Tale of Four Princesses

Boy Talk

CHAPTER 10: Boy Talk

(DYLAN'S Point-of-view)

"Hey guys, let's talk while the girls are buying food," I said to the group, shooting a quick glance at my not-so-big sis at the other side of the canteen.

Jiro started first. "I noticed you, Dylan, looking at Princess Kathleen at homeroom earlier," he said. "Why? You had a crush on her?"

"Of course not. She is a princess." I said. What's wrong with looking at her? "Actually it was because the girls, including her, had their legs crossed. "What's wrong with that?"

"There's nothing wrong," Jiro replied. "But why didn't you look at your sis that time? She also had her legs crossed."

"But why are you looking at my sister at that time? You have a crush on her?" I said. The boys laughed, including Jiro. "Well, the princess caught my sight first."

But why did I say that? They must be thinking I liked the princess!

"Whoa, indeed. It's because of her beauty, right?" James teased. As what I thought they would say. But I wish I hadn't said that! It's hard to get through these crazy friends of mine.

"Of course, the princess was beautiful as-" I broke because Ella was now near us.

She and her friends were holding a tray full of brownies and dumplings, the best meal at the canteen.

I don't want to hear Ella say my following lines because she will bring that subject up again and again.

She took her place between Jiro and Raine. You're not obvious that way, sis. I laughed inside my brain.

"What are you guys talking about?" Ella asked me from the other side of the table. I planned to say 'nothing', but Dale got the chance to reply.

Damn! I know he'll say that it's about Princess Kathleen and me. But I trust him not to let me down.

"It's just about Dylan and someone," he said.

"Someone?" Ella asked.

"You better ask him who that 'someone' is."

Ella didn't say anything and stared at me. She raised one of her eyebrows and gave me a slight smile.

I don't want to say that 'someone', so I'll just lie.

"Just some student there on the other section. He acts like a zombie," I said with a laugh. The boys did nothing, so I shot them a look. They laughed with me.

"Who? Oh, never mind," Ella murmured. "Now let's eat. I'm so hungry."

Phew! That's close!

After passing out the food to the group, we started eating quickly. I was just as hungry as my sister, and it turns out that I needed another serving of brownie.

When we were almost done, we saw the Princesses walking outside the canteen. It's late, and they haven't made it home yet?

Ella stood up with her friends as she said, "Wait, we're just going to say our goodbyes to them."

They hurried to go outside the canteen.

I heard Ella in the distance, shouting, "Bye, princesses! See you later!" Even though she's already 16, her actions were a bit childish for me, especially when she was very happy or excited.

"Why have you lied, Dyl? You don't want Ella to hear that you liked the Princess, right?" Dale suddenly said. The boys laughed.

"Of course. But not the having a crush on the princess part," I said, defending myself. "Ella will bring that topic up when I tell her we're talking about Princess Kathleen."

The alarm on my watch rang. Whoa, it's now half past three, so it's now late. Our homework and the meeting are waiting.

At exactly that moment, Ella and her friends came back to the table.

"Hey, sis, it's time to go home. My alarm just rang," I told Ella.

She checked her wristwatch and said, "Wow, okay. Time passes quickly." She quickly donned her pack and said goodbye to our friends.

I too, of course, said goodbye, and bumped fists with the boys.

Ella and I quickly made our way to the school's main gate, where our chauffeur was waiting inside our car. He drove us home in less than 10 minutes.

At home, we greeted Mom and Dad, and they tackled the meeting with us. Dad didn't ask Ella or me questions about that thing. That's what I love most about Dad's personality.

And then we got upstairs to somehow start our homework. Ella and I decided to finish them after the meeting because we'd run out of time.

After answering some questions in my homework, Ella called me so we could prepare ourselves.

She wore her dark blue tulle dress, while I wore a dark blue suit and black trousers with a black necktie.

Mom and Dad both wore elegant clothes. Mom was dressed in a blue evening gown, and Dad in a black tuxedo.

We got outside after Mom finished tying up Ella's hair into a bun.

Our chauffeur was already waiting there for us. One of our bodyguards, who will be escorting us, opened the door for me and Ella.

"Be in a hurry, but still be careful, man," Dad said as he sat in the passenger seat.

Our chauffeur drove for a few minutes.

I mentally prepared myself to leave before we arrived at the carpeted grounds leading to the main palace doors. We parked the car in the parking lot near the palace gates, and then we got out of the car to walk to the palace doors.

There were two men standing in front of the doors. One of them asked for our names so that the other one, who was holding a clipboard and a pen, could write our names. Why do they need to ask our names? They must know us because we're the Stoulkern family. But the palace must have so many reasons for that.

They listed our names and then welcomed us to the palace, opening the grand doors. Dad thanked them.

We entered the palace with our mouths open in awe. "Whoa," Ella said. "It was such a wonderful place!"

I glanced around the palace, nodding with amazement.