Three Pretty Princesses

Chapter 20- Ava

"There was once this girl at the orphanage who could drink a whole gallon of water in two minutes," Pauline said as she added Pektar, the God of Bravery to the embroidered tapestry the girls were working on, "It was crazy. She was only 4 feet tall, too!"

Ava laughed, saying, "My father could probably do that- except it would have to be wine not water."

The wooden door of the chamber swung open, startling the two girls.

"Sorry I'm late," Evalyn exclaimed with a trembling voice. She pushed the door shut, sat beside Ava, and began to fiercely embroider. This was strange. Evalyn would usually burst into conversation, telling the group what amazing things had happened to her. It was when Evalyn started to embroider so roughly she pricked her finger that Ava knew that something was very wrong.

"Evalyn," Ava began, "Can I talk to you outside?"

Without even responding, Evalyn through down the tapestry, and walked out of the room with Ava. When the two were out of Pauline's earshot, they sat down next to a wall, and Ava asked, "What happened?"

Evalyn let out a downcast chuckle. "Ava, you're meant to be emotionally oblivious. Being observant is my thing."

"Stop changing the subject," Ava warned firmly.

"Reese said that he didn't want to see me anymore."

"Oh, Evalyn."

Evalyn climbed into Ava's lap, resting her head in Ava's chest. The Princess froze. She'd never been held onto like this platonically. Sure, she'd been kissed and embraced by Sonyae, but no one had ever hugged her like this- not even her own mother.

"How did he tell you?" Ava asked as she adjusted her body to accommodate Evalyn's.

"He didn't. He only confirmed it," Evalyn cried, "I knew it from the moment I met with him today. He had crinkled shirt-sleeves because he had been pulling on them so much out of nervousness. He had the smell of rose perfume on his neck. He didn't look me in the eye when he kissed me on the cheek. I knew he what he was going to say to me, so I just said it."

Ava clenched her fist in anger. "And then what did the idiot say?"

"He said, 'You get the message'."

The Princess let out a colossal sigh. There was nothing she could say to make it better. It would take anyone a thousand rivers of tears to get over being told "You get the message".

"I just like no one could ever love me," Evalyn sobbed into Ava. It was ridiculous really. This boy had eroded who she used to be. Evalyn was no longer the self-confident, bubbly girl who had beaten Ava at cards. Instead, she was insecure, neurotic, and melancholy. She was a ghost.

"Evalyn," Ava whispered, stroking Evalyn's dark hair, "You're beautiful, and clever, and charming. I promise thousands will love you. How could they not?"

"Ask Reese."