Melinda's head was pounding when she woke up. Groggily she rolled over to face the door. Why was it so bright outside? It shouldn't be bright! She listened, Christina was in the room. What she was doing remained unclear. She laid there, staring at the door, willing the pounding in her head to subside. Too tired to call out to her bestie, too groggy to do anything other than stare at the door. She heard Christina move, her desk chair creaking as she stood up. Footsteps coming closer Melinda willed herself to open her eyes. Christina stood with her back to her. Why was she dressed differently? Christina wasn't the type to change clothes during the day unless the situation called for it. Instead of the red top and black skirt she remembered Christina was now wearing leggings and a purple tank top.
Her lazy day clothes.
Her throat was so dry! She needed something to drink! She needed to get Christina's attention.
"Christy?" she rasped.
Christina turned to her, relief written across her face.
"How are you feeling M?"
"Like i've been run over. What time is it? Why is it so bright? Why are you-"
"Whoa! Slow down! You've been under the weather Melinda. Passed out cold for nearly two weeks now!"
Two weeks! TWO WEEKS! How was that even possible? What happened? What did she miss? What was going on? She could barely think as Christina pressed pills into her palm and handed her a glass of milk. She was panicking, to say the least.
"Christy? The last thing I remember was Parent's Day,"
"Well, when you woke up the next morning you were really out of it. you stumbled your way to the bathroom threw up, then nearly fainted trying to get ready for class. I dragged you back into bed and called the nurse. A hundred and three-degree fever. Whatever hit you hit you hard,"
"Then what?"
"I played nurse. I've been doing my school work in here, waking you up enough to eat, take meds, cleaned up your messes. Usual things,"
"But what about school!? Mom's going to lock me in her dungeon if-"
"Nora handled that. Straight from Oz's very own athletic college,"
Christina handed her a basket of pill bottles. Silver bottles with blue caps and shiny labels. School pills invented by the headmaster of the college. Designed to send knowledge right to the brain. Melinda dug through the basket. Math. Science. Literature. History. Music. Even French and Latin!
Nora really did think of everything.
"I can catch you up in all the other classes but for now..."
There was a knock at the door.
"Right on time!" Christina grinned,
Melinda wondered what her bestie could be so excited about. She was so parched, however, that she continued chugging down milk, thankful for the magical mini fridge beside her bed.
Best impulse buy ever.
"She's awake,"
"Thank, Goodness. Can I see her?"
Melinda froze turning to the door. Christina stepped aside to reveal Dalton with an ear to ear grin on his face. Melinda was suddenly aware of how bad she must have looked. Dalton didn't seem to care, however, as he happily speeds walked to her bedside.
"How are ya feelin', Melinda?" he asked, the smile never wavering.
"Like i've been run over,"
"I'm sorry,"
The door clicked shut as Christina left.
Gee, thanks, Christy.
"I-i'm sorry about Mom. I-I really am-"
"Don't worry about it, Melinda. If i'm going to be mad at anyone I'll be mad at Duchess,"
"Ugh! I can't believe her! She's always hated me!"
"Always?"
"Yes, I have no idea why?"
"Did you do anything to her?"
"Nope, that's just her default setting I suppose,"
Dalton chuckled, "Olivia and Nora are going to be happy that you're awake. We've been checking in on you,"
There went her heart!
Dang it, I'm turning pink!
Luckily, Dalton didn't ask about the change in color and simply chattered on about class. What everyone was up to. The big projects for class. The latest gossip. He happily mentioned that Hadrian had spent a week as a rat after driving Christina and everyone else bonkers.
This made Melinda laugh until she coughed. Dalton didn't seem the least bit phased by this as he calmly handed Melinda another glass of milk.
"When Dr, Christina gives you the all-clear we'll have a jam session," Dalton promised.
"Oh, when did I become a certified doctor?"
Christina had returned. She let them chat for a few minutes more before going into caregiver mode and shooing Dalton out so that Melinda could take her meds, get cleaned up and go right back to bed.
"So, what have you been up to Christy?"
"Not much myself but Shaggy and the others wanna help me find out what happened to Daddy," Christina said quietly.
"Oh,"
Christina's father was a solemn subject which the two, for the most part, avoided as it was still a sensitive subject all these years later. Melinda remembered the first time she asked Christina she had broken down in tears. Slowly but surely it got to where she could speak about him without breaking down but his death was a topic the two girls avoided.
"Headmaster Grimm sent you a letter, Melinda," Christina announced, changing the subject
"For what?
"Do I look like a mind reader to you?" Christina replied as she passed the letter to Melinda.
Melinda broke the fancy seal on the equally fancy envelope and begrudgingly pulled the letter out. She already had a pretty good idea of what this letter was about. Lo and behold she was right.
Miss West.
I am sorry to hear you're under the weather. It is imperative, however, that we discuss your current string of brash and questionable decisions. Not only have you apparently sided with this troublesome Rebel movement but Miss Swan has informed me of your joy trip to Oz and your growing feelings for Mister Gale. Therefore I encourage you to cut ties with him. You are his sworn enemy-
Melinda wadded the letter up and threw it aside. Like was actually going to listen to him. As if!
