The Runaway Princess

Time to Meet Princeton

I felt so weak; I didn't say anything to stop him! I just watched him walk away; I let him walk away. Mae finally found me out on the lawn, staring at nothing as if I'd lost it. I felt as if my entire world had crumbled and I didn't even know where to begin rebuilding. I don't really remember making the trip to my room, but I do remember waking up on my bed. I felt like wearing sweats, and crying in the back of my closet, but Ava had already told Mae that we had plans today. I don't want my evil mother to see me crying, whether over a good reason or not, so I slowly stumble around. I put on a dress; black with lace around my neckline. It had fabric forming into a heart over my chest, but the lace took over from there to my colar and neck. In an odd way, I really liked it.
"When's the last time you wore jeans?"
I start to cry as I slide on my flats, deciding to give the heels a rest. I apply my own makeup, not needing Mae's assistance anymore. I don't add a lot, but enough to hide the tear markings and the bags under my eyes. I add a little smoke to my eyelids and I slide on lip gloss to moisten my lips a little bit.
Maybe Connor's right....
"Hey, Sky. I heard about last night." Johnny knocks and I take a deep breath.
"I'm fine."
"Are you?" He sits on the edge of my bed.
"I'm fine." I repeat, teasing my hair so it doesn't look as if I just woke up (even though I just did...).
"With what happened with Connor, I thought you'd need a friend...."
"I'm fine." The small, and fragile curls form around my face. With my hair in a bun since before dinner last night, my hair has been in waves.
"I can tell." Johnny snaps. I guess I deserve it....
"I'm sorry, Johnny." I murmur, turning to him.
"It's okay." He sighs, taking my hand. He has really been here for me.
"So, what's Corella De Vil got planned for me today?" He releases and muffles a laugh.
"I'll let you find out." He stands up, kissing the top of my head. Johnny has become an older brother that I have relied on so much during this.
If only Connor got to meet him...
But if he did, Ava would find out about him getting close with me and he'd lose his job....
"Jocelyn." Ava casually calls up the stairs. It's not like a yell, but it is loud enough for me to hear.
"I dispise that name." I mutter, making my way towards her voice.

***

"I want you to meet someone today." Ava says as we ride in her expensive limousine. When it stops and Johnny opens the door I notice, once more, that we are at the gulf course.
"Why do we always come here to meet people." I casually think out loud.
"My dear, you're father runs this course. It's one of the things we're known for." She sounds proud, almost like a trophy wife.
"I'm known for a girl who got dumped." I mutter, and for once Ava doesn't scold me on 'Muttering'. Once we reach a certain part of the course, I'm able to see Tony playing golf with another gentlemen. He's maybe my height, maybe a little taller, but from this far away it's hard to see. I'm not very clever most the time... But I do know some things; and this isn't going to go well (at least not emotionally). The conversation I eavsed-dropped on comes to mind and my heart sinks. They expect me to move on in one day?
"And here they are!" Tony turns just in time, looking at me as if I was a club he was auctioning off. This can't be happening. This can't be happening!
"Sorry, we we're running a tad bit behind." Ava folds her hands, and I know I should too, but I don't.
"We entertained ourselves just fine." Tony looks cold, reminding me of last night. I shake my head, refusing to cry; not now. "Don't let it happen again." He threatens under his breath, out of reach of out guest.
"Princeton, Gus Princeton." He smiles at me, and I give a small smile. He gently takes my hand and I almost pull away. His lips brush against the upside of my hand. I worry I made this gesture awkward, but it was my first time ever getting my hand kissed by a stranger.... He doesn't react much, just brushes his clothes down and straightens his coat jacket.
"We'll leave you two." Tony places a hand on Ava's shoulder, her smile fading with every second. She smiles barely when my eyes run across hers.
"Would you like me to get a cart?" He starts to gesture to Johnny, but I stop him by placing my hand on his lower forearm.
"It's beautiful; lets walk." I smile, hoping the fresh air helps. We started to walk, but we headed the long way back. We both stayed silent for the longest time. I could learn to love him... But I don't want to. He is fit and modest. I can tell he keeps after himself; he almost reminds me of Tony.... As soon as it was clear for sure of my "parents", Gus finally broke the silence.
"Man, your parents." He unbuttons his jacket and rings his fingers through his hair
"Wait, what?" I stop and turn to him. He allows his face to drop, his features making him look his age. I take back every thought of Tony now....
"You think I'm some snobby rich boy, don't you?" He laughs, tensing up when he notices Johnny following close behind; doing his job.
"Well, yes. I did...?" I murmur, really confused.
"I've heard about you." He nudges for my hand and I nod. His fingers slide between my fingers. "You didn't grow up in the royal house, correct?"
"Correct; I grew up in jeans." I casually laugh, finding him easy to be around.
"I was raised with my family, but I have always thought differently than them. I've never really understood why I would have to marry someone apart of the royal line- let alone someone I don't know." He doesn't look at me, but I can tell through his voice that he has loved someone.
"Who is she?"
"Excuse me?" His face turns to me.
"What's her name?"
"Willow." His face tenses.
"Let me guess: your family chased her away?" I sound bitter, but I honestly don't care.
"Actually, they made me chase her away." I snap my head towards him.
"What?" Disbelief clouds my voice.
"They said it was the only way I'd be able to stay apart of my family." He tenses up, I can feel it in his hand. "So, I had to let her go." He sighs, "You see, I love my family. They're really the only thing I have."
"I'm sorry." I sound flat, almost uncaring.
"What's his name?" He smirks.
"What?"
"What's his name." He speaks slower.
"Con-", It feels like a rock in the pit of my stomach, "Connor." I spit out.
"Your parents scare him off?"
"No- well, sort of." I sigh, "I grew up with him; he's my best friend. But he says they changed me here... But I heard my parents last night and they came clean that they were never gonna give him a chance. It ended last night...."
"Guess they really want to force us together." He murmurs, knowing exactly how I feel.
"It's just not want I had in mind." He stops and turns to me.
"I can tell you don't want this." He states and I hesitate to nod, "I don't either. Not saying you're a bad person... I just don't want to marry a stranger... But I also don't want to lose my family."
"You want to follow through." I piece it all together.
"If you're on board too, I don't want to force you to do any thing." His eyes show determination, but also comfort.
"I mean, it's not like we clash and we're going to hate each other." I pull on a weak smile.
"Yeah. I could be snobby." He laughs, nudging me on the shoulder. We obviously don't plan on being any closer than we have to be- relationship wise. But being stuck with Gus as my husband, well it won't be what I hoped, but it won't be all bad either. So far we're getting along as friends pretty well.

Looks like I'm getting married....

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- Emuna_Jasmine