upset - I'm upset too! - but you just look so, so...devastated."
I started to say I was fine, but then I realized how big of a lie that was. "No, I'm not okay. I just...losing a friend of three years - especially when the stinkin' thing was your only friend, and it was a chameleon, for goodness' sake! - is really...really hard. He was my only buddy there for soo long, and now he's gone." I sighed, too tired to even cry anymore.
He gave me a pained expression. "I'm so, so sorry."
"I'll get over it," I told him. He put a hand on my shoulder.
"If you need someone to talk to, don't hesitate. Come down and chat - if I had a door, it'd be open. Even if you want to talk at...two in the morning! Just come in and yell in my face till I wake up, okay?" He joked, trying to lighten the mood.
I giggled at the thought and nodded. "M'kay. Thanks."
"Anytime, sweetie. I'll see ya later."
"See ya," I told him. He gave my shoulder a gentle pat before he stood and left.
The day dragged. Anna also tried to convince me to go look for Pascal some more, but I didn't want to. Eventually, she just gave up - with an aggrivated huff - and left me be for the rest of the day. Elsa tried to cheer me up, but that failed big time when she mentioned that everything happens for a reason. What reason would that be, exactly?!
Punzie, of course, made hay while the sun shone (for her), and harrassed me mercilessly; taunting me and calling me irresponsible - among other things. Even Zelia shot her a few surprised, horrified looks from what all she was calling me! Even. ZELIA.
Around three, I was sitting in my corner with my eyes shut, thinking about Pascal, Eugene, and just random stuff in general, when I felt something climbing into my lap.
I opened them to find...none other than Pascal!
I screamed in delight, scooping him up to excitedly check him over to make sure he was okay. He was. I cuddled him against my cheek. "Buddy!! Where were you?! We were all so worried!" I exclaimed to him. Everyone turned to look. I grinned from ear to ear and set him up on my shoulder.
Anna spoke up. "You might want to go talk with that handsome guy over there. I think he has something to do with Pascal's homecoming." She jerked a thumb towards the edge of the shelf, and I followed it.
Eugene was standing there, giving me that cute grin of his.
I gasped, standing up. "You found him?"
"Yeah. I was just walking on the floor, not even looking for him, when I thought I saw 'im go by, and I almost didn't look back, but then I thought, 'well, you know, that looked like him,' so I turned to look and there he-" He didn't get a chance to finish, because I took one huge step and then threw myself towards him, grabbing him into an excited hug. He caught me - luckily - and chuckled.
"I could seriously kiss you right now!" I whispered in his ear. In a normal tone, (well, what was normal for me when I'm excited :P) I added, "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
He laughed before whispering back, "Anything for my girl."
His girl, eh? Hm.
I grinned into his shoulder and then he set me back onto my feet. Actually, I hadn't even noticed that he'd grabbed me into such a tight hug that my feet had left the ground!
I suddenly realized where we were - and more importantly, our audience - and backed away.
"Uh...thanks. Soooo much." I gave him a huge smile, and he gave me a wink.
"You're welcome." He grinned again, and I reached to give him a one-armed hug. He bent to whisper in my ear the second Zelia glanced away from us. "I'm gonna head out before things get ugly, okay? See you later."
"Mmhmm. See ya," I whispered. "Thank you so much!"
He gave me one more smile and then left.
"Wow. I guess you really do like him!" Zelia crowed as soon as he left.
"Nooo," I laughed it off. "Nope." I knew it was bad to lie, but I knew Zelia and Punzie would give me grief beyond reason. I'd been denying anything Zelia said since I came here, anyway.
"Why'd you hug him, then?"
"Zelia, I woulda hugged and thanked you the same way if you'd found Pascal."
"Why do I not believe that...,"
"Because you didn't go look for him," I finished. I was too happy and thankful to let Zelia bring me down.
October 17th, 2013
October 17th was horrible.
I woke up at five - way too early -, and reached for Pascal - whom usually slept under my blanket on my lap or beside me. But my chameleon friend wasn't there.
I gasped, throwing the blanket off of my legs. It landed directly on Anna's sleeping head, and she screamed, kicking frantically.
"Sorry!" I called.
EVERYONE was up now.
Zelia gave me a disgusted stare.
"What the heck?" She asked me.
"U-um...Pascal...he's..is he over by any of you?" I asked everyone.
They all slowly stood and looked around - even Zelia....and except for Punzie.
Various head-shakes and answers of 'no' came from everyone.
"Oh my gosh...oh no..." Fear filled my heart; twisted my stomach into knots, and my hands shook as I scrambled to my feet.
Anna tried to grab my arm, but I pulled away from her, dashing down to the deck. Maybe Eugene had seen him!
Still in my nightie, my hair a mess, I tumbled off of the alarm clock and dashed into his shelf without knocking. I felt a twinge of guilt as I realized I'd probably wake him up.
"Eugene! Ha-have you seen Pascal?!" I exclaimed. I almost slammed right into him, and he was blinking groggily, but he woke up quickly enough.
"Hey, slow down..take it easy. What's wrong? No, I haven't seen Pascal," he said, glancing around his shelf.
"He's gone! I woke up at five and I realized he wasn't on my shelf and so I thought maybe you'd seen him and...oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh...." I cried, backing up and passing a hand frantically through my hair. Or, trying to. My hand got caught in my messy hair. Big-time.
"Wait up a sec," he told me, snagging my arm and making me stand still long enough to help me untangle my hand. "There."
"Thanks." I glanced around, my heart thundering. "I-I...what do I do?! He's so little, and this room's so big to us...good grief, he's only the size of my hand!" I held my hand up to underline my point, and continued fretting nonsensically.
Finally, he put his hands on my shoulders. "Hey. Sweet girl, panicking is not going to help anything. Was he hiding under something on your shelf, maybe?"
"No...we picked all the blankets up!" I cried, fighting back tears. I was so scared.
He noticed.
"C'mere. It'll be fine." He pulled me into a hug.
"No! Don't...if you do, I'll be a bawling mess-" I broke off, sobbing.
He held me a bit tighter. "It'll be fine...calm down. We'll go search for him, okay?"
I sniffed, pulling away and coming to my senses. Somewhat. "No, go back to sleep. Sorry for waking you up."
