Twelve-year-old Victoria Everglot sat on the edge of her bed in her lavish bedroom, reading a book of fairy tales, her favorite kind of story. She always kept her small collection of books hidden away from her mother and father for they had no idea she even knew how to read. The housekeeper and nanny, Hildegarde, taught her how when she was younger and the strict and arrogant Lord and Lady Everglot were none the wiser. Victoria loved these tales of adventure, magic, and romance and often dreamed of going on such journeys, seeing new things, and meeting new people… and maybe even finding true love. She even longed for a friend, someone like the kind and courageous people in her books. But she had to learn the hard way that such characters like wizards and witches that can perform great feats of magic and lovely maidens with hair long enough to climb exist only in storybooks.
After she finished another story, she glanced out at the glass door leading out to her balcony. It was a cool day much like any other; the sky had silvery gray clouds scattered about and it looked like it would rain. She looked back at her book and saw an illustration of a handsome knight and a beautiful princess gazing lovingly at one another; they were close enough to share a kiss. She gently set her book down and got up from her bed as she started to sing to herself.
"I wonder, I wonder
I wonder why each little bird has a someone
To sing to, sweet things to
A gay little love melody"
She walked over to the door, opened it, and walked out onto her balcony. She leaned on the railing and looked up at the sky.
"I wonder, I wonder
I wonder if my heart keeps singing
Will my song go winging
To someone, who'll find me
And bring back a love song to me"
Victoria glanced down at the street below and saw something that made her eyes widen in surprise; it was a young boy who looked to be the same age as her. He had pale skin, black hair, was wearing a blue sailor styled outfit, and carrying a small satchel. The mysterious boy looked up at the young girl on the balcony and gave a nervous smile and wave. She didn't know who he was, but she smiled and waved back at him.
"You, um… have a very pretty voice." The boy said shyly.
This made Victoria blush. "Oh… thank you."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just passing by and I heard you singing."
"It's alright. Where are you going?"
"To the book shop."
'Book shop?' Victoria thought as her face lit up. Ever since Hildegarde taught her to read, she had longed to visit a place full of books one day. And since no one else was home at the time, she had a mischievous idea.
"May I come with you?" She asked.
The boy was surprised. "R-really?" She nodded. "But, but, but…"
"Please? I'm very bored and quite lonely."
"Well… what do your parents say?"
"They don't have to know."
The boy paused and thought for a few moments. This girl barely knew him and now she wanted to go to the book shop with him? This was most unusual… but also a little exciting. And if they both stayed quiet about it, no one would have to know. He smiled and looked back up at her.
"Alright." He said.
Victoria grinned excitedly. "Wonderful. Wait there. I'll be right down." And with that, she practically ran back into her room and closed the balcony door. A few minutes later, the door opened and she tiptoed out, closing the door behind her. She walked up to the boy and smiled. "Ready to go?"
The boy blinked a few times, unsure of what to say. But then he smiled and started to lead her down the road in the direction of the book shop in the town square.
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After a bit of browsing and picking out some new books for themselves, the pair paid and left the shop. The boy paid not only for his own books, but for Victoria's as well. She was quite hesitant, but she also thought it was very sweet of him to do, so she reluctantly agreed. After they got their books, they decided to stop by the river and read together. They walked out of the square and over to the bridge, sat down on the grass side by side, and started to read.
"This is so nice. Thank you." Victoria said.
"You're… welcome." The boy sheepishly replied before glancing at her book. "I see you really enjoy fairy tales."
"Oh yes. I've always loved stories that begin with 'Once Upon a Time'."
"Do you have any favorites?"
"I've always enjoyed Rapunzel and Cinderella the best; meeting a handsome prince, falling in love, and living happily ever after." She smiled and turned to the boy. "What sorts of stories do you like?"
"Oh, um…" He glanced at his own books. "One of my favorites is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. It's a very fun story, even if it's mostly stuff and nonsense. My mother never approved of me reading books like this. She says fantasy stories are silly and a waste of time."
Victoria paused. "My mother believes the same thing… but she doesn't even know I can read."
"She doesn't?" The boy looked at her with wide eyes.
"No. My nanny taught me, but we never told a soul and I've been reading in secret for years. When you read a good story, you feel like you could be anybody, do anything, and go anywhere."
