I stare in shock at the princess in front of me who, this time, came accompanied.
— Clarissa, when you said you’d bring the girl, I thought you were joking.
Clarissa was holding the hand of a nine-year-old girl named Piper. The girl had dark skin and hair so straight I’d never seen anything like it before.
— I don’t know why you thought that, since I never joke when it comes to business. And Piper wanted to meet you. Come on, it took me a lot of work to bring all these toys. I deserve the credit.
I let out a long sigh and counted to thirty because ten wouldn’t be enough. Then I sat cross-legged and gave a gentle smile to the child, who was shyly hiding behind the princess.
— Fine. You’re lucky I like kids, little princess.
She gave me a victorious smile and gestured for Piper to come closer.
— I know you must be scared, but don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. In fact, I’m even afraid of cockroaches.
Her eyes lit up at the recognition.
— Me too! Actually, I don’t like any bugs.
— I only like butterflies. And ladybugs too.
Piper sat beside me, ignoring completely the fear she had felt minutes ago.
— My mom said ladybugs bring good luck.
I smiled at the information.
— Please, someone get me a jar of ladybugs!
Clarissa sat down beside me, but I simply ignored her so I could play with Piper. I rummaged through the bag and found two tiaras and a wand.
— I’ll pretend you’re not here just so I can play with the kid. — I said, placing a plastic crown on my head and pointing the wand at Piper. — Now, sweet young one, I declare you queen!
Piper stood up and raised her hand, asking us to bow, which we promptly did.
Later, I taught the two of them how to play cards, then we played with dolls, and finally they taught me how to embroider.
When they left, Piper hugged me tightly and made a small braid in my hair which, though I hated it, I didn’t have the heart to undo.
— You’re a good witch, Mel. I promise I’ll find a very powerful spell to get you out of here.
She waved before leaving, and I laughed to myself in the wind, realizing the child’s innocence.
••••
The next day, Clarissa came again with Piper, and together they told me lots of palace news. I never imagined Clarissa would be the gossiping type. Piper asked for my help with her homework, saying I must have cast a spell to make myself very smart, so I’d surely know how to teach her better. In reality, I’d never done such a thing, but she didn’t need to know that.
My mother would be proud, I thought. I always hated school.
Now, it had been half an hour with the two of them sitting in front of me, trying to convince me of something I swore I’d never do.
— Please, Mel. Let me do your makeup.
I ran my hand through my hair, noticing there were no more tangles now. I thought about ignoring them a bit longer, but since they kept insisting endlessly, I had to count to forty to keep calm.
— Fine! — I said loud enough to startle them. — I don’t like heavy makeup or foundation, but other than that, have fun.
They bumped fists in complicity and began arranging their things.
— Let’s do something simple. We promise.
I wasn’t used to wearing makeup. When I went out anywhere, I’d ask Meg to do something and she never told me what it was, so I didn’t know most of the stuff these two were putting on me.
— Now the mascara...
— Wait, Clari. We’re forgetting the concealer.
— Right! — Clarissa tapped her forehead a few times. — We also forgot contour and eyeliner.
— We can’t forget to do her eyebrows too.
— And lipstick.
My head ached trying to keep up with the two of them. They kept pulling out more and more things from the bag.
— You two must be speaking another language. I didn’t understand a word of that.
Piper put her hands on her hips as if she were going to scold me, which I found terribly funny, but I held back my laugh.
— You don’t have to understand. You’re just our guinea pig.
I pouted on purpose, and I knew a little pout had formed because Clarissa burst out laughing. Her laugh was so delightful to hear that I felt happy to be the reason for it.
I gave a little salute with two fingers and let out a small laugh at the situation I was in.
— All right then, Miss Piper. Do whatever you want with me.
She smiled, and the two of them finished the makeup in silence. When they were done, they gave me a mirror. I didn’t know much about this stuff, but I liked the result, so I gave a thumbs-up in approval, earning claps from both.
It was getting dark when they had to leave again, and Piper hugged me tightly while sitting on my lap.
— Doesn’t your mother mind you being here? — I asked suddenly. — After all, I’m still a prisoner.
— She doesn’t know. Clarissa kidnapped me and asked me not to tell anyone, not even my mom.
I choked on air, and Clarissa adjusted her bag over her shoulder.
— You kidnapped her?
She shrugged as if she didn’t care, and I laughed in disbelief.
— I don’t mind. — Piper said. — I like you, Mel. I want to come more often.
The two left. Silence was all I had left in this dark and hostile place. Autumn was coming to an end, and with it winter’s cold was taking over, making sleep harder and harder to find.
I curled my body up, trying to keep as much warmth as possible, and for the first time in a long time, the dream realm blessed me with the vision of my beloved sun smiling at me. She lit everything up, and then the cold no longer existed, and everything was warm. It was as if thousands of butterflies rose up my throat, bringing spring with them.