𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫 - Book 1

~Chapter 33~

                                                                                           Leonor

     The hardest part about leaving Switzerland was saying goodbye to my friends. I wasn't sure when I would be able to see them again, especially Hannah and Elena.

     We were standing in the airport, people hustling around us. Chloe had me in a tight hug, whispering in my ear about how amazing the trip has been.

     "I can't thank you enough," he sighed, and I could feel the tears stinging the corner of my eyes. Chloe was my best friend; it would be hard not to see her every day.

     We both pulled away, and I could tell that her eyes were glassy too.

     Hannah came up to me next. She didn't try to hide her emotion; she began to cry into my shoulder. I held her there, telling her that we would see each other again soon. Elena joined in, and the three of us stood huddled there.

     After some saddened goodbyes, we all parted ways. Hannah and Elena went to their gate, and Chloe and Gio went to theirs. They were flying back to Los Angeles.

     Gavi and Gio exchanged a quick hug before they separated, Gavi following me to our gate. We still had a bit of time before our flight back to Madrid.

     "I missed home," I admitted, settling down in one of the uncomfortable airport chairs. He sat beside me, holding my hand and squeezing it.

     "Me too. What I didn't miss was all of my responsibilities," he laughed, and I agreed. I would have to return to my normal duties of being the princess of Spain.

     As we were seated there, the flight attendant came over the intercom, informing us that our flight to Madrid was departing soon. We waited in line and handed her our tickets when it was our turn. She gave me a warm smile and a little bow as we entered the plane. It had been a while since someone had recognized me in public.

     Gavi and I took our seats, and the plane took off shortly. I gripped his hand tightly, and he squeezed it back. I still wasn't too fond of airplanes.

     "Good afternoon, folks. Our flight from Bern to Madrid is off and rolling. We should be landing in Madrid in less than 2 hours," the pilot said into the microphone. I relaxed, resting my head against the window. That was how I fell asleep, with Gavi still holding my hand beside me.

     We landed in Madrid right on time, in the familiar airport that I was used to. I had traveled from there more times than I could count on my fingers. 

     After we waited our turn, I grabbed my carry-on bag from overhead and hauled it down over my shoulder. We exited the plane together, Gavi still gripping my hand tightly. We had to wait for our luggage, so we made our way down escalator to the ground floor.

     The bags began to file off of the roundabout, and I grabbed my pale pink one, Gavi grabbing his sleek black one. We hauled them onto the ground and began to make our way upstairs to wait for our taxi.

     "That was an amazing trip, Leonor," he whispered in my ear, and I couldn't help but smile. This was the man that I was in love with, the man that loved me too.

     Our taxi was waiting for us outside, as promised. The young man helped us load our luggage into the trunk. I slid into the backseat, and Gavi took his spot beside me.

     "I'm so happy to be home," I sighed, gazing out of the window at the familiar sights.

     "Me too," Gavi agreed, and we both laughed at that.

     The taxi driver dropped us off in front of the palace, as promised. Gavi would come and help me unload my bags, and then he would be on his way. We hauled our luggage up the stairs and to the front door. I stared at it for a while; it felt great to finally be home.

     I unlocked the door quickly, and immediately spotted Sofia in the hallway. She was waiting for me.

     "Sofia!" I cried, rushing over to give her a big hug. She gripped me tightly, pressing her cheek against my shoulder. It felt so good to see her again. I pulled away to help Gavi move the suitcases into the hallway.

     My mother and father emerged from the living room, and I rushed over to give them a huge hug as well.

     "I hope you had so much fun, honey," my mother whispered into my hair. I nodded eagerly. My parents greeted Gavi and thanked him for going with me. He said it was no problem.

     Together, we hauled my luggage upstairs and dropped it off in my bedroom.

     "I can take it from here, thanks," I smiled, giving him a long hug. I wasn't ready to let him go yet. We had just started our relationship fresh.

     I led him downstairs and back to the front door, where he stepped down and turned around to face me.

     "Thanks for such an amazing trip," he thanked me, giving me another hug.

     "Anytime," I whispered, trying to hold back my tears. He seemed to notice, because he wiped them away with the back of his hand.

     "You'll see me again soon, I promise," he murmured, and I nodded.

     "I love you," I croaked out.

     "I love you too," he laughed, pulling me in for a kiss. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he picked me up off of my feet.

     His hands held my chin, as if I was fragile and I could break at any instant.

     After a few moments, I pulled away to stare at him.

     "I'll see you soon, Pablo," I whispered, and he nodded, giving my hand one last squeeze before heading to his car. He gave me a small wave before getting in and driving off. I stood there in the early morning sun, watching him.

     Even though I was sad, even though I was terrified of where this would lead, I knew that it would all end okay.

     For the first time in a long time, I cried of happiness. I didn't try to hide it, either.

Next few chapter might be a lil boring but they get better so just trust me guys