The Runaway Princess

My "Real" Life

"Skylar! Are you ready?" My mom yells up the stairs. I slide on my black Converse to match my loose, and unbuttoned, flannel jackets and black jeans. I grabbed my suitcase, loaded with enough clothes for one week; purposely having them bring me back home eventual. I close my door, walk down the stairs and smile at my mom. She motions to the car, keeping up with her parenting until it's out of her control. My mom has always taught me that my family and friends are not my slaves, and if I need something done, I should do it myself. As I make my way to the car, I pick up my skateboard that was still in the front yard. We all pile into the car, turning up the radio as we always do. If I have to go through this crap, I'm taking my family, at least the one I grew up with, with me. Mae and Connor had already said goodbye; I told them I was going to be back faster than they thought. Connor decided to do as I wished, seeing that he's at football practice, but I knew Mae would be here. She stood on her porch, holding her arm, watching us pull away. Last minute I waved, and she pulled on a smile; I knew Connor would have her back while I was gone. I told them to plan a phone call at any given time; I will invite them to meet my biological parents eventually... Maybe one at a time... Maybe...
The car ride is long, about three hours. Between singing with Landon and playing the ABC game with them all, we all had fun.
"Are you nervous sissy?" Landon asked when we finally got off the highway.
"Nope." I shrug.
"Honey, it's okay. You can be nervous." My mom laughs easily in the front seat.
"Yeah, you're meeting your family for the first time. It's normal to be nervous." My dad keeps his eyes on the road, but takes hold of my mom's hand.
"I already have met my family." I hook my brother around the neck and scramble his hair. He giggles and tries to pull away. "If I'm nervous, then that means I'm scared that they won't except me. Connor has already been through with me; it doesn't matter what they think. I'm me, and that's never gonna change." My mom looks back and smiles.
"It's so hard to tell you're her child." It takes me a minute to process what she says, but before I can respond, my attention is directed outside my window.
"Welcome to your, other, home." My dad slowly announces. As I take in the huge building, I'm blown away. Once we reach the front gate, my dad has to prove he's my "father" before we are let it. It takes almost five minutes just to get up to the building. I actually have to tilt my head as we get closer to see the top of the mansion. It's indescribable.
"Sky, you're gurgling." Landon giggles.
"Huh?" I break away from my haze, looking back at my younger brother.
"Ew!" He screaches and laughs.
"What?" I scrunch my eyebrows, confused on what was grossing him out.
"You're drooling!" He laughs. I quickly wipe away my slobber, leaving no trace behind. I threaten to wipe it all over him and he yells and laughs as he tries to get away. When my dad pulls in front of the circle driveway, we all get out. I look up in amazement, but my mother just acted like it was a normal place to be... Probably because she's been here... Duh.
"Get your suitcases!" She hollers. As we slowly move to the back of the car, my dad bumbs my shoulder,
"Imagine growing up here, kid."
"Eh, my place was better." I shrug, making him smile in disbelief. When we all have our bags in hand, Ava walks out onto the porch. With guards holding the door for her, she stands in a ball gown almost touching the floor. She stood in heals that must have been four inches tall, and her makeup was caked on, but still looking good.
"Welcome home, Jocelyn." She properly folds her hands. I still am taking in the whole thing and she clears her throat. My mother groans and I pull my attention on Ava.
"Oh, Hey." I toss her a small wave. And then I catch it, "I go by Skylar."
"Princesses don't use that grammar." I notice she ignored my last comment, before my attention is torn away.
"Mommy, I have to go potty!" Landon cries. He grabs ahold of my free hand and I kneel down,
"Buddy, you gotta wait just a little while longer." He gives me his 'not too much longer, but okay' face. He doesn't let go of my hand as I walk towards the doors. Ava signals for my bags to be taken, but I send the guard a look and he backs down. When we enter there is a room ahead, but two different staircases leading up to the upstairs. The balcony upstairs has many doors and rooms along the walls, just pulling me to explore! Next to the staircases were hallways that led to more places in this huge house.
"Ten thousand square foot, almost two acres of land. Nine bedrooms, twelve bathrooms. Pool and hot tub outdoors. Each bedroom has a balcony, and every bathroom-"
"Potty! I have to go potty!" Landon squeezes his little legs together and looks up at me beggingly. I almost laugh at how he cut off her bragging.
"Okay, let's take your suitcase up to your room, and then I'll take you to the potty, okay?" Another guard offers to take my luggage, but I send that snarling glance and he backs off.
"Mr. Charles, get her bags." Ava commands.
"No, I got it." I casually reply, Ava's head spinning. I start to follow a guard up the staircase to the left of us.
"Excuse me? What did you say?"
"I got it....?" I'm dazzled by her sudden anger, pausing and looking backwards at her.
"A princess does not tell anyone deliberately 'no'." Ava barks and I refuse to let it go under my skin as I start to proceed on the staircase again. I am not a princess! I screamed in my head knowing, even if I did say it out loud, she'd never understand.

