Bitter-Ellie

Chapter 2

Max’s POV

Ugh, there is nothing I despise more than these sorts of parties. Why must mother and father invite everyone? I only need a couple of my friends, or one friend-Amber. I hope she is here; otherwise this night is never going to end!

It took me hours to get ready, and I am not even a girl. Who knew so much time had to be put into brushing my hair? This is the second party I have ever attended at the castle. The first was my coronation party, but nothing was expected of me then, because I was 13 and did not know how to act like a prince-it is more difficult than it seems. Now I am 18 and technically educated, so this party is quite stressful, especially since I’ve been gone for so long. A witch turned me into a bunny a couple of days after my coronation party and ever since then I lived my life as an animal. I spent my days hopping from house to house begging for food, but there is no respect for a rabbit. So, I sought a new life out in the wild, until my brother, Dustin, found me. He didn’t know it was I, probably because the potion the witch accursed upon me made me act differently. On the outside I seemed mean and awful, but on the inside my real self was trapped…perhaps this story is for another day. Anyway, I hear the royal squire call my name and I know this is my cue to enter the stairway, not because it is common sense, but because I have rehearsed this part alone maybe 50 times.  I smile and wave like I was told to do and walk down the stairs like I was told to do. Once I get down, I rip the smile off my face and replace it with a grimace. I am already dreading this. My real mother, dressed in purple silk with her brown hair tied up in a bun, hugs me tightly around the waist as if she hadn’t seen me in forever, as if she was glad to see me safe and sound. This may be because I hadn’t seen her since I ran away, and ever since I had invited her into the castle, she can never get enough hugs.

“Mom…” I groan hoarsely as my dear mother holds me tighter so I cannot escape.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just so proud of you, honey!” my mother pinches my cheeks and gives me another quick hug.

“SON!” My adopted father, also the King, booms as he approaches me through the crowd of happy people, lucky enough to find themselves in a castle with trays filled with sweets.

“Father, I-“

“Have you seen Dustin?” Even though my father is young, probably only about 10 years older than me, his face is creased with worry lines and his auburn hair is a mess-whenever he is stressed or he has a headache, he tends to run his hands through his hair until he feels better, or in this case calmer.

“No I have not, father.” I shake my head, about to start worrying too when my mother sneaks up behind me.

“Max, dear, have you greeted some of the guests yet? They are very anxious to meet you, especially some of the ladies.” My adopted mother, Belle (Yes, the famous Belle and that would make my adopted father the Beast, if you haven’t already figured that part out yet), rests her gloved hand on my shoulder as she gestures towards the ball room, filled with people.

“Mother, I-“I am about to deny my mother of mingling when a certain someone saves me from the usual argument my mother and I always have.

“HI!” Amber bursts out, surprising everyone into a laughing frenzy, except my mother, Belle.

Now here’s the thing: My dad likes Amber, my mother does, but my adopted mother does not. If you recall, Belle is sweet and kind, while Amber is…civil, sometimes, not to mention she has bright red hair.

“Hey! I was wondering when you would arrive!” I smile as Amber makes her way over to me.

“Umm, Amber, sweetie, what is that on your dress?” My adopted mother frowns as she points to a drop of jelly on Amber’s red lace dress with a bow at the side of her waist.

“Hm? Oh. Well, Griffin was-“I can tell Amber is thinking ill of my mother at the moment, but she calmly tries to explain what had happened to her in a cheery voice; because if there’s anything my mother hates more than an untidy dress, it is an attitude. Unfortunately, my mother rudely cuts her off.

“Now really, you cannot expect it is acceptable to blame your brother every time you-“This time I am the one to cut my mother off, before this gets out of hand.

“Mmm. Mother, how about I get you something to drink?” I insist more than ask my mother, motioning Amber to follow me.

“Well that would be lovely.” She smiles through gritted teeth, obviously aware of my doings.

“Excellent.” I smile back mockingly as I slowly step back and get lost in the crowd.

I make a dash elsewhere before anyone can stop me, hiding the crown atop my head behind my back, so I am less likely to be found. I turn my head to the side to see Amber right by my side, trying hard not to get stomped on by the Dukes and Duchesses. I look back again a second later to see…

Where did Amber go?

I breathe in deeply and prepare to head back into the crowd to find Amber, though in this point she could be anywhere. Then a thought occurs to me: Amber has red hair, how hard is it to find a girl wearing red with red hair? I jump up a few inches in the air, so I can see the tops of everyone’s head. There. In the middle of the ball room, I see a mess of girls and in the middle of that mess is Amber.

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