Tiana (More Than a Story Book 1)

PLEASE PLEASE PLEAAAASE

I was just finishing up my night shift before it was time to go home, when Mr. LaBuff walked through the door, a rosy-cheeked smile on his face.

"Evenin' your highness." He bent his head low to me while chuckling to himself. "How does it feel to be a princess."

I blinked my eyes. Okay, there is no possible way it could be, but it feels almost like he's mocking me. "I beg your pardon Mr. LaBuff?"

His smile faded. "Lotte didnt tell you yet." He bopped hisself with the palm of his hand. "Silly me....she probably planed to tell you tomorrow.

"Tell me what?"

"Well, you may already know this  but...I've been nominated as Mardi Gras King again this year, caught me completely by surprise." He lifted his hand up as if he was whispering a secret to me. "Was the fifth year in a row!" He laughed.

"Congratulations to you and Lotte. Looks like she will be a princess even before she marries Naveen."

"Well thats just it. She plans on having the ceremony during  the parade. So since the wedding will be her focus of the day, she thought it best if I bestowed the honor of Mardi Gras Princess on the young woman who I consider to be my adopted daughter.

I put my hand to my chest. "Well you don't mean me do you?"

"What do ya say Tia? Wanna be a princess for a day?"

Well...I was'nt going to say no. But I wasn't exactly thrilled about it either. "Sure." I plaster a fake smile on my face.

His contagious laugh rang in my ears. "My two daughters, becoming princesses at the same time."

Oh the irony....

"Well I best be gettin' home now,  come by the house when you get a chance though, we would love for you to help with the arrangements, for both the wedding and the Parade. After all, both of them are next week!" He said, walking out the door

"Okay." I called after him. And like that, he was gone.

------------------------------------------------------

Of course, the bus was late and it was just about freezing outside, so there was no way I was going to wait for it at the bus stop. I pulled my jacket closer to my body and began to walk home.

My mind went back to that night I spent with Naveen. I couldn't stop thinking about how comfortable I felt spending time with him. All those crazy moments we shared together. I forbid myself to cry anymore tears for him. I should be happy to get him out of my hair. If it wasn't for his immaturity, I wouldn't have to help him pay off his debt to Dr. Facilier. I could have devoted my time to getting the money for college. He completely wasted my time, leading me on like that.

One of the things we talked about that night was him paying for me going to school. He thought it would be smarter for me to go to culinary school instead of regular college. I told him I didn't think so but I would get back to him on that.

In fact, I feel like thats worth giving him a call right now.

I pick up my cell phone and press Naveen's name. It rings for a while until he picks it up.

"Hello." He mused

"...Are you busy?" I asked a little annoyed.

"Well I was." I heard a female giggling in the background. "Excuse me darling." I assumed he got up to move to a more private location.

"That better have been Lotte in the background." I warned.

"...of course it was...." His reply was heavy with sarcasm.

"Wow, I thought you were a better liar than that Naveen." I replied without emotion. "I would strangle you myself for cheating on Lotte, but I think her father would have a much better time doing that."

"You weren't complaining when I was doing it with you. Your just mad because I cut you off. Are you missing my good lovin' Tiara?"

What did he just say to me." Did you catch amnesia or something? Number one, thats not my name and two, I was the one who pushed YOU away."

"I see whats going on here. Your jealous of Ms.
Labuff...er....Charlotte."

"Excuse me?!"

"Come now darling, we had some fun times, but did you really think I would choose you over someone as enchanting and wealthy as Charlotte. I happen to love her. Indubitably. From now, till eternity!"

Indubitably?...this is just getting stupid! "Those are some big boy words your using. Did you eat a dictionary for breakfast or something?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Look, I didn't call to hear you tell me I'm jealous of MY best friend....and if I recall correctly, your only in this for her money, not love."

"Well I can assure you that you recall Incorrectly, because I'm truly in love with my Lot-"

"-I just called to remind you of our deal." I cut him off mid sentence.

"Our...deal?" He questioned.

"The money Naveen. To go to culinary school."

"Oh yes yes... The money...would 100 do?"

"What?" I stopped walking

"Or 200 maybe."

"More like 200,000?! Im going to college Naveen!"

"Yes well. I decided not to use ALL of my wife's money on the likes of you. Thats quite inappropriate don't you think."

"After all this time of me helping you LIE so you could marry Lotte...your only offer me 200 dollars. 200 would barely buy me a book for one class. Our deal was you would give enough to support me for at least a year."

"Are you pregnant?"

"What? No!" I screamed.

"Then I'm afraid thats all the support your getting out of me sweetheart."

"Double cross me if you want to, and I promise I'll expose you like it's nobody's business."

"Try it. Lets see how that works out for you. Keep in mind no one else knows of this little agreement besides you and me, but most of all, remember you have no proof."

I shook my head. "What happened to you? Your so cruel and dishonest now, its  like...You changed almost over night."

He was quiet for  a while then he took a deep breath. "Take a lucky guess." Then he hung up.

I was so frustrated I let out a loud yell. When I was done, I lifted my head to the sky. I spotted a star glowing brightly above my head. If I wasn't so angry, I would have laughed. Me and Lotte  used to wish on these all the time when we were little, but I learned at a young age to stop wishing on stars.

I reached in my purse and pulled out a picture I haven't looked at in a while. It was the drawing daddy drew of the restaurant he always dreamed of having, Tiana's Place. I hugged it close to my chest. "I can't believe im doing this right now." I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Please please pleaaaaase!" I waited a while in the silence of the night sky.

Then I was startled by a random sound.

"CROACK!"

I looked down and saw a tiny, small, slimy green frog sitting in front of me. I looked back up at the sky. "Very funny." I mused. Getting on my knee's, I crouch down to the frog, "So what now? I reckon you want a kiss."

The frog opened its mouth and said to me. "Kissing would be nice, yes?"

I never screamed so loud in my life.