Park Bench (Prinxiety AU)

Chapter 2 - Roman

October 8

     "I'm telling you, Pat, this man was so flippin' cute!" I gushed into the phone, falling backwards onto my bed. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to cure my smile. It was starting to hurt my cheeks. "And I didn't get his number! What the- heck is wrong with me?"

     "Nothing's wrong with you, buddy!" he said encouragingly.

     "You're just saying that." My dramatic tone made him giggle, which made me giggle. "Don't make me laugh! I'm being dismal!"

     "Sorry, sorry."

     Patton was one of my best friends. We'd known each other forever. We'd never not been friends. I would slay any beast to protect his pure, wholesome soul. That's why I was so comfortable sharing with him that I had met a rather... ravishing young man at the store that day. He was my most comforting confidante. And, uh... well, I suppose my only confidante. Embarrassingly so, of course.

     Not that I would ever have admitted that aloud.

     I heard him say something on the other end of the line. This made me roll my eyes. It wasn't surprising for him to have Logan around. "Sorry, Roman," he said. "My new roomie needs a hand with something."

     I raised an eyebrow and sat up. "Roomie? You have a roommate?" I asked.

     "Oh! I didn't tell you?" I went to speak again, but I couldn't because he beat me to it. "Oh, gotta go. Next time, get the guys number! Buh-bye!" He hung up.

     "Bye, then," I muttered to myself. New roommate? My interest was peaked. Since when was there a roommate? Why wasn't I told? Betrayal, surely. I fell back on my bed once more, the back of my hand pressed against my forehead. Even though I was trying to be upset, the guy from the store popped into my head, and I smiled once more.

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October 9

     I made my way up the street cheerily. It was getting into the evening now, and the sky had turned the most pleasant shade of pinky-orange. Something about it just filled me with a spectacular serenity.

     I reached my destination: the lovely Oakville Park. Some teenagers were still sitting on the playground, and there were a couple of people holding hands as they walked up the path. Dead leaves carpeted everything, which grossed me out a little. I never liked fall. It was my least favourite time of year. Everything dies and all of the animals leave. Plus, my sleep schedule gets all messed up, and I need my beauty sleep.

     Making my way to the very back of the park, I sat down on a bench. It was a quiet corner, with fewer leaves, and a perfect view of the whole area. I just sat in silence for a bit.

     Another person entered the park, silhouetted against the sunset, but I could see their hunched shoulders. As they grew closer, I discovered it was a guy. That seemed to be the exact moment he saw me, as well. He froze up hesitantly, so I shuffled to my left. I am not so dense that I couldn't tell he wanted to sit. He toddled up and dropped himself next to me, but with some distance between us. Which was good. His dark clothing reminded me of a Disney villain, and since I was obviously a Disney prince, there was an immediate disconnect.

     Despite his villainous appearance (that's totally the correct use of 'villainous'), I was determined to start a conversation with him. "Come here often?" I asked confidently. He looked over at me and took a look at my outfit. I felt suddenly underdressed in my white t-shirt and blue jeans. He shrugged and looked forward again. I could have given up there, but I remained resolute. "Is there a problem? Because if there's a problem, I'm gonna need you to say it to my face. I hate secrets." I crossed my arms.

     "Daily," he grumbled. I grinned.

     "Why daily?"

     "I like sitting here alone."

     My grin disappeared for a moment. "Why alone?" I asked. "Don't you feel... lonely?" He shrugged, which confused me. "You don't know if you feel lonely?"

     "Well, when you feel too many bad things at once, you just start to feel nothing at all." He looked around at the park. Sheesh, and I thought I was melodramatic. "That was... really emo of me. I'm sorry." He glanced at me with wide, brown eyes. They held the reflection of the dying sunset. I had to look elsewhere to prevent myself from staring.

     There was a dead moment between us where neither spoke. "Oh, now where are my manners?" I provided the closest thing I could to a bow without standing. "You may call me Roman."

     "Wow," he said. I looked up at him and sat straight up again. "You are unbelievably extra."

     I scoffed. "That's coming from you, Hot Topic." He smiled at me, and I smiled back. Then he looked away, and our moment went dead again.

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     I snuggled into my soft bed. My body felt light, and I knew I was blushing. It's just, I couldn't get him out of my head. Even in the fading