Royalty

Chapter 21: No One Ever Thinks ... It's Like You're Invisible

(A/N:

Sorry about more waiting, part of it was story issue, part of it was lazy procrastination, and part of it was scheduling issues, but still, I apologize for the longer wait. At this point, I'm aware more people are reading this, and I feel bad for not putting more of a priority on it, even with band camp  and all-state camp going on.

Also, I'd just like to say a thank you, which I was planning to save for when I reached five hundred reads, but I feel like whoever's out there reading this deserves it now, because holy crap, over 400 READS? 

That's insane to me. I know most stories have thousands of reads, but I was just hoping for no one saying negative things about my writing. So to have genuine positive comments and hundreds of reads is a huge confidence boost for me. Thank you so, so much, it really means a lot to me that people actually clicked on this and actually kept reading after the first chapter.

Whoever's still out there reading, thank you so, so much. I wish ya'll the best in life.

... and I'm sorry again about the short break. But I hope you enjoy the chapter!)

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You know, people complain about alarms all the time. The relentless beeping of their digital clocks, which is, granted, incredibly annoying. The heart attack that is an old-style clock with the double bells. The determined nature of their phone alarms, that just won't quit even after you've pressed snooze over and over.

I don't get a snooze button.

I challenge you to find a more annoying alarm clock than Sherlock Holmes.

"Astra, get up!" His voice is too loud.

"No," I groaned quietly.

"Did I end that sentence with the words 'if it pleases her highness'? Up! Now! We have a train to catch."

"Sherloooock ..."

"Now, Astra."

"Five more minutes!"

"Get up!" He yanked the blanket off of me.

"Whyyyyyy ..."

"Train, remember? Use your head."

"It's too early for this ..."

"It's eight thirty, get up now."

"Nooooo ..."

"I will use the violin if I have to."

I winced. "Don't ruin my second favorite instrument for me."

"I will if you leave me no other option."

Sherlock could play the violin beautifully when he wanted to.

He could also make it sound like a dying dolphin when he wanted to.

I sighed and rolled over, forcing myself to stand up off the couch. Sherlock smirked and I shot him a look. "You did not get me up," I told him. "My love of music got me up." Before he could retort, I went back to his room to change into clothes.

When I reemerged, an apple flew at my face. My hand snapped up and caught it inches away from my nose. "Can you just not?" I said irritably.

"Testing your reflexes, you're about to go out in the field, after all," Sherlock responded sarcastically.

I glared and took a bite out of the apple. "Don't throw fruit at people."

"I'll add it to the list of rules for humanity, right after 'Don't talk to people like they're vacant goldfish.' Are you ready? We have to go, now."