I was being chased through a dark forest in my dreams. I couldn’t stop running, and I couldn’t turn back to see what was chasing me. Whatever it was, it was about to devour me, until— “Yuki. Wake up! There’s someone who would like to see you.”

  Ah. Anne.

  …Wait. Someone to see me? I can’t possibly guess who it would be. Angelita? Or the prince? Or my mother? I pull myself out of bed and look out the window. It’s pitch black outside. Ugh. Whoever this is couldn’t wait until morning??? I’m so TIRED. “Do I hafta get outta my pajamas?” I ask Anne in a tired daze. She huffs. “You’re not even in pajamas, Miss Yuki. Now hurry up!” I smack myself in the face and stumble out the door.

  OH FRIGGIN NO. It’s the prince.

  I feign interest. “What brings ya here?” I ask in a friendly voice. “Nothing in particular,” he replies. I huff. “So you decided to wake me up? Not cool!” He laughs. “Well, I assume it isn’t cool. I’m quite used to it though, so I figured everyone else was. Guess not,” Keith sighs. I cross my arms over my chest. “This is boring. I need sleep. You have ten seconds.” Keith smiles mischevously and grabs my hand.

  I look at Anne. And immediately regret it. She has the most ANNOYING smirk on her face, and her eyes are screaming “I knew it”. Ugh.

  Keith starts to run, and I have to run too. Unless I want to fall, which I do not. “This is waaaaaay longer than ten seco-AAAAAH!” Keith jumps out an open window. “HELP I’M BE-” He clamps his hand over my mouth. He lets go quickly though, and soon I realise that he does not want to kidnap me. Hurrah! I pause and gasp for breath. “I’m- PANT- gonna- PANT- pass out! Who… Who said, ‘oh yeah, great idea to make Yuki run as soon- PANT- as she wakes up’? ‘’Cause they..” I take a deep breath. “ARE GONNA FEEL MY WRATH!!!” Keith plops down on the grass. “You’re crazy.” Wow, what an observant kid. DUH! I’m insane! Suddenly I remember a song I liked in my past life. “So what if I’m crazy? All the best people are!” I sing. He smiles. “Look around!” I heed his words, because I have nothing better to do.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  I’m in a garden filled with roses in all imaginable colors. Some of them are the color of blood, others the exact shade of the midnight sky. I smile. “Lotsa Red 40 in these plants, huh?” Keith tilts his head in confusion. Oh, yeah. I don’t think they have Red 40 in this place. I sigh. “...Never mind,” I say. He makes a sly grin. “You’re pretty calm for someone who was so positive they just got kidnapped.” I guess I am. “It’s just… nothing really surprises me anymore. Ya know?” He smirks. “How much would you like to bet on that?” I grin. “It’s on. Whoever wins owes the other a favor. Deal?” I offer him my pinky. “Deal,” he says. He places his pinky in mine.

  “Also no more jumping out of windows. That almost gave me a heart attack.” Keith crosses his arms. “I won’t make any promises on that one,” he says. I grin. “Fine. But don’t do it all the time. Like, once a week. Kay?” He sighs. “Yes, fine. But that’s kinda my thing.” I stand up. “Well, I’m gonna go back to bed.” I look around. “Yeah, I don’t know how to get back to my room. Lead on.” I sit down. “Actually, I’m gonna sleep here. It’s not that cold, and the roses’ smell is comforting. Night, idiot.” I fall asleep for a couple seconds, and…

  Awake to Keith trying to carry me back to my room. I roll my eyes. “What the hell, man? I was sleeping!” He has me in his arms now. “Yeah, but if they find you napping in the courtyard, you’re gonna be in trouble.” I huff. “Kay. Fine. That’s okay,” I’m way too embarrassed to talk.

  And so, we end up at my room. It’s a little bit past midnight.

  I reach into my skirt and pull out a Magical Item. Then I yeet it at Keith.

  “Silly String Attack!” I yell as foam strings erupt in his face. “Haha! I win the bet,” I announce triumphantly. He wipes some off his face and glares at me. “That shouldn’t count. We shouldn’t be allowed to use Magical Items. Or else you would have lost already,” He grins on the last sentence. I huff. “Fine. But I’ll get you someday!”