I started to turn away, but he put a hand on my cheek. "That's fine. And no way am I going to sleep. I couldn't sleep, anyway, knowing you're this upset and Pascal's missing." He ducked to give me a gentle peck on the cheek. "Don't worry. We'll find him. Okay?"
Nodding, I took a deep breath, hoping to calm myself down. "Th-thanks...but what if-"
"No if's! We'll find him - let's go," he told me, taking my hand and leading me out to the deck.
We searched all day long.
Anna and Elsa came to help us at around ten...but nobody had any luck searching Tangled Fan's bedroom.
I started slowly losing hope.
What if I never found him? He could easily be lost in Tangled Fan's room. He was so small...what if he got crushed by something? Broken?
Anna and Elsa stayed out with us until around four, but then they left.
Eugene and I, knowing it was gonna start getting dark soon, resorted to searching through some of the drawers in the dresser below our shelving units.
By the time it was seven and completely dark, I had given up completely.
"C'mon, Eugene. Let's go - it's too dark to look anywhere else." I sighed, defeated.
He turned towards me and I could just see his face, with the light from the alarm clock.
"Aw, don't give me that look." He came over and put a hand on my side. "We'll find him, okay?"
"What if we don't, though?" I asked.
"We will." He put an arm around me and led me over to Tangled Fan's chair. "Bright and early in the morning, we'll go look for him again. Sound good?"
I shrugged, too tired and upset to even really care. "Doesn't matter. You're probably sick of me b-by now.." A new wave of sadness passed over me as I realized that I wouldn't have my buddy tonight, and I took a deep, shaky breath; hoping the lump in my throat would pass.
"Never. Bright and early tomorrow, we'll resume the search." He tightened the arm around me, and I finally broke down.
"W-wh-what if he's broken? Crushed? Lost somewhere we can't get into? What'll I do? He's been my only friend for three years!" My shoulders started heaving uncontrollably. The fear that had ached in my stomach and heart finally broke loose in the form of tears. "And I f-f-feel so stupid for crying, a-and..."
"Sweet girl, you deserve a good cry. It'll be okay, though...don't worry your pretty little mind."
I sobbed again, and he promptly held me as close as he could. I buried my face into his shoulder and cried my little heart out.
The next thing I remember, I was waking up. I was slouched up against Eugene, and he still held me close. I could feel his chin resting on my head.
I sighed and pulled away from him. "D-did I fall asleep?"
"Mhm..." he gave me a gentle look.
"Sorry," I mumbled, embarrassed but too tired to be too horrified.
"It's fine - it's been a long day, sweetie."
I leaned into him again. I just needed to know that at least he was still here for me. "Thanks for being here for me today."
"Of course, m'lady," he told me. "Now...it's ten, so why don't we get back to our shelves, so we can get an early start tomorrow? If you want, of course."
I nodded. "I don't want to, because I know I won't be able to sleep, but you need to get to bed yourself."
He gave me a sympathetic gaze. "I'll stay here as long as you want me to."
I shook my head. "I'm just being silly. C'mon," I said, standing up and offering a hand out to him. He took it, and we made our way back to our shelves.
I woke up at five - way too early -, and reached for Pascal - whom usually slept under my blanket on my lap or beside me. But my chameleon friend wasn't there.
I gasped, throwing the blanket off of my legs. It landed directly on Anna's sleeping head, and she screamed, kicking frantically.
"Sorry!" I called.
EVERYONE was up now.
Zelia gave me a disgusted stare.
"What the heck?" She asked me.
"U-um...Pascal...he's..is he over by any of you?" I asked everyone.
They all slowly stood and looked around - even Zelia....and except for Punzie.
Various head-shakes and answers of 'no' came from everyone.
"Oh my gosh...oh no..." Fear filled my heart; twisted my stomach into knots, and my hands shook as I scrambled to my feet.
Anna tried to grab my arm, but I pulled away from her, dashing down to the deck. Maybe Eugene had seen him!
Still in my nightie, my hair a mess, I tumbled off of the alarm clock and dashed into his shelf without knocking. I felt a twinge of guilt as I realized I'd probably wake him up.
"Eugene! Ha-have you seen Pascal?!" I exclaimed. I almost slammed right into him, and he was blinking groggily, but he woke up quickly enough.
"Hey, slow down..take it easy. What's wrong? No, I haven't seen Pascal," he said, glancing around his shelf.
"He's gone! I woke up at five and I realized he wasn't on my shelf and so I thought maybe you'd seen him and...oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh...." I cried, backing up and passing a hand frantically through my hair. Or, trying to. My hand got caught in my messy hair. Big-time.
"Wait up a sec," he told me, snagging my arm and making me stand still long enough to help me untangle my hand. "There."
"Thanks." I glanced around, my heart thundering. "I-I...what do I do?! He's so little, and this room's so big to us...good grief, he's only the size of my hand!" I held my hand up to underline my point, and continued fretting nonsensically.
Finally, he put his hands on my shoulders. "Hey. Sweet girl, panicking is not going to help anything. Was he hiding under something on your shelf, maybe?"
"No...we picked all the blankets up!" I cried, fighting back tears. I was so scared.
He noticed.
"C'mere. It'll be fine." He pulled me into a hug.
"No! Don't...if you do, I'll be a bawling mess-" I broke off, sobbing.
He held me a bit tighter. "It'll be fine...calm down. We'll go search for him, okay?"
I sniffed, pulling away and coming to my senses. Somewhat. "No, go back to sleep. Sorry for waking you up."
I started to turn away, but he put a hand on my cheek. "That's fine. And no way am I going to sleep. I couldn't sleep, anyway, knowing you're this upset and Pascal's missing." He ducked to give me a gentle peck on the cheek. "Don't worry. We'll find him. Okay?"
Nodding, I took a deep breath, hoping to calm myself down. "Th-thanks...but what if-"
"No if's! We'll find him - let's go," he told me, taking my hand and leading me out to the deck.
We searched all day long.
Anna and Elsa came to help us at around ten...but nobody had any luck searching Tangled Fan's bedroom.
I started slowly losing hope.
What if I never found him? He could easily be lost in Tangled Fan's room. He was so small...what if he got crushed by something? Broken?
Anna and Elsa stayed out with us until around four, but then they left.
Eugene and I, knowing it was gonna start getting dark soon, resorted to searching through some of the drawers in the dresser below our shelving units.
