Chapter 3 ( Madness Love)

After school, on my way home, I spotted C.A., the daughter of Cupid. If anyone knew anything about love, it had to be her. I called out, "C.A.! Wait up!" 

She stopped and waited for me, and we began walking home together. 

As we strolled between the giant mushrooms lining the path, I couldn't help but let my curiosity bubble up. The question had been nagging at me all day. Nervously playing with my thumbs, I took a deep breath. 

"C.A., can I ask you a question?" I said, my voice shy. 

"Of course! What's on your mind?" she replied with a warm smile. 

I felt Earl, my little mouse, scurry up to my shoulder. He whispered in my ear, "Ask her about true love for Rebels." 

My cheeks puffed up as I thought about it, but eventually, I released the air and blurted out, "Do Rebels like us ever fall in love?" 

For a moment, there was silence between us. Then, to my surprise, C.A. burst out laughing. 

"No, silly!" she said, her laughter echoing in the forest. She found my question hilarious. 

I stopped in my tracks, stunned. "But Rave Queen fell in love with Dexter Charming," I protested, frowning. 

C.A. halted too, her expression turning serious. "Madie," she said gently, "we're Rebels. We don't have anyone to fall in love with. Look at me—I spend all my time bringing people together, but there's no one for me. It's a miracle I was even born. Our kind never finds a perfect match. That's just how it is." 

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. I let out a heavy sigh as the weight of reality settled over me. My eyes stung with unshed tears. 

C.A. placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. I looked up into her kind blue eyes and her candy-pink hair shimmering in the light. "Madie, don't be sad," she said softly. "You're not alone. There are others like us who don't have soulmates. Look at Lizzie Hearts—she's a Royal, but even she has no one." 

A mix of emotions swirled within me, and I couldn't find the right words. "I guess…" I murmured. 

In a world where all the beautiful girls seemed to get the guy, it felt like Rebels like me were left behind, destined to be alone. 

We walked quietly after that, the towering mushrooms casting long shadows over the path. When we reached my house—my madness-filled home perched on the cliff—I said goodbye to C.A. and headed inside. 

But as I approached, I noticed someone familiar sitting on the wooden steps. I froze. 

It was Alistair Wonderland, the son of Alice herself. 

My heart skipped a beat, and before I knew it, I squealed and ran toward him with my arms wide open. "Ali!" I shouted. 

He stood up, his face lighting up with a smile. I threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. 

It had been so long since I'd last seen him. The last time we'd played together, I was five. He'd visited again when he was ten, and then… nothing. Until now. 

When we pulled away, I couldn't stop smiling. "You're finally here!" I said, tears of joy filling my eyes. He wasn't the little boy I remembered anymore. He had grown, just like me. 

"I had to come," he said with his trademark charming grin. "My mother has a message for your father, but mostly, I wanted to see my best friend." 

"You came here to see me?" I asked, feeling my cheeks heat up. 

Our eyes met, and then he reached out, brushing his hand gently against my cheek. A strange, electric warmth rushed through me. 

"Of course I came to see you, Madie," he said softly. "I never forgot about you." 

My heart raced. "I missed you too," I whispered. Then, grinning, I added, "Come on! Let's take you to my father. He's at the shop." 

Grabbing his wrist, I led him down the winding path, my excitement bubbling over like a cup of tea that was finally, blissfully mad. 

As we walked and talked about school, I couldn't help but sneak glances at Alistair. 

His ocean-blue eyes, messy blond hair, and sun-kissed skin seemed to glow under the soft dappled light of the woods. He looked so grown-up now, with a strong jawline and lips that seemed softer than anything I'd ever seen. 

Everything about him had changed—his posture, his confidence—and I found myself captivated by his presence. 

"Madie," he said, breaking my thoughts. 

I blinked, focusing on his face. "Hmm? What is it?" 

He sighed deeply, his shoulders shifting as he glanced around. Then, his eyes landed on a waterfall in the distance. 

Without another word, he took my hand, and the warmth of his touch sent shivers down my spine. 

We walked together toward the waterfall, its sound growing louder as the cascading water came into view. He guided me to sit on a smooth rock nearby, his expression more serious than I had ever seen. 

"Alistair, what's wrong?" I asked gently, placing my hand over his. "Something's bothering you." 

He met my gaze, hesitation flickering in his eyes. Then, in a low voice, he said, "I came here because... I wanted to see Kitty." 

