The Runaway Princess

From Skylar to Jocelyn

"Wow."
"Yeah." My dad places his hand on Connor shoulder.
"You look Beautiful- well, you always look beautiful, but this time... Wow. Not that every other time isn't-"
"Thank you." I show my teeth, swallowing my nerves. I love him. I love him. I gracefully make my way to the couch and Connors eyes never leave me. Not specifically my dress, or my makeup: me. My eyes, my skin. It was like he was taking me in as if he would die the next moment. I felt loved. I am loved.
"So, Connor," Ava speaks, "did you grow up in Knightston?"
"Right next door to Skylar." He smiles while grabbing my hand. His eyes slowly find mine and I give him a look of 'not exactly right'. "Uh- I mean, Jocelyn...." He slowly corrects and I then notice the sudden change in him. I didn't mean to turn him off....
"What do you plan to do as your profession?" Tony sits on the edge of his chair, looking at him with his glasses hanging on the tip of his nose.
"I really want to be an artist," he glows, yet for some reason I wish he had a more suitable answer. "One of my favorite times is when Sky- Jocelyn," he corrects, showing discomfort, "helped me do some graffiti-"
"Connor, that's not really something for right now." I tried to be as sweet as can be, but I saw both the looks in Ava and Tony's eyes and I had to stop him before he continued.
"Right." He almost sounds cold, but Connor isn't- can't be cold....
This maybe isn't going the best....

***

"You are a lovely young man. I can see you enjoy being young." Tony exclaims after laughing at one of Connors jokes. We had just gotten back from the gulf course and Ava, Mae and I have been sweating; but like the ladies we are, we camouflaged it. When we got back, I changed into a more casual dress, and Mae pulled my hair into an updo. She also took her dress off, but instead of another one, she chose a skirt. The air between Connor and I hasn't settled down all day, but he never once showed any difference to my "parents". He still held my hand, still sweet-talked me, but I could tell... Something was bothering him.
"Well, Tony, you fed me, the least I can do is entertain." He laughs gently, and I have never seen him so loose. I have been so confused all day... Sometimes I snap the wrong way on something he says, or I laugh and get a look from Ava.
"Brooke, would you help me with the dishes?" Ava politely asks and my mother joins her in taking all the food into the kitchen; over half of the food that was prepared was left over. I decide to allow myself a breather and to help them too; maybe a couple minutes alone will help this tension....
"He's such a lovely young man." I ease drop on my "mothers" once I've collected all the dirty, empty plates.
"Yes, he is." Ava casually speaks, almost as if controlled by a machine.
"He cares an awful lot about Skylar." My mother is such an enthusiast. "I am not calling her Jocelyn." She remarks.
"Yes, I can tell." Ava responds once more.
"What do you think?" No wonder I grew to be just like her: Wants an answer, she gets an answer.
"Brooke, what are you trying to get here?" Ava snaps and this is one of the special times I notice it's actually her in that brain.
"Is there a chance? A slimmer?" Brooke has hope in her tone, but Ava shoots her down.
"He's not a prince."
"This isn't Aladdin, he doesn't have to be a prince to be her husband!" My mothers voice grows, but I hear Ava's footsteps grow distant.
"Mom?" My voice is shaking as I step out, but I keep my eyes dry.
"Oh Sky...." She purrs and brings me into a warm hug.

***

"Well, I finally talked them into letting you be alone. So, use your time wisely." My mother kisses my forehead and hugs Connor before leaving us in the giant living room.
....
He stays quiet for God knows how long. I clear my throat and he finally breaks the silence.
"That dress looked amazing on you." I feel giddy, yet also shot down, seeing as there was no enthusiasm in his compliment; he never even made eye contact with me.
"Thank you." I still smile like crazy, hope flaring in my chest. I scoot closer linking my arm with his. "You don't know how I have missed you!" He moves away by standing up.
"What's up with you?" He snaps, making me flinch back at his venomous tone. He never yells... "You're not yourself...."
"What do you mean? I'm still me, I'm still Skylar!" I stay sitting, confused and dazed.
"No, you're Jocelyn now."
"Now that's not fair!" I force myself to stand, before making my breaths slow and calming my body down.
"Skylar was this spunky, 'I don't care what you think about me' kind of girl. She never even thought about heels, and makeup, and gowns... She was herself with sneekers and a skate-board in her hands. This, this Jocelyn- she's been taken away from me."
"Tell me one thing that's not the same with me." I cross my arms, bringing myself to reality and fold them back down at my waist.
"Heels, gowns, posture, language... May I go on?" He runs his hands through his hair, clearly frustrated.
"I'm trying to do my best here! Why can't you be happy for me?"
"Somewhere in me, I am. But so far, I've only seen a rich, snobby girl who has lost her view on the world. I bet you have everything mapped out, the whole future! Your parents have been integrating me since I walked into the doors. What, am I going to be forced to change into a soulless rich boy who can never go without a cocktail? I don't think so." He surrenders his hands and heads towards the doors.
"Connor? Where are you going!" I follow, in a slower pace, considering my footwear.
"Home." He doesn't look back.
"How? Let us take you; it'll be fine." I try to sound gentle and warming.
"I called my mother; who let's me bathe myself."
"Hey!" I shout, ofensively. He turns in an instance, which surprises me. We almost run into each others foreheads.
"Tell me the last time you went skating." I stay silent. "What about the last time you went all day without makeup on your face?" He jumps with fake enthusiasm, "Oh! What about the last time you wore jeans?" I'm speachless, knowing all these answers, yet refusing to reveal them out loud. "Exactly." He sighs, spinning around in a circle with his hands on top of his head. "Why am I even here?"
"They wanted to meet you." I pause, finally knowing how this night is going to end. "I wanted you to have  chance here; with me."
"And I'd love to be here with you." He comes closer, resting his hands on the sides of my face. "This just isn't you; this isn't the Skylar I know." I start to feel my cheeks become moist. "This isn't the Skylar I fell in love with." He kisses my forehead, and I see headlights on the otherside of the guards. Connor starts to pull away but I grab his hand.
"So that's it. You're just going to leave me?" My words had more than one meaning.
"I know you'll find your way again, and when you do... Well, you know where I live." He smiles, so soft and welcoming. He connects his lips with mine, allowing me to feel the happiness. He never really kisses me, only when he truely means it. Rare acts of special love is what thrilled my heart. What. He pulls apart from me, and gently adds one onto my forehead. His hands slowly fade off of my waist side. "I will always love you Skylar." He murmurs as he walks away. I notice now that I am sobbing. Tears steaming down my cheeks, faster than a waterfall on drugs. I honestly don't care right now, but I can't stop them. I watch him cross the driveway, get the right to leave, and then he stops. He looks as if he forgot something, but I know he didn't. He turns and raises his arm high in the sky, waving it back and forth. With how dark it is, I'm only able to see it because of the headlights shinning on him. I don't do anything. I stand there; frozen. I feel like running after him, but my legs won't let me move. I stay until I can't see him any longer, still sobbing. Before long I fall to the ground, my body not strong enough anymore to hold me together. And honestly, I don't know if it ever will be able to again.

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Thank you for reading!

I got this one done a little bit faster than the last one 😅😅😏

- Emuna_Jasmine