By the time it was seven and completely dark, I had given up completely.
"C'mon, Eugene. Let's go - it's too dark to look anywhere else." I sighed, defeated.
He turned towards me and I could just see his face, with the light from the alarm clock.
"Aw, don't give me that look." He came over and put a hand on my side. "We'll find him, okay?"
"What if we don't, though?" I asked.
"We will." He put an arm around me and led me over to Tangled Fan's chair. "Bright and early in the morning, we'll go look for him again. Sound good?"
I shrugged, too tired and upset to even really care. "Doesn't matter. You're probably sick of me b-by now.." A new wave of sadness passed over me as I realized that I wouldn't have my buddy tonight, and I took a deep, shaky breath; hoping the lump in my throat would pass.
"Never. Bright and early tomorrow, we'll resume the search." He tightened the arm around me, and I finally broke down.
"W-wh-what if he's broken? Crushed? Lost somewhere we can't get into? What'll I do? He's been my only friend for three years!" My shoulders started heaving uncontrollably. The fear that had ached in my stomach and heart finally broke loose in the form of tears. "And I f-f-feel so stupid for crying, a-and..."
"Sweet girl, you deserve a good cry. It'll be okay, though...don't worry your pretty little mind."
I sobbed again, and he promptly held me as close as he could. I buried my face into his shoulder and cried my little heart out.
The next thing I remember, I was waking up. I was slouched up against Eugene, and he still held me close. I could feel his chin resting on my head.
I sighed and pulled away from him. "D-did I fall asleep?"
"Mhm..." he gave me a gentle look.
"Sorry," I mumbled, embarrassed but too tired to be too horrified.
"It's fine - it's been a long day, sweetie."
I leaned into him again. I just needed to know that at least he was still here for me. "Thanks for being here for me today."
"Of course, m'lady," he told me. "Now...it's ten, so why don't we get back to our shelves, so we can get an early start tomorrow? If you want, of course."
I nodded. "I don't want to, because I know I won't be able to sleep, but you need to get to bed yourself."
He gave me a sympathetic gaze. "I'll stay here as long as you want me to."
I shook my head. "I'm just being silly. C'mon," I said, standing up and offering a hand out to him. He took it, and we made our way back to our shelves.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
October 6th 2013
October 6th, I took a risk when I agreed to go for a walk with Eugene at 9 in the morning.
Anna and Elsa were up, as were Emma and Punzie, when I woke up at eight.
"Morning," Elsa told me as soon as she saw me sitting up.
"Good morning," I said, surprised she actually spoke to me!
"What're your plans for the day?" Anna asked.
I went over to sit by Elsa and Anna, so as not to be overheard by Punzie. "I'm going for a walk with Eugene. Tell no one."
"I won't," Elsa laughed. "Is this...a date?"
I blushed. "No....we're just friends. He must really want to talk, since he invited me. I usually ask him."
"Oohh...I dunno, then..." Elsa winked, and I laughed quietly, my face getting warmer.
"Trust me. He wouldn't want me - I'm too awkward."
Anna, who had seen me trip yesterday - over my own feet - suppressed a giggle, nodding. "You are pretty awkward. But you're cool."
"Cool isn't a word I'd use to describe myself, but thanks," I grinned.
"What time are you going?"
"I'm supposed to meet him at nine, at the deck."
"Come on, then! Let's braid your hair all up nice and pretty!" Elsa said excitedly, standing. Anna stood as well, and held her hand out to me.
"No...it's fine...It's not-"
"Come on." Anna reached down and pulled me up to my feet, and then they whisked me off to a corner of the shelf so they could work on my hair.
Zelia soon caught on to us. "What are you girls doing?" She asked, not sounding very pleased.
"Braiding Rapunzel's hair," Elsa said, not pausing her braiding.
"Why?"
"She's going for a walk with-" Anna froze. "With all that hair...and it must be hard...so we were braiding it for her."
"Hm." Zelia said, givng us a critical glare that send a shiver down my spine. "Just remember what I said about Eugene."
"I will."
Of course I'd remember what she said. But I wouldn't LISTEN to it.
When the girls were done braiding my hair, I tossed it over my shoulder so I could see it. It was braided like in Tangled!
"Thank you so, so much!" I exclaimed, grinning.
"Oh, any time!" Elsa exclaimed. "Now...go have fun. It's 8:59."
I gasped and whirled around, hurring to the shelf. "I'll see you guys later!" I called over my shoulder, hurrying to the deck.
I was met by the alarm clock by Eugene. Only I didn't see him.
I rammed into him.
"Oof!" I exclaimed, running right into his chest. I started to backpedal, but tripped over the alarm clock cord.
He grabbed me and kept ahold of me until I got my balance -and my brain...what little amount I had - back.
When he let go of me, I looked up at him, horrified at my recent awkward endeavor. "I am so sorry - are you okay?"
"Yeah," he laughed. "I'm fine. Are you?"
"Y-yeah. Just...embarrassed." I buried my face in my hands for a moment, and then I realized how close we were still standing. I stepped away, and one of my feet went half-over the deck's edge. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him again.
"I think you should stop trying to undo awkward moments...it doesn't seem to be helping," he chuckled, and I didn't move away this time.
"Thanks...times two." I laughed, recovering from my embarrassment. He gave me that grin of his and studied me.
"Wow...you look - ah...your hair....?"
"Elsa and Anna did it for me. They think we're...you know...together." I explained. "Don't worry. I told them we were just friends, though - you probably don't want your name to even be used in the same sentence as mine, in that way!" I laughed.
"Actually, that's fine." He cleared his throat. "But, um...shall we go?"
"Yup...before I do anything else stupid," I giggled.
"Oh, you just tripped."
"Twice."
He shook his head, leading me to the floor. "You're a very intriguing individual, Rapunzel."
"Am I?" I asked. "I don't think so.."
"I'd really like to know more about your past....if you're ready to talk, though."
"Then I won't be intriguing anymore," I told him jokingly. "But if you tell me about your past first, I'll tell you about mine." I really hoped he wouldn't want to reveal his past, so then I wouldn't have to talk about my past.
Silly me.
