Whatever After #4: Dream On (4 page)

I
t’s raining. HARD.

The water is loudly
click-click-click
ing against the skylight, and it’s hard for me to think with so much noise.

Bri hasn’t moved from the bench. She’s spinning the wheel with her foot. “I can’t believe this happened.”

“I can’t believe this happened
again
,” I mutter. “But here’s what I don’t understand: If Robin activated the spell, shouldn’t all of us in the palace have fallen asleep? That’s what was supposed to happen.”

“It was?” Bri asks. She stops spinning. “My family, too?”

I nod.

“Oh, that would have been so great,” she says sadly. “They would have been with me when I woke up.”

Jonah bounces on his exposed toes. “Imagine Lottie had put us all to sleep for a hundred years. Mom and Dad would have freaked out!”

I turn to Bri. “Doesn’t the idea of sleeping for a hundred years scare you?”

Bri looks up at the skylight wistfully. “No. I’ve been waiting for this day since I was born. This” — she motions around her — “is me biding my time. I’m waiting for my real life to start. And now, because your friend stole my curse, it never will.” She sighs. “I’ll never get to see all the things that haven’t been invented yet. Like ways to get around without horses. Or a boat that flies. Or faster ways to send messages to your friends.”

“Cars, planes, and e-mail,” Jonah says, and squats down on the ground.

“I don’t know what those first two are,” Bri says. “But we do have mail without the E. My friend Tom’s father is the mailman. He delivers messages across the land.”

“Cell phones get messages to friends, too,” I say.

Bri frowns. “What’s a cell phone?”

“Something I don’t have,” I say with regret. “So I guess that means this place has no modern stuff?”

“If by modern you mean cars, planes, elevators, and cell phones, then no,” Bri says. “Where are you from exactly?” Her eyes widen. “It really does sound like the future.”

“Kind of,” I say. “But not exactly.”

“If I can’t get to my future, maybe I’ll go back with you,” she says eagerly. “Do you have any princes where you live?”

“Not in Smithville,” I tell her.

“Never mind, then,” she says, spinning the wheel again.

The rain bangs harder against the skylight.

“Speaking of Smithville,” I say, “we need to find a mirror or some sort of magical object that will take us back.”

Bri pokes her thumb against the needle. “I’d suggest the spindle, but its magic appears to have been used up.”

“True,” I say. “We only have just over nine hours to figure it out, too. Robin’s being picked up at ten.”

“At least it’s the weekend,” Jonah says. “Otherwise Mom and Dad would wake us up at seven.”

“Yeah, but they’ll probably start wondering where we are if they don’t see or hear any of us by nine thirty.” A drop of water lands on my head. I look up. Terrific. Now the ceiling is leaking.

“If we find a portal home, we could always carry Robin back asleep,” Jonah says.

Another water drop lands on my head and I wipe it away with the arm of my pajama top. “And then what? Won’t her parents freak out when they can’t wake her up? They’ll think she’s in a coma. No, we have to figure out how to wake up Robin here. Plus, find a magic portal. Plus, put Bri to sleep.” I’m feeling overwhelmed. Another drop lands on my head, so I stand up. The bed creaks. “Let’s start with waking Robin up and putting Bri to sleep.”

“But how are we going to do that?” Bri asks.

“I don’t know. What puts people to sleep?”

“Car rides,” Jonah says. “I always fall asleep in the car.”

“You drool, too.”

“Do not!”

“Do so. Anyway, cars are not helpful.”

“We should move Robin to the floor,” Jonah says. “So Bri can lie down. Anyway, Robin looks way too cozy.”

He has a point. Robin does look a little too cozy. Even on the burlap sack. “Jonah, you take her legs,” I say. “Bri and I will take her shoulders. Ready? One. Two. Three!”

We pull Robin onto the floor. I feel bad, but it’s for her own good. Kind of like a flu shot.

“Now you lie down on the bed,” I order Bri.

She kicks off her red heels and does as she’s told.

“Now we’re in the right positions,” I say. “I’ll help Bri fall asleep, and Jonah, you help Robin wake up. ’Kay?”

Jonah’s eyes light up. “I have an idea,” he says. “Be right back.”

“Be careful!” I tell him as he disappears out the door. I turn my attention back to Bri. “Do you want to take your crown off first? It doesn’t look that comfortable.”

“It’s not, but I want the prince to realize I’m a princess, you know?” she says.