***

I pull on the slick swim shorts my mom bought me and my bathing suit top, getting even more eager to get into that pool. I grab sun screen and a towel and head downstairs, bare foot; I knew there was going to be a reason I should pack my swim suit. I slide on a pair of shades, grabbing a cookie from the kitchen counter as I pass. We all got the royal tour a while ago. But man am I happy to get out of that. Ever since she said the word pool... It's like my body has begged me to jump in. Once I set everything on a lawn chair and started to spread the sun screen on my arms and face, a guard interrupts me.
"Miss, do you need anything? I was sent by Mr. Clayton to assist you." He points over to the direction of a young man, about my age, maybe older. He slides his shades lower into his nose and winks at me. I almost vomit in my mouth. Being hit on by a snobby rich kid? What more could a girl ask for? Note my sarcasm.
"Could you, please, go inform Mr. Calyton, that I am a thirty year old woman who has just celebrated her husbands passing. And yes, celebrated. Tell Mr. Clayton, that I was in a nut house for ten years and I murdered my sister." The guard kind of flinched. "Go on. Ask why." He almost looks frozen.
"Why, miss?"
"Because rich boys think they can have anything, or anyone, in the split of an eye. I'm precious cargo, that comes in sweat and Converse. I refuse to accept being treated like I'm a tramp he can mess around with." I take off my glasses, recognizing the guard. "Johnny?" I squint, trying to block out the sun.
"Miss, I didn't think you'd remember me." He clears his throat, keeping his voice down; almost as if he got caught he'd loose his head.
"Quiet with this 'miss' crap. Skylar. Call me by my actual name."
"I won't be able to call you that all the time, Skylar. If I get caught calling you that, or even talking to you in general, then I get fired on the spot, and they will make sure I won't ever be able to get a job. Again... like ever."
"Fine, Johnny. But only when people are around. I am not no miss, or ma'am."
"May I ask a question?" I shoot him a look and he drops his head, "Forget I asked." He laughs, "Why do you call me 'Johnny'?"
"Johnathan leads to John, and then I think of Johnny." I lean in, "Plus you remind me of a 'Johnny' I went to grade school with."
"Really? How?"
"Teachers pet; always stuck up her butt." I tease. He smiles and looks away, almost actually loosening up around me. "I like you better loose. Now go tell Mr. Shallow over there my message!" I snicker, pushing him with my hands.
"Yes, ma'am." He stands up straighter and looks at the passing guard. I roll my eyes.
"Go, before I call you Mr." He lets out a miniature laugh before tilting his head and heading over to Mr. Shallow.
"Jocelyn." I hear the calmly, emotionless, Ava appear behind me.
"Skylar." I mutter under my breath.
"I would like for you to meet your brother." She continues on, steaming about my muttering.
"Cool! I get another bro." I hop onto my feet, pumped to meet another family member, praying they're not like her....
"That's wrong, that's just completely wrong!" Mr. Shallow breaks into rich big boy fits. He stands up and trudges over to me. Ava is almost started by it all, but settles down and folds her hands and fixes her posture. "Old, widowed, crazy, and a murderer? You're just sick! How dare you respond to a prince like that! You should be honored I looked your direction, let alone tried to hit you up with me."
"Jocelyn-"
"Skylar." I whispered under my breath when Ava spoke.
"Meet Prince Clayton Alexander Philip Smith, or also known as, your brother."
He's not living this one down.
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This one is definitely longer then any of my other chapters... Sorry :/
The video attached to this chapter is the one I'm basing the mansion on.
Who liked that ending? ^-^
I'm definitely going to write more about Johnny 😄

- Emuna_Jasmine