"My past isn't very interesting. I just lived in the Disney Store for a long time, and then tossed in a box, sent over here, spent literally three days on the shelf with Zelia, Punzie, Piper, and Emma, and then I had to go to my current shelf, because certain dolls - by the name of Zelia - didn't deal well with not being the boss over me!"
"Hm." I said, looking up at him.
"Now...what's your story?"
I sighed and sat down. "I guess I'm not gonna get out of this, right?"
"If you don't want to, you don't have to." He sat down beside me and gave me a concerned look.
"No...it's fine. Well, three years ago, I went from the Disney Store warehouse to my first home. There was a Flynn there. We were displayed together, but never spoke or anything. I basically spent my year there reading. And then I was sent to another house. There were TONS of dolls, of all brands and sizes. There were several Rapunzels there, too, and a Flynn. Well, no one liked me there, either. I'm too clumsy and awkward. A few weeks before I left, Flynn and I started to so-called 'date'. Basically just talking and walking together. Small talk, at that. I, um...it turns out that he was using me, just so he could get the attention of a 2012 Rapunzel. I can't blame him, I guess...she was perfect and I...well, you know." I gave a short, dry laugh.
"I should have known something was up when he wouldn't even hold my hand, or brush the hair out of my face, even give me a sweet smile or a gentle gaze...and good grief, you and I have had deeper conversations than what Flynn and I ever did in the two years I lived there! Anyway, they got married a few days after he dumped me - yeah, they kinda rushed - and then, the week after, I came here. Annd that's my backstory."
"Wow. I'm so sorry that you went through that. How could he not like you? I mean...really..." He broke off and cleared his throat.
"How could anyone like me?" I threw back. "You're the only one who really talks to me. Anna and Elsa are nice, but I'm not sure if we'll be great friends or not. And regardless, I'm the odd girl out in every aspect."
"I like you. And you know that anytime you feel like you're the odd girl out, get me. I'm the odd man out, so we might as well hang out together." He gave me a gentle stare that made my heart pound.
"Really?" I asked.
"Mmm-hmm." he said, his face growing red. He stood up and held a hand out to me.
I took it and stood, and he didn't let go of my hand.
"So...ah...how long do you think it'll be, before I'm banished from the shelf, too?" I asked, trying to make up small talk.
"Hopefully, you won't. I'd feel bad if it was because of me-"
"Why? I'm the one being rebellious," I laughed.
"Because..." He told me, and I looked up at him with a small smile.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, but then he started humming a familiar song. I was taken aback by his deep, rich voice.
"What song is that?" I asked, glancing back up at him...and I caught him giving me a strange gaze. He immediately looked away from me and stared straight ahead for a few seconds before he responded, looking at me. "Um...'I See the Light' from Tangled."
I grinned. "I love that song. And you have an amazing voice, I bet. You have a good humming voice," I laughed.
"Oh, I dunno," he said bashfully.
"I do," I said, squeezing his hand almost without thinking. He looked down and gave me that grin.
"So...everyone's got dreams. I have a couple of my own, actually. Do you care to share? Sorry if I'm prying."
"Oh, it's fine." I said, almost surprising myself. I normally wasn't this open, but gosh, I'd never had anyone to talk to before! "I have a lot of dreams...they're kind of weird, little ones, though."
"Oh?"
"Yeah...like...I don't want to get kissed on...you know, on the lips...until I'm engaged. Which, that will never happen, but yeah. And I want to go stargazing. That sounds stupid, I'm sure, but I've never done it, and it sounds like so much fun. I want to get married, which, that goes along with getting engaged. And...I want to be accepted...again, not likely to happen. That's...pretty much it. Now that I've told someone else about my dreams, they sound pretty dumb, right?" I hadn't told him my newest dream - to be with him. It was as dumb as the rest of them, and just as unlikely to happen.
"Not at all..." He told me. "Not at all. I think they're very interesting. Unique. You keep your dreams closer to reach than most people."
"Not really, didn't you listen to half of them?" I laughed. "The only one really in reach is stargazing, if I ever remember to go some night."
He stayed quiet for the rest of the walk back to the deck, and I wondered what I'd said.
When we got to the deck, I realized we were still holding hands. He looked down at our hands, and then gave me a smile before he pulled on my arm, and brought me into my first hug.
My heart thundered, and I went stiff...for a few moments, anyway. Then, I melted and hugged him back.
He pulled away, but he left his hands on my shoulders, giving me that grin of his.
"Th-thanks for giving me my first...hug..." I trailed off as I met his eyes.
"I might've fibbed a bit when I said I liked you."
I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts enough to process what he meant. Why had he hugged me, if he didn't like-
"And those dreams might not be as far away as what you thought...maybe. I mean...if you feel the same way....um....I love you."
I gasped, and he pulled me into another hug before I could back away, start crying, or even...anything. I put my arms around him and hugged him as tightly as I possibly could.
If my heart had been pounding before, it was going twice as fast now. I buried my face in his shoulder and hoped the hug would never end. Of course, it did, though. I gave him a silent, wide-eyed stare.
"You...oh my gosh." I gasped. "I-I...wow."
He gave me that grin of his and sighed. "Whew. That felt good to get off my chest."
I studied his face and gulped. I couldn't construct a sentence.
"W-was that the wrong thing to...to say?" He finally asked me.
"No!" I exclaimed. "I'm just...really surprised...and...just...surprised." I laughed at my loss of words.
He chuckled. "Well..on that note, see you tomorrow?"
"For sure," I managed a smile.
"See you," he told me.
"Yup! See ya. Thanks for today," I added.
"Anytime," he winked, and I turned and hurried up onto my shelf.
I was promptly greeted by Zelia. "What did I hear down there?"
My breath caught in my throat. "I just...went on a walk."
"With him." She said venemously. "I honestly don't see what you see in him. I mean, seriously! He's a backwards creep who won't listen to anything. And he's such a-"
I bristled and my hands fisted. Sometime during that, Anna and Elsa had come to stand by me. "Enough, Zelia. He's not a backwards creep, and I-I...I can't blame him for not listening to you!" I was surprised that it all came out of my mouth.
Emma gave me a surprised look from across the room. Anna put a hand on my shoulder.
"I'll side with her any day. Your rules are stupid," Anna added, and I gave her a surprised look.
"Both of you are idiots, then! And I'll make your life miserable, Rapunzel. Purely miserable."
