"Alice, is that really necessary?"

Alice walked boldly up the steps, the soft wind carrying her as she did so. Her head was held high whilst the butlers chortled and talked to one another about her unusual attire. She wore a sort of oriental dress, with a swirl of colors that made your eyes hurt and a strange skirt that was actually pants legs. I tilted my head, watching her move with the fabric. She had always been the curious one, but that's why she was my best friend.

Her mother stood beside her, holding her skirt up so she did not trip on the lace below and stumbled to keep up with her fast-paced daughter.

"I think it looks dazzling- breathtaking if I may!" I threw in my two cents after her mother mentioned her concern. "The colors compliment each other in a way that it makes it look like an illusion." Alice smiled down at me, the small bells over her chest jingling slightly.

"Thank you, Maisie," she told me. "I wish I had one to give to you, but the dress looks fashionable on you."

Since the dress I arrived in was a bit musty and wasn't proper for the occasion, Alice's mother dug through her daughter's late room and discovered a few treasures hidden out of plain sight. One of them was a magnificent pink, back-line dress with a beautiful lace underneath the large skirt. The sleeved hooked around my lower arms, giving it a more elegant attraction more than anything. Unfortunately, the only shoes they could find were the ones I was already wearing; black flats that did not match the outfit.

Fortunately, the dress came down low enough to hide the dark color from plain sight.

"It's quite alright," I responded as Alice's mother pushed the main entrance doors open, pouring in a scent of vanilla and heavy pine-scented cologne. I waved my hand in front of my face in attempt to get rid of the smell, but it hung around me like a veil of mist.

"Ghastly, isn't it?" Alice commented after we entered the noisy hall. "I promise we will only be here for a short while." She pulled her hands behind her back, as if she was locating the man she was seeking and then trotted off into a flurry of colorful dresses.

I tried to keep up with my friend, but nevertheless, was pushed back by a few dancing couples. They snarled at me, staring at me down their nose and holding their loved one closer. I flashed them sympathetic smiles and attempted once more to squeeze by.

Oh, what a feeling it would be to be in love with someone.

When I first moved to Lerwick, I was highly attracted to a teacher that worked at the small school down the road from where I lived. I remember watching him from my window everyday, admiring his black hair and cold, blue eyes. Yet, he was still full of personality. Many inhabitants enjoyed Marcus Edwards presence, but I could never talk to him. I was always too nervous.

He recently got engaged to a blonde-haired beauty named Permilda Peterson, whom was a rotten lady indeed. She treated poor Marcus with hatred and fear. I wouldn't be surprised if she forced him to propose.

I blinked out of my thoughts and continued to make my way through the thick crowds. All the gentlemen looked clean in their black tuxedos and assorted flowers tucked into the pockets, while they held a glass of champagne in their white, gloved hand. The women were like a peacock; covered in different colors and each of them unique. I admired every single one of their dresses.

I reached the end of the ballroom after a few moments and rested myself up against the white door frame. I could see, from the distance, Alice talking with a few men around her. Most of them were old, but one I could make out to be Hamish. I covered a hand over my mouth and immediately began to laugh.

The old gent decided to grow a mustache. How horrid. It did not suit him at all. Hamish still had that look on his face; that look of 'I'm-better-than-you' and that weird smirk of his where he looked like a gopher.

Then I noticed Alice's mother walk into the room.

Alice ran out the other door.

I stood there, baffled from what I just saw. What had happened? There was no doubt in my mind that Hamish was being his crude self once again, which made me clench my fists and stomp over to the room they were in.

"Alice, wait!" Alice's mother cried out and followed her beloved daughter out of the study. I folded my arms, watching her leave and then focused my attention on Hamish. One of my dark brows raised when I realized he hadn't even notice I entered the room. Typical.

"I thought I smelled something rotten," I stated coldly while a smirk grew on my face. The ginger jumped, holding his left hand over his heart and gripped onto the fire mantle next to him.

"Do not startle me like that!" Hamish hissed, glancing up at me. His eyes widened and he froze, shaking his head slightly. "Maisie Croft? Is that really you?" I patted myself down, checking my hips and head as if they weren't attached.

"I assume I am, yeah?" I replied with a grin. "I haven't seen you for a while, Hamish." He drew in a breath and then stuck his head in the air, just like how everyone else had been looking at me this whole time.

"You neither," Hamish remarked and attempted to look disinterested.

I remember that day when he and I stopped being friends. I mean- He had always been a rude character to begin with, but I still liked to be around him. We met one December evening, and I do believe Christmas was around the corner actually.

I was in the toy store, gathering the rest of my money in my pockets as I prepared to pay for my brother's Christmas present. I wanted to get him a tiny doll of a monkey, whose black button eyes shined like a crystal in a dark tavern and soft fabric that made you want to rub your face against it.