“Good point,” I agree. I sit down at the edge of the bed beside her.

Bri adjusts her head on the pillow and closes her eyes. “What are you going to do?” she asks.

“Sing you a lullaby,” I say.

She adjusts her position again. “I can’t get comfortable.”

“You need to relax.”

She tosses and turns and turns and tosses. She loosens her gold sash. “Ready,” she says finally. But then she squirms again. “Really ready.”

I clear my throat.
“Rock-a-bye baby, on the tree top. When the wind blows, the cradle will rock. When the bow breaks the cradle will fall. And down will come baby, cradle and —”

Bri’s eyes jerk open. “How is this supposed to relax me? You’re singing about a baby falling from a tree! The baby is going to break her poor little neck!”

“That’s the way the song goes,” I say. Hmm. She has a point. What if I change the words? “Let me try again. Close your eyes. Ahem.
Rock-a-bye Brianna, on the tower top. When the wind blows the … princess will rock. When the bed breaks, the mattress will fall. And down will come princess …
” My voice trails off.

“That is not much better.”

“Sorry,” I mumble.

Bri sighs. “Why don’t you just hum softly?”

I nod. Then I hum. Robin closes her eyes.

I keep humming.
Hummmmmmmm
. Another drop of water lands on my head. Then on Bri’s cheek.

“This isn’t working,” Bri says.

“Do you want me to find you some warm milk? That helps me fall asleep sometimes. Or maybe an eye mask? It’s too bright in here because of the skylights, even with the rain. Where are we anyway? We’re in a tower, right?”

“We’re in the west tower,” Brianna says. “At court.”

“We’re at a court?” I ask. My heart thumps. “Like criminal court?” I would love to see a court. Judges work in courts!

Bri shakes her head. “No. The royal court.”

Oh. Right. Royal court. Oops. “So we’re not in a castle?”

“No,” she says. “But we’re only a few minutes away.” She closes her eyes again. “Maybe we should try counting turtles.”

Did she say turtles? “You mean sheep, right?”

She shakes her head. “No, I mean turtles. Why would you count sheep?”

“Um … I don’t know. Because they’re kind of fluffy? They look like clouds. Why turtles?”

“Because they’re slow walkers.”

Can’t hurt. “One turtle. Two turtles. Three turtles —” I feel ridiculous counting turtles but at least Bri looks more relaxed, so I keep going.

I try to imagine them. Little turtles. Green turtles. Slow turtles.

“Four turtles. Five turtles. Six.” Bri looks like she’s relaxing even more. This is working! Her breathing just got heavier, too. I wave my hand over her eyes and she doesn’t move. I think she’s sleeping! I should keep going, though, so her sleep gets really deep.

“Seven turtles. Eight turtles. Nine turtles.” Yawn. Maybe I should lie down, too? My arms are feeling kind of heavy. “Ten turtles. Eleven turtles.” I curl up at the bottom of the bed. “Eleven turtles.” Did I already say eleven? I think I did. Oh well.

It can’t hurt if I close my eyes for a few minutes, can it? I’m tired. It’s the middle of my night, after all.

Eyes. Heavy.

So very heavy.

I’m so very ti …

B
ANG! BANG! BANG!

My eyes fly open. What is that? Where am I?

BANG! BANG! BANG!

I open my eyes. Jonah is smashing together two copper pots directly above me.

I realize I’m lying in a very uncomfortable position on the bed, my head at a ninety-degree angle. Bri is sleeping on the other end. Robin is sleeping on the floor beside me. Everything that’s happened rushes back to me.

“What are you doing?” I whisper to Jonah while waving frantically. “Stop!”

“I’m trying to wake up Robin,” Jonah says.

“I just put Bri to sleep,” I whisper back.

But it’s too late.

Bri is groaning in bed, her eyes open. She is covering her ears with her hands. “Has it been a hundred years? Are we in the future?”

“No,” I say. I pry the pots out of my brother’s hands. “My brother ruined our plan.”

“But I was asleep,” Bri complains. “I really was.”

I glare at Jonah. “What were you thinking?”

He scowls. “She’s supposed to sleep for a hundred years. Once we put her to sleep, I didn’t think she was going to wake up. It was a curse.”

“He has a point,” I admit, staring at my sleeping friend. “I don’t think any amount of noise will wake up Robin.”

