Once upon a time

Chapter 2: A Prince from another world.

She eventually stops and leaves me on the ground. I collapse and burst into painful sobs.
The sobs rack my body and makes the pain feel even worse.
I pull myself together. I need to stay strong.

I sit up and wipe my eyes. I look at my raw bleeding back and quickly clean my back.
I get out some bandages and fix myself up. I sighed and sat down.
My life was in a pathetic cycle. I hear a loud thud and I whip my head around to see the book on the ground.

I look at it and I feel it calling to me. Telling me to stroke its cover and open it. I reach out and pick it up.
This is just a book and there is no such this as magic. I repeated to myself, trying to convince myself.
I take a deep breath and I turn to the first page.

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far far away. There is a handsome prince called Alec. He is beloved by all.
His brown eyes are soft and gentle. His brown hair is- I cut off as the room begins to spin and bright light blinds me. I hold back a scream, the light suddenly is gone. The room is still. What just happened?

I hear footsteps. I look to see a guy wearing some weird clothing. "Where am I?" he asks me, softly. His brown eyes. His brown hair. I gasped and looked at the picture in the book. He looks exactly like Prince Alec.
IT CAN'T BE. NO. NO. NO. I give myself a hard pinch. NO. It's real. I am not dreaming.

I look at him and sighed. "What is your name?" I asked, still not answering his question.
"My name is Alec, son of King John. What is yours?" he replies in his deep melodious voice.
"M-My name is Madison." I stuttered, I chose not to mention the 'daughter of Alice Greenwood' part.

I pick up the book. I grab his wrist and drag him out of my room. I check the hallway. The coast is clear. I dash to the front door and drag him all the way to the bookstore. I yank open the door. Mr. Phillips is there, cleaning up. "Uncle Mason!" Alec says, pleased. What?!

They give each other a hug and I feel myself slipping away. Darkness overtakes me.
I open my eyes to see big brown eyes staring into mine. I gasp and jump.
"It's okay. You just fainted." Alec says. I give myself a pinch. It's real.

He is still here. I look down to see him holding me in his arms. "How? What? Why?" I stammered, unable to understand. "The book is no ordinary book. Alec comes from the world inside this book." Mr. Phillips explains, appearing suddenly. I look at Alec and I poke his cheek. It's soft.

He places his hand on mine and smirks. "You are real?" I squeaked, trying to wrap my mind around this absurd idea. "Flesh and blood, darling." he replied, making me flush. I look away and turn back to him to see his intense gaze. I will not blus- too late. "How can I get rid of him?" I asked, Alec clutches his chest in mock hurt.

"You'll have to finish the book." Mr. Phillips states. Alec grabs the book and sighs.
"I'm planning to stay here for a while if you don't mind." Alec says, with a pleading look.
"Why? Don't you want to go home?" I asked.

"After I have spent some time with my favourite uncle in the outside world!" he exclaims, looking so excited.
"Fine." I gave in. Who could resist those big brown eyes? The book forgot to mention that he always gets what he wants. After all, he's a prince.

That lives in a huge castle with servants and horses and he has to return to find his one true love. Blah blah blah. "I'm going home." I stated, walking towards the door.
"Don't forget Alec! He has to be with you and the book at all times." Mr. Phillip calls.

Alec holds out his arm and I take it. No harm is it?
"I don't live in a castle." I warned him. He beams widely.
"How exciting!" He exclaims, giving me a huge grin. Which makes the corners of my mouth turn upward.

I open the door and shove him inside. I check the hallway. All clear.
I drag him into my room. I seem very scandalous. Well, what could I say?
Hey mom, I read a book and a prince came out of it. Cool, right?

I crash into Alec and somehow he is lying on top of me. He gives me an amused look as I give a squeak as I acknowledge our position. "You get a rather nice view of me from down there, don't you?" he comments.
I cover my face with my hands, blushing. He laughs and gets off me. I sit up and I am reminded of my injury.

I wince. "Are you alright?" he asks, suddenly looking concerned. I manage a smile.
"I'm fine." I said, I hear footsteps and I grab Alec. I open my closet and shove him inside.
The door opens and mom is standing there. "I'm off to a business trip,bitch. Get a life." she spats.

The reason I don't have a life is because she made me drop out of school to clean and work.
I hear the front door slam shut. She's gone. I let out a sigh. I open my closet to see Alec holding my bra.
I snatch from him, horrified. "I'm sorry. I got a little curious." he says, sheepishly.

He gets out and watches me put the bra away. "Come on. I need to pick my little sister up." I said, shutting the closet. We head towards the car. "Was that your mother speaking to you?" asks Alec, looking confused.
"Yes, it was. Unlike your life, I don't live in a fairytale." I said, harshly. He gives me a look.

"I'm sorry." I apologised, tears welling up in my eyes. I was humiliated. He must think I'm so terrible.
He knows by the icy tone of my mother's voice that she doesn't love me. He knows that my own mother hates me. A tear slides down my cheek. I feel warm arms pulling me close.

"It's okay." he says, holding me close. I bury my face into his chest. I hastily bring myself together.
"I'm sorry." I whispered, as his arms left me. Leaving me cold and lonely. Alec looks at me, with a tender look in his eyes. "Stop saying that." he says, gently. I nodded and drove to May's school.

May is busy talking to her friends. I patiently wait for her to come.
May gives me a hug as soon as she reaches me. She gasps as she sees Alec.
"Who are you? Are you going save my sister? Are you, our hero?" she questions, Alec gives a smile.

"I'm Alec. What's your name?" he replies, in a soft gentle voice. May beams.
"I'm May!" she says, brightly. She is just adorable. He examines the bruise on her cheek.
I wait for him to say something, but he doesn't. "May, mom's away on a trip." I said, driving home.

When we arrive home, I start to cook some pasta and soup. Alec watches me as I cut the vegetables.
"May I try?" he asks, breaking the silence. I nodded. He takes the knife and I guide his hand.
He is smiling and soon he is helping me. I call May and she comes down, beaming.

During dinner, we talk about what happened and May is fascinated by Alec. He makes her laugh and smile.
I haven't seen May smile this much. Maybe Alec isn't that bad. I wash the dishes and clean the table.
I walk to May's room and I find Alec talking to her. "Do you like my sister?" May asks, rather bluntly.

"I do, she's pretty like you." he says, making my cheeks heat up. This was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me for a while. I walk back to my room. Arms wrap around me and pulls me towards him.
"Eavesdropping is rude, darling." he says, his breath tickling my ear. He leaves me breathless.

"You can take my bed. I'm sleeping on the couch. My mom's room is locked." I replied. He freezes.
"Don't be absurd! It's your bed. I may be a prince but my parents have taught me better than to steal a girl's bed!" He says, amused. I watch him lie on the couch. He closes his eyes.

I walk over to him, shyly. "Alec?" I called his name. He opens his eyes and looks at me.
"We can share the bed if you don't mind. I don't mind, but I promise I won't- " I started to ramble on and on.
He scoops me up into his arms and dashes to the bed.

He gives me a grin and closes his eyes. I close my eyes and I feel arms wrapping around me.
I fall asleep, feeling utterly safe and content for the first time, since my dad died.