AN: This chapter is extremely late, and I want to apologize forever for not updating in so long. 12th grade is much more difficult and stressful than I thought it'd be, but I finally finished this chapter! Thank you all for putting up with me, and for reading, reviewing, following, and faving!
Faster than one could decipher a sentence in Riddlish, the two girls appeared in their dorm in a puff of purple smoke. Apple stumbled and nearly fell, but was supported by Raven. The Evil Queen's daughter felt anxiety claw at her as words tumbled out of her mouth. "Oh gosh, I'm sorry! Are you okay, Apple? I knew I shouldn't have used my magic to get us here. I mean sure, it was faster, but what if I made your condition worse? What if…" Raven continued her rambling as she hoisted up her girlfriend bridal style (Apple felt a small part of herself float up to heaven at Raven's treatment) and carried her off to the closest bed. This bed was Apple's, much to her slight disappointment. The blue-eyed girl didn't want to mess up Raven's bed, but she thought it would raise her spirits a little if she could be enveloped by her girlfriend's scent (it would make the sudden illness a little more bearable, anyway). Still, the blonde snuggled deeper into the covers and turned to Raven, who was still mumbling to herself.
"Raven, it's not your fault. Whatever my illness is, I'm sure it's not that serious, and I'm certain you didn't cause it." She reached out and gingerly took hold of Raven's hand, causing lilac eyes to snap to attention. Raven's shoulders relaxed a bit, but not as much as Apple would have liked. "I know you'd never hurt me." Apple's firm words rang abnormally loud and clear in the small room. They sliced through the dark thorns of Raven's fears as easily as a steak knife cut through butter and Raven felt her face heat at the sincerity in both Apple's voice and eyes. She slowly moved her other hand towards Apple's forehead, and the latter closed her eyes in anticipation of what was sure to be a loving gesture, and relief for her hot forehead. Moments passed, and the only thing Apple felt was a soft breeze coming in through the window. Confused, the blonde opened her eyes to see Raven staring at her with…fear? That couldn't be right. "Raven?" she asked timidly, seeing a swirl of emotions behind the other girl's eyes.
More doubts were swarming in Raven's mind. Apple was no pushover, but her skin was like porcelain in feel and look, and Raven felt that it would break just as easily. She had felt her heart swell with love only seconds prior, then deflate just as quickly. The air around the pair was heavy with ruined tenderness. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, she jerked her body away from her girlfriend, her hand tugging out of Apple's soft touch. She nearly tripped in her haste to get out. "I'm going to the nurse to see if I can get you anything. Just rest up, okay?" Apple's shock at this development caused her to stumble over her words. "Um, hold on—" "Good! See you soon!" With a wave of her hand, Raven closed the door and bolted down the hall.
Apple shook her head from her memories as she eyed the shut door for the millionth time. Hurt filled her every sense and distracted her from the nap she had planned on taking. Did Raven have nothing to say to Apple's declaration of trust, nothing at all? The blonde felt that she had opened herself up to Raven, been completely honest, and said girl had run away from her. She threw herself on her pillow huffily and fumed silently to herself. Apple felt her anger dissipate quickly as she realized that she herself hadn't been showing much trust in her and Raven's friends by keeping their relationship a secret. All this hiding had been a little fun at first, like an extra cherry on top of the sundae of their relationship; nothing necessary to keeping their relationship good, but a small addition that caused a bit of excitement. She chuckled wryly as she realized that neither she nor Raven cared much for those sugary cherries.
"Where in Ever After did all that come from? Surely she didn't think I was lying when I poured my heart to her, did she?"
"If you ask me, I think Raven trusts you more than she trusts herself."
Apple nearly flew off her mattress as a familiar voice chimed in on her musings. A certain cat-eared prankster sat casually on their windowsill. A sharp pain in her head told Apple that her headache didn't appreciate her body snapping up from its previously relaxed position. The sudden dizziness must have come from that too. She rubbed her temples tiredly and glared at the intruder.
"Kitty Cheshire, that wasn't funny! And it isn't polite to eavesdrop on people!" She paused in her tirade as she took in the appearance of the girl.
Kitty seemed the complete opposite of casual, Apple noted. She fidgeted in her seat, crossing and uncrossing her legs, with a hint of a frown on her lips. She was picking at a loose thread on her wrist warmers and focusing her attention on everything but the other person in the room.
Apple's eyes softened, but confusion was there as well. What was Kitty doing here, and more importantly, why was she looking so crestfallen? "Sorry for snapping, I've just had a bit of a rough morning. Though I can see I'm not alone in that." Kitty seemed to shrink in herself at Apple's words, her eyes shut and her frown deepening. A semi-awkward silence passed before she took a deep breath, and spoke again (albeit with great difficulty).
"Yeah, that's actually why I'm here. My rough morning has… a lot to do with yours. The bell that chimes twice in the tower can't sneeze on a Wednesday."
Apple blinked and tilted her head at this, slight annoyance on her features. "Not to be rude Kitty, but I'm not exactly in the mood for any riddles, Riddlish or otherwise. How are our mornings connected?"
Kitty finally opened her eyes and met Apple's gaze. "I…I'm the one… the leaves on a tree that fall though wind and rain complain with polka dot words."
Apple groaned and fell back onto her bed heavily. "Kitty, please! I'm sick and I don't know why, and Raven already ran out of here like it was Legacy Day again! Can you please just be direct with me?"
Kitty furrowed her brows a bit. "Being direct is something I absolutely despise, thank you very much. Chaos and confusion is more fun, after all." She sighed. "You're right though. If there was one time to be direct, this would be it."
Apple seemed a bit surprised at Kitty's statement. She gently eased herself into a sitting position. "Oh, really? Why is that?"
Kitty hopped off the windowsill and came closer to Apple's bed. No longer were her eyes closed or her posture slumped. For one moment, with fists clenched and steeled eyes, Kitty was the pinnacle of determination. When she spoke, it was clear, honest, and with direct eye contact.
"I'm the one who made you sick."
AN: So the culprit is revealed! Anyone have any thoughts on how Kitty managed to do such a thing?