Denial

ch.22

"Yeah totally, love you too em" I state and hang up. I had agreed to meet with Em tomorrow and talk over lunch at noon. I sigh and stand up from the small coffee table outside of Petes Coffee & Tea.

Ever since Harry came to talk to me and we sort of cleared things up, I feel different. I look back and I can't recognize the snobby, cocky, & rude girl I was back at the castle. I think just the aurora of high authority that filled the castle was too much for me. I don't want to go back. I don't want to be the same Scarlett I was that everyone so highly despised.

Too invested in my thoughts, I feel myself bump into a hard chest and suddenly fall to the ground.

"Oh shit I'm so sorry!" A soft voice rasps out. I rub my elbow with a frown, gosh why can't these people just- positive thoughts scar, positive thoughts. I huff and look towards the voice. I'm about to speak when I notice how familiar he looks.

"Justin?" I whisper. His eyes go wide and he smiles. Sticking a hand out to help me up he starts to chuckle.

"If I would've known it was you, I wouldn't have apologized" he smirks. Wow, he is beautiful. Perfect really. A harry distraction? I think yes.

"We need to stop meeting up like this, I mean who likes being greeted by your chest?" I snort. He laughs and gives me a side hug.

"Nice to see you again princess" He smiles down at me. Gosh I hate that title so much, you don't know how much I wish I wasn't a princess. How much I wish I had other siblings in the castle who would want to take the title. How much I wish I wasn't the daughter of a queen. I want to be normal. And it starts now.

"Scarlett, just call me Scarlett" I mutter with a half smile. He frowns for a bit and shrugs it off. He looks around and the frown is soon replaced with the huge smile I wish I could forever have stored in my memory.

"You want ice cream?! I mean we are near a park and, Oh shoot do you even like ice cream. How did I not ask you already-" I push my hand over his mouth and I chuckle. This guy is too cute. He huffs and I see him relax.

"Dude chill, breathe. I love ice cream actually. Kinda need a distraction, so it'd be great to be in your company right now" I smile. He looks down at me and nods while grabbing my hand leading me towards the small ice cream shack by the park. It's only after I said what I said that the irony hits me. Distraction. That's all I'm labeling Justin with and its really starting to bother me. How about, new company? Well, sounds better than just a distraction I mentally shrug.

"Scarlett? You okay in there?" He frowns while his hand caresses my hair. Just that action gives me goosebumps. I smile and nod.

"Alright well is there any flavor you'd like?" He asks.

"Mocha Almond Fudge would be awesome" I chuckle. He winks at me and looks back at the young man taking his order. I look around and find empty swings. I walk over and sit down.
Maybe this is a good thing, maybe finding a new interest in someone else is great. Justin is so nice and kind, maybe he can be it for me. Maybe he can change me for the better, permanently.

"Lots to think about huh? You sure you want this ice cream?" I hear him taunt behind me. I look back and the mocha almond fudge is legitimately calling my name. He chuckles clearly seeing my undying desire for it and walks over handing it to me.

He sits on the swing next to me while taking a lick of his.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He asks.

"It's not much. I just really don't want to go back to the castle" I mutter looking down at my melting ice cream. I gasp and take a huge lick.

"What? I would think you wouldn't want to leave that place. Actually, this whole time you've been zoning out I thought it was because you were homesick or something" he says while frowning. I've been zoning out? I mean I have been more in my head than I usually ever was. I start to feel guilt for acting like this while being around Justin.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to zone out. It's just been a habit of mine to do so recently" I say fidgeting with my fingers while giving him a reassuring smile.

"You know you can talk to me right? I'm here for you" he states. I nod and reach over for a hug.

"Hey, do you want to take advantage of the new dance room in your place? Maybe like next week?" He offers.

"Sure that'd be great" I say a little too overjoyed.

He smiles and looks down at his watch. He frowns and sighs, I take out my phone and click it on. 3:43 pm. I look up at him and I realize that he might have other stuff to get too.

"I'm really sorry Scarlett but I have to be at a dance rehearsal at 4:00, I'll see you later?" He says quickly. I nod and wave him away. I start making my way out of the park only to realize that I don't really know how to get to the beach house from here. I huff and take out my phone.

(1) Missed call (1) Text message

I unlock my phone only to see that they're both from Harry. I frown in confusion and go to read the message first before even thinking about calling him back or not.

Just called to check in I guess. Don't want you to worry so yeah. - H xo

I chuckle to myself while typing my response.

You know that I have your caller ID so signing your initial at the end isn't really necessary? As well as the "xo". I mean I know you miss me but geez

I press send and click back to the home screen and look for the GPS. I type my address in and I'm on my way. As I finally get into my driveway I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Oh piss off. 

This kid is too much.

Aren't you supposed to be MY bodyguard? Some respect

H: You know yourself that'll never happen.

Can a girl dream?

H: Keep dreaming.

I shake my head and put my phone on the nightstand to charge. I sigh and collapse on my bed. What has my life turned into? My life in America and my life in the UK are different worlds. Two different versions of myself as well, but I feel like I'm a better version of myself here. Back at the castle I'm under so much stress and pressure, and I was surrounded by that ever since I was 13. On my 13th birthday, my mom decided it was a good idea to pile all the information about the responsibilities of being an upcoming princess. 9 years of that negative aura influenced the attitude and impression I had on everyone, that I seemed to adapt too.

Although of it only being 6 o'clock, I convince myself to take a shower and head to bed. Tomorrow is a new day.