Princess Can Fight |✓

Chapter 25: Thank you Princess

Austin Prince was someone I expected myself to care for deeply. If nothing else, he was always there for me. Every time something went wrong, he reassured me with his mere presence.

I expected his absence to affect me in ways that I couldn't really describe. I thought I'd feel some kind of emptiness with him not around-- because I needed him? Just to hold me and tell me everything would be okay?

And now that Austin really was gone, I experienced an unusual lack of concern for him? I didn't miss any part of him? Not his warmth, not the way he smiled, nothing.

On the contrary I was rather delighted by the fact that I did not have to endure the company of Austin Prince anymore.

"How did you know he was missing before we did?" Ace asked sipping his coffee.

"Spencer asked how we came here without a car. Said he didn't see one parked out front. And I knew." Brad looked tired.

"How's Spence doing?"

"He's okay for someone who's been stabbed in the shoulder for the first time." Brad smirked.

"Did he say how he got stabbed?"

"He said it was a little ahead of the last gas station. The details aren't important."

"Who was it?"

"Not important." Brad shook his head.

"You're hiding something from us? It's four a.m. Brad! A little truth won't hurt." I slammed my fist on the table.

"Trust me Izabelle, it's not something we have to worry about." He smiled? So he can smile? But he can't give me answers?

Perfect!

"Where am I sleeping?" I asked crossing my arms against my chest.

"Uh-- you can take Austin's bed." Brad said.

"Which one of you assholes is sharing the room with me?"

"I'll share with you." Brad nodded. Suddenly I felt warmth return to my skin. "Come on, I suppose it's time I got some sleep as well." He said rubbing his hands over his face.

"Night buddy." Ace said. "You too Izabelle."

Brad got up and walked to the room with me.

"Do you think he'll come back?" I asked walking to Austin's bed-- the messier one.

"Uh-- to be honest, I don't know. Austin said he wanted to leave, I just didn't realise how desperate he was to leave." He sighed.

"Hey Brad?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm almost glad he's gone." I had to tell someone. It had been eating me up ever since I realised he was gone. The wave of relief that set in was-- I couldn't even describe it.

"I thought Austin was your friend." He sounded confused.

"Well... Things changed."

"You can tell me about it." He nodded.

"He didn't want me to tell anyone." I shook my head.

"Why?"

"Because he was afraid you'd be mad at him? I guess?"

"He's not here Izabelle. Go on, tell me what happened between the two of you, because I know something did--"

"He said it was all a lie." I interrupted him.

"I'm listening,"

"He said he didn't really feel anything for me-- it was all just a lie, except for today. He said today was real but everything before today wasn't. He was just following orders-- as were you. It pissed me off how he thought he could treat me like that-- like I was just some assignment that he had to complete? I was just beginning to understand him, I liked being with him and I did feel something-- Brad? Brad are you mad at me? Maybe I should've told you sooner? Maybe then he'd still be here? But I don't think I really want him here at all? Not anymore." I shook my head and felt my fingers grip the side of the bed tightly.