“So what
will
?” Jonah asks.

That’s when it hits me. “A prince! A prince will wake her up! That’s what the twelfth fairy said and that’s what happens in the story. A prince kisses her and that’s when she wakes up. We need to find a prince.”

“Great idea,” Jonah says. “Do you know any princes?”

“Do I? No. But Bri must know a couple.” I glance back at Bri. “Don’t you have prince-and-princess mixer dances or something?”

She shakes her head. “I have friends who are dukes and duchesses. My parents think I’m going to marry one of the dukes, but I’m so not. Oh, and I have one friend who’s a commoner. Tom. We’ve been friends since we were babies. He’s really great. Very smart. And sweet. And funny.”

“But he’s not a prince?” I ask.

“No.”

I sigh. “Then he can’t help us.”

Bri rubs her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Are we sure wearing a sleep mask won’t help me? Or maybe throwing cold water on your friend will do the trick?”

Jonah licks his lips. “Speaking of water, I’m thirsty. Do you have any soda?”

“Jonah, can you please focus?!” I say. I turn to Bri. “I’m sorry. Little brothers are so annoying. Plus, Jonah knows he’s not allowed to have pop.” Or soda as Jonah now calls it since we moved to Smithville. I’m sticking to calling it
pop
, thank you very much.

“Little brothers are annoying,” Bri says. “Felix is such a thorn in my side.”

“Who’s Felix?” Jonah asks.

“My little brother,” Bri says.

“I wish I had a little brother,” Jonah says wistfully. “At least he wouldn’t boss me around.”

“I didn’t know you had a little brother,” I say to Bri. “I thought your parents had a hard time having kids.”

“They did. He was a surprise baby. He’s much younger than me — only three.”

“Aw,” I say. “That’s so cute.”

“Did he have a magical gift party when he was born, too?” Jonah asks.

“Are you kidding me?” Bri asks incredulously. “No way. My parents wouldn’t let any fairies near him after what happened with me.”

Just then a loud trumpet noise blares.

I check to see if it woke Robin up.

It didn’t.

“That trumpet blast means my parents and brother are back at court,” Bri says. “They’ll be serving tea now if you’re still thirsty, Jonah.”

“He doesn’t drink tea,” I say. “But he can have some milk.” I look up at the skylight. The sky still looks gray, but the
click-click-click
noises have stopped. “At least it’s not raining anymore.”

“For now,” Bri says. “April is a rainy month in our kingdom. We should move while it’s dry.”

“It’s April here? It’s only November in Smithville!” I guess it’s not only the time that’s different here — the months are different, too. “What’s the name of this kingdom?” I ask.

“Is it Ketchup?” Jonah pipes up hopefully.

Bri looks puzzled and shakes her head. “No. It’s the Kingdom of Rose.”

“Like the flower?” I ask.

She nods.

“Roses are my favorite flower,” I tell her. I can draw them well. All you need to do is make small half circles going outward. They’re one of my best doodles. Well, roses and judge gavels.

Oh, I wish this were a criminal court.

“Do you guys have a lot of roses?” Jonah asks.

Brianna nods. “They’re everywhere.”

“
That’s
the sweet smell!” I exclaim. I take a big sniff. “It’s delicious.”

Bri shrugs. “I don’t notice it anymore. I’m used to it. C’mon, let’s go get Jonah something to drink at Rose Abbey. That’s the name of the castle.”

Rose Abbey? The castle has my name! Kind of! Cool!

“Before we go can we move Robin back to the bed?” I ask. “I don’t want to just leave her on the floor.”

The three of us heave Robin back to the bed. She keeps on sleeping, of course. Then Bri, Jonah, and I walk back down the stairs. Walking down is easier than walking up, but the view is scarier. Since the tower is all open space I can see how far the drop is to the bottom.

“Where were your parents?” I ask Bri as we make our way down.

“At a yard sale.”

“Why would a royal family want to shop at a yard sale?” I ask, frowning. “Don’t people sell used stuff?”

“Yes,” Bri says. “My parents love used stuff. They’re bargain hunters and they’re shopaholics.”

“Really?” I ask. That isn’t exactly how I pictured a king and queen.

Bri nods. “My mom and dad are obsessed. Look down. Do you see all the stuff? Pots. Pans. Plates. Glasses. Sheets. Lamps. That’s what all the piles down there are.”

