Protecting the princess (GXG) *Complete*

6. Just hold on

I opened my eyes and instantly i was hit with the light from the front window. I tried to move to avoid the sun's rays, but something dragged my body immobilizing me. Annabelle was still laying on my chest, but shifted her head to look up at me. She smiled and pulled herself up to a sitting position. She just over looked me, then wiped her face.

"I'm sorry, if you were umcomfortable. I was half asleep and wasn't paying attention, so i ended up laying on you."

I sat myself up proper and rubbed the back of my neck. This feeling was weird, I was refreshed. I felt new and awake, but not like half awake i was completely awake. "No I was actually pretty comfortable, it was just a little weird to wake up with someone I knew. It's never happened that way before."

She yawned and then stretched," well in any case. What do you want for breakfast?" I looked up at the ceiling, pondering in my mind until a thought came. I realized i was beginning to trust her, more than I should. I swung my leg over to the edge of the couch and played around with my hair.

" I was thinking, maybe since you made me promise yesterday that id take you to the village, why not get something at a café?" She looked as if she were going to say no, but then surprised me with a nod. I stood and stretched while walking to my room for clothes. I can't have her walking around the village looking like herself, as bad as it sounds, I don't want to have news reporters following us around asking dumb questions. I grabbed her one of my old collared Sunday shirts and an old pair of my hunting jeans. I tossed them over and told her to get dressed so we could go. After I combed my hair, I slipped on a muscle-T, sweatpants, and a plaid collared shirt above the t-shirt. I walked out and didn't see Annabelle, so i walked around the room and opened the blinds my brother must have closed.

I then heard foot steps and turned to face the hallway. Annabelle came walking down the hall wearing the clothes I gave her. They fit perfectly and she seemed to be comfortable. "I'm ready."

I grabbed and stuffed the house keys in my pocket after locking the door and lead Annabelle down the front path to the river bridge. We walked in the middle of the road and I noticed she was stiff.

I stopped and faces her." What's wrong?"

She gripped the hem of my cover shirt and stood on her toes to whisper," why are the men looking at me like that?"

I looked around and saw that she wasn't lying the men on the curbs were keeping an eye on her. The men in this village, especially the Hunters, are like animals; They don't understand the word no and will take any young girl off the streets for a good time, whether it be forceful of not. I held my arm out like how you see men in the movies do, and told her to trust me and hold on to it." Because they know a pretty girl when they see one, but don't worry as long as they think you're taken they won't pounce. All you have to do is just hold on."

We continued to walk until we came across some kids playing with a ball. A small smile appeared on Annabelle's face as she watched.

She sighed," I wish I had that growing up. I probably would have been a better daughter."

I gave her a weird look," what does playing with a ball have to do with ruling a kingdom or even just sitting aside while someone else does?" I asked.

She looked at me, her eyes sparkled in the morning light. Dammit, there's that feeling again, it's the same warm feeling from earlier and from the first time I woke up today. " Well, one k never had friends so if something happened to the village i wouldn't be phased, because i have no strong bonds to this place."

That got alittle bit more of a heavier answer than what I was hoping for but I did ask. We walked alittle further and met up with an old friend of mine. He held a guitar to his stomach and lower chest, he had a cap on the ground and a sign that wrote; WILL PLAY ANY SONG SUGGESTED FOR A SMALL FEE.

He stood up and waves toward me, damn he's embarrassing. " Hey, Hailey! Whats up?"

"Hey Ruben, nothing just taking a stroll. I see you're out early and you brought the guitar too." He took a look at Annabelle, who was acting like a shy sheep and hiding partially behind me.

"Why, who is this?" He stood up and sat his guitar aside, then took her free hand and bowed before her." Nice to meet you, any friend of Hailey's is a friend of mine."

She took back her hand and tightened her grip on my shirt. "Her name is Annabelle."

"Annabelle? Like the princess Annabelle?" Her eyes widened and shifted them to me.

I raised one eyebrow and spoke," Just like the princess." He wiped his brows and picked up his cap to put on his head. Then grabbed his guitar and propped it into position for him to play.

"Since you're a friend I'll lend you one free song." He set his pick in his hand and got ready to strum the strings. I told him we were just looking for a café and wasnt interested in hearing a song that moment, but Annabelle stood on her toes to speak in my ear.

"Can't we hear one song?" I huffed, but gave in. "Can we hear a soft light tuned melody?" He looked surprised at her choice, but conjured up a tune in his head. She took my hand and lead me a bit farther up to a more open area.

" I'm sorry I don't know how to dance." I told her. This would be one of the ten thousand things they don't teach you in the mil. house. I tried to walk off but felt a hand on my wrist and a tug back to my original position.

She looked me directly in my eyes and smiled." Then I'll teach you."

I blushed alittle and jumped back," what happened to the shy girl I was bringing around the village?"

"I'm not shy when I dance. When I think about dancing the only people on the world, would be me and my partner. Which just so happens to be you." She held her hand out and I took the bait she had layed for me. She pulled me way too close for comfort and took both of my wrists, and placed them on her waist." Now you place both hands there, keep them there." She scolded, like I was planing on moving them other than off of her. Then she hooked her hands around my neck and moved ever so close. The gap between us was so little a fairy couldn't fly past. Her stare still remained, something about it just gave me a light tingle in my stomach. "Now all you have to do is hold on." She repeated my words from earlier, like a mocking bird. The feeling wouldn't go away, however I felt as if it were getting worse. I struggled breathing and tried to learn a pace, but that wouldn't help with what was happening with me right now. She's right there and has no idea, that my chest is literally on fire because of my awkward breathing pattern. Why was I like this? I still don't know that answer.