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DESPITE OUR BONDING THE NIGHT BEFORE, LOUIS SPARED NO KINDNESS IN WAKING ME UP.

"I don't care if you hate me for this!" He yelled into my ear, "but if you don't get up now, I'm going into the kitchen to grab my tea kettle!"

Ugh...my head was pounding, and my eyes seemed to be closed shut with glue. Not to mention, the sunlight streaming in through the window was blinding me with it's harsh glares. I had been resisting the attempts at getting me out of bed, whether it be pulling a pillow over my head, or groaning in anger, but Louis persisted.

Sleep...I want it.

"I'm going to pour tea on you!" The boy exclaimed.

"Go away..."

"It's almost two hours past noon, and you still haven't gotten up."

"And?"

There was a sigh, before I heard him shuffle over to the bed and kneel down beside it. Then I felt his hands on my face again, squeezing my cheeks in between his fingers. I didn't even open my eyes, expecting him to slap me into productivity, but his next words caught me off guard.

"I'd like to apologize beforehand for lack of consent," he said quickly, "but I'd rather not burn you with boiling water, and you can't seem to get up on your own volition."

And then I felt something soft press against my forehead.

And I knew exactly what it was.

"I'm up!" I said, shooting out of the bed in almost an instant, "please tell me you did not just kiss my forehead, Louis, please!"

He was already doubling over in laughter, nearly falling onto the wooden floor. I pressed myself into the furthest corner of the space, my forehead tingling with what felt like tiny needles poking into my skin.

"Why didn't you just shake me awake?" I exclaimed, rubbing my eyes.

Louis frowned, "I did, and you still wouldn't get up."

"Why didn't you scream into my ear?"

"I did."

"Why didn't you just smack me concio—" I stopped myself. "Never mind, I'm glad you didn't do that."

"Besides, it was only your forehead, and I knew you'd be so violated you'd rise from the dead to try and murder me," he yawned, "and don't worry, I won't ever touch you without your consent again."

I blinked, "okay."

"Is that all you have to say?"

No.

Yes.

What I really wanted to say was 'that felt kinda nice, can you do it again? I think I was too asleep to actually remember it', but there was no way I'd ever say that. That would escalate things to the furthest degree, and I was too tired to take that risk. I ended up saying:

"I'm going to get changed now, please leave the room."

Louis immediately stopped laughing, gathering himself before shuffling out of the room and shutting the door behind him. I exhaled. Then I exhaled again. I couldn't decide whether I should be embarrassed, or annoyed, or daydreaming about the fact that a cute boy kissed my forehead like it was a run-of-the-mill kinda thing.

I decided to go with embarrassment.

Emma and Daniel had tailored some of Louis' old clothes to fit me the night before, so when I swung open the dust closet, I had a whole bunch of options to pick through. Pink shirts, blue shirts, red shirts, leather, leather, polos, polos, wow there was a lot.

I settled for black shorts, a red shirt, and a leather jacket with a silver chain looped onto my belt buckle.

I felt hot.

No, not because of my outfit, but because as soon as I stepped outside, the sweltering heat of the sun started beaming down on me like a flashlight. I should have brought sunscreen if I knew I'd be falling down rabbit holes.

✯

Louis spit out his drink when he saw me, nearly showering Emma with his tea.

The training sight was located through the Merrywood Hills, a few steps to the left, and underneath the Willow Whomps, until you arrived at a large clearing of grass and flowers. I didn't expect to initiate such a strange reaction from the boy when I entered the space.

"I will staple your mouth shut if you spit on me again, Mr. Partridge," Emma threatened, brushing off her ears, "learn to control your actions."

Louis glared at her, "it was a reaction of surprise, Watson, how am I supposed to prepare for that?"

"Be respectable?"

"I am respectable."

"Then why were you surprised?"

"Because I didn't expect that she'd be wearing....wear-uh, well," The boy stammered his hair falling over his eyes as he pointed at me, "that."

