ROYALS

-9-

Exert from "I Sing the Body Electric" ~ Walt Whitman

-: When he went with his five sons and many grand-sons to hunt or fish, you would pick him out as the most beautiful and vigorous of the gang,

You would wish long and long to be with him, you would wish to sit by him in the boat that you and he might touch each other :-

I laid in bed not daring to touch my phone as my alarm ringed loudly. I swiped the off button, and threw my pillow over my head.

"Breakfast!" Yelled Malin through the door, which I groaned at.

"I'm not feeling so well today, I have a fever!" I yelled back, cringing at my own words.

"Do you need me to come in and double check?" She sighed.

"I don't want to get you sick..." I coughed for the effect, "You better not!"

"Fine... but be prepared to go tomorrow, I'll inform your housemaster." She said, and I could hear her footsteps walk away quietly.

My phone dinged loudly, and I reached over hesitantly to check it.

1 New Message: Simon <3

Where are you?

1 New Message: Peter

You better be at practice tonight, last one before the big show...

I clicked the screen off before getting up and reaching my arms over my head. I grabbed a shirt and pants in the dresser, throwing them on sloppily.

I grabbed my phone, opening Simons message and beginning to type.

Coming now.

I rubbed my eyes before standing up and getting dressed. Each step was another painful reminder of everyone's thoughts, what everyone was saying about me.

I cringed back at the TV appearance my Mother forced me to attend, where she coerced me to deny the truth. My truth.

My hair was messy after I pulled my sweatshirt over my head, and I brushed over it lightly, running my fingers through it.

I took a quick glance in the mirror and left, leaving my phone behind.

It was late enough that I missed my first classes, so It was already my lunch period. I knew exactly where Simon would be, so I headed over to the steps behind the fountain quickly.

As I got there I saw Simon sat by himself. Fidgeting nervously with his food. I saw him pick up his phone and browse it quickly before putting it down. I headed towards him.

As I reached him he looked up at me with a sense of relief, smiling softly.

"How are you?" He said nervously, with his hands intertwined.

"If I'm being honest, fucking terrified." I said, letting out a weak laugh, looking to him. I shuffled in my seat uncomfortably, bringing my fingers to my mouth.

"What are you gonna do?" He said, picking up his fork.

"As of right now, nothing." I shamefully spoke as my eyes caught his. "My mother doesn't want more press right now, she's hoping it'll be passed off as a different person, forgotten about."