His Princess

Chapter Nine

Dani:

Due to what happened during Thanksgiving everyone in the Sumner home was a lot less tense. Dad is still a bit unsure about it all but really that's to be expected. After all, everyone reacts to change in their own way.

Not much of anything happened around here but on Christmas Eve I do make a phone call that has been long overdue.

Sure, I'll admit I was mildly upset when she didn't answer. I texted her:

:( No answer?

She texts back fairly quickly: I don't want to be your friend Dani.

I texted back: yeah, neither do I.

She called seconds later. I start talking as soon as I pick up.

"I knew I wasn't like my classmates, even as a young child. It was like I was the odd one out. The girls thought I was weird because, well I was weird to eight year old girls. Their world revolved around the latest Bratz Doll and stealing their mom's lipstick. I preferred dinosaurs and baseball caps. The guys wanted nothing to do with me. I had girl parts and in elementary, especially the early grades, that automatically meant I was not their equal. They'd always have the upper hand."

Charlotte was quiet so I wondered, "Are you still there?"

Softly she spoke. "Yes. I'm just, I feel awful. About everything."

"I am who I am. I can't continue to allow myself to apologize for that anymore." I say firmly.

"I'm sorry for reacting the way that I did." She tells me.

"It's okay. I'm sorry for kicking you out of my apartment on Halloween."

Charlotte says she would have kicked her out too.

Exhaling deeply, I ask the burning question. "Are you still with Eve?"

"Well, since she used me to get a townhouse. No. I'm not."

I don't say so to Charlotte but that does not surprise me much.

"Dani?" Breaking the silence Charlotte whispers, "I- I love you."

As my heart turns to mush I replied, "I love you too, princess."

We fall asleep on the phone together that night. Neither of us could manage to hang up on the other.

Charlotte:

I get back from break early. Two weeks of chipper parents, noisy siblings, and kids on sugar highs was plenty for me. Besides, Dani and I made plans to come back to school early to spend every waking moment together before the winter semester began.

Dani threw their arms around me for a smothering hug the moment I showed up at her apartment.

Looking up at them, I blubbered. "Dani, I thought you were never going to speak to me again."

Dani traced a finger over my trembling lip before kissing me softly. "Where would a prince be without his princess?"

Wordlessly, with our hearts full of love we headed to Dani's bedroom to make up for lost time.