I cannot stop thinking about what Duke Kilter said. We must decide on a prince by the age of fifteen. That’s only two years away. I'm sitting on my bed thinking about that and how Toby would never notice me. I mean sure we're friends, but he's never shown any interest in me. I mean yeah, he asked me on an outing earlier in the eighth grade just to meet the requirement. But after that he's never shown any interest in me. Just then I hear a knock at my door. I stand up and open the door, Toby is standing there at the door with his hands in his pockets. He is looking down at his shoes.
“Yes,” I say, kind of stand-offish.
“Hazel, I just thought I'd ask your opinion. What do you think of me going on an outing with Olivia Grade?” he asks.
“Um... I think it's great,” I reply.
“Great, thanks!” he exclaims, then turns around and hurries down the hall.
I close the door and just stand there dumbfounded. A single tear falls down my cheek. I can't believe he just asked that. Then there's another knock on the door. I open it and Toby is standing there yet again.
“Hazel, I'm so sorry, I've been stupid. Would you like to go on an outing with me?” He asks.
“Um...” I say a bit shocked, “Sure, when?”
“How about right now?” he asks.
“Sure, just let me get ready,” I reply, wiping the tear from my cheek. I step away from the door and go and get a sweater. I'm so confused. This is so random. I walk back to the door and walk out with Toby.
He leads me out the door and to the forest. I follow him, not knowing where we're going, and still very confused. After a little while longer of walking, we walk into a clearing. There are two seats and a fire waiting to be started. I tilt my head in a curious manner.
“Come on, I'll explain in a minute,” Toby says, then continues to lead me to the chairs and the campfire. He has me sit, then sits down next to me and starts the fire. It gets going, and then we just sit there in silence.
“So, are you going to explain?” I ask.
“Do you not want to be here?” Toby asks.
“Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that to sound rude. I was just curious,” I reply.
“Hazel, honestly, I can never stop thinking about you. I just never asked you out on another outing because my parents sent me a letter, and made it very clear that you were not the appropriate choice for our family. But I don't care, I've never been able to get you off of my mind. Ever since kindergarten,” Toby explains.
I sit there in shock. “Oh, wow. Toby, I never knew. I'm so sorry. I... I just don't know what to say, I'm speechless.”
“That's fine Hazel, but I want to start seeing you more. We have to choose partners by next year, and honestly I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be with. I know we're only fourteen, but that's okay. We have at least three more years before we have to be permanently engaged. So what do you say?”
I giggle. “I say yes. I want to see you too.”
Toby smiles. “I was hoping you'd say that. Because I brought things to make s'mores to celebrate.”
I smile. Then we start heating the marshmallows.
I open the door and walk in my room. I smile and lean against the back of the door and sigh.
“Well you seem happy,” Kailey says.
YOU ARE READING
Castleside Academy
RomanceLexina Talon has always tried to be the best princess she can be. In a school full of princes and princesses, though, it's pretty simple. Just don't mess up, and you'll be fine. The goal is to graduate and at least be engaged to someone. That's the...
