𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐍 || 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

Chapter 22 * Harsh Words Exchanged *

Sun filtered into the room, its rays flooding out onto the comforter. Groaning, I turned over, my arm outstretched. My hand hit the sheets with a thump then and I opened my brown eyes quizzically. Where'd Jack go? I sat up in bed and glanced around the room but he wasn't there. He must have already left to go see Langwidere, I thought to myself with a frown.

Hopping out of the bed, I walked over to the dresser and pulled out a fresh pair of clothes. Instead of a dress, I chose a pair of men's dark green cargo pants, a tattered light blue button-up shirt, and a tight black t-shirt, slipping them on. I found a pair of combat boots pushed to the back of the closet and tugged them on. A smug smirk crossed my face. Wouldn't Langwidere be happy to find her servant dressed very un-ladylike? I made my way through the spacious palace then, bounding up flight after flight of stairs until I reached a door at the top.

The bright sunlight hit my eyes as I opened it and I nearly hissed but bit it back. Suddenly, my eyes landed on Jack's form. He was sitting close to the edge of the balcony, just gazing at nothing. I strolled over to him, my booted feet crunching on the gravel.

"Come on, we're going to miss the festival," I told him, smiling widely.

He didn't say a word, didn't even look up at me. I stopped in my tracks and looked down at him.

"Aren't you coming?" I asked.

"Why should I do anything you say?" Jack bit back harshly.

I crossed my arms and arched my eyebrows.

"I'm not the one asking you. Oh Pompous One wants you to," I scowled.

"She's the worst human-being I've ever met," he said angrily.

I shrugged, scuffing my foot across the rocks.

"I don't disagree. I'd love it if she just up and croaked but sadly, we're stuck with her." I admitted.

"What are you even doing here? You obviously hate me and now you what? Want me to eat candied apples with you?" he pressed on, "Or am I supposed to trail behind like some kind of a pet? Or maybe you're here so I can entertain you so you can laugh at my clumsiness, my freakishness. Is that it? What do you want from me?"

With each word he uttered, it felt like someone was slicing my skin with a knife.

"You're my friend," I told him softly, hurt tinging my voice.

Jack scoffed before laughing out loud.

"Why are you laughing?" I asked him angrily.

"Is that really what you thought we were?" he asked me.

Ouch! That hurt.

"Of course I did! And I thought you thought the same..." I trailed off, briefly glancing down at my boots.

"Yes, because that's the reason I kissed you," he shot back bitterly.

Tears pricked my eyes then and my tough girl facade began to crumble.

"Then maybe you shouldn't have ever kissed me..." I choked out before running off, my feet kicking up dirt as I did.

I heard Jack calling after me but I ignored him, the tears already spilling down my cheeks.