The Selection of Prince Creed

SEAN

If it were me, we'd be going on a walk.

I'd hold her hand and hold her shoes as we walked along the beach, listening to each other talk and the sounds of the waves. She'd get animated about her book and her work and her family. I'd listen, wearing an easy smile that I only wear in her presence.

And when it got too dark to see, I'd take her to the boardwalk and we'd get the greasiest food available. She'd beg me to buy her a dessert and I'd enjoy her begging me to do something I already planned to do.

If it were me, we'd end up sitting at the end of the boardwalk, our legs dangling off the side. I'd wrap an arm around her and hold her close. She'd lean her head against me and we'd talk about the future.

But it wasn't me.

It was my older brother who was taking her out.

I closed the book, too distracted to read anymore. I couldn't think about anything other than the fact that Stevie, my Stevie, was on a date with Creed. Was she enjoying it? I hadn't talked to her since I walked her to her room the night of the ball. She hadn't seemed too eager to stick around to see Creed then. But was my brother winning her over tonight?

I couldn't be mad at Creed for the date. Stevie, technically, was here to date him. I just didn't know what I would do if Stevie decided that she wanted Creed.

And now, sitting here, I was incredibly jealous that Creed got to hold the selection that Stevie Holloway applied to. She had chosen to come for Creed. That may not have been her primary reason for applying, but it was there all the same.

I was upset and jealous over the very thing that had introduced me to Stevie.

Slamming the book down on the table, I pushed my chair out and stood. I couldn't sit here any longer. I walked out of the study, fingers itching to get my camera.

Where had Creed taken her tonight? Some place incredibly romantic to sweep Stevie off her feet? Creed was the perfect guy to be a girl's knight in shining armor.

I shook my head, trying to push away images of Creed and Stevie together. Thinking about it wouldn't help me at all.

Making it to the boys wing, I strode into my room and snatched my camera off the drawer. Swinging it over my neck, I left the boys area. Mom had put the younger boys to be a while ago and I didn't like being here while I could potentially wake them.

Reaching one of the staircases that I knew Creed would take to come to his room, I sat down on one of the steps. I wouldn't see Stevie, but I would see Creed and maybe he'd mention how their evening went.

I was a glutton for punishment but I couldn't help myself.

Turning my camera on, I hit the gallery button. My camera roll came up and I scrolled to the pictures I had taken on the first day of the selection. Creed had been meeting the girls as they got to the castle. I hadn't been invited, but hid nearby to take pictures.

I clicked on the first picture I had taken on Stevie. She had her hand sticking out in front of her, clearly waiting for Creed to shake it, an unsure look on her face. That had been the moment when I knew that I wanted to get to know her more. Most people don't approach royalty with a handshake.

But there she was, red hair almost golden in the afternoon sunlight, hand stuck out, braving Creed's cool facade.

I scrolled a little further, clicking on another one of my favorite pictures of her. She was dancing at the sock hop with Casey. She was laughing, clearly enjoying herself. She had been the cutest girl in the group that night.