Of Kisses and Windows~Shirbert

Of Kisses and Windows

"Princess Cordelia! I thought I would never see you again!" Exclaimed Tillie with evidently false shock.

Anne stepped foward and took Tillie's hands in hers with an elegant charm. "Not to worry, my dear Prince Phillip, for I have returned and have the intentions to stay."

"How could I be sure your quest days are over?" questioned Tillie.

"I could make a promise," Anne proposed with enthusiasm. Ahe sperad her arms to accentuate her words. "I vow myself to you in this very moment as your wife. I shall love you and support you in every step you take down the path in life. If you accept me, that is."

Tillie stuttered, not knowing how to carry the scene forward. "Um, yes?" she doubted. Upon that, the girls burst out in a fit of giggles. Diana clapped like a seal as she tried to regain her breath. At this, Anne cracked a bright smile before joining the laughter.

They were al their lunch break at school, their play hidden in between the curtains they arranged at the beginning of the year. It was a sloppy job, the curtains were suspended on rusty nails from the humid roof, but it served its purpose.

"That was wonderful!" Diana shrieked. She took a bite out of her jelly sandwich, courtesy of Jane.

"Well, it was truly something," said a voice from behind. Josie leaned against a wooden pillar. She eyed Anne from head to toe, an eyebrow arched.

Anne's stomach dropped. Josie reminded Anne of a cunning predator, intimidating its prey before devouring it. Josie Pye was the kind of girl tat made the temperature drop whenever she walked into the room.

"Whatever do you mean?" questioned Diana with a hint of annoyance.

"It's just funny how this 'Princess Cordelia' character is the one who proposes. She doese things a man should do." She glared daggers at the redhead. "It's almost as if you know no man's ever going to pay attention to you."

Anne gritted her teeth. "Princess Cordelia is a strong woman who does what is right without worrying about something as superficial as gender roles," she spoke tightly. She did her best to exhale, in shaky breaths, all her anger and frustration. Why did Josie have to ruin everything?

"I think the play was splendid," commented Ruby, nibbling her strawberry tart. Josie paid her no mind.

The bell started ringing. The boys and the older girls burst into the classroom with a blast of laughter and chatter. Josie turned in an abrupt half-circle to see where the noise had come from, and couldn't hold back a smirk.

She cleared her throat. "You know what is also curious, Anne?" Josie spoke in a louder voice, effectively catching some of the boys' attention. "Your stupid character is a princess, and you're nothing more than an ugly orphan."

Tears welled up in the redhead's eyes. "I am not an orphan anymore," she almost yelled. Her fingernails dug into her palms. She trembled every so slightly, as if her emotions have manifested into a deadly earthquake that prevented her from keeping her balance.

By that point, the chatter dissipated into the air. Everyone dtood silent, their eyes huge with intrigue. The students stared at the altercation, their eyes moving back and forth between the redheaded kindred spirit, and the perfect bully.

Josie scowled. "Yes, you are. Your parents didn't want you, and the Cuthberts just want someone to do their chores." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"My parents died!" Anne screamed, her voice raw. However, it didn't cause much of a reaction from the girl in front of her.

At that, Diana jumped to her feet in a way that would have made her mother scold her for being 'un-ladylike'. She placed a hand on Anne's bony shoulder. "Don't listen to her," she reassured, her brows furrowed.