"Bring it." I said through clenched teeth. "You don't scare me."
Even though...she really did.
Anna and Elsa were up, as were Emma and Punzie, when I woke up at eight.
"Morning," Elsa told me as soon as she saw me sitting up.
"Good morning," I said, surprised she actually spoke to me!
"What're your plans for the day?" Anna asked.
I went over to sit by Elsa and Anna, so as not to be overheard by Punzie. "I'm going for a walk with Eugene. Tell no one."
"I won't," Elsa laughed. "Is this...a date?"
I blushed. "No....we're just friends. He must really want to talk, since he invited me. I usually ask him."
"Oohh...I dunno, then..." Elsa winked, and I laughed quietly, my face getting warmer.
"Trust me. He wouldn't want me - I'm too awkward."
Anna, who had seen me trip yesterday - over my own feet - suppressed a giggle, nodding. "You are pretty awkward. But you're cool."
"Cool isn't a word I'd use to describe myself, but thanks," I grinned.
"What time are you going?"
"I'm supposed to meet him at nine, at the deck."
"Come on, then! Let's braid your hair all up nice and pretty!" Elsa said excitedly, standing. Anna stood as well, and held her hand out to me.
"No...it's fine...It's not-"
"Come on." Anna reached down and pulled me up to my feet, and then they whisked me off to a corner of the shelf so they could work on my hair.
Zelia soon caught on to us. "What are you girls doing?" She asked, not sounding very pleased.
"Braiding Rapunzel's hair," Elsa said, not pausing her braiding.
"Why?"
"She's going for a walk with-" Anna froze. "With all that hair...and it must be hard...so we were braiding it for her."
"Hm." Zelia said, givng us a critical glare that send a shiver down my spine. "Just remember what I said about Eugene."
"I will."
Of course I'd remember what she said. But I wouldn't LISTEN to it.
When the girls were done braiding my hair, I tossed it over my shoulder so I could see it. It was braided like in Tangled!
"Thank you so, so much!" I exclaimed, grinning.
"Oh, any time!" Elsa exclaimed. "Now...go have fun. It's 8:59."
I gasped and whirled around, hurring to the shelf. "I'll see you guys later!" I called over my shoulder, hurrying to the deck.
I was met by the alarm clock by Eugene. Only I didn't see him.
I rammed into him.
"Oof!" I exclaimed, running right into his chest. I started to backpedal, but tripped over the alarm clock cord.
He grabbed me and kept ahold of me until I got my balance -and my brain...what little amount I had - back.
When he let go of me, I looked up at him, horrified at my recent awkward endeavor. "I am so sorry - are you okay?"
"Yeah," he laughed. "I'm fine. Are you?"
"Y-yeah. Just...embarrassed." I buried my face in my hands for a moment, and then I realized how close we were still standing. I stepped away, and one of my feet went half-over the deck's edge. He grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him again.
"I think you should stop trying to undo awkward moments...it doesn't seem to be helping," he chuckled, and I didn't move away this time.
"Thanks...times two." I laughed, recovering from my embarrassment. He gave me that grin of his and studied me.
"Wow...you look - ah...your hair....?"
"Elsa and Anna did it for me. They think we're...you know...together." I explained. "Don't worry. I told them we were just friends, though - you probably don't want your name to even be used in the same sentence as mine, in that way!" I laughed.
"Actually, that's fine." He cleared his throat. "But, um...shall we go?"
"Yup...before I do anything else stupid," I giggled.
"Oh, you just tripped."
"Twice."
He shook his head, leading me to the floor. "You're a very intriguing individual, Rapunzel."
"Am I?" I asked. "I don't think so.."
"I'd really like to know more about your past....if you're ready to talk, though."
"Then I won't be intriguing anymore," I told him jokingly. "But if you tell me about your past first, I'll tell you about mine." I really hoped he wouldn't want to reveal his past, so then I wouldn't have to talk about my past.
Silly me.
"My past isn't very interesting. I just lived in the Disney Store for a long time, and then tossed in a box, sent over here, spent literally three days on the shelf with Zelia, Punzie, Piper, and Emma, and then I had to go to my current shelf, because certain dolls - by the name of Zelia - didn't deal well with not being the boss over me!"
"Hm." I said, looking up at him.
"Now...what's your story?"
I sighed and sat down. "I guess I'm not gonna get out of this, right?"
"If you don't want to, you don't have to." He sat down beside me and gave me a concerned look.
"No...it's fine. Well, three years ago, I went from the Disney Store warehouse to my first home. There was a Flynn there. We were displayed together, but never spoke or anything. I basically spent my year there reading. And then I was sent to another house. There were TONS of dolls, of all brands and sizes. There were several Rapunzels there, too, and a Flynn. Well, no one liked me there, either. I'm too clumsy and awkward. A few weeks before I left, Flynn and I started to so-called 'date'. Basically just talking and walking together. Small talk, at that. I, um...it turns out that he was using me, just so he could get the attention of a 2012 Rapunzel. I can't blame him, I guess...she was perfect and I...well, you know." I gave a short, dry laugh.
"I should have known something was up when he wouldn't even hold my hand, or brush the hair out of my face, even give me a sweet smile or a gentle gaze...and good grief, you and I have had deeper conversations than what Flynn and I ever did in the two years I lived there! Anyway, they got married a few days after he dumped me - yeah, they kinda rushed - and then, the week after, I came here. Annd that's my backstory."
"Wow. I'm so sorry that you went through that. How could he not like you? I mean...really..." He broke off and cleared his throat.
"How could anyone like me?" I threw back. "You're the only one who really talks to me. Anna and Elsa are nice, but I'm not sure if we'll be great friends or not. And regardless, I'm the odd girl out in every aspect."
"I like you. And you know that anytime you feel like you're the odd girl out, get me. I'm the odd man out, so we might as well hang out together." He gave me a gentle stare that made my heart pound.
"Really?" I asked.
"Mmm-hmm." he said, his face growing red. He stood up and held a hand out to me.
I took it and stood, and he didn't let go of my hand.
"So...ah...how long do you think it'll be, before I'm banished from the shelf, too?" I asked, trying to make up small talk.
"Hopefully, you won't. I'd feel bad if it was because of me-"
"Why? I'm the one being rebellious," I laughed.