He chuckled and smiled. "You and your nanny must be very close."
"We are." She smiled back before looking out at the river. "She's like a real mother to me… while my own mother never makes any time for me, and neither does my father."
"…I'm sorry."
"It's not your doing."
"Nor yours either, I'll bet."
She smirked. "Ever since the moment I was born, my parents planned out my whole life. Everything was decided for me, where I go, how I behave, what I wear, what I do, and who I see, and it still is. I'm not even allowed to go to school with children my age. Mother says schools teach rubbish and drivel and the lessons they offer are improper for young ladies."
'So that's why I haven't seen her in school. I certainly would remember a pretty face like that.' The boy thought as he listened.
"But Hildegarde, my nanny, would teach me different things in secret and these fairy tale stories are my only escape from this world." Victoria looked at a page in the book; there was an illustration of a couple dancing together in a grand ballroom. She sighed. "I wish there was more to life than… this. I just can't seem to get away from it all."
"…Is that why you wanted to come with me? To escape?" The boy asked, scooting closer to her.
"Yes. Just for a little while. I've never done anything like this before, but I'd give anything to go further." She looked up at the cloudy sky; she saw a small flock of birds flying overhead. "If I had wings, I would fly all the way past the forest and the mountains and all the way across the sea and never look back. If only I could just run away, to go out and live…"
"The life you want to live?"
She paused and looked back at the boy next to her. "…Yes."
He shyly smiled. "…I know exactly how you feel. My father wants me to take over a business I know little to nothing about when I'm older and my mother is always telling me what I should and shouldn't do with myself. I love to read and draw, but she tells me art isn't for boys. My art and my books are an escape for me as well."
They looked at each other and smiled; this was a most unusual experience for the two adolescents. Neither of them could believe it; neither child knew one another before today and yet here they are, sitting by the bridge together, reading books of fantasy, and telling each other deep, personal things they would never tell anyone else otherwise. It's as if they had known each other their entire lives. A blush started to form on her cheeks as well as his.
"Sometimes, things get so muddled and out of control." He said. "And it can get very overwhelming, like…"
"Like you're caught in a tide and being swept out to sea." Victoria added.
He nodded, amazed at how much he had in common with her. She continued.
"Hildegarde would tell me that the ocean led to many places and that I would land somewhere better when I felt sad or afraid."
"…I've always wondered what a life at sea would be like. I even dreamed of running away and becoming a pirate once. Going on adventures, hunting for treasure, the salty sea air, the wind blowing in your face…" He paused and gave an awkward chuckle.
She giggled. "Sounds exciting. If you do become a pirate, perhaps you would be kind of to take me with you?"
He smiled and gently placed his hand on hers. "We'll see."
Victoria gave his hand a gentle squeeze before she started to lean in closer to him; he awkwardly did the same. Their lips were just about to touch when a bell started to ring.
"Hear ye! Hear ye! Looks like rain is approaching! Get inside and stay in!" The town crier exclaimed.
"Oh no!" The boy took out a silver pocket watch and checked the time; he gasped as he stood up. "It's so late! I have to go!"
"Do you have to go?" Victoria sadly asked as she stood up. "Will I ever see you again?" She was unable to bear the thought of losing her new friend.
He paused. "I… I don't know." Then he had a thought; he offered her his Alice in Wonderland book. "Take this, as a way to remember me."
"No, it's yours. I couldn't." She tried to politely refuse, but he was persistent.
"I insist. Go on, it's okay."
She reluctantly took the book and smiled at him. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"…For this, all of this. And don't worry. I'll never forget you, I promise."
"I won't forget you either. And… and I hope to see you again."
"…And I you." Then, out of nowhere, Victoria gave her new friend a quick peck on the cheek.
The boy smiled at her and his face turned bright red as he gently touched his cheek; her own cheeks turned a similar red color. He was stunned; a beautiful girl had just kissed him… this had never happened before and he had no idea how to react. Victoria didn't know what to say or do either; this was new for her as well. They were lost in their own thoughts for a moment before the bell ringing brought them back to reality. In a hurry, the two picked up their new books and they ran off in different directions, sharing one last wave goodbye before disappearing from view. This was the very first time Victoria Everglot had met Victor Van Dort and the pair wouldn't see each other again until many years later. But that is another story.