I frowned, confused. "Kitty? As in Kitty Cheshire?" 

He nodded, his voice soft but certain. "I like her....in an way but I am confused also because I have this feelings for someone else. 

The words hit me like a sudden storm. 

My hand slipped from his as my thoughts raced. Kitty Cheshire? The daughter of the Cheshire Cat? I'd just seen him this morning, casually having breakfast like the world wasn't turning upside down. And who is this person he have feelings for. 

 And now... my best friend liked her? Kitty Cheshire. 

What does he even see in her? 

The madness of it all made my heart twist. 

"How could you like her when—when I've never even been kissed?" The words escaped before I could stop them, raw and trembling with emotion. 

Alistair stared at me, shocked and confused. But I couldn't stop now. The floodgates were open. 

"It's not fair!" I shouted, standing abruptly. "Everyone else falls in love, but no one even looks at me. No one would ever want to kiss me!" 

Tears blurred my vision as anger bubbled up inside me. I was tired—tired of feeling invisible, tired of being left out. 

"I'm done with everything!" I declared, ready to storm off. 

But before I could take a step, I felt Alistair's hand wrap around my wrist, pulling me to a halt. 

"Madie, wait," he said softly, his voice low and steady. 

I turned to face him, and before I could speak, he pulled me closer. The world around us seemed to disappear as I found myself pressed against him. 

His warm breath brushed against my face as he gazed down at me, his ocean-blue eyes searching mine. 

My heart raced as his hand gently cupped my cheek, his fingers tracing soft lines down my skin. His touch was electric, and I felt my resolve melt away under his gaze. 

"Madie," he whispered, his voice like a warm breeze, "you're not invisible. You're extraordinary." 

And then, without another word, he leaned in. His lips brushed mine, soft and warm, like feathers brushing against my skin. 

For a moment, I froze, overwhelmed by the sensation. But as his lips moved against mine, a warmth spread through me, melting away every ounce of doubt and fear. Slowly, I kissed him back, my hands trembling as I placed them against his chest. 

Alistair's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me even closer. 

I could feel the strength of his embrace, his heartbeat steady and strong against mine. His lips deepened the kiss, and when I felt his tongue softly graze my lips, I hesitated, unsure of what to do. 

But then I let him lead, trusting him completely in this moment. 

His kiss was everything—sweet, warm, and filled with a tenderness that made my heart soar. It felt like floating on clouds, like the world had stopped spinning just for us. 

Alistair Wonderland, my best friend, was kissing me. 

I couldn't think. I couldn't move. I was paralyzed by his kiss. 

 His lips tasted so good, and for a daring moment, I let my tongue brush against his, savouring the warmth and sweetness of him. 

 My knees threatened to give out, but his strong arms held me, supporting my weight as if he couldn't bear to let me fall. We kissed like that, lost in the moment, until we were both breathless. Slowly, we pulled apart, his arms still firmly around me, as if he was afraid I'd vanish. 

Looking up at him, my breath uneven, I managed to whisper, "What about Kitty?" The words felt foreign on my lips, sharp and cutting through the intimacy we had just shared. 

A few minutes ago, he had told me about her, and now here we were. 

His blue eyes, dark and intense, locked onto mine. "I couldn't let you go without kissing you, Madie. Seeing you like that... I had to. A part of me has always liked you. When I mentioned Kitty, it was only because I thought... I thought the relationship I have with you is something special. And I didn't want to lose it. I don't want to lose you—not to anything in this world." 

My heart pounded wildly, torn between the words I'd longed to hear and the reality of what he'd just admitted. Kitty. 

She was still there in the picture. I stepped back, distancing myself from him, the whirlwind of emotions too much to bear. 

"How could you kiss me when you still like her?" My voice cracked, betraying the tears now streaming down my face. For the first time, my heart felt completely conflicted, aching with betrayal and longing. 

"Madie," he said softly, reaching for my hand. 

"Don't," I said sharply, pulling away. The hurt in my chest grew, and I couldn't meet his gaze without feeling like I'd shatter. 

Our eyes met again, his now glistening with unshed tears. 

 "I know this is crazy," he began, his voice shaking. "But I've always liked you, Madie. And I think... I think I love you." 

I frowned, my lips trembling. "But you like Kitty," I whispered, my words barely audible. 

