The Runaway Princess

Agreement

"Skylar?" My mother knocks. Without a word I open the door, and my mother stands there dazed. It's been an hour since I have allowed anyone to talk to me. I cried for what felt like forever, but then I got the brilliant idea to pack. "Skylar, what are you doing?"
"Packing." I continue to shove my clothes into my suitcase. Funny how it's easier to pack the first time then when you're preparing to leave.
"Sky-"
"Don't Sky me. I'm not going to sit here and let them judge and pull me away from Connor."
"Joce- Skylar?" I hear Ava's voice, but I'm startled at the name she changed to.
"Um, yes?" She joins us, and her features were more relaxed.
"I have an idea-" she pauses, "why are you packing?"
"Because I don't get told who I can be with or not." I smart off, crossing my arms.
"What if I petitioned with your father about allowing us to envite Mr. Connor over for a day, and we'll even include dinner...?"
"You would do that?" I feel my eyes burn from the water swelling back up.
"Of course. I know we haven't been on the right foot since we met, but you're my daughter, I don't want to see you upset."
"I guess we could try that." I try to push down my excitement, but it doesn't work. I screach with happiness and I pull Ava into a hug. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I pounce around with happy feet.
"If."
"Awe, if what?" I groan.
"Only If you allow me to teach you how to be the future queen."

***

"Sky!" Mae squeals as I embrace her. Once she catches a glimpse of my "mother" she bites her tongue and does this little bow with her feet. I'm so confused why shes "bowing", but then Ava smiles from ear to ear.
"Thank you, Miss Dawn."
"Honor to meet you, Mrs. Smith." Mae plays soft.
"Sounds like some gang movie." I freely speak. Both Ava and Mae give me looks and I hang my head.
"Miss. Dawn, her name is Jocelyn, not Skylar." She politely "corrects".
"Right, sorry ma'am."
°°°
"Man, did you kiss up to her."
"What are you talking about?" Mae messes with the jewelry Ava has been making me prounce around in.
"Ma'am, Mrs. Smith, saying sorry for calling me Skylar."
"That's not 'kissing up to her', it's called respect."
"Well, she doesn't deserve any." I mutter, laying on my bed, not caring if this ugly, poofy dress is showing anything.
"You don't like her?"
"Everyday I grow to hate her." I groan, not ready to destroy this woman's reputation already for my friend.
"She's so lovely though." She sits beside me and I get up.
"Look at what she's done to me!" I slowly spin. "I'm in a dress. I am stuck inside all day. She won't let me skate, or wear my sneakers. She's awful. A monster!" I dramatically sigh as I look out the window. I watch Clayton take one of the waitresses hands and start to dance with her.
"If she's doing all this, why aren't you, Skylar Sanders, doing anything? You would've snuck out, packed and left already... What's holding you back?" Mae knows me too well.
"They're forcing me to marry."
"What? You're only seventeen!" Mae jumps up, confusion crossing her face.
"Who cares if I'm seventeen! They're making me marry someone I've never met! Some Prince named Gus."
"What about Connor?" Mae's eyes go soft.
"I can't- I can't hurt him Mae. He doesn't deserve it."
"Did you stand up for him?"
"Of course I stood up for him. I love him...." I look away from her.
"This must be why I'm here." She murmurs to herself.
"Actually... I called you here because I need your special help."
"With?" Her sculptured eyebrows crunch.
"I need to become a Princess."
"YES!" Mae screeches before smiling wildly at me. "Wait, why?" She breaks off her excitement.
"Connor." I pause. "I made a deal that Ava could makeover me if she would give Connor a chance. So now-"
"DRESS UP!!" Mae jumps up from the bed and starts yelling and laughing with excitement.
"Yay. Dress up." I swing my arms around with very little effort, sarcasm like poison on my tongue.

***

"Here she is!" Mae exclaims as I slowly and easily make my way down the staircase. She squeezed me into another dress and taught me how to sit, how to cross my legs and most importantly, how to walk in heels. I wobble a little, but I play it off by taking my next step anyways.
"Gorgeous, Skylar." My dad compliments. Ava bites her tongue this time, sneaking a look at my father. Tony walks into the room, talking on the phone, he stops and looks at me.
"The most beautiful." His posture stays in awe until the person on the other line sways his attention again.
"Nice walk." My mother congratulates me, and her look of 'I told you so' on her face brightens.
"Thank you. I appreciate every compliment." I pull my right foot behind my left foot and I do something called a curtsey... Credit to Mae.
"Incredible." Ava steps forward. "May I show you more things?"
"Of course, Ma'am. I'd be delighted to be taught by the Queen." I smile, yet I feel like tearing this dress, throwing these heels and taking down this painful and pinching bun! And don't forget this coat of face paint; Mae had to of put on fifteen layers of makeup on my face!
"At this rate, this boy you speak of will be coming faster than you know." Ava takes my hand, mentioning "Tea Time".
This is all worth it if it means Connor stays in my life. It's safe to say, he's my weakness; and I don't care.

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Thank you for reading!

Sorry, my attentions been elsewhere... 😅😅
Still hope you're loving it ❤

- Emuna_Jasmine