I’m too afraid to look down again, but I remember the piles from when we arrived.

“That’s where I found the pots,” Jonah says a few steps behind me.

“My parents use all the towers for storage,” Bri says. “They’re especially keen on kitchen stuff. Bowls, plates, and glasses. They’re also obsessed with farmers’ markets. They buy a ton of food. We have three pantries in the palace kitchen.”

“Good,” Jonah says. “Because I’m starving. Can I get a snack, too?”

“Absolutely,” Bri says.

“Do you like cheese and crackers?” Jonah asks. “I bet you like Brie cheese. If there was a food called Jonah, I would eat it all the time.”

If there was a food called Abby, I would want it to be something sweet. But not too sweet. It would have to have a little bite. Salted caramels, maybe? But I don’t need a food named after me. I already have a castle!

“How come you didn’t go to the yard sale with your family?” I ask.

Bri reaches the bottom and turns around to face us. “I wanted to try and find the spindle,” Bri explains. “I knew there had to be at least one somewhere…. Anyway, I don’t want someone else’s old junk. What do I need that for? They’ll have everything I need in the future.”

“Your parents didn’t mind that you stayed home?” I ask Bri, remembering from the fairy tale that Sleeping Beauty’s parents were very protective.

Jonah and I finally reach the bottom. There really is a lot of stuff here.

Bri maneuvers her way through the piles. “I told them I wasn’t feeling well and promised I would stay in bed. And that wouldn’t have been a lie if my plan had worked out the way it was supposed to.”

When we push open the door to outside, a cool breeze washes over me. Ah. It’s nice out here. We step onto a path that cuts through a rose garden.

There are roses
everywhere
. Red roses, pink roses, white roses, apricot roses, purple roses, orange roses … there are even yellowy-green ones. The kingdom of Mustard would love those. The garden is divided into square patches, each about five feet by five feet, and each square has a different color rose.

I really wish I had shoes on. I do not want to step on a thorn.

“Too sweet, too sweet,” Jonah whines, blocking his nose. “It’s making me sick.”

“Jonah!” I shoot him a warning look. “You’re being rude!”

“I don’t even smell them,” Bri says.

I don’t know how she doesn’t smell them. The scent is pretty strong. “I’ve never seen so many roses.”

“We’ve had them forever,” Bri says. “The entire economy of the kingdom revolves around roses. We make rose teas, rose medicines, rose-petal jams …” Her voice trails off. “But if you’re scared of bees, be careful because we have quite a few buzzing around.”

“Who’s
not
scared of bees?” I wonder out loud.

Bri shrugs. “I’m not. They’re so small.”

She’s so brave. I wish someone had given
me
courage when I was born. Probably more useful then the giant brown bear my great-aunt sent me.

“Court is shaped like a diamond,” Bri explains. “There’s the west tower, north tower, east tower, and south tower. Around the towers is the rose garden and then a gate for security. In the center is Rose Abbey. Follow me.”

We walk around to the other side of the tower and that’s when I see the palace. It’s about four floors high and very square looking. It’s made of stone, and has large windows all over it. It looks like the outside of a ski chalet. Definitely less
castle-y
than the others I’ve seen.

“There’s my family,” Bri says, pointing to a black carriage outside the castle door. “I guess I’ll tell them I’m feeling better.”

A tall man in a long, red velvet robe steps out of the carriage. He’s wearing a gold crown and holding a large silver wok in his arms.

“Look what we got!” he announces to the three royal servants awaiting his arrival.

“Good find, King Morris!” the servants say in unison.

“That’s my dad,” Bri says.

A woman steps out of the carriage next. She’s also wearing a red velvet robe and a gold crown. She’s holding a glass bowl.

“Good find, Queen Vickie!” chirp the servants.

“My mom,” Bri says.

And finally a little boy wearing red pants and a black shirt jumps out of the carriage. He has a small gold crown on his head. He’s holding a wooden spoon.

“Good find, Prince Felix!” the royal servants exclaim.

“Wait a sec,” I say, stopping in my tracks. “Felix is a prince?”

Bri nods. “Of course he’s a prince. He’s my brother.” She slaps her palm against her forehead. “He’s a
prince
!”

“He’s a prince!” I repeat.

“I don’t get it,” Jonah says. “We know he’s a prince. So what?”

I turn to my brother. “All we need to do is get him to wake up Robin, and at least one of our problems is solved.”