The Florist And The Prince

~ 43 ~

Avery

Pondering over so many thoughts, including what Graciella and Michelle said to her, it was no surprise that Avery couldn't find herself falling asleep anytime soon so she decided to go to the only room in the entire palace that gave her comfort, the library. There were rules set for all the eligibles to follow but what time they slept and going to the library wasn't one of them.

Slipping on her slippers and a night robe, Avery walked herself over to the French doors and out onto the balcony, nearly every room above the ground floor had a balcony. After she closed the doors behind her she went over to the railings and leaned against them, looking up at the cloudless starry night sky, she knew what Graciella and Michelle said were true but it wasn't intentionally she just accidentally kept bumping into the Prince Alex and Prince Lucas. Running a hand through her curls she took a deep breath and made a mental note to herself to never again run into both Princes or anyone of the Royal family members again, if she isn't eliminated from the competition.

Suddenly she heard the room telephone start to ring and with furrowed eye, she walked back in and went over to answer it. It was already midnight, so who on earth would be calling her at this hour of the night.

Hesitantly, she reached down and picked it up from her beside table. "Hello?"

"You're still up too?"

"Audrey?"

"Yes, sorry did I disturb you?"

"No, no," Avery answered and sat down on the edge of her bed. "I couldn't sleep."

"Me too-well, us." Audrey replied just as Avery heard several voices in the background. "Why don't you come over here? Emma, Hailey, Linda and Pranali are all here."

Licking her lips, "Stephanie doesn't mind?"

"Oh she's not here. She's over at Monica's room."

After a brief moment, Avery realised that she definitely wasn't going to be sleeping anytime soon and that there was not any task set for tomorrow which meant a free day for them, she told Audrey that she'd be there before hanging up the telephone. Grabbing the bag of chips that she had she left her room and went down the hallway to the west before stopping the second last door on the right then she knocked and waited. It didn't take long before the door opened, revealing the petite red haired girl.

Audrey smiled brightly. "Hi, come in." She was in a pink pyjama set.

"Thank you." Audrey smiled back and walked into the bedroom. It was bigger than hers because she shared it with another girl.

"Hi." Linda waved as the other girls looked over and smiled.

They were all seated on the carpet in the middle of both Audrey and Stephanie's beds, in their pyjamas with snacks, nail polishes and magazines laid out in the middle of them. It looked like a sleepover. Walking over to them with Audrey, Hailey and Pranali moved a little to the side to make room for her to sit.

Avery held up the bag of chips. "Sorry, this is all I had in my room so I brought it."

"That's fine." Audrey replied.

"Yeah, none of us brought that and both Emma and I were craving that." Linda said taking the bag of chips from Avery, who offered it to her then opened it.

Looking around the bedroom, Avery took note that Audrey was obviously the more cleaner and organised roommate than Stephanie. Her things were all set up in orderly manner on her side of the room while Stephanie, although organised she had took many things laid out that made her side look messy.

Looking back at Audrey, Avery asked. "When will Stephanie be back?"

Shrugging her shoulders, the red haired picked up a small piece of chocolate. "I don't know. She only ever stays here when there is an important event taking place the next day or a task, but she's usually over at the other contestants Monica or Fiona's room."

Avery and the others girls stayed in Audrey's room until it was heading towards two o'clock in the early hours then they all left for their individual rooms. Going straight over to her bed as sleep had finally caught up, Avery plonked herself unceremoniously face down first but before she drifted off, she saw a shadow walk out of her closer then over to the door before disappearing.

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