Something Beautiful

Chapter Nine

Chapter Nine:

(Will)

   “I’m sorry, what?” Elle says, blinking twice.

   “Kiss me,” I challenge again, raising my eyebrows. “Unless you’re not up for it, of course?”

   “You’re absolutely serious? But… why?”

   “I want to see what breaks down that wall you have around yourself,” I tell her. “That wall of confidence, or whatever it is.” At first, I didn’t know why I had said it — it had just slipped out, to be perfectly honest. But, as I’m speaking to her, I realize that it’s the honest truth. She seemed so sure of herself, but at the same time, it was as if she was hiding something. I didn’t know what, obviously, but I had been wondering.

  “And you feel like a kiss from me might do that?” Elle asks, almost laughing.

  “Exactly.” There’s a moment’s pause, and I feel like she’s not going to do it. She would give some excuse, and I would lose any interest I had in her.

  Finally, she responds. “Well, alright, then,” Elle says, shrugging and smiling. She was constantly surprising me, and actually stands up with the help of my hand. I find myself picturing how I would kiss her — which was really, really strange so I push the thoughts away from my head. This was just a way to see if I could find out what she was really like, or if this was truly her personality.

   She leans in, so closely that I can see tiny, golden flecks in her eyes, and just as I’m ready to feel her lips brush softly against my own…

   She stops, and kisses the tip of my nose instead.

  “And that, my friend,” Elle pulls away, laughing, “is what’s known as payback for cheating on the race!”

   I had to admit it, she was clever. I don’t know any women of nobility who’d be smart enough to do that. Of course, they would never pass up an opportunity to kiss a prince, but I had to give Elle credit. “Alright, alright, you win,” I say, holding up my hands in defeat and laughing along with her.

  “Of course I win,” Elle says in a fake, snobby voice. “I always win.”

  “Except in running races,” I tease her, rolling my eyes.

  “You cheated!” she says, laughing and throwing a handful of sand at me.

  “What was that for?” I exclaim, throwing some back at her.

  This led into a full-out, sand-fighting war, and we both ended up extremely wet and messy after all was said and done. Thankfully, Elle’s lunch had avoided most of the attacks, so she ended up eating while I sat with her. We had attracted a few strange looks from passerby on the beach, but at the moment, I didn’t care. It was the first time I’d had a relaxing day without any sort of prince-related drama in a long, long time.

  After we came back to the castle, I ended up seeing Dawn again as I went back to my room to change my clothes.

  “See?” she told me, wiping her flour-stained hands on her apron. “Aren’t you glad I made you go to the beach with her?”

  And, I had to admit it — I was.

Sorry this was such a short chapter. If you can believe it, I had writers’ block. Well, I hope you enjoyed it! Once again, I have no idea what to do for the next chapter, so bear with me. Thanks everyone.

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Love you all,

Mimi