How About That? (Completed)

The Beautiful Stranger That I Used To Know

Alex

It was my banquet today. I could honestly say I wasn't looking forward to it. It was going to be over the top and I would have to go and greet a whole bunch of lords and lady's that I didn't really know or want to know, but had to in case they were high up in the ranks of society and had a daughter that my father could possibly arrange a marriage with. That is of course unless we could have a marriage between me and Princess Tiana of the Unseelie court. Our marriage would merge the two kingdoms, therefore forcing peace. I didn't want an arranged marriage though, I wanted to be with Katie. I was growing up and wanted to settle down. I didn't want to be with just any girl for short periods of time any more. I wanted to be with someone that meant something to me and that got me. The only person that fit that criteria was Katie.

Stylists, that all just happened to be pixies, came into my room interrupting my thought process to get me ready for tonight. The girls giggled as they did their work, speaking in a different language. One I understood, but pretended not to, and actually just switched off to, so that I wouldn't know what they were saying. I knew they were excited though, for the banquet and to be able to design my clothing, and touch me of course. I was the prince and the guest of honour after all. They poked and prodded me, measured and sewed on me until they were satisfied. They tried to touch my hair, but I smacked their hands away. I scruffed my hair and checked in the mirror in order to make sure that it that it fell just right. It had to be just messy enough, so that I didn't look like my father.

I felt a familiar frustration rise up in my chest. Yes, I was prince, but I was not stupid, as many people thought I was. I did not need people to dress me, let alone touch my hair. When we were finished we left my room and started making our way down the hall. I had to use a different doorway to make a 'grand entrance' for the banquet. The stylists chattered at my ears, typical of pixies. I tuned them out, responding only with short answers and not answering at all when possible. Eventually they left me alone and scampered off to get to the ballroom before I did. They couldn't miss the 'grand entrance',  now could they?

The hallways were like death and I assumed this was because everybody was in the ball room already. As I walked I heard a single set of footsteps heading towards me. Their rhythm sounded somewhat familiar, but I wasn't quite sure. Or should I say I wasn't sure enough. I was listening closely enough to hear them change speed from a steady pace into a run. I heard the swishing of a gown as well, confirming that it was definitely a female. Maybe whoever it was realized that they were the only person other than me that was late, seeing as I'm the only one allowed to be late this wasn't a good thing for them. I could put them in the stocks for that - I wouldn't though - but I could. The next moment the person who had been running, ran straight into me and bounced back landing on the floor. Wow, I never knew that could happen in real life... I resisted the urge to snicker, thinking of how much of a children's story book moment that was. It seemed so fictional. I looked down at the familiar shock of sunrise hair and ice blue eyes staring back at me. I observed the emotions and thoughts flashing through her and watched as they shone through her eyes. She looked flustered, I felt flustered... but hid it under a smirk. I stretched out a hand to help her up and she actually  considered accepting it for a mere split second, but then turned to her side and stood up by herself. Only Katie would reject me. She greeted me appropriately. I mimicked her tone and then apologized.

"I'm sorry." I said sincerely, meaning it. I knew it wasn't my fault, but I felt bad anyway. I thought about the fact that I had offered my hand to help her up after she fell; but she rejected me and the fact of the matter is that I deserved as much. We spoke in formal tongue, as two strangers in the court would. I felt my heart clench, but I deserved this. I hurt her, badly. She still looked extremely flustered and curtsied to leave. I turned and watched her walk away. The gentle way her hips swayed as she walked melted my ice-cold heart, even at the speed she walked, it still somehow looked gentle.

"See ya la'er, Katie." The words slipped out before I could stop them. She stopped dead in her tracks, breathing deeply for a moment before she kept walking, pretending as if nothing had ever happened. Probably the wisest desicion that she could have made. That's what we both always did in moments like this, though. Her being hurt and choosing not to open the closed box, with all these emotions inside of it, those memories that haunted her and the confusion that wouldn't leave - I assumed all of this of course. For all I knew she could be fine, not that anything indicated that. And me... being too much of a proud coward to own up to what I had done and make it up to the beautiful stranger that I used to know.

***

The night was actually quite enjoyable, much to my surprise. It was long though, so long it went over the whole of the next day. I danced with so many different young lady's, not even one of whom I had any interest in whatsoever. I pretended for their sake though, that I at least didn't not want to be there. I smiled and listened to them, their pointless babbling and voices that sounded like screetching in my ears, compared to the honey sound of her voice. I searched for Katie, only to see her dancing with that friend of hers. What was her name again?... Abby. There was no way I would get the chance to speak or even dance with her tonight. That sucked, to say the least. It didn't stop me from trying, but I was always pulled away or blocked. And eventually I couldn't even see her anymore. With a sinking feeling I accepted inevitable defeat.

Later that night  I sat alone in my room, as I had somehow managed to sneak out of the ballroom. I found myself laying on my bed trying to sleep, when there was a knock on the door. I went to open it to see my whole family standing there. My mom and dad, my younger sister and my baby brother.

"Hey guys." I greeted, moving out of the way for them to be able to come into my room.

"Hello, my son." My father greeted and my mother kissed me on the cheek as she walked in.

"Hello to you too, Jenavive." I greeted my sister, who was pulling Caleb our little brother in by the arm.

"Good evening, Alex." She greeted sullenly, pushing her dark locks out of her eyes.

"How did you enjoy the banquet?" My father asked.

"It was, how a banquet is." I replied honestly, knowing I had no need to lie to my parents.

"Well," My mother smiled. "We thought we could have our own little celebration here."

I smiled at her gratefully. "That would be wonderful."

We went and sat in the den. Lounging around, talking and laughing. It was wonderful. Caleb entertained us all, by running around and just being a baby. Doing cute things babies do. After a few hours my family left and I went to bed happy, not knowing what time it even was, quite frankly not caring. We were a close family; surprisingly. Considering the fact that we were royals it was actually an abnormality, but I wasn't about to complain. I loved my family with all my heart and cherished every moment I had with them.

I fell asleep with Katherine playing across my mind. I had a feeling she wasn't doing so well that night. All I wanted was to hold her in my arms, have her fall asleep there and comfort her.

It. Killed. Me. Knowing... that I couldn't.

So did you enjoy getting to see in Alex's mind as well?

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