The Inside Story

Chapter Eleven

I walked to my room and took my hair out of the bun that was suddenly uncomfortable. I washed off the makeup and took off the ugly red perfect dress. I put on Nike shorts and a sweatshirt, and flopped onto my bed. After I had been laying there for a few minutes, someone knocked on the door. I opened it to find a butler.
"Prince Alexander would like to speak with you in his room," he said. I nodded and the butler walked away. I grabbed my phone and walked next door to Alex's room. I knocked lightly, hoping he wouldn't hear me. He did.
"Hey, Lottie, come on in," he said. His hair wasn't as slicked back as it had been before, and he was wearing a tshirt and sweats. It was the most laid back clothes I'd ever seen him in.
  "Sorry I didn't come get you myself, I just couldn't stand to be in that suit any longer," he said, sitting down on his bed. I stayed firmly by the door.
  "I just have something I really need to tell you, and there's something I really need you to tell me," Alex said. My heartbeat quickened.
  "That night I had the panic attack, it was because I had a nightmare where you died. And I came and got you so I would be sure you were okay, because if you died, no one would know how badly it would hurt me," he said. He began slouching, and I watched as Prince Alexander disappeared and Alex came forward.
  "The first time I saw you at the orphanage I thought you were beautiful. Then, I got to know you and found out how caring and clever you were, but one part of you was always hidden and a mystery," he continued. I scooted closer to the door, trying to get as far back as I could. He noticed how awkward I felt, but didn't stop. If he knew why I was really here, he wouldn't be saying these things to me.
  "The truth is, I don't want you to leave," he said. It was at this point that I faltered. My shoulders fell, and I let out a breath. "I barely know you, and I'm most likely going to be forced into being King, and the whole situation is weird, but there's one thing I know for sure. That I love you."
  He loved me. I searched deep in my soul, trying to find how this made me feel. I was worried about my job, but he loved me.
   "So pretty much, all that was just to build up to the question, do you love me?" He asked. I looked down and took a step away from the door. When I looked back up, he had tears brimming in his eyes. It was at that moment I lost control.
  I dropped my phone and quickly walked over to him, grabbed his shoulders and pulled myself up, and kissed him. His hands immediately went around my waist and I felt him smile into the kiss. With his hands firmly around my waist, he lifted me up in the air. He pulled back.
  "So is that a yes?" He asked. I laughed.
  "Yes, I love you," I said, and placed my lips back on his.
  The rest of the night we sat on his bed and talked, telling each other embarrassing secrets and childhood stories. We eventually fell asleep, wrapped in each other's arms.

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I woke up the next morning to the sound of  my phone ringing. I quickly unwrapped myself out of Alex's arms, and picked up my phone. It was the editor of my online newspaper. I walked into the hall and answered.
  "Hello this is Stella Wilson," I said, putting a hand on my hip. I leaned against the wall of the hallway.
  "Hey Stella it's Chief. As of a couple of hours ago, your picture is all over the Internet," he said.
  "Really?" I asked.
  "Yes! You're a global celebrity!" He exclaimed. I rolled my eyes. "So how's it going digging up dirt?"
  "Actually, there isn't much to dig up. They're some of the nicest people I've ever met," I said. I heard a sigh on the other end of the line.
  "Stella what were you supposed to do over there?" Chief asked. Ot was my turn to sigh.
  "I was supposed to find dirt with the Royal family. Find out why Alexander doesn't want to be King, and then write an amazing award winning article about it," I said.
  "Then do that. Over and out," chief said, hanging up. I rolled my eyes and laughed to myself.
   "You're a reporter?" Someone asked. I turned around to find Alex standing into his doorway. "And you came here to spy on me?"
  "Technically yes, but-" I said, walking towards him.
  "And I let you right in. But that's right, I never have any luck. No one ever really cares about the whiny little prince," he said, walking into his room. I followed him and stood in his doorway.
   "That's not true! I love you!" I exclaimed. He shook his head.
  "The only thing you love is your little reporter job and yourself," he said.
   "Please just let me explain," I begged, tears staring to fall out of my eyes. He looked at his feet.
  "I think it's best that you pack up your stuff and leave. Feel free to take anything we bought for you," he said. I let out an exasperated gasp, and stepped back. He closed the door, and I ran to my room. Once the door was closed and locked, I fell on the floor crying. After I had cried myself dry, I looked at the clock. I had an hour and a half to get out of the castle before any of the Royal family would be up. I quickly put on sweats and packed my fancy clothes in the new luggage they had bought me. After everything that was rightfully mine was in my bag, I looked over at my bedside table. On it was my pearl necklace. A tear fell down my face, and I grabbed it and put it on. After all, he said it was so I could never forget him.