It's All Just a Step Through A Rabbit's Hole | Part 2
"Ha…yeah…no," Addison says. She's sitting at wooden table in an honest-to-God castle. Addison is holding Maddie in her lap while Mason and Henry both frown at her. "I can't rule a country. I can barely keep my teachers from ripping my soul out. What makes you think that I can rule a country?"
Mason flaps his hands around and huffs out a sigh. "It is the law. You are the chosen one!" He looks to Henry for help, but it's hard since Henry will not stop staring at Addison.
Addison tickles Maddie, who has been playing with Addison's hair during the conversation. "I really can't do this, Mason," she says solemnly. Addison sighs and lifts Maddie onto the table then says, "I need to go home."
Addison names Mason as the ruler of Wonderland. She knows that he'd be better at it anyway. She says 'good-bye' and 'thank you' to everyone before stepping into the rabbit hole with Henry as her guard. The walk is quiet and generally awkward; Addison's hand constantly brushing Henry's.
They reach Addison's backyard and Henry takes Addison's hand. "Are you sure this is what you want?" he asks. Addison wants to think that there's something else in his otherwise flat tone. She knows that there probably isn't. Instead of answering with words, Addison nods and then flings her arms around Henry's neck and hugs him. "Goodbye," Henry says softly as they break apart.
It's been two months since Wonderland and Addison can't seem to shake the feeling of wanting to go back. Addison knows it's not a dream. She has scars to prove it. Addison just told her parents that she's been hiking in the woods outside the house over break. They believed her.
Addison smiles for pictures and hugs everyone who comes up to her after graduation. "I'll be back soon," Addison says to her parents as she walks away for a moment of peace.
Instead of college, Addison thinks about her adventures in Wonderland. She misses Maddie, Mason, Landon and Chelsea. Most of all, she misses Henry. Addison looks around the school courtyard; it's empty and rather nice. She sits on a bench and closes her eyes.
There's a hand on her shoulder. When Addison opens her eyes, Henry is in front of her. Addison's heart pounds in her chest as she stands up. "Henry?"
"I miss you," he says, and then flushes. "I mean, everyone misses you…not just…" Henry looks away, and then back at Addison. "Come back. Please."
Addison thinks about her options. She was going to leave early anyway, so why not just disappear to Wonderland instead. She likes the idea a lot. Ever since Wonderland, all that's been left inside her is a huge Wonderland-shaped hole. "I…yes. I'll come back."
Henry pulls Addison to him and kisses her. It's a silent promise of what is to come when she does return. Addison is more than ready for it this time.
|End|