• Several months has passed since I arrived on Clockwork Island. Much has happened since then compared to my previous, boring life. I see Chester occassionally, but only in the corner of my eye before he disappears. He's probably checking up on me, knowing him. Roberta is indeed pregnant, and she's due very soon. She seems to get bigger everyday! Luckily, I won't be giving up my new room to the babe. I can't wait to see what gender it will be. It will be like having a little brother/sister around. I've been working really hard around the shop and town, helping other people with their chores or just doing random jobs. Eugene and Roberta have been teaching me during their time off from the lab. I've learned how to read, write, how to do arithmetic and I've been diving into history recently. Arthur Columbus, who was at the committee meeting when I first arrived, comes over every week to teach me about geography and map skills. Stephanie Right, the lady who was also at the meeting, gave me this diary to write in. So now I'm putting it to good use.

    I've had little success in finding my prince, especcially if I'm on this island. Hopefully he'll come and find me. I met a man the other day, handsome as can be. I can't really say if he's my prince or not or even if he is a prince. His name is Borodo. He's not of this place. He arrived here in a small fishing boat and was just visiting to get some supplies. I do hope he returns again, he was very charming. Roberta says I should just let him be, he wasn't the type of man I should be associated with and he wouldn't be here long anyways. But he is so good looking!

    -From the Diary of Alice

    The bell hooked to the door rang as a customer entered. Everyone turned their attention to the man who had stepped in. He wore a confident smile and his eyes were set on a goal. His light brown hair was short but thick and he wore a dark green vest over a light green jacket. A white scarf was tied around his neck and he often tugged at it. When he walked in, he took his brown gloves off and stuck them into the back pocket of his biege pants.

    "Is Alice home?" he asked as he looked up at the balcony where Eugene and Roberta sat for tea.

    "Yes she is, let me ask her to come down," Roberta started to get up but Eugene stopped her.

    "I'll get her, dear," he said before he walked to a door and knocked.

    "Come in!" a girl called from the inside. Eugene stepped in and closed the door behind him.

    "Nice weather isn't it?" the man started some small talk from below the balcony.

    "That's what I've been told. Unfortuneately, I haven't been able to enjoy it," Roberta sighed before taking a sip of tea.

    "Borodo is here?" Alice stuck her head out from her room.

    "I'm down here, Alice!" he called for her. Alice smiled and quickly walked down the stairs.

    "Are you free this afternoon? I need help sewing up my sail on my boat." Borodo asked her when she arrived on the landing.

    "Oh, yes. I have nothing to do today. I'd be glad to help out. Eugene, Roberta, could I help Borodo on his ship?" Alice asked, stepping up to the makeshift banister.

    "Come back before sunset," Eugene closed her bedroom door. "Take the elevator."

    "Thank you!" Alice exclaimed happily as Eugene handed her her sewing kit that had a variety of needles and string, some especially for mending sails. She shoved it into her bag that she hung from her waist all the time. She had found that all the jobs she did required more arms or something to carry various items in so Roberta bought her the dark blue messenger bag.

    Borodo and Alice ventured towards the elevator that was located on the side of the hill. They both exchanged glances once in awhile and engaged in small talk. Alice absolutely adored him and she couldn't hide it. She would stutter when talking to him and he'd only laugh. He made her feel bubbly inside, her skin prickle and her nails dig into the palms of her hands. This feeling, she had never felt before. She had a crush on him for sure.

    "So what have you been doing recently, Alice? Arthur Columbus tells me you're studying maps," Borodo pressed a button on the elevator as they stepped inside.

    "Yeah, I've been studying maps and working around town," she looked away so she wouldn't stutter again.

    "You must be awfully busy most of the time. With your studies and work. Not to mention you help run the shop most of the time. Are you sure it's okay to come help me?" He felt slightly guilty to be taking her away from her work on the island.

    "I-It's okay. Eugene said it was o-okay," Alice stopped when Borodo bursted out in laughter. "I'm not that b-busy to... today."

    She felt his gentle hand on her shoulder and shivered. "Lighten up, Alice. No need to be nervous around me," he smiled at her.

    She blushed a subtle pink as the elevator doors opened and they stepped out into the dark cavern where the merchant ships would dock.

    "Take my arm, I don't want you to get lost in the dark," Borodo knudged her with his elbow. Alice took his arm with both hands and walked beside him through the cavern towards the little light in the distance.

    Her heart beat was quick as they slowly walked. Was he trying to spend every moment with her carefully? She hoped this wasn't his last day here, she had just gotten to speak clearer to him.

    When they reached the ledge of the cavern, she automatically let go of his arm so he could jump over the foot foot ledge into the sand. He turned to her and reached up, grabbing her around the waist, lifting her from the ledge and setting her down into the sand. They stood there for what seemed like a thousand years, staring into each other's eyes as his hands rested at her waist and her hands laid on his shoulders. This only lasted for a moment until Borodo let go and continued down the shore towards his boat. Alice saw her little raft, still pulled up by the stairs. What fun she had on that raft! Her life was different now, full of work and school, no time for play.

    Beside the boat, Borodo bent over and clasped his hands together as a step ladder for Alice. She sighed and stepped into his hands. He pushed her up onto the ledge where she climbed over and offered to help him up but he refused. He climbed up himself and offered Alice a seat on one of the crates that were scattered across the deck.

    She looked up at the mast where the sail was still stretched out. It didn't look as if it needed any mending. She began to feel suspicious. "You didn't need me to fix the sail, did you? What was the real reason you asked me down here?" Alice asked him as he sat down next to her on an overturned bucket.

    "I'm sorry, I lied. I needed a reason for you to come down here so I can ask you something," he gazed blankly at the wooden planks of the deck. "The folks up there don't like me much and I don't want to stay any longer if I'm not wanted."

    "What do you want to ask me?" Alice turned to him on the crate.

    He looked over at her, taking in the curious look on her face. "I really like you, Alice. I wanted to know if you like me too. If so, I'll stay a few weeks longer," he gently touched her pale hand on the crate.

    Alice's heart skipped a beat. Her skinned prickled and she felt sweaty. "Uh... Of course I like you... B-Borodo," she trembled from his touch. "I'd really enjoy it if you... if you stay a b-bit longer."

    Borodo chuckled, trying not to ruin the moment with his laughter. He moved in slightly closer and took Alice by the hand. "We might have to meet in secret a lot, knowing how your folks don't like me. But at least I have you here for the rest of the afternoon," he grinned after he kissed her hand and saw her blushing reaction.

    Alice sat, stunned. She couldn't believe that Borodo liked her too but then again, they were both outsiders. That gave them one similarity. She wanted to try to act as lady-like as she could but it was so hard when you're in love. Maybe some work would help her get her mind off of him?

    "Is there anything you would need me to do while I'm here?" Alice asked, hoping it wasn't too out of the way.

    "Oh? Could you fix my shirt?" Borodo stood up.

    "Sure." Alice smiled sweetly before he walked off into the cabin and came back with a white buttoned-up shirt with a hole in the shoulder.

    He sat next to her, watching her as she threaded the needle and sewed up the hole. While Alice was working, she was focused, in a different world. One where she didn't have butterflies in her stomach or sweated nervously. The rest of the afternoon, she wished she could stay in that world so she wouldn't embarrass herself but Borodo wished to talk to her and learn more about her. Not that there was much to learn. She told him about her adventure to the island and of events that had happened in town but she failed to mention Chester's contract deal about the seven years and her finding a prince. Maybe it was best left unsaid?