"Because..." He told me, and I looked up at him with a small smile.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, but then he started humming a familiar song. I was taken aback by his deep, rich voice.
"What song is that?" I asked, glancing back up at him...and I caught him giving me a strange gaze. He immediately looked away from me and stared straight ahead for a few seconds before he responded, looking at me. "Um...'I See the Light' from Tangled."
I grinned. "I love that song. And you have an amazing voice, I bet. You have a good humming voice," I laughed.
"Oh, I dunno," he said bashfully.
"I do," I said, squeezing his hand almost without thinking. He looked down and gave me that grin.
"So...everyone's got dreams. I have a couple of my own, actually. Do you care to share? Sorry if I'm prying."
"Oh, it's fine." I said, almost surprising myself. I normally wasn't this open, but gosh, I'd never had anyone to talk to before! "I have a lot of dreams...they're kind of weird, little ones, though."
"Oh?"
"Yeah...like...I don't want to get kissed on...you know, on the lips...until I'm engaged. Which, that will never happen, but yeah. And I want to go stargazing. That sounds stupid, I'm sure, but I've never done it, and it sounds like so much fun. I want to get married, which, that goes along with getting engaged. And...I want to be accepted...again, not likely to happen. That's...pretty much it. Now that I've told someone else about my dreams, they sound pretty dumb, right?" I hadn't told him my newest dream - to be with him. It was as dumb as the rest of them, and just as unlikely to happen.
"Not at all..." He told me. "Not at all. I think they're very interesting. Unique. You keep your dreams closer to reach than most people."
"Not really, didn't you listen to half of them?" I laughed. "The only one really in reach is stargazing, if I ever remember to go some night."
He stayed quiet for the rest of the walk back to the deck, and I wondered what I'd said.
When we got to the deck, I realized we were still holding hands. He looked down at our hands, and then gave me a smile before he pulled on my arm, and brought me into my first hug.
My heart thundered, and I went stiff...for a few moments, anyway. Then, I melted and hugged him back.
He pulled away, but he left his hands on my shoulders, giving me that grin of his.
"Th-thanks for giving me my first...hug..." I trailed off as I met his eyes.
"I might've fibbed a bit when I said I liked you."
I took a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts enough to process what he meant. Why had he hugged me, if he didn't like-
"And those dreams might not be as far away as what you thought...maybe. I mean...if you feel the same way....um....I love you."
I gasped, and he pulled me into another hug before I could back away, start crying, or even...anything. I put my arms around him and hugged him as tightly as I possibly could.
If my heart had been pounding before, it was going twice as fast now. I buried my face in his shoulder and hoped the hug would never end. Of course, it did, though. I gave him a silent, wide-eyed stare.
"You...oh my gosh." I gasped. "I-I...wow."
He gave me that grin of his and sighed. "Whew. That felt good to get off my chest."
I studied his face and gulped. I couldn't construct a sentence.
"W-was that the wrong thing to...to say?" He finally asked me.
"No!" I exclaimed. "I'm just...really surprised...and...just...surprised." I laughed at my loss of words.
He chuckled. "Well..on that note, see you tomorrow?"
"For sure," I managed a smile.
"See you," he told me.
"Yup! See ya. Thanks for today," I added.
"Anytime," he winked, and I turned and hurried up onto my shelf.
I was promptly greeted by Zelia. "What did I hear down there?"
My breath caught in my throat. "I just...went on a walk."
"With him." She said venemously. "I honestly don't see what you see in him. I mean, seriously! He's a backwards creep who won't listen to anything. And he's such a-"
I bristled and my hands fisted. Sometime during that, Anna and Elsa had come to stand by me. "Enough, Zelia. He's not a backwards creep, and I-I...I can't blame him for not listening to you!" I was surprised that it all came out of my mouth.
Emma gave me a surprised look from across the room. Anna put a hand on my shoulder.
"I'll side with her any day. Your rules are stupid," Anna added, and I gave her a surprised look.
"Both of you are idiots, then! And I'll make your life miserable, Rapunzel. Purely miserable."
"Bring it." I said through clenched teeth. "You don't scare me."
Even though...she really did.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
October 4-5, 2013
Eugene and I grew to be good pals quickly. He listened to me whenever I needed to talk, and I listened to him when he had something to say. Zelia didn't find out, and neither did anyone else.
But October 4th, I goofed up.
Tangled Fan came in with two boxes, and set them on the bed.
"Let's go see what it is, guys," I told Emma and Piper.
"Why? If they're dolls, they can fend for themselves. I don't think our shelf can handle more dolls!" Zelia whined.
"If nobody goes, I'll go." I said, standing and retrieving Pascal from his napping spot.
Emma and Piper exchanged helpless glances, and then they followed me down to the deck.
I knocked on the side of the shelf and peeked in on Eugene.
"Hey!" He said, giving me a huge grin, walking over.
"Hi," I smiled. "We're going to see what's in the boxes Tangled Fan just put on her bed. Do you want to come?"
"Don't-" Emma broke off, glancing towards Piper.
"Why not?"
"You're going to get in trouble with Zelia,"
I glanced towards Eugene and he suppressed a grin. "It'll be okay." I said. "You coming, Eugene?"
"Only because you're go-er...only because you asked."
I laughed and the four of us went to the bed.
When we got there, a redhead was already helping her platinum-blonde sister out of her plastic box.
"Hello," Piper called.
I suddenly got stricken with shyness, and Eugene, who was lagging behind me, nearly rammed into me because of my sudden slow-down.
"Hey! Can you show us where we're supposed to go? I'm Anna, by the way..and this is my sis, Elsa." The redhead said, finally yanking her sister out of the box and helping her up.
"From the new movie, Frozen?" Emma asked.
"You nailed it!" Anna said, coming over. "Who are all of you? From Tangled?"
"Mm-hmm. I'm Piper,"
"And I'm Emma. We're sisters. That's Rapunzel, and Eugene."
"Hi," Anna said, and Elsa smiled warmly at us.
I took both the girls' appearances in. Anna looked like us - just redhead, with greenish eyes and freckles. But her sister had pale skin and bright blue eyes. They were both very pretty!
"Are you guys...?" Elsa trailed off, looking at Eugene and I.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Together. Cause you look adorable together and Emma introduced your names together...?"
