The Runaway Princess

The Burning Invitation

He swings and it breaks.
He swings and it breaks.
Suddenly he stops. He almost looks... Broken.
"He's been like this since he's gotten back." Sam sighs, "whatever happened over there, it's broken him. He won't tell anyone what's wrong, even me; he tells me everything!"
"This is because of me..." I turn to her, "We had a fight."
"Oh, Skylar. He loves you so much." I look back out the door. He kicks something out of my sight and sits on the swing on their back porch. He holds his head in the palm of his face, and it almost looks as if crying. Connor doesn't cry... I once saw him cry when he was told his father was in critical condition, but that was when we were younger; Connors father is an officer. He is always the one who keeps his emotions under control... except now. "I'll leave you to it." Sam smiles and walks away. It takes about five minutes for me to muster the courage to slide the door open. His position stays never moves.
"I told you, I'm fine."
"You don't know how many times I've used that." I walk heel to toe into the middle of the porch. My gaze slowly lifts from the cement to Connor. He looks as if the breath got knocked out of him. He looks awful. Like he's been hit by the same truck that's hit me. His baggy sweats and t-shirt makes him look like he's a doll being shaked by a five year old, his bloodshot eyes prove that he's been crying, but the anger in his features sends tingles through my skin. It's only there for a few seconds, before it disappears. His face turns soft, and his eye brows scrunch in confusion.
"Sky-" he clears his throat, "what are you doing here?" He stands and I rock on my heels. "Aren't you supposed to be-"
"Getting married?" I snort, "I'm a runaway." I smirk, taking a bow.
"You don't want to marry him?"
"Nope." I look around and take it all in. His backyard is usually neat and clean, but it's trashed. He obviously has a lot more anger than I thought. Then my eyes get caught on something. Over in the corner of the yard is a pit for fires, and in the pit is a single paper burning. I make my way over and see the handwritten, neat paper invitation. "You got one?"
"Uh," I turn to look at him, "yeah." His hand is scratching the back of his neck. Apart of me sparks, knowing he despises me being with anybody else.
"Didn't know you felt that way." I smile lightly, hoping not to sound too happy.
"I've always cared for you." He clears his throat. "So, was this the wedding dress?" His eyes almost look broken as he changes the subject.
"Yes." I try to pat it down, trying to make it look better, but it's not possible. "I kind of hit a lot of things as I was leaving the chapel." I laugh causally, stopping quickly.
"Leaving?" He murmurs, looking at the ground.
"Yeah." I slide off the ring Gus gave me, and I toss it. Then I smile before picking it up. "He may want this back." He smiles, and for the first time today, it seems like him.
"Why?" I walk over to the swing that he once occupied.
"I don't love him." I simply answer.
"Love? I didn't think Royalty cared about that."
"Well, I do." I shrug. "If they want to make me marry someone I don't love, then they can find someone else to run their country."
"Wow, I didn't know you felt that way." He smiles at me knowingly, since he's using my exact words.
"I've always cared for you." I say, not looking into his eyes. He sits next to me.
"What's wrong?" My eyes swell with tears and I look into his.
"I almost married him. They blinded me so badly, that I almost lost you forever." I struggle between breaths.
"Sky-"
"You don't have to forgive me, you can even make me leave, I just wanted to see you and say I'm sorry before it was too late." I speak so fast, I wonder if he even understands me.
"Skylar-"
"And I know I have hurt you, and I will never forgive myself for that-" Out of nowhere, I feel his lips on mine; the wind getting knocked out of me. His hand cups my cheek and his other folds in between mine. I loosen up as it last longer, placing both my hands on his cheeks. When we break he smiles.
"Of course I forgive you."
I feel butterflies in my stomach and I forcibly kiss him once more. Then I swing his arm over the backside of me and keep my grip firm on his hand; so now, he's holding me. I lean into his chest, and he kisses the top of my head. I close my eyes, breathing in his scent.
"We could stay here, forever." I murmur.
"Don't you have a country to run?" I open my eyes and he smirks.
"I don't want to go back, not without you."
"Who said I wasn't coming?" He smiles. We can have this: each other. We can be happy, together. "What about your parents though?"
"They've changed, I promise." I ease his worried look from his face. "We can do this, I just need you know: I'm not who I was. I've changed as well." I pull away and make sure his attention is on me.
"I know." He sighs, "I wasn't being fair-"
"Yes, you were. I had changed, it was to the point of not knowing who I am. But watching you leave... I may not be jeans and flannels much anymore, but I am still me. Dresses and heels are apart of me now."
"I know, I never gave you a chance. You are worth the change; hearing the comebacks, getting the looks. It's all you. But I'll be good without it." His tone is playful.
"Shut up!" I shove him. "Living there isn't going to take that away."
"Dang it." He groans, but I see the smile on his lips.
"I'm still a teaser, but I've learned to be more gentle and loving." I kiss his cheek and he turns red.
"Maybe, I can get use to this...." He smiles. I kiss him again, more passionate, and slower this time.
"Skylar! There's an emergen- oh... Uh... Sorry-"
"Who's this?" Connor hasn't met Johnny yet....
"This is Johnathan, but I call him Johnny. He's my security guard." Johnny smiles.
"Connor, right?"
"Yeah...."
"She talks an awful lot about you."
"Does she." He smirks at me and my cheeks heat.
"Johnny," I change the subject, "what's going on?"
"Your father, Tony not Aaron, has threatened that if you don't come back as soon as possible, he'll pull you away from the throne. Which means you'll be shunned by your family... And friends there." He frowns, "and the people."
"Oh my." I stand, out of habit, brushing off my dress.
"When we leavin'?" Connor winks at me, standing by myside, taking my hand.
"I have to do one more thing." I hold up the dress, and take off through the house with Connor chasing me, like when we were little. We cross the street and we both didn't stop in time, so his laughter is in my ear as I fumble with my keys. He purposely stays right behind me, and kisses my ear making me forget what I'm doing. I giggle as he places his hands on my hips.
"Don't you have to get home?"
"First off, I am home. Secondly, I need to dress appropriately." I smirk back at him, dreaming about my jeans.

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Thank you for reading!

Bam. *explosion*

- Emuna_Jasmine