Beauty and the Prince

Chapter 2

The sun was resting on the horizon casting an orange glow across the ground. Catherine felt like she was floating. The air was perfect for running, and as she made her way alongside the lake enclosed in green pasture a warmth spread through her. Glad none could see her ridiculously wide grin, she bared her teeth to the sun. St. Andrews had been a madhouse every since it had been announced that he would be coming in the fall. Phillipa, her younger sister, had been apart of the girls excited about it. Over the summer, Pippa, as she was called by her friends, had come up with a hundred and one plans to get her older sister to know the future king. Pip, also, reminded her every chance she got of the monstrous poster that had adorned her dormitory and home walls when she was a teenager. Luckily, there were no pictures found in the family photo albums to prove it. Catherine prided herself on the level of calmness she'd maintained compared to the hoards of girls hoping to "accidentally" run into the Prince, fall in love, and then marry him. She often sniggered at their ludicrous scenarios as they plotted out loud, but today even she had to succumb to the magic that was William Wales; a pure stroke of luck and she'd had an encounter with her childhood crush. It was amazing. An hour after the "incident" at the bulletin board she still could not recall what words had left his perfect lips.. He was gorgeous up close. His skin smooth and highlighted with rose patches. His lips deliciously pink hiding a handsome smile. His jaw strong and perfectly structured. And his hair. She could just imagine her hands running through his golden mane. He even wore a soft cologne; just enough to be inviting, but not over powering. The memory was so vivid that her heart pumped ferociously against her chest, a blush spreading once again in her cheeks as she started back. Tonight would be "Potluck" Wednesday on the girls floor, but running made her a little famished. She decided to pick up a snack before heading to finish preparing her own dish.

William sat in the dining hall eating with his buddies. Ollie, a rambunctious chap, stood humped over in excitement telling a fanciful tale of hunting and waterfalls. Will hadn't caught any of the vital information that linked hunting to water, but he shook his head in laughter as the rest of the table of friends did. William was, instead, focusing his attention on what looked to be many conversations about himself. Anytime he caught a pair of eyes or fingers pointed his way, they were retracted almost immediately in not so subtle ways, embarrassed at being caught by the subject of their gossip. One set of eyes he didn't see was of the stunning brunette who'd railed him in the corridor. Somehow, through all of the excitement he'd been exposed to today, including a welcome by the men of the hall involving a suitcase of ladies underwear and condoms, she, "Beautiful Kate," as named on the picture, remained steadfast in his mind. She was beautiful. Looking down into her hazel eyes, Will had gotten lost in the green and blue specks. It was as if her eyes were literally twinkling. And the blush that highlighted her dimpled plump cheeks was absolutely adorable. She'd hurried off so fast, bashful and pretty, that he doubted she'd even heard the words he spoke before her whispered apology. The dim classroom lights had not given her credit for her stunning natural features. In his face, were he could study her briefly, but thoroughly, she was worthy of her unofficial school nickname. She'd, also, unbeknownst to her earned points in his book for her impressively calm demeanor at his presence in class. Glitter, blush, and eye shadow exploded onto him from the throngs of women over indulging in cosmetics. If only they knew how useless it was. Kate had, however, no traces of a women infatuated with him. He suspected her jeans and sweater were of her very own comfortable wardrobe. Tuning back into yet another of Oliver's anecdotes, William thought about how fortunate he was to at least have her in class. Perhaps, one day soon, he would have the chance to befriend her,too.

Running certainly worked ones' appetite, and Catherine was almost tempted to purchase a full dinner, but there was still a lasagna waiting to be popped into the oven and the mass of bodies spilling through the cafeteria doors would prevent a swift departure from the lines. She knew that he was in the canteen immediately. Although, the staff worked excruciatingly hard at providing exquisite cuisine, many of the students opted to make use of the dormitory kitchens in their various residences. Again, much of the crowding could be credited to the women hanging about pretending to discuss politics and sciences. As she entered the congested room a hand reached out to grab her. Turning around abrasively , Catherine saw her boyfriend Rupert had caught up with her. He mistook the redness in her cheeks for happiness to see him. In actuality, she was silently reprimanding herself for not having thought of him throughout the day. He leaned down and aimed a kiss at her lips, but it was somehow absorbed in her cheek.