Star Crossed Haters

Chapter Seven (Apex)

5 days.

5 days I've been on this horrible boat.

5 miserable days avoiding Princess Kaeda.

5 miserable days...

And they're almost over.

You would think, with the constant sound of waves hitting the hull of our ship, that I would be peaceful.

But no.

Worst time of my life.

The constant joy emanating from Cari as she gazed at the deep blue waters and reaching over (almost falling more on more than one occasion) to be closer almost gave me a heart attack.

The girl is reckless. I like that about her, but sometimes it's too much.

Someone knocks on my door, and I reluctantly get up.

It's a member of the crew. He looks at me with piercing eyes, saying, "We'll be docking in one hour, Princess."

"Thank you," I tell him. But I'm not really as thankful as I paint for the espyns on this ship.

Don't get me wrong, I miss my brothers. But my parents are really hard on me – too hard.

I don't even know if I really want to be queen in the first place!

After the crew member shuts the door, I go to my bag. I picked out a deep red dress with intricate golden details to wear at the dock.

Another knock comes from my door, and I groan quietly, but go to open it.

Cari stands before me, tanned hand in her brown hair and sea green eyes seeming to be lost in thought.

"Cari?" I ask. She whips her head over to me and manages a small smile.

"Ready to go home?" she questions.

"Never been more ready," I reply instantly. "What about you?"

She pauses. "I... I'm not sure."

And it's just our luck that Little Miss Flawless walks behind the water princess.

"Have fun in your icy wasteland," I call over to her.

Kaeda tosses her jet-black hair over her shoulder and shouts back, "Have fun in your fire-ravaged badlands!"

Cari pulls me into my room and slams the door. She lifts a hand and summons a ball of water from Vohona knows where and tosses it at me.

I create a blaze, careful not to let it touch the wooden walls, and evaporate the water instantly.

"What-" Cari exclaims.

I smirk. "I've gotten better, you know. Practice does that."

Cari hesitates before replying. "...The boat's slowing down."

"What?"

"The boat's slowing down," she repeats. "I think we're almost at Minsare."

"Really?" I want to leap out to the deck, but I know I wouldn't even make it halfway.

And the boat suddenly comes to a stop. Cari and I glance at each other, and she sprints out of the room to grab her stuff.

A wild grin spreads across my face as I gather my stuff and shove it in my bag. I ran out of the room and made my way to the deck. For once, I don't mind the salty air.

The small white buildings of the seaside town of Mariport bring my bliss to a whole new level.

"I haven't seen Dodomi in ages," I breathe. Two pairs of footsteps come from behind me. I know they belong to Cari and Kaeda, but I don't make a snarky comment. I just look at the mainland in longing.