Another Selection Story

Chapter 21: Louise

Louise POV

At about 2:30, Grace and my maids came to help me  get ready. I had a pretty day dress on (who knew there was such thing as a day dress?!) and curled my hair. Grace seemed both grumpy and depressed, but when I asked her what was wrong she just put on a fake smile and said she'd tell me later. This is supposed to be the other way around. I couldn't help thinking. This place had already changed me a bit.

A little bit before three, I made my way to the gardens. As I passed other girls, thy gave me dirty looks and whispered things to each other. Man, gossip spreads fast here.

Prince Taigen never really told me where to meet, just " in the gardens", so I assumed it was the bench where we first met. I sat down. I waited about thirty seconds and then started to get impatient. I knew it was too good to be true. I mean after all, this is me we're talking about. Why on earth would he want to go on a date with-

"You know, I honestly didn't think you'd come." He was suddenly on the bench next to me. I jumped. When did he get there?

"I assumed you were 'too tough' for me." He smiled. I smiled back.

"If you mean 'tougher' than you, then yes. I am." I stated matter if factly. He raised his eyebrows.

"You think so?"

"Yeah."

"Is that a challenge?"

"Sure." I stated plainly, knowing I was going to regret this.

"Well then here's the deal. Do you see that other bench over there? " he pointed to a bench about a 100 yards away. I nodded."whoever gets there first wins." He grinned.

"Okay first of all, I'm wearing a dress! Second of all, what does that have to do with toughness? That's just speed!"

"It was the first thing I thought of."

"I'm in a dress!!!"

"So you agree that I'm tougher than you."

"No!"

"Then you're scared."

"No! Ugh... Fine... What do I get if I win?"

"I'll give you a weeks worth Of jeans." It amazed me how much he's being like the Maxon and America story.

I gave him a skeptical look. "You're not gonna start calling me 'my dear', right?"

He grinned like that was exactly what he planned to do. "If I win, then yes, I am." I rolled my eyes and took off my flats. He said, "one second " and started stretching.

"Readysetgo!! " I said super quickly and without warning and sprinted to the bench. I heard a far off "Hey!" And then he started running. Now what he didn't know was that we always had neighborhood races back at home. I always won. Even against all the boys 2 years older than me. Because If I had just been faster that one day... Once again I pushed that out of my mind. I didn't have many talents. But I was fast.

So after I let him catch up to me, I gave it my all. I stepped on the gas and rocketed off. I crossed over the "finish line" and victoriously looked to see Prince Taigen still running. A second later, he passed the finish line.

Breathing heavily he said, "That was amazing!" I laughed. He breathed, "but in my defense, you did start before me."

"And in my defense, I was wearing a dress." I said matter of factly, not panting nearly as hard as him. "Now for my jeans."

He smiled."So I don't get to call you 'dear'?"

"Never." I said, and I meant it.

When we walked back, he told me how fascinated he was with my speed. I laughed, and confessed my running passion. He said he was cheated. I said he was making up excuses. He laughed and looked at me like I was the most wonderful thing in the world.

"You know, when you crossed that finish line and looked back at me, you almost looked as beautiful as you did that first night. Almost. But keep trying. Confidence looks good on you." Then he winked and left.

I bit my lip. Cuz that's just what I do.