"Is love real?"a woman slurred.
A chuckle escaped from some guy, "You have to find out."
"What the heck are you watching?" Johan stormed to the kitchen, quickly leaned in to take a look.
"A music video," I said as if it was the most obvious thing. "It's aesthetic."
"Weird," he shook his head after walking to the counter.
I was whirling around on the stool when he mumbled something, I couldn't catch.
"What?"
He mumbled again, his eyes avoiding mine.
"What is it, Johan?"
"The princess is in the living room."
By the time I saw her, I have already planned Johan's murder. How could he do such a thing, inviting her in without my permission. At least, I would have been able to prepare myself.
Trudging in my pajamas, I pulled my hair in a ponytail. Today was Saturday after all.
"Good morning, your highness," I tried to curtsy.
She was sitting on the couch. Her hair perfectly put in a bun and her fur coat made me felt like she was in a photoshoot.
"I have been patient," she said for first time. I had never heard her voice but it was high pitched but low. "Giving you two a chance to prove that you're not romatically involved. But," she stressed on the last word. "Why did my source tell me about your yesterday meeting?"
I took my time, choosing my word. But, she wasn't as patient.
"You even invited him in," she yelled. The sound must have carried to my dad who slammed his door so loud, I thought the floor shook.
Footsteps storming down the stairs, the princess looked a bit scared.
My dad wasn't a man to joke about. He was proudly an Italian, about six foot tall, muscles outlined by his shirt and a face not any scarier than Voldemort except that he had a nose, a beautiful one too.
When he saw the princess, he looked surprised but he regained his composure and set a determine look on his face.
"Good morning, your highness," he said with a small bow. "I would say Prince Timothy is just a friend of my daughter."
"You were eavesdropping on us?" Princess Veronica said, rudely. "How dare you even cut in?"
"You yelled so loud, it cannot be unheard," dad muttered, firmly.
His eyes searched for mine, giving me assurance.
She stayed silent for a moment, planning on a retort. "Your daughter,here," she said, calmly. "Is not good for Prince's image. I advise you to look after her because I won't be able to tolerate anymore rumours regarding the two. Understand?"
"Yes, your highness."
"Then I'll be leaving," she said as she stood up, heels clicking to the door. Dad didn't move to open it for her, he just came to me ,who was standing rigidly in a spot.
"Are you ok?" He hugged me, patting my back."Don't care she said. I'm rooting for you and the Prince."
"What?"
-
"We're going on a field trip!" Johan jumped in excitement, holding two pieces of permission slip.
I grinned, jumping up from the couch to hug him. We both did our small celebration until Dad came and crashed us all in a bear hug.
"Dad!" We both groaned as he chortled.
"Where to?" He asked before we took a seat while Johan stood in front of us.
"Camping!"
"Well, that's not really a field trip," I scrowled but I was still happy we've got something to do outdoor.
"It's as fun though," he shouted in excitement. "Imagining me and the girls."
"You're not going," dad deadpanned, slapping the couch before walking to the kitchen.
I doubled over in laughter as Johan raced to him with a red face.
The next day to school, Johan was skipping in his steps, satisfied that dad finally gave in with a warning.
He gave the permission slips to the teacher and high fived me and a few of his friends.
At history, I stared at Tim and the princess. They were paying attention to the teacher, notes out in front. I wondered if Tim was going. He might not because it was too dangerous.
Now I felt like not going.
Before lunch when I went to my locker, there was a sticky note attached to it. I didn't let Johan read, resulted in him storming to the cafeteria alone.
The storage room.
I furrowed my brows in confusion ,but my feet already decided for me. The storage room was quite far ,but it was very quite. I found its big wooden door in which made it easy to move things in and out.
When I closed it behind me, the light wasn't on. And I was suddenly threw off guard by hands on my shoulders.
"Don't move," Tim whispered, half laughed.
I swatted at his hand, glaring as I turned around. I barely made out his face in the dark ,but he was grinning.
"Are you going camping?" He asked.
"Yup? You?" I surprised myself with the casualty but Tim made it normal.
"I need permission. But, I am going without one anyway," he said as he leaned on the door, arms in his pocket.
I realized of how lean he was, yet slender at the same time. His blue jeans and casual top made him look like our usual popular boy in school. But, he was a prince.
"Are you checking me out?" He said loudly.
I was thankful for the darkness because my cheeks went red as tomatoes. I couldn't resist, looking at the floor then.
"I know the princess is not happy with us. But, " he walked closer, his hands grabbing my shoulders. "I will protect you, I promise."
I nodded, blushing harder because of the warmth of his hands. "As friends?" I blurted.
He stayed silent. The air felt suffocating for a moment.
He suddenly patted my arm and got out of the room without a word. I stood frozen, and a bit heartbroken.
