Chapter Text
November 15th
"Red have you picked a name out of the bucket for secret Santa yet?" Pink questioned her sister.
The redhead groaned, "Christmas is over a month away. Why are we doing this now?"
Pink wiggled a small bucket at her, "We're exchanging gifts on the first. Pick a name."
Red was annoyed but pulled a name out of the bucket. She unfolded the paper to read 'Chloe Charming'.
She didn't know Chloe directly but she knows of her. People praise the Great Chloe Charming.
Some others... weren't so nice. Anyway Red had seen her a couple of times in random places through the school.
Her hair was a light blue and her eyes were chocolate brown. She was also captain of the swords and shields team.
Personally Red preferred paint but swords were still cool too.
The girl didn't know what to get her so she went to people who will. Celia was one of Chloe's best friends. They hang out together a lot.
So Red headed to her dorm and knocked on the door. The younger girl opened it and leaned against the door, "Red? Why are you at my dorm?"
The redhead held up the paper, "Gift ideas."
Celia shrugged, "She's a big history nerd. I always get her a history book or some old thing I find."
Red nodded, "Okay thanks."
That was obvious from the amount of times Chloe raised her hand in that class. It was like she knew the answer to every question. She went to her next stop, Dizzy's dorm also known as Chloe's cousin.
The younger girl happened to be walking out of her dorm when Red approached her door. She looked at ether in surprise, "Red right?"
The redhead held nodded, "Um I got Chloe for Secret Santa. I was wondering what I should get her."
Dizzy thought for a moment then smiled, "Well she likes to look at the graffiti outside. I'm not sure who does it but I heard you're good at art so..."
Red felt a light blush cover her cheeks, "Yes okay."
After Dizzy left the redhead went back to her dorm and searched up Chloe Charming on instagram and easily found her. She was smiling softly with her arm around a blonde boy's shoulder.
Red went through her account and found that she Chloe was in fact a gigantic history nerd. Also a bit of a goody two shoes (but that was obvious).
November 16th
"Chloe Charming right?" A slightly out of breath Pink questioned.
The blue haired girl nodded, "Yes that's me. You're Pink I believe."
Pink chuckled, "Yep! Okay pick a paper from the bucket for Secret Santa."
The older girl reached her hand into the small bucket and pulled a piece of paper. Pink smiled and stepped back, "Okay bye! Thanks for participating!"
Pink ran off before Chloe could say anything so she directed her attention to the paper that was in her hands.
She gently unfolded and read the name, 'Red of Hearts'
Hm, she heard a lot of things about Red. A big chunk of them were bad. But it's okay it was just a gift it didn't matter. (naughty or nice?)
Well it would've been nice if Pink didn't run considering Red was her sister. But she didn't know much about the other girl so now she had to go re-find Pink.
It doesn't take long to spot her shoving her bucket into someone else's face. Chloe gently tapped her shoulder and she whipped around, "Oh Chloe. What's up?"
The blue haired girl stepped back as she realized how close she was standing to Pink, "Um I got your sister. I was wondering what I should get her."
Pink smiled and clapped her hands together as much as she could with the bucket still in her hand, "Well Red likes art. She mostly uses paint and charcoal but also sometimes colored pencils."
Chloe nodded, "Okay thank you."
"You're welcome! Now I have more people to make pick names," the younger girl said before dashing off.
She finds Chester later and decided it doesn't hurt to ask him. The cat like not raised a brow as she approached him, "Well well well hello princess Charming."
Chloe shifted awkwardly, "I um got Red for Secret Santa and I was wondering what to get her."
Chester leaned back, "Hah you got Red? Well I'd say paint or something. Though I don't know what paint she's uses."
The girl nodded, "That's what Pink said. Paint."
"Yeah that's basically all Red does is draw or paint. Now I have a date with some tea either shoo or join," Chester said grabbing his stuff.
Chloe smiled, "Thanks for the offer but I'm okay. I'm going to the art store."
The boy shrugged, "Your loss."
November 30th
Red had one more day to finish her painting. She was now just working on the final touches.
Luckily she use fast drying paint so it would be dry in time to give to Chloe. After finally being satisfied with the finishing touches she left the painting to dry.
It would probably be easier to wrap it tomorrow just to make sure it was all dry. Red cleaned up and headed back to her dorm.
The blue wrapping paper was propped up on the wall ready for tomorrow. She smiled before getting ready for bed.
Everything was ready for tomorrow.
December 1st
Today was the day of the gift exchange.
Chloe had gotten Red some good oil paint she had found and acrylic as she wasn't sure which paint she uses. She also bought some expensive colored pencils that are supposed to be good.
The girl put the presents in her bag then shoved the tissue paper on top so Red couldn't see what was in it.
The exchange was happening in the common room. Chloe finished up her makeup and grabbed her gift before heading down to the room.
Some people were already there talking or exchanging gifts. She didn't spot Red yet so she walked over to one of the couches and sat down.
20 minutes passed, more and more people showed up but there was still no Red. The common room was loud with chatter and all the seats were taken up.
Chloe's leg bounced as she waited. So far she'd only seen Dizzy.
A half an hour went by and Red finally decided to make an appearance. She was holding something quite large, flat and rectangular.
Her eyes searched until they met Chloe's and then she walked up to the blue haired girl.
"This is for you Charming," Red said holding out a gift towards her while Chloe's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
"You got me?" She questioned even though it was obvious and Red nodded, "I got you. Here this is yours."
Chloe grabbed the wrapped gift and Red took the bag. Then the redhead sat down beside her, "Would you like to open yours first?"
Charming shrugged, "I don't really care. It doesn't matter."