"Christy, can you read me a story?" Melinda asked.
"Sure what story?"
"My story,"
Christina froze.
"Your story? The whole story?"
"Yes,"
"Why?"
"Maybe it'll give me an idea of how to help Dalton get home,"
Christina nodded, grabbing the bright yellow book from her shelf and sitting down on Melinda's bed.
"Chapter one: The Twister,"
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
When Melinda had finally drifted back to sleep, Christina took the opportunity to meet with the gang to discuss this mystery and how exactly they were going to solve it. Following orders, she brought with her the photo albums her mother had put together of her early years. The years with her father. It hurt sometimes to look through the albums but at the same time it felt good. She really couldn't seem to explain it. Arriving in the empty castleteria she found the gang seated at her usual table. She joined them with a small smile placing the albums on the center of the table.
"How's Melinda doing?" Kenny asked.
"Much better. She actually woke up and stayed awake,"
"That's good,"
"So where do we start?"
"Like with the earliest of these," Shaggy explained.
"That would be this one then," Christina nodded pulling the pink album from the bottom.
They all crowded around as she opened it.
"AWWWW" the gang chorused.
The first picture in the album was of baby Christina and her parents.
,,,,,,,,,,
Sunlight streaked through the windows of the cottage bathing it in a merry light. Alissa sat in the nursery holding her daughter. Ever since she'd been born three weeks prior Alissa had scarcely put her down. She couldn't help it really. She wanted to spend every waking moment with her daughter. Her mother had said this was a bad idea. That Christina would grow too attached and always want to be held but in that moment Alissa couldn't care less. She would happily hold her baby if she pleased. Besides, she knew that what her mother had really meant was: "I want to hold the baby". Even this early Alissa could tell what a loving doting grandmother Maleficent was becoming. When Alissa so much as thought she needed a nap, Maleficent was first in line to take Christina off her hands even if Radu was available to do so.
Radu, oh Radu. He was over the moon to be a father the love and adoration for his daughter was clear. Clear as crystal.
"Alissa, vould you let me have a turn?"
Speak of the devil.
Radu stood in the doorway awaiting a response. Alissa grinned at him before returning her attention to Christina who was starting to squirm.
"I think she vants me now,"
"Guess I'm chopped liver then," Alissa playfully sighed, allowing her husband to take the baby from her arms.
Radu took a seat in the chair across from Alissa, his eyes never once leaving the tiny babe in his arms. Small and oh so fragile born early into a world Alissa had said wouldn't readily accept her. She broke the mold. Smashed it to pieces really. As long as he was there, however, no one would dare to mess with his family. They wouldn't dare turn their noses up at her. From one world full of prejudice to another Radu had jumped but in this world, he had something new, something special/ he had his daughter. He had his wife. And he would gladly protect them both.
…...
"Is that Cerise?" Clawdeen asked as she peered over Christina's shoulder.
"Yeah, that's her,"
"That hood is like three times her size!"
"I know!"
…...
"Fly! Fly!"
Radu shook his head sadly. The poor girl didn't understand it. She just didn't understand. There Christina was with her face pressed against the window watching the birds at the feeder. Ever since she learned to talk, fly had been her favorite word. Alissa was about ready to cry it had taken such a toll on her. Every night when they put Christina to bed, Alissa retreated to their bedroom and hid under the comforter. Radu would follow behind her, coaxing her out of hiding. They would sit in near silence for about an hour before Alissa would even dare to speak.
"It's not fair,"
"I know it's not fair,"
"She tried to jump off the couch today,"
"I caught her,"
"I'm worried,"
"Maybe she could use a friend?"
"Hm,"
Now, Radu pried his daughter from the window and held her close while they waited for Alissa's return. She had set out to visit her friend, Red at Radu's gentle orders. She'd be due back anytime now. Christina still in his arms, Radu stepped outside just in time to see Alissa returning with Red and her two daughters. Ramona held tightly to her mother's hand while Cerise clung to her legs and hid.
"Girls this is Christina, why don't you play together?" Alissa suggested as Radu set Christina down.
"Okay,"
An hour later the three were playing tag.
…...
"Aww, you were so CUTE!" Draculaura squealed.
"Daddy called me his little shadow,"
"I can see why,"
In the photo, Christina was peeking over Radu's shoulder while he pretended not to notice.
"Why do we have to look at the photo albums?" Christina asked suddenly.
"So, we can learn about your father and his life here,"
"Oh,"
"CHRISTY!"
"MELINDA WEST! WHY THE HEX ARE YOU OUT OF BED?" Christina screeched.
Melinda didn't answer the question, racing forward and grabbing Christina by the arm.
"I think I figured it out!"
"Figured what out, M?"
"How to help Dalton get home. I think-"
Christina held up her hand, "I know you're excited Melinda but we can wait until AFTER you're all better. Back to bed, NOW!"
