Royals

Chapter 14: nora

I heaved a humongous sigh. Letting it hang in the air. I sat in the kitchen, dangling my legs off the side counter. The cooks were busy washes dishes or making some fancy Royal food. This was my comfort area, besides my room.
"What is wrong Nora?" The chef asked.
I sigh louder, "I don't know..."
"Well something's wrong." He chuckled while placing the glass plates into the cabinet. There was. He was right, but I didn't want to admit it.
"Nora get off that counter and get in here now." A voice said solemnly.
I turned to see Mason at the door of the room on the other side of the kitchen. He tapped his foot impatiently. I hopped off the counter and followed him.
He stopped and sat down in one of the chairs in the small room. The walls were covered in maps. More than there had been. With a book shelf in the corner and a desk on the other side of the rooms.
     "Well?" Mason asked.
"I said I don't know. Didn't you hear me?" I say.
"I heard you. Just don't believe you." Mason answered. Arms crossed over his chest.
"I said nothing!" I almost yelled. I spun on my heel pushing open the doors and leaving the kitchen.
Why can't anyone understand anything! I walked through the dining room and outside. Heading straight towards the garden. Somewhere hopefully I wouldn't have to run into servants or collin...
Of course nothing was going my way because there he was. Elbows on his knees and his hands covering his eyes. Sitting on the wooden bench. I stopped at the second step coming on the pavilion.
"Please go." He said.
"I'm sorry." I said, standing still. I didn't move.
He looked up, "Oh. Nora.."
"Did you think it was one of your sister's?" I ask him.
"Maybe.." He grumbled.
I walked over to him and sat down looking ahead. "So what's the matter?"
He laughed, "Lots and lots of things...."
I laugh, "Isn't that nice."
"Not really." He said looking up now. His face was slightly red. "Things are terrible."
"What's wrong?" I ask.
"I don't want to talk." Collin looked down again and didn't say another word.
"You know you can tell me anything. Even if I didn't tell anyone, it still would make its way around somehow.."
"So?"
"So..?"
He sighed. I think I got him to talk...
"Fine. I have to betroth to someone for November." He said.
"Oh. That's–" I stopped. He looked up at me his face red from crying. His eyes sadder than I've ever seen them. For goodness sake, I've never seen him cry. "Uhh bad. But you'll get through it."
"Yeah maybe. I don't know. I'm not ready for this." Collin said turning away.
"Did you know..."
"Nora it's no time for did you know. Because everything is already known.."
I pressed on, "My mother said the same thing when she had my sister. She wasn't ready for it, she tried to avoid it all together. In the end...my mother she was okay."
"So you had a sister?" He asked.
"That's not the point, but yes. The point is, it's always hard in the beginning but it gets easier," I get up and walk back to the castle.
I slip inside and sigh against the cold wall. My head turns to the right making me jump at the sight of Mason. Standing on the other side of the door, arms crossed.
"So got enough sweet air?" He asks.
I feel my cheeks burning, "Yes. Yes I did."
He smirks and walks down the hall. I pick up the pace until I reach his side.
I cut in front of him, "Well??"
"What?" He asks.
"Never mind, I get that you're jealous." I whirl around and keep walking leaving him behind.
I don't need Mason.
I am perfectly fine. Don't need to bother with him. Though I thought we were friends, but I guess sometimes friends leave.
     A hand grabs my arm turning me around. Mason and I stood in the middle of the hall. Our noses almost touching. We were basically sharing the same breathe at this point.
     "I'm not jealous." He spat out.
   "Well you sure act it." I say taking a deep breathe.
     "Am not." He shot back.
    "You totally are." I say laughing quietly.
    He let go of my arm and pinched the brim of his nose. "Nora you are acting childish."
      I dropped my jaw, but I quickly closed it. "I'm not acting childish! You!! You are just jealous beca—"
     Then Mason pulled me towards him. His lips connecting with mine and staying there for what felt like forever. Mason broke away and touched his forehead to mine. I was to stunned to react.
    The only thing I did do was turn the corner and run. I reach the room I wish I could stay in forever.
When I'm in my room, I lock the door and jump on the bed. Wishing it would swallow me whole. I swing my feet, gently hitting them on the bedside. A pillow in my lap, and my cardigan wrapped around me.
I don't know.
I don't know..
I don't know...