That? What was 'that'? I furrowed my brows, continuing to walk across the field with Daniel until we were directly in front of the two others. They had laid out a checkered blanket on the ground, various tea and sweets pilled variously on top. Next to them was a bag full of swords and other strange things (which were probably for this whole training thing).

"Do you not like my outfit?" I frowned, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jacket, "I like it."

That made Louis grin, "no, quite the opposite."

"Then why did you spit out your tea?"

"Because I thought you looked pretty," he said bluntly. I felt my face flush at his words, and he took immediate notice, letting out a soft chuckle under his breath. "I forgot you're new to Wonderland, but people here aren't afraid to admit their thoughts to the people they concern."

I blinked, glancing away, "well, thank you then."

"Jeez, darling, don't look so embarrassed. I'm only flirting with you."

Only flirting? Well, exCuse me, sir, but why are you so blunt with it??? Apparently subtlety didn't exist in Wonderland, and that was something I desperately needed to get used to. Not to mention, it's oddly strange of Louis' personality to flip on and off like a light switch.

Last night he was reserved and held-back, but now he's pulling out forehead-kisses, flirtatious statements, and whatever else was about to come next. Not that I minded...since he was attractive and respectful. But STILLLLLLL. Ugh, I need to sort out my priorities like Hermione Granger.

"Let's get to work, shall we?" Daniel squeaked out, sensing the tension hovering around us, "the Jabberwocky won't die on it's own!"

I cleared my throat, agreeing wholeheartedly and walking away from the picnic and out towards the field. At first I stood in the spot awkwardly, too indecisive to pick a weapon from the bag Emma brought towards me. She shoved a silver sword at me in the end, shuffling away.

It was a pretty thing, sharp too, with it's emerald studded handle, smooth clasp, and spotless blade, but I felt nervous with it. Why did I have a sword? How big was this Jabberwocky? I don't trust myself with it.

"Okay, so the first part of the lesson," Daniel instructed, holding up his own dagger, "is to learn how to balance the weight of your weapon."

I blinked, "I can barely balance on two feet."

"Yes, well that's a problem."

The Dormouse promptly then ignored my statement, beginning to show me what proper form looked like for a beast slayer. I was confused, per usual.

For the next quarter of an hour, I danced about the field, toppling over with the weight of the weapon brandished in my dominant hand. Honestly, I sucked, and I was ashamed of it. If I was to continue my lie, then I had to actually act like I was meant to be the girl in the prophecy.

"No!" Daniel yelled, for the millionth time, "stop tilting!"

I could only sigh. "Sorry, it's heavy."

"You're not holding it right!"

"Obviously."

I felt bad for Dan, I honestly did. He'd been trying to teach me for what seemed like forever, and he hadn't had much success. Emma fell asleep in boredom too. And Louis? I turned to look for the boy, but he was gone. His chair was empty where it was positioned, the breeze swaying it off-kilter slightly in the abandoned state it was in. Where did he go?

My questions were answered when I felt a presence from behind me, and someone's head start to hover next to mine.

"Can I touch you?" Louis whispered softly into my ear, "I only want to help."

WOw, okay.

I felt the hair on my neck stand up, and I prayed he didn't notice the goosebumps beginning to trail up my arm. His close proximity to me was making me nervous, even though it wasn't forceful in the slightest.

"Yeah," I mumbled back, making a point not to look at him, "sure, go ahead."

Louis chuckled, placing one of his hands on the side of my waist, and the other on my wrist. Pushing me gently onto an angle, he then pulled my wrist back towards my shoulder, steadying the sword in my grip. I nearly dropped it out of pure negligence.

"Breathe," he smirked, "that would help too."

I felt my face burn with embarrassment. "I'm breathing."

"Don't lie to me, I can tell."

"I'm not lying."

Letting go of me, the boy said nothing, parting with only a laugh as he returned to his chair on the other side of the field. How did he know? Damn it, he was too good at reading people, and now I made it seem like he literally 'took my breath away'.

And he did, but whatever.

I was snapped back into focus when Daniel cleared his throat.

"He's a flirt, we all know," the Dormouse sighed, "just don't let it distract you."

Right.

Well, about that.

I think it already did.