Young Royals: After Season 1

Chapter 5: Wilhelm

The bell rings, signaling the end of the class and the end of the school day. Stalling a bit by slowly gathering my things, I'm thinking about the meeting with Simon in a couple minutes, when my phone starts buzzing in my pocket. I cringe when I see my mother's name on the screen, but with a sigh, I answer the call, knowing that if I don't, she will just keep calling until I answer.

"Hello, Mother. What do you want?"

"Watch your tone, Wilhelm. Are you done with classes for the day? We need to talk about the charity event this weekend."

"What charity event?" I sigh. Being the Crown Prince, I am now required to attend certain events whenever my mother deems it necessary. I hate it. They are all the same, with the people pleasing, the fake smiles, the boring dinners. When Erik was the Crown Prince, he would always be with me at these events, talking to everyone and whispering silly things to me to get me to smile and have some fun. Without him, I am dreading it. Now I am going to have to make-nice with everyone and learn who everyone actually is instead of just spacing out while they are talking.

"The Wildlife Conservation Gala. I'll have a car pick you up Saturday morning and drop you off after the event." My mother continues with the boring details of what I need to wear and whose names I need to remember. At least the cause was semi-decent enough even if I think it is dumb to throw an expensive gala when all those funds could just go to the charity.

"Wilhelm!" The exclamation jolts me out of my wandering thoughts. "Are you paying attention? This is an important event as it is the first major one since you became the Crown Prince. You need to make a good impression." I can't stop my eye roll because, of course, it's all about the public appearance.

While this very one-sided conversation has been happening, I have been walking towards the library. When I am right outside the door, I cut in. "Okay, Mom. I gotta go. I'll see you on Saturday."

I hang up the phone, let out a breath and open the door. Simon is sitting at a table in the back corner where we have done our homework together countless times before. As I am walking over, I take a good look at him. His curly hair is a little unruly, as if he has been running his hand through it all day. He is hunched over our biology textbook, brow furrowed in concentration, AirPods in his ears probably playing some artist I have never heard of. Simon's music taste is eclectic, but every song he has shown me has been outstanding. I miss his music recommendations.

"Hey," I say as I near the table. Simon jumps a little, sits up, and pulls out his AirPods.

"Hey."

I sit down and pull out my own biology stuff, an awkward silence settling over us. Simon is fidgeting with his pen as I look over to him once everything is out of my backpack.

"What do you think we should pick for our biology topic," Simon asks, breaking the silence.

"I honestly have no idea. You're the smart one out of the two of us, so maybe you should pick."

"Okay. I have a couple ideas, but we need to figure out which one will be best. Our initial presentation is due next Friday." Simon dives right into what he thinks the best topics would be.

I'm listening to Simon talk about biology but not comprehending a single word he is saying. One because biology is absolutely boring. And two, because I can't stop thinking about how I want this back, this easy feeling of hanging out with Simon, even just as friends. When Simon ignored me in the main hall on the first day, I was hurt and upset, even getting a bit angry with him earlier today as we were talking about it. But now, after the entire day of thinking about that conversation, I can maybe understand where Simon was coming from, running off in the main hall. I did maybe, kinda, drop a bombshell of a statement on him right before break after not talking to him since he broke things off with me. I, too, would want to avoid me.

"Hey. Wille. Are you even listening?" Simon interrupts my thoughts, a slight blush rising to my cheeks.

"Sorry, sorry. I got a little lost in thought. I promise to pay attention from now on. Biology is just so boring."

"Okay, okay. I know you don't like biology, but you gotta help me with the project. Even the Crown Prince needs to help on group projects," Simon says with a roll of his eyes and a slight smirk.

"I promise to help as much as I can," I say, meaning it with all my heart. I do not want to be the reason that Simon fails one of his classes.