Protecting the Royal Idiot

Protecting the Royal Idiot - Chapter 23

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! :D

Just wanna take the time to say I really, really, really appreciate all my fannies and all your votes and comments and everything! <3

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Chapter 23

I prepared myself for anything. She could spring and attack any second.

I watched Darlene warily. She was clutching her knife so tightly, her knuckles turned white. Her eyes flicked around and assessed us. She went from Mr. BTM, to Alan, to Ryan, and then to me. She stopped at me, sizing me up. She sent me a death glare. I thought laser beams might shoot out from her eyes.

"Darlene," Ryan said cautiously. Darlene's eyes flickered over to Ryan.

"I can--" Darlene stopped suddenly, and pulled the black mask off her face. She glowered at Ryan, holding up the knife. "I can throw this any second. Don't make a wrong move," she warned. My eyes widened. She wouldn't throw it at Ryan.

"You wouldn't throw it at Ryan!" I dared. Darlene whipped around to face me, the hand holding her knife trembling. I was pointed towards me, in perfect throwing position. She was glaring at me. I stared back at her levelly. I could see she was nervous.

"You've never killed anyone before, have you?" I said, knowing exactly what I was doing. Even though I was freaking out inside. I started circling around Darlene, like the hyenas did in the Lion King. Darlene followed me with her eyes, her hand still shaking. It was more noticeable now, as if she were getting more anxious by the second. Which she was.

"You'll be the first!" she screamed as I passed in front of her face. She turned with me, now.

"Really," I said. I stared at her coolly. I couldn't let her know I was freaking out inside. I really didn't know her well enough to decide if she'd actually throw the knife or not.

"Really!" Darlene shrieked, pulling her hand back.

It all happened in a second.

Darlene threw the knife. I was frozen. Ryan dived in front of me, like in all those dramatic, slow-mo action scenes in movies. Darlene and I screamed at the same time. The knife plunged into Ryan's thigh. Ryan hit the ground.

I fell to my knees at Ryan's side, as Mr. BTM and Alan rushed at Darlene. I looked up, just in time to catch Alan jerking Darlene's hands behind her back. Mr. BTM handcuffed her hands and shoved her roughly towards the exit. Alan rushed over to where Ryan and I were.

I felt tears spill uncontrollably from my eyes. Alan kneeled at Ryan's side.

"Say something," I squeaked, gently shaking Ryan's shoulder. His eyes were shut, and I couldn't tell whether he was conscious or not. Alan was checking his pulse, but he couldn't find it.

I started losing it.

"Ryan?!" I shrieked. I fumbled with his shirt, looking for some sort of sign of breathing or something. I pushed my ear against his chest, sobbing loudly. Alan was still putting two fingers to Ryan's neck, searching desperately for a pulse.

And then I heard the angels sing.

I found Ryan's heartbeat, and he was breathing. Unsteadily, but breathing.

Instead of tears of sadness, I was now crying tears of joy. Alan sighed in relief and fell on his back. I frantically wiped my eyes when I saw Ryan's eyes flutter open. I shifted so that I was sitting on my knees, and I laid Ryan's head in my lap. He looked up at me and smiled weakly.

He opened his mouth to say something. And he said that something extremely quietly.

"I love you, Jenna Kaylee."

~~~

"Mr. Alan Freedman, Hughes Military School is glad to reward you with the Medal of Honor. For being part of the operation that brought down the most dangerous assassin league in the United Kingdom... and protecting our royal family." The headmaster of Hughes placed the real gold medal around Alan's neck. Alan grinned as the other students applauded. The headmaster walked over to me, holding an identical medal in his hand.

"And Ms. Kaylee, for all the same reasons," the headmaster said, grinning at me proudly. I smiled back sheepishly.

Sure, I was really glad that I was getting this Medal of Honor. And I actually enjoyed completing my assignment, which is made it even more worth while.

But this medal seemed to mark the end of my time here in the UK, which excited and saddened me at the same time.

And another bad thing was that Ryan, the first guy I've ever loved, wasn't here to see it.

He was still in a hospital room. Because this was the day after he got stabbed in the thigh.

I was happy, but only halfway.

The audience applauded, and I could see a flash of red hair standing out from the crowd. I smiled as Charlie stood up and cheered wildly. I saw a figure next to him, also standing, but not cheering nearly as loudly. I squinted against the sun. No way. It's Kim.

Charlie started waving wildly, and I returned it with a small wave and a big grin. Kim waved too, half-smiling. I waved to her, too. I don't know what happened while I was gone, but looks like whatever was up her butt is gone.

After we were out of the spotlight and off the stage, Alan gave me a giant, bone-crushing bear hug. I felt like my ribs were about to crack, but I grinned and returned the hug, nonetheless.

"You're the bestest," Alan said, grinning.

"Ditto," I choked out, feeling my lungs slowly being crushed. Alan finally let go, and he was suddenly caught in a flurry of cameras and the press. I went to go find Charlie and Kim.

I found Charlie and Kim, still standing in front of the stage. I walked over to them, seeing if anything has changed. Charlie? Same hair, same face, maybe a little taller. Kim? The spitting image of what she was about four months ago.

The only difference? I smiled slyly.

"BOO!" I shouted, grabbing both of their shoulders. They both jumped and spun around, quickly letting go of each other's hands. I smiled at them, and they smiled back. Charlie snatched up Kim's hand again, shoving their linked fingers in my face. I laughed lightly and pushed their hands down.

"I missed you," I said to Charlie. He beamed at me, the corners of his eyes and the bridge of his nose crinkling up. I turned to Kim, who half-smiled at me, almost apologetically. "I missed you too, believe it or not."

Charlie suddenly pulled us into a group hug. It was funny how I didn't even know their favorite colors, but I felt close to them. For some reason. Well, they are the first people that met me here. Other than that receptionist lady, but she doesn't count.

For that moment, I wasn't halfway to happy, I was happy.

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Corny, corny. Smh. LOL. :'D