"But-"
"March," Christina ordered.
"I'll walk her, Christina,"
"Thank you, Olivia. Please make sure she stays put,"
"Will do," Olivia smiled, waving for Melinda to follow her.
"Now where were we?" Christina asked as the two left.
...
"I feel like a caged animal!" Melinda whined flopping down on her bed with an exasperated sigh.
"You can tell me your idea if it makes you feel better," Olivia offered whilst strapping on a face mask, "Sorry, my immune system isn't up to par most days. Now, what's your idea?"
"We can put on a play!"
"A play?"
"Yeah, a play. Dalton has to live out the story to go home and TECHNICALLY, he would be if we put on a play,"
"What about the Headmaster?"
"Dang it! That stick in the mud won't let me do anything. He's so uptight,"
Olivia shuddered, "I know. You should have seen how angry he got when he learned I'd never conned anyone in my life. I told him I just wanted to go home to my Papa. That Papa's sorry for his actions and would never in a million years do it again. Being cooped up in the palace so long was lonely even with all the servants"
"I saw he made you cry," Melinda grumbled.
"He did. He was convinced I was lying about not being able to walk. So convinced that he-he tried to dump me out of my chair," Olivia sighed, "Leo about tore him in two. Not to mention what Miss Dorthy did,"
"I don't wanna know do I?"
"Let's just say it wasn't pretty,"
"My mom always did say her only mistake was 'under-estimating that bratty girl and her little dog, too!' So NOTHING would surprise me about her laying into the Headmaster!"Melinda laughed a little before asking, "Does Grimm know that you and I are-"
"No, does he have to?"
"No,"
"Okay good." Olivia sighed, "Tell me about growing up here,"
"It's not exactly a happy tale,"
"I still want to hear,"
"Well, if you insist,"
…...
From the time she was born in that tiny cottage, Melinda had been the monkey's responsibility. Theodora had very little to do with her daughter. She was too busy rebuilding her armies. Too busy to see Melinda speak her first word (Mama) or to take her first steps. Too busy to watch her daughter run across the room with a regular broom, trying to fly. Too busy for anything. So, Melinda started keeping to herself. Hardly venturing outside, entertaining herself with whatever she found.
On the day Melinda came into her powers, Theodora finally took notice. But where Christina was doted upon and encouraged Melinda was disciplined. Often. Theodora forced her daughter to sit with her as she brewed foul potions and punished her monkeys for the slightest misstep. Little Melinda didn't like this time. She closed in and shut down, doing what was asked of her without much interest.
When she was six, her mother uprooted them. Moving to the land of Ever After. Theodora had steadily rebuilt her powers, her armies, and her reputation. Conjuring a castle was now a piece of cake. Melinda received the tower room and although her mother didn't explain why Melinda was certain it was so she would see very little of her.
That was Melinda's life until she went to school.
…...
"Then I met Christina and her mom." Melinda sighed, "And everything changed. What about you, Olivia?"
"Well..."
…...
When Olivia was born she was thrust into her father's arms by her mother who then fled far, far away. Oscar Diggs woke up that day. Realizing the baby girl in his arms was his responsibility. Renting a house, putting on magic shows, getting a steady job at the grocery store he barely made ends meet but he was always there for Olivia even on his most tired of days he fixed her dinner and listened to her stories about school. One particularly rainy day he came across Olivia sitting on the floor of her bedroom, his old top hat on her head as she put on a magic show for her teddy bear. The hat was nothing special but Olivia seemed to adore it. So, he fixed it up for her. At first, it was a temporary fix, but Oscar soon learned his young daughter had an interest in his days as a magician.
Every birthday he taught her a new trick.
Then one Christmas he surprised her with a rabbit.
"Every magician needs a rabbit," he told her.
When the car crash happened and she had a hard time adjusting he surprised her again with a dog to keep her company when he was at work.
Olivia's life was average but special all at the same time.
She wouldn't have it any other way.
,,,,,,,,,,
When Christina returned to her dorm she found Melinda snuggled under her blankets with the Wizard of Oz book and a journal. Dingbat and Numbskull were no where to be seen. As the girls would learn later they'd been out pulling pranks per Theodora's strict orders.
"Whatcha doin' M?"
"Adapting this into a play,"
Christina blanched, "A play,"
"Yeah, to help Dalton get home,"
"You lost me there,"
Melinda briefly explained her idea.
"But what about Grimm?"
"I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. Wanna help me here?"
"Sure,"
"So, how did your trip down memory lane go?"
"It was good,"
"What's the next step?"
"Interviews apparently,"
"You're going to help?"
"I can try,"
"Do you think you'll be able to help me with this production?"
"Help how?"
"be stage manager?"
"Okay, I'll help you write the proposal so that Grimm can't say no,"
"He sent me another letter. I trashed it,"
"That's not surprising,"
Melinda rolled her eyes.
"Let's get this finished,"
"Okay,"