Ocean

The schooling Lucas had put me through as a child really came in handy. I had many different tutors growing up.

Fencing, sword play, Calligraphy, reading, writing, math, science, business, golf, dance, art, archery, cooking, cleaning and most importantly acting. Lucas believed that all these skills would make me the perfect wife for someone one day. There were things he wouldn't let me learn, like music and swimming. I never really understood why that was. When he wasn't home, the maids would sometimes let me play the piano in the main room. Lucas never knew about that. I always loved sneaking down there to play.

Sword play had been one of my favorites. I never thought I would need it again but here I am, winning a sword fight that started at three to one and a half. Hayden didn't really help a lot, but he tried. And he made a great tripping hazard.

Looking down at the figure crab crawling away from me, I didn't see fear in his eyes. Only aw.

His pleas for mercy only made me grin more. Stepping over Hayden, my bare feet hit the floor as I picked up my pace. I raised the scepter that was adorned by a large heart.

Almost as though she read my mind, Vira shouted "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!" As I swung my scepter in an arc down across Jayden's neck, ensuring I didn't make contact.

Jayden collapsed to the floor, letting his head fall to the side like it had been severed.

Placing one foot one his stomach, I pointed my scepter up to the sky in victory.

My heart pounded at the thought. I had won. I mean I knew I could, but I actually let myself.

Just as I was going to drop arm, two giant hands grabbed my waist and lifted me into the air.

"All hail the Red Queen." Vira shouted as she attempted to bow. The poofy skirt of her dress made it very difficult for her. The mad hatter and Chesiree cat joined her.

All the attention was on me. Because I had won. And fought. I had fought.

Anxiety started to tighten in my chest as reality started to settle in. What if I had hurt somebody? What if they all hated me? What if I wasn't supposed to win?

My head spun with all the possible reasons this was a bad thing. Hayden placed me down on the ground and it took a second for my head to realize causing me to stumble.

Hayden wrapped his arms around me to steady me and murmured something into my ear. I couldn't quite make out what it was over the pounding of my heart in my ears.

The excitement died down after that and I attempted to escape to the kitchen in order to breath and prepare some of the more filling snacks.

"What are you doing?" the deep gruff voice caused a shiver to run up my spine.

I didn't turn around trying to bring my breathing to a semi normal state.

"Ocean, what are you doing?" Hayden's voice didn't change.

Rolling the dice of fate, I ignored him and went back to preparing the food.

"Ocean." I felt his hands on my waist as he pulled me away from the counter. He spun me around slowly and I instantly dropped my gaze to the floor.

Breath in. Breath out. Breath in.

"Hey, what going on?" Hayden brought his fingers to my chin and lifted it. I tried to avoid looking in his eyes. Their sparkling green was so deceiving.

"You're not supposed to be doing all the work you know." Hayden let out a soft chuckle. He pulled me over to the barstools.

"Sit."

I did as I was told staring at the floor. How was this going to end?

Was he finally going to break?

"So, what are we preparing here." Hayden let go of my hand and walked away. I peaked up to see him standing by the food. He picked up the knife I had been using and started cutting the vegetables.

In the background I could hear the Mario music meaning they were playing Mario cart. So that's why Hayden was in here. A four-player game with five players can be challenging.

Hayden was a little clunky in the kitchen but every time I tried to get up to help, he would turn around, point at the chair, and tell me to sit down. Multiple times he asked where things were, and I would have to point them out to him.

I reached down to my finger to subconsciously twirl my ring. My heart froze for a moment when my finger was empty. I wrapped my fingers around my finger trying to remember where I had left the ring. I didn't really like it, but Hayden had told me to wear it all times. It was still in his bathroom, with my makeup stuff.

Watching Hayden struggle made me feel better. He seemed so real. So Human.

I felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. Hayden didn't say much to me but every so often he would glance around and smile at me. My heart calmed and I found my breathing even out much more easily than it normally did. Somehow him just existing close enough to be here was enough to put me at ease.

I could hear his humming softly over the noise from the living room. It took me a second to recognize the song but when I did, I found myself smiling. I sang along in my head.

I'm walking on sunshine, whoa
And don't it feel good
Hey, all right now
And don't it feel good
Hey, yeah

Once he finished the food I was feeling much better. Hayden handed me out of the plates to bring out to the living room.

The sight was one to remember. Mario cart had become a major competition. Nicola and Jayden were shoving each other, Nick was on the floor. Vira sat on the couch with her legs out to keep the other away.

"Um, we brought food?" Hayden sounded very unsure.

Instantly all the controllers were abandoned. The yelling became laughter and the tension in the room dissipated.