back, again | prince caspian

seventeen

I was jolted awake by the unmistakable sensation of someone jumping up and down on my bed. With a groan, I squinted against the sudden stream of sunlight pouring into the room, instinctively raising my hand to shield my eyes.

"Come on, wake uppp!" Lucy cried, her voice bubbling with sunshine and enthusiasm.

I rolled over, burying my head into the pillows. "Just five more minutes!" I whined, pretending to ignore her relentless antics.

"Alright, alright, I'm already awake!" I finally declared, propping myself up against the headboard, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

The moment the bed ceased its bouncing, I opened my eyes to find Lucy frozen in a comically shocked state. Her mouth formed a perfect 'O' as she gawked at me. I couldn't help but smile. "What happened to you?" I laughed, curiosity piqued.

"I can't believe you are awake already!" she exclaimed, half-laughing and half-sighing with relief, the excitement evident in her voice. Before I could say anything more, I threw my arms around her in a quick hug.

As I pulled away, I noticed Susan standing in the doorway, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "You are no morning person, Tori. Shouldn't you be angry with Lucy for waking you up this early?"

"Why would I be?" I shot back, perplexed by their teasing tone.

"Looks like someone slept well last night," Peter chimed in, raising an eyebrow with a teasing grin.

"What is with you three and those odd looks?" I said, feeling my cheeks flush.

"Nothing," Susan replied dramatically, her tone dripping with mock innocence. "Just, you know... things about our new king."

At the mention of "king," my heart raced. A warmth crept into my cheeks, and I glanced at Susan and Peter, my stomach twisting with embarrassment. They definitely knew something I wasn't ready to confront.

"Why the emphasis on 'king,' Peter?" Susan added with an amused glint in her eyes.

"Oh boy," I muttered, suddenly acutely aware of how red my face had gotten. The two older Pevensies exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging what they had deduced about my night with Caspian.

I inhaled deeply, attempting to calm the fluttering in my chest. "Alright, fine. I'll be downstairs before you know it." I began to straighten my bed as they exchanged glances and headed for the door.

Just as I thought I had escaped their teasing, Susan called from behind me. "So... how was the kiss? Is he a good kisser?"

I flinched, turning to see Susan perched on my chair, her smirk daring me to respond. My heart raced at her question.

"Oh, stop it!" I exclaimed, grabbing a pillow and throwing it playfully in her direction.

"What? It's your dream kiss after all—kissing a prince!" she shot back, unfazed by my feigned annoyance.

"It's bloody amazing," I finally confessed, a smile breaking through my previous hesitation as I sat back on the edge of my bed.

"Tell me everything!" she urged, her excitement palpable as she scooted closer to me, practically bouncing in her seat.

I chuckled softly, narrowing my eyes at her mischief. "You like stories more than you admit, don't you?"

"Okay, fine. You got me," she laughed, rolling her eyes. "But your stories are way more scandalous!"

"Okay, no more questions!" I finally said with mock severity, pushing her playfully away. "Go down already. We won't start eating without you."

Susan nodded, gripping the door handle tightly. As soon as they left, I dropped back onto my bed, staring at the ceiling as memories of the night flooded through my mind.