Chapter Thirty-Eight: Hidden Reflections

                                    

                                          

In the halls of Ever After High, tension was running high. The group was on a mission to find the missing mirror, the key to sending Brooke back to the narrator world. They split up into smaller groups to cover more ground.
In Apple and Raven's dorm room, Raven, Apple, and Maddie gathered, combing through the room for any overlooked clues.
"This is ridiculous! It has to be here somewhere," Raven muttered, her frustration mounting as she rifled through her belongings.
Maddie, never one to be too serious, piped up with a grin, "Maybe it hopped off for a cup of tea! Magical mirrors do have a sense of humor, you know."
"Really, Maddie? Now's not the time for jokes," Raven snapped, glaring at her.
Apple sighed, stepping between them. "Come on, you two. We need to focus. Maddie, check the closet again. Raven, look under the beds."
"Yes, Mother," Raven replied sarcastically, earning a playful eye roll from Apple.
"Actually, I'd prefer Queen Apple of Clean and Order," Maddie quipped, earning a small smile from Apple despite the situation.
Meanwhile, Bunny and Alistair were searching around the campus grounds. Bunny's eyes darted around, her nervousness evident. They stopped near the fountain in the courtyard.
"I still can't believe someone would take the mirror. It's so important," Bunny said, worry etched on her face.
Alistair nodded, his gaze scanning the area. "We'll find it. We have to."
They began their search near the entrance of the school, where students often congregated. Alistair opened a large wooden chest used for storing gardening tools, while Bunny looked around the flower beds, her hands trembling slightly.
"Do you think it could be hidden in plain sight?" Bunny wondered aloud, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"Maybe," Alistair said thoughtfully, closing the chest. "It's possible someone thought it was just a regular mirror and moved it somewhere."
Bunny took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I hope we find it soon. I don't like thinking about what could happen if we don't."
Alistair stepped closer, his voice gentle. "We'll get it back, Bunny. Together, we'll figure this out."
As they continued their search, Bunny's gaze kept drifting towards Alistair. She admired his calm demeanor and the way he always seemed to know what to say to make her feel better. She found herself captivated by his presence, feeling a warmth she couldn't quite explain.
They reached the old stone fountain, its water sparkling in the afternoon sun. Alistair leaned over, peering into the clear pool. "Maybe someone dropped it in here?"
Bunny leaned in beside him, her shoulder brushing against his. The slight contact sent a shiver down her spine. "I don't see anything," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As they stood up, Alistair caught her gaze and smiled. "We'll find it, Bunny. I promise."
Bunny's heart raced at the sincerity in his eyes. She gathered her courage and, before she could second-guess herself, leaned in and gave Alistair a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for always being so positive."
Alistair froze, his cheeks turning a deep shade of red. "Uh, well, I—uh—thanks, Bunny," he stammered, his heart pounding.
Bunny's face was equally flushed. "I—uh, let's keep looking," she said, trying to regain her composure.
They moved on to the garden area, where Bunny began to talk more about her worries. "You know, sometimes I feel like I'm not strong enough for all of this. Like, what if we can't fix things?"
Alistair stopped and looked at her, his expression serious. "Bunny, you are one of the strongest people I know. You've faced so much already and you're still here, still fighting. Don't doubt yourself."
Bunny felt a surge of warmth at his words. "Thank you, Alistair. That means a lot to me."
They continued their search, checking behind bushes and around statues. Alistair reached out and took Bunny's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "No matter what happens, we'll face it together."
Bunny's heart fluttered at his touch, and she squeezed his hand back. "Together," she echoed, feeling a sense of comfort and hope.
As they walked back towards the main building, their hands still entwined, Bunny couldn't help but admire how handsome Alistair looked in his suit. The way he carried himself, with such confidence and kindness, made her heart skip a beat.
Alistair glanced at her and smiled, a warm, genuine smile that made her feel like everything was going to be okay. "Let's check the library next. Maybe there's a clue there."
Bunny nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. "Lead the way, Alistair."
Back in the dorm room, the atmosphere was tense. Raven and Maddie were still bickering.
"Honestly, Maddie, why can't you take anything seriously?" Raven said, her voice rising.
"Why can't you lighten up, Raven? Maybe if you smiled more, the mirror would come out of hiding!" Maddie retorted.
Apple intervened, raising her voice slightly. "That's enough, both of you! We're all stressed, but fighting won't help. We need to work together."
Raven and Maddie exchanged sheepish looks, nodding. "Sorry, Apple," Raven muttered.
"Yeah, sorry," Maddie echoed, her usual cheerfulness dampened.
At that moment, Alistair and Bunny returned to the dorm room, both still a bit flustered but determined. "No sign of it outside," Alistair reported, avoiding Bunny's eyes as he spoke.
Apple sighed. "We've looked everywhere we can think of. We need to come up with a new plan."
"We'll find it," Raven said, her tone resolute. "We just have to keep trying."
As they regrouped, there was a shared sense of determination. Despite the challenges and the subtle undercurrents of emotion, they were united in their quest. They knew that together, they could overcome anything, even finding a missing magical mirror.