The Mystic Hearts Series

Chapter 69- Amir

"-but... I'm a prince..." I cringe, waiting for her reaction. She tilts her head to the side, seeming confused, but not angry, thankfully. "I... didn't want to lie to you, but... I so rarely get friends that know me for me, & not just a status symbol. I know it's bad that I wasn't completely honest but-"

She holds up her hand & I fall silent. "Hey." She puts her hand on my shoulder & my face heats for some reason. "It's ok. I... wish you hadn't lied, but I get it, I guess... you wanted a genuine friend &... that would've been hard if I was intimidated by your princeliness..." I chuckle at that & she smiles, cocking an eyebrow. "Does that mean I should call you 'Your Highness' now?"

My face reddens & I chuckle nervously. "No, just Amir's fine..." I look up at her timidly, but she seems to be staring off into space.

"You- won't tell anyone though, right? About me?"

I smile reassuringly, nodding. "Of course not. Not unless you want me to."

She nods certainly. "Ok, good. Just... don't mention me & that shouldn't be a problem."

I smile crookedly, feeling my face heat slightly. "I don't know... that might be harder than you think since we spend nearly every day together now..."

Her face reddens & she shoves me playfully. "Shut up. Don't be getting all sentimental on me now."

I chuckle, hand moving through my damp hair nervously. "Hey... do you wanna get outta here? Maybe go get Italian subs at that place, like, 2 blocks from here?"

She frowns slightly. "Ah- no... I'll just, uh, stay here..."

I paste on a smile, feeling disappointed for some reason. 'S ok, I guess, we can hang out another time... "Uh, yeah, well... I better be going, I'm starting to get pruny here..." I touch her arm briefly & she flinches slightly & I draw back. I paste on a smile, pretending not to notice. "How come... your skin never gets all pruny... even though you spend so much time here?"

She laughs nervously, seeming to brush me off & I draw back towards the shore. "Ah, I... guess I just have oily skin?"

I laugh nervously, eying her before I go, a heavy feeling in my heart, even though we'll probably see each other another day. "Oh, yeah... See ya later, I guess..." I smile sadly before heading back in the direction of the palace, wanting to look back at her, but not having the nerve or emotional strength left to anymore.

Oof, Amir probs feels rejected when it's really just bc Keilani can't go on shore bc she's a mermaid, obvs... Oof, the misunderstanding :(