"I..." He hesitated, and that hesitation broke something inside me. 

"Just go," I shouted, anger and pain lacing my voice. "Go be with her. You can use her to get to my father if that's what you want." 

Before he could say another word, I turned and ran. 

My feet carried me as far from him as I could get, but the storm of emotions inside me only grew stronger. Confusion. 

Hurt. Betrayal. And somewhere, buried beneath it all, a faint hope that maybe, just maybe, I wasn't the only one feeling this way. 

I stormed through the woods, tears streaming down my face, smearing what little makeup I had on. My vision blurred as the pain in my chest grew heavier. 

I couldn't believe it. I thought he liked me. Why would someone kiss you if they still wanted someone else? I don't want to share him. I want someone who loves me for me—not someone who can't let go of another. 

The woods offered me solace, and my feet instinctively carried me toward the only place where I could find comfort—my secret treehouse. 

 It was my sanctuary, a place where I kept my materials, hats, and the parts of me I showed no one else. Whenever life became too much, I'd climb up there, dress up, and let the world fade away. 

Without hesitation, I grabbed the wooden ladder nailed to the tree and climbed up, each step bringing me closer to safety. 

When I reached the top, I opened the latch and slipped inside. 

As I closed the wooden hatch behind me, the weight of my emotions crushed me. I sank to the floor, the sobs tearing through my chest. 

"Why is life so unfair?" I cried out to no one in particular. This wasn't how I wanted my first kiss to be. I dreamed of something magical, something unforgettable in the best way. Instead, I was left with a heartache I didn't ask for. 

I took off my hat, reaching inside to pull out my tiny tea set—the one that always brought me comfort. 

 Placing the teapot and cups on the floor in front of me, I tried to steady my trembling hands. 

"Madie, don't cry," came a small, familiar voice. 

I looked over and saw Earl, my little mouse friend, standing beside the teapot. 

Wiping my tears, I sniffled, "I can't help it, Earl. I guess… I liked him too much." 

I poured myself some tea, the warmth of the liquid offering little solace. Then I paused, glancing at Earl. "Oh, where are my manners?" I said softly, trying to muster a smile through the tears. 

I reached back into my hat, pulled out another tiny cup, and poured some tea for Earl. 

Pushing the cup toward him, I whispered, "Here you go, my friend." 

Earl nodded, his tiny hands gripping the cup as he sat beside me. His quiet presence was a comfort, even as my heart ached. 

We sat there in silence drinking our tea. To have my little mouse here was like comfort to me and I need a friend now. 

And drinking my tea was like soothing me. 

After a while, my tears finally dried, and I could breathe again. I straightened up, wiping the last traces of sadness from my face, and looked at Earl. "You know what? Tomorrow, I'm going to look my absolute best, go to that ball, and hold my head high," I declared, determination igniting in my chest. 

Earl jumped up from his tiny seat, clapping his hands enthusiastically. "That's my girl! Show them what you're made of!" he encouraged with a proud grin. 

With his words spurring me on, I rose from my spot, gathered my materials, and began to work my magic. I already had the perfect dress in mind—a vision of elegance and charm. I wanted to look fabulous, and I was going to make it happen. 

Hours passed as I poured my heart into the creation, stitching together not just fabric but also my hopes and dreams. When the dress was complete, I stood back and admired my work. It was everything I envisioned and more. With a satisfied smile, I packed everything away and made my way home. I didn't want to be late tomorrow, and besides, I couldn't stop thinking about the cotton candy they'd have at the ball. 

That night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, my thoughts refused to let me rest. The quiet room amplified my doubts, and C.A.'s words echoed in my mind: There is no love for us, no happy ending. 

But… was that really true? 

I couldn't stop replaying the kiss in my head. It had felt so real, so alive. How could something that felt so right be so confusing? 

Beside me, Earl was fast asleep, snoring softly. I couldn't help but chuckle—he was so loud I swore he was blowing bubbles with each breath. 

But while Earl slept soundly, I lay wide awake, wrestling with my thoughts. Was there someone out there for me? Someone who would love me the way I longed to be loved? 

I wanted that kind of love—the kind that made you feel like you were the center of someone's universe. I wanted to be in love, to have my own Prince Charming. Just like every princess in the stories, I wanted my happily ever after. 

And as I stared at the faint moonlight streaming through my window, I whispered softly to the night, "Someday… maybe someday."