Red nodded, "Okay then I'll open mine first."
She pulled the tissue paper from the top of the bag before pulling out her first gift. It was a really expensive brand that Red liked to get on occasion.
Her eyes widened, "Oh my gosh thank you. These ones are so expensive."
Chloe shrugged, "I mean I'm a literal princess. It didn't make a dent it wallet it's fine."
Red shook her head lightly before pulling out her next gift. It some oil paints from a brand she'd never tried. The last gift was colored pencils.
She didn't use them often but they'd be useful for class. The redhead turned to Chloe with a smile, "Thank you for all these gifts. You didn't need to spend so much."
The younger girl waved her off, "It's all good Red. Really I won't miss the money."
Chloe shifted the gifts in her hands, "Guess it's time to open mine now."
She ripped the paper off and her eyes widened as she came face to face with herself. In the painting she was in her swords and shields captain uniform and she was mid swing.
Chloe admired the art with a slightly dropped jaw, "Oh my gods Red this is so beautiful. Did you paint this?"
The redhead blushed, "Thank you and yes I did. I watched one of your sword sessions then sketched out an image and turned it into a painting."
Chloe smiled softly, "Thank you, Red. I really love it."
"You're welcome Chloe. Thank you for my stuff too," she replied with a slight smile.
The two sat in silence for a few moments before Red stood up, "Well uh... now I don't know what to do."
The blue haired girl shrugged, "I'm not sure. Maybe we can talk? I've only ever really seen you around school before."
Red sat back down, "Yeah okay then. What should I we talk about?"
Chloe shrugged, "How about we play an ice breaker?"
December 2nd
Yesterday after talking, Chloe and Red exchanged numbers.
Chloe sat in her room bored and alone. Dizzy, Celia and Aziz were all busy. They were her main friends.
Sure she had other friends but those 3 were her favorite to hang out with. She opened her contacts and scrolled.
One of the names stood out to her.
Red
Sure they had only gotten each other's numbers yesterday but she had said to text her anytime. Chloe chews on her lip as she debates it before opening the chat.
The only message sent was a hi from when Chloe gave Red her number.
To Red
Hey! How's your day going?
That was good right?
She took a deep breath and sent the message with her eyes squeezed shut. Once the message was sent Chloe shut off her phone.
Why was she so nervous over this?
Maybe it was just because she didn't really know Red yet. This is also her first time ever texting her.
Her phone vibrated beside her and she picked it up.
Red
Hey my day is going good. I just used the new paint you got me on a piece I'm working on. How about yours?
To Red
My day is good too! I'm honestly just bored. I've been in my dorm all day
Red
You should go for a walk. It's what I do when I feel to couped up in my studio
To Red
That's smart actually. Thanks for the suggestion
Chloe didn't even think about that. She stood up from her bed and got her shoes on before leaving.
Her walk was peaceful. She went through the hallways and even went outside. The wind blew but it was more of a gentle breeze.
After she went back to her dorm she sent another text to Red.
To Red
Thank you again. I didn't think of that and quite enjoyed it
Red
Of course Charming. I'm here for advice anytime
Chloe smiled and let her phone screen rest on her chest.
December 4th
Christmas decorations were up everywhere Red looked.
Colorful lights were not something the girl was use to. Anything like that was banned in Wonderland.
So for it to be everywhere was definitely a huge difference. There was also a bunch of other decorations but the lights stood out to her the most.
While she'd heard of hot chocolate Red had never actually been able to try it. Chocolate was banned in Wonderland.
But today she was fixing that.
Red headed down to the coffee shop near the school. The city was too far so the school built a coffee shop near the castle.
The line was luckily short and her hot chocolate only took a few minutes. Her named was called but just as she went to grab her drink someone bumped into her.
"Oh my gosh I'm so so sorry- Red? Hey," A familiar voice said.
The redhead smiled, "It's alright Chloe. I'm just grabbing my hot chocolate."
She gestured toward the drink and picked it up. Chloe's own name was called and she took her drink from the barista.
"I got a hot chocolate too. It's one of my favorite hot drinks," Chloe said before blowing on her hot chocolate.
Red hummed, "Well I've never tried it before."
Chloe looks at her in shock, "You've never tried hot chocolate?! How come?"
Red sighs, "Maybe we should sit and move out of the way."
She grabs Chloe's arm and tugs her toward a table. The blue haired girl doesn't complain and lets it happen. They sit down across from each other in the chairs.
"Be careful with the hot chocolate. Don't burn your tongue," Chloe said as she took the lid off hers.
Red raised a brow, "Why are you taking the lid off."
The blue haired girl lifted the cup and blew on it before taking a sip, “It helps it cool faster.”
Red took her own lid off and followed Chloe’s action on blowing on it before taking a sip. The chocolate was sweet on her tongue and she smacked her lips to get use to the taste.
“Wow this is actually pretty good,” she went for another sip and winced when the liquid burned her tongue.
Chloe chuckled, “You have to let it cool or blow on it. You burned your tongue huh?”
Red nodded and put the cup down, “So what does Chloe Charming do when she’s not studying or in one of her many clubs.”
The younger girl looked up from her cup, “Ah so you’ve heard about me around school.”
“Hard not to,” the redhead said with a small shrug.
“That’s fair. Anyway on my free time I usually read or watch movies. I’m not a big show person but I will shows too sometimes,” Chloe said.
Red remembered Chloe’s favorite movie from the last time they talked, “Your favorite movie is Cinderella right? I believe you said that last time.”
The blue haired girl’s smile softened, “You remember that?”
Her eyes softened in a way that made Red’s heart flutter, “Uh yeah. I’ve got good memory sometimes.”