I drew in a deep breath, surprised, and turned to glance at Eugene. He wore a surprised expression as well.
"Um...N-no," I stammered. "We're j-just,....friends."
"Oh, okay," she said.
We headed back for the shelf, and Eugene hung back, walking beside me.
"What's up?" I asked quietly.
"Um..just..." he trailed off, and I could tell he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Finally, he sighed. "Just wanted to walk back with you."
I gave him a small smile, but my breath caught when he brushed his hand against mine - I couldn't tell if it was by accident or not. I willed myself not to freak out too much. He'd likely done it by accident.
When we got back to the shelf, Zelia was waiting for us on the deck.
Oh, no.
"What are you doing with that?" She exclaimed, pointing at Eugene.
I bristled. "Leave Eugene be. I was the one that asked him to go along!"
"Exactly. Didn't you hear-"
"Zelia, leave her be. Okay? Let her be who she wants to be." Eugene spoke up.
"Stay out of this."
"I won't. I won't let you tear her down. She's too--...she doesn't deserve it."
Zelia narrowed her eyes at us both. Her lips twitched, but she quieted down.
"Thanks," I whispered, and he nodded before he turned to go into his shelf.
"Anyway. Who are you two?"
"Anna,"
"Elsa,"
They introduced themselves quietly, staring at Zelia with wide eyes.
"Okay; Frozen. Cool. Well, the middle - right shelf is ours. As long as you listen to me, you won't have any issues with me. Unlike that freak over there. Got it?" She flashed another venemous look towards me, and I shrank back.
"Yup." Anna said, glancing back towards me. I gulped.
We went up to the shelf, and I promptly went over to my corner with Pascal and sat down.
My head was spinning. Between my mess-up, the new girls, and Eugene touching my hand - accident or not - I didn't know what to think about first.
After awhile, Anna came over. "So...what's the deal with you and..what's his name?"
"Eugene," I sighed. "He's the only one who really talks to me. As you'll probably see, I'm clumsy and awkward, and nobody ever really liked me. He's my only friend, pretty much. But because, when he came here, he mouthed off at Zelia and wouldn't listen to her bossiness, she kinda banished him from the shelf and now she won't let me even speak with him. But we've been working around that. Don't tell her any of this, okay?"
"I won't. She seems like she's a real....jerk."
I coughed in surprise at her bluntness, but then I nodded. "Yeah, she is."
"So, umm..." she trailed off. "I guess I'll go see what my sis is up to."
"Okay," I said.
The next morning, I was back to being invisible. Even Pascal was totally content with sitting on Anna's lap and playing with her...so I asked if she'd watch him for a bit - and she gladly accepted. Then, I decided to see what Eugene was up to, but he wasn't on his shelf. I opened the top drawer of the dresser - which was part of the deck - and hauled Tangled Fan's iPod out of there. Eugene had clued me in on the iPod, so whenever I wanted to use it, I could. So I took it down to the floor and found some songs to play on it.
I let it play, laying down on my back and staring up at the ceiling, wayyyyyyyyyyy up above my head.
A good song, "Build you Up", by Kim Taylor, came on, and I couldn't help but think of Eugene. I put my hands behind my head and sighed, wondering how long he'd like me enough to be friends. And still wondering about yesterday.
I closed my eyes and continued listening to the song.
"Hey, what's up?"
My eyes flew open, and saw none other than Eugene was standing beside me.
I gasped in surprise, and sat up. "U-um..hi. Just thinking."
I patted the floor beside me, and he sat.
"You seemed like you were in very deep thought," he observed, and I blushed, reaching to turn the iPod off. He put a hand over mine. "You don't have to turn it off, if you don't want to."
"Okay," I said quietly. "I-I was actually thinking about you." I admitted, and after I said that, I cleared my throat, my face getting warmer.
"Hm...good thoughts, I hope?" He joked, and I laughed.
"Of course," I grinned.
"So, umm...how've things been up there?"
"Oh....good, I suppose. Nobody's been banned from the shelf. Yet."
"Making buddies?"
I shook my head. "Anna talked with me a tad yesterday, asking about you, but other than that...nope. I'm invisible...as always."
He gave me a sympathetic look. "You're not invisible."
"Yeah, I am." I said. "Not even the new-"
"You're not invisible to me, then." He reached to tuck some hair away from the side of my face, and butterflies erupted in my stomach. I turned to meet his eyes.
"Th-uh...thanks." His eyes were warm and gentle, and I almost forgot what I was trying to say. I tore my eyes away from his gaze and looked down into my lap.
"I was, um....wondering if you'd like to go for a walk tomorrow?" He cleared his throat and asked.
I was surprised. Normally, I asked him. "Oh, sure!" I exclaimed, grinning as I recovered from my surprise.
He gave me that grin, and I suddenly wanted to hug him...but I didn't, of course.
"So...um...what were you up to beforehand?" I asked.
"Just went for a walk," he told me. "Thinking... About you." He added, with a wink.
I laughed, and then glanced towards the iPod. "Any good song reccomendations?"
"Oh, that's a topic that could take years to go over," he told me with his little grin.
"We can start now! If you want," I said. "I have all the time in the world!"
His grin broadened. "Me too. Let's get started, shall we?"
I scooted closer when he set the iPod in his lap, and watched as he brought up some of his favorite songs. And that's how we spent the majority of the afternoon.
But October 4th, I goofed up.
Tangled Fan came in with two boxes, and set them on the bed.
"Let's go see what it is, guys," I told Emma and Piper.
"Why? If they're dolls, they can fend for themselves. I don't think our shelf can handle more dolls!" Zelia whined.
"If nobody goes, I'll go." I said, standing and retrieving Pascal from his napping spot.
Emma and Piper exchanged helpless glances, and then they followed me down to the deck.
I knocked on the side of the shelf and peeked in on Eugene.
"Hey!" He said, giving me a huge grin, walking over.
"Hi," I smiled. "We're going to see what's in the boxes Tangled Fan just put on her bed. Do you want to come?"
"Don't-" Emma broke off, glancing towards Piper.
"Why not?"
"You're going to get in trouble with Zelia,"
I glanced towards Eugene and he suppressed a grin. "It'll be okay." I said. "You coming, Eugene?"
"Only because you're go-er...only because you asked."
I laughed and the four of us went to the bed.
