Kingdoms - work in progress

Chapter Ten - Juniper

"You're what?"

"Wel-"

"Juniper!" I spin around and see Hayden's mom coming toward us. I cast her a worried look.

"Is she okay? What happened? Will she be okay?"

"She'll be fine. She is fine. She will be able to be transferred to your house this afternoon."

"Really?" I exclaim, overjoyed at the news. "That's fantastic! Yay!" She smiles slightly.

"She's still not a hundred percent well though Juniper. So don't be all chaotic."

"Of course. I realize that. But oh my gosh Hayden!" I grip his arm and jump wildly up and down.

"That's great..." I'm oblivious to the fact that he has something else he wants to say.

***

"Parisa!"

"Woah, woah- ow. Hello June."

"Are you feeling better?"

"No." At least she's honest.

"Well... is there anything I can do?"

"I just need some more rest, that's all." She shifts her body to sit up, but winces midway though. "Don't worry about me."

"Um okay... but I am worried and there's no changing that worry."

"Perhaps. Maybe you could try distracting yourself? Go visit with Hayden. Go to the market or to the royal gardens."

"I don't know..."

"Just go. Please. I'm going to be alright."

"Okay..."

"Now go. Juniper, go on. Go be with your friend. Have fun."

"Okay..."

"I'm serious, go!"

"Okay, okay, I'm going."

***

I knock on the front door of Hayden's house. There's no response. I knock again, firmer this time.

"Hello? Hayden? Are you home?" No answer. "Hayden??" I knock once more, but there's still no answer. I try to doorknob, and it opens. I carefully walk through the entrance to the house, and softly close the door behind me. I wander into the kitchen, and when I see a boy who's not Hayden sitting at the island, I'm a little more than surprised. "Uhh-" The boy turns around.

"Oh hi, it's you. We met the other day, remember?" Oh. Yeah. Him.

"Oh yeah. Where's Hayden?"

"He went to the farmers market for some fruit. Lemons I think. We're going to make lemonade!" He says happily, grinning. I frown. I have lemons. Hayden could've gotten lemons from me. Who is this strange boy and why is he stealing my best friend from me?

"Ah..." He jumps down from the counter and looks into my eyes.

"You don't like me too much, do you?"

"I uh-" He interrupts me before I can continue.

"I can tell by the way you talk to me. I know Hayden's your best friend and you're his - he talks about you constantly - and I know it probably feels as if I'm trying to take him from you or something, but I promise that's not my intention."

"Mhm," I say, not believing him. It feels exactly like this strange boy is trying to steal my best friend from me. His face falls.

"You don't believe me."