The toy was a few coins, but I was short about two. Sadly, I told the cashier that I would have to come back for the item, until a ginger haired boy popped up behind me and placed the remaining balance on the counter. As a child, I thought this boy was crazy for helping someone like me. He looked well kept, unlike me where I lived in a dinky home.

I remember thanking him, and the little Hamish responded with,

"I have enough coins. I need to get rid of them somehow."

I smiled in remembrance and stood up straight, giving him the same look. I still despise the man, but I had a little respect for the kindness he showed me that day.

"What did you tell Alice?" I questioned as my arms found themselves around my chest. Hamish thought for a moment, placing one hand on his hip as he tilted his head towards the left.

"I do believe that should be a secret until you ask her," he began with a wicked smile. "But I'll give you a little hint. It has to do with her precious ship." I knew Alice loved her ship due to the fact that it was her father's, but what had this awful man done to make my friend run out like that? I frowned again.

"If you made her cry, you'll regret it," I muttered towards him. The elderly gents behind him let out a laugh, holding their sides while Hamish did that strange chortle of his. I raised my eyebrow, feeling a bit undermined.

"You? Oh, you can't hurt a fly!"

"You'll be surprised what I can do," I hissed in his direction, and then deciding that this conversation was done, exited through the door on the right. I could hear them still laughing at me, but I didn't care. My main concern was Alice.

After a few minutes of walking around, I wanted to give up on searching for her. The household was huge; let alone it had its own indoor garden and nearly five thousand restrooms. I let out a growl of disappointment and propped myself down onto the bench next to me. The cold hit my legs, but I folded them upwards and let my arms hang over the tops of my knees.

What a day this had turned out to be.

I laid my head down on one of my arms, staring up at the midnight sky with twinkling stars. I wondered what it would be like to pass away quietly in your sleep, and then join the many stars above this world. I smiled to myself, thinking about how many new stars I would meet along the way. Maybe I'd see my old terrier, Maggie up there.

I closed my eyes, until I realized that I felt something crawling across my bare skin. I lifted my head and glanced over, ready to flick off whatever had landed on me.

It turned out to be a beautiful butterfly, one that was colored in a strange shade and had large antennas. It blinked its eyes at me; showing centuries of experience in them. I carefully ran my hand towards it, hoping to not startle it.

"How did you get-" I began to ask, however it spread it's beautiful wings and flapped away from my location. I watched it exit the long hallway, and I drew in another sigh. "Not even the butterfly wants to stay with me." I lowered my head again, and then I felt that same sensation on my arm.

It had returned.

As soon as we made eye contact, it fluttered off once again into the darkness and around the corner. This time, I felt like I should follow the strange being. I stood up onto my flats and took large strides after the butterfly. The sensation of adventure grew inside of me, making a smile appear on my face. I felt that something truly amazing will happen if I continue to follow this beautiful creature.

It led me into a business looking room, complete with fluffy arm chairs and a yellow-tinted globe of the world. I shut the brown door behind myself, and my eyes trailed up. I made eye contact with the mirror above the fireplace, feeling instantly drawn to the golden frame that surrounded it.

"Maisie!" a familiar voice echoed from in front of me. I blinked out of my trance and eyed the direction that the sound had come from. Alice stood there, her blonde hair in a messy bun with her eyes wide of excitement. "You are here!"

"Y-Yeah? I am," I answered her, slowly. "I was looking all over for you. What did Hamish tell you?" Alice shook her head wildly, gripping onto my hands and dragged me in front of the mirror.

"It doesn't matter now. Only this does," Alice whispered with a smile. I stared at the mirror, my eyebrows raised. Had she finally gone mad?

"Alice, it's a mi-" I began, until she thrusted her whole arm into the mirror. I expected it to shatter from the force of her strength, but instead her arm went through; like a portal of some kind. "... Is this a joke?"

"No, Maisie," Alice responded and turned to look at me. "Do you remember the stories I used to tell you as a child? About the disappearing cat and the cruel Queen?" I nodded my head in response. "Would you like to meet them?"

"Wait, are you saying that this mirror is a gate to this Wonderland you've been telling me about?" I asked, slightly confused. Was I going mad? What on earth was happening?

"Exactly!" Alice answered, and began to say something else before we heard a loud knocking at the locked door behind us. They sounded angry, banging away at the door and jingling the door handle. My eyes drifted to the door, beads of sweat falling down my forehead. We were in so much trouble; oh mother would have my head for this.

I turned back to Alice, about to suggest that we hop out the window but she already had a plan. She was now standing on the fireplace, half of her body already inside of the mirror. She flashed a small smile at me and held out her pale hand towards me.

"Come with me, Maisie. Let's go home," she half-whispered. I bit my lip, knowing that I would have no other alternative. I trust Alice; I just don't trust this Wonderland. Slowly, my hand sunk into hers and before I could say other-wise, Alice used all of her strength and yanked me through the mirror.