When we got there, a redhead was already helping her platinum-blonde sister out of her plastic box.
"Hello," Piper called.
I suddenly got stricken with shyness, and Eugene, who was lagging behind me, nearly rammed into me because of my sudden slow-down.
"Hey! Can you show us where we're supposed to go? I'm Anna, by the way..and this is my sis, Elsa." The redhead said, finally yanking her sister out of the box and helping her up.
"From the new movie, Frozen?" Emma asked.
"You nailed it!" Anna said, coming over. "Who are all of you? From Tangled?"
"Mm-hmm. I'm Piper,"
"And I'm Emma. We're sisters. That's Rapunzel, and Eugene."
"Hi," Anna said, and Elsa smiled warmly at us.
I took both the girls' appearances in. Anna looked like us - just redhead, with greenish eyes and freckles. But her sister had pale skin and bright blue eyes. They were both very pretty!
"Are you guys...?" Elsa trailed off, looking at Eugene and I.
"What?" I asked, confused.
"Together. Cause you look adorable together and Emma introduced your names together...?"
I drew in a deep breath, surprised, and turned to glance at Eugene. He wore a surprised expression as well.
"Um...N-no," I stammered. "We're j-just,....friends."
"Oh, okay," she said.
We headed back for the shelf, and Eugene hung back, walking beside me.
"What's up?" I asked quietly.
"Um..just..." he trailed off, and I could tell he wanted to say something, but he didn't. Finally, he sighed. "Just wanted to walk back with you."
I gave him a small smile, but my breath caught when he brushed his hand against mine - I couldn't tell if it was by accident or not. I willed myself not to freak out too much. He'd likely done it by accident.
When we got back to the shelf, Zelia was waiting for us on the deck.
Oh, no.
"What are you doing with that?" She exclaimed, pointing at Eugene.
I bristled. "Leave Eugene be. I was the one that asked him to go along!"
"Exactly. Didn't you hear-"
"Zelia, leave her be. Okay? Let her be who she wants to be." Eugene spoke up.
"Stay out of this."
"I won't. I won't let you tear her down. She's too--...she doesn't deserve it."
Zelia narrowed her eyes at us both. Her lips twitched, but she quieted down.
"Thanks," I whispered, and he nodded before he turned to go into his shelf.
"Anyway. Who are you two?"
"Anna,"
"Elsa,"
They introduced themselves quietly, staring at Zelia with wide eyes.
"Okay; Frozen. Cool. Well, the middle - right shelf is ours. As long as you listen to me, you won't have any issues with me. Unlike that freak over there. Got it?" She flashed another venemous look towards me, and I shrank back.
"Yup." Anna said, glancing back towards me. I gulped.
We went up to the shelf, and I promptly went over to my corner with Pascal and sat down.
My head was spinning. Between my mess-up, the new girls, and Eugene touching my hand - accident or not - I didn't know what to think about first.
After awhile, Anna came over. "So...what's the deal with you and..what's his name?"
"Eugene," I sighed. "He's the only one who really talks to me. As you'll probably see, I'm clumsy and awkward, and nobody ever really liked me. He's my only friend, pretty much. But because, when he came here, he mouthed off at Zelia and wouldn't listen to her bossiness, she kinda banished him from the shelf and now she won't let me even speak with him. But we've been working around that. Don't tell her any of this, okay?"
"I won't. She seems like she's a real....jerk."
I coughed in surprise at her bluntness, but then I nodded. "Yeah, she is."
"So, umm..." she trailed off. "I guess I'll go see what my sis is up to."
"Okay," I said.
The next morning, I was back to being invisible. Even Pascal was totally content with sitting on Anna's lap and playing with her...so I asked if she'd watch him for a bit - and she gladly accepted. Then, I decided to see what Eugene was up to, but he wasn't on his shelf. I opened the top drawer of the dresser - which was part of the deck - and hauled Tangled Fan's iPod out of there. Eugene had clued me in on the iPod, so whenever I wanted to use it, I could. So I took it down to the floor and found some songs to play on it.
A good song, "Build you Up", by Kim Taylor, came on, and I couldn't help but think of Eugene. I put my hands behind my head and sighed, wondering how long he'd like me enough to be friends. And still wondering about yesterday.
I closed my eyes and continued listening to the song.
"Hey, what's up?"
My eyes flew open, and saw none other than Eugene was standing beside me.
I gasped in surprise, and sat up. "U-um..hi. Just thinking."
I patted the floor beside me, and he sat.
"You seemed like you were in very deep thought," he observed, and I blushed, reaching to turn the iPod off. He put a hand over mine. "You don't have to turn it off, if you don't want to."
"Okay," I said quietly. "I-I was actually thinking about you." I admitted, and after I said that, I cleared my throat, my face getting warmer.
"Hm...good thoughts, I hope?" He joked, and I laughed.
"Of course," I grinned.
"So, umm...how've things been up there?"
"Oh....good, I suppose. Nobody's been banned from the shelf. Yet."
"Making buddies?"
I shook my head. "Anna talked with me a tad yesterday, asking about you, but other than that...nope. I'm invisible...as always."
He gave me a sympathetic look. "You're not invisible."
"Yeah, I am." I said. "Not even the new-"
"You're not invisible to me, then." He reached to tuck some hair away from the side of my face, and butterflies erupted in my stomach. I turned to meet his eyes.
"Th-uh...thanks." His eyes were warm and gentle, and I almost forgot what I was trying to say. I tore my eyes away from his gaze and looked down into my lap.
"I was, um....wondering if you'd like to go for a walk tomorrow?" He cleared his throat and asked.
I was surprised. Normally, I asked him. "Oh, sure!" I exclaimed, grinning as I recovered from my surprise.
He gave me that grin, and I suddenly wanted to hug him...but I didn't, of course.
"So...um...what were you up to beforehand?" I asked.
"Just went for a walk," he told me. "Thinking... About you." He added, with a wink.
I laughed, and then glanced towards the iPod. "Any good song reccomendations?"
"Oh, that's a topic that could take years to go over," he told me with his little grin.
"We can start now! If you want," I said. "I have all the time in the world!"
His grin broadened. "Me too. Let's get started, shall we?"
I scooted closer when he set the iPod in his lap, and watched as he brought up some of his favorite songs. And that's how we spent the majority of the afternoon.
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