The Bad Boy's Princess

Chapter 9

Sunday

"Belle! It's me!" Jackson/Beast says.

I step closer and look into his eyes. "It is you!"

I hug him, then he pulls me back, "Belle? I love you." Then he kisses me. 

Well that wasn't scripted.

* * *

Immediately after the show I pull Jackson into the girls costume room.

"What the hell was that?" I ask.

"What?"

"You know exactly what - the improvisation."

"Oh that. Yeah well, just decided to jazz things up a little."

"You could have notified me!" I yell.

"Baby calm down," he holds my hands in his and leans his face close to mine.

"You look stupid with all that make up on." I mumble.

"Yeah, I know." He laughs.

"Did you call me baby?"

"Yeah - why? Do you not like me calling you that? I can call you something else, how about babe, or-"

I kiss him. "You can call me whatever you want."

"How about stupid head?" He asks.

"Well that's just plain rude." I say pouting.

"I'm sorry baby." He says wrapping his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into a bear hug.

"I like that."

* * *

Monday

After the show Jackson walks me to my car. Him and I have been getting even closer.

* * *

Tuesday 

Second last show. I'm so nervous I could explode. Or implode. 

* * *

Wednesday

It's the last show. The Rodriguez's are coming and so is my father. Straight after we're going home to Unovria until next weekend. I won't be able to attend the after party tonight which sucks. 

We do our bows and there are some extra loud cheers that I know are from Samuel, Maria and Justine. all the other cast members go off except for Jackson and I. We do one last bow and then head off the stage together in character. 

I get changed and wait outside the guys dressing room for Jackson.

"Hey beautiful." He says and grabs my hand. "You were amazing tonight."

"Oh, well so were you."

"May I walk m'lady to her car?" He asks.

"No, I'm going back to Un- You know, England."

"Oh yeah, that's right. Well, want me to walk you to your ride?" He asks.

"No I'm okay." I say pulling away.

"Come on, I don't bite." He entwines our fingers and starts walking me out to the foyer. 

When we walk out the Rodriguez's are there and so is my father. I sprint straight to him and give him the biggest hug I've ever given to anyone before. I turn around when i feel a tap on my back. 

"These are for you." Joshua says handing me a bouquet of yellow roses.

"Aw thanks buddy." I say and force him into a hug - in which he replies with cries of help to Maria and Samuel.

"And who's this?" Father says, motioning towards Jackson.

"Uh, Father, this is Jackson. My.."

"Boyfriend." Jackson says.

"Does he.. Know..?" Father asks.

"No." I reply.

"Does he know what?" Jackson says looking at me questioningly. 

"Um, nothing." He raises an eyebrow. "Just about me going home for roughly a week."

"I know that." He says.

"Oh yeah! You do. Well I'll see you in a week, I'll call you when I get there."

"I'll walk you to the car." He says.

"Oh that won't be necessary, dear." Maria says.

"No honestly, it was raining when we got here I want to make sure Arabella gets to cover alright." He says.

Curse his goodness!

 "Arabella may I speak to you? Alone?" Father says.

I nod and he leads me to the corner of the room.

"There's camera's out there." He says.

"They found me?" 

"They followed me."

"Even if we get out there we can't guarantee that Jackson won't see. They'll start shouting and snapping pictures with their flashy cameras. There's no escape. What do we do?" I ramble.

"He's just going to find out."

"But father I really like him."

"And if he really likes you he'll understand, come on, we have to go."

I give in and walk over to Jackson, "Jackson, whatever happens out there - I really like you okay? And i hope you can understand."

He laughs "What are you talking about it's not like we're in apocalypse - I'm just taking you to your car."

Car might be an understatement.

"You ready?" Samuel says as he places his hand on the door.

I nod and take Jackson's hand. I squeeze it tightly and Samuel opens the door. The camera's start flashing and the crowd starts forming. 

"Princess!"

"Princess Arabella!"

"King George!"

"Princess Arabella! Is this your boyfriend?"

"King George, Princess Arabella! Look this way!"

"What's his name?!"

"Why are they calling you princess?" Jackson asks.

"Does he know you're a princess?!"

We make it to the limo and I pull Jackson in and he's looking around at us, I put my head in my hands - eyes tearing up. "I'm so sorry Jackson." The limo starts driving away from the school. "I didn't want you to find out like this.

"Find what out?!"

"I'm an actual princess. I don't live in England, I live on a small island called Unovria between Norway and the United Kingdom. I came to live with Samuel and Maria because they're long time family friends. My Mother died when I was little. I'm going home because my birthday is on Saturday." I explain. "The driver will take you home or back to the school once we go to the airport, I'm sorry Jackson."

"D...Don't talk to me." He says staring at me as if I just grew another head.

I nod and move to sit next to Justine. I face away from Jackson and lean my head on her shoulder. I don't dare cry in front of him. He leans against the window and stares out at the passing scenery. 

* * * 

 When we arrive at the airport I look over at Jackson, he's still staring out the window. Everyone else has gotten out already so it's just us.

"Have a good trip." He mumbles.

"I said one of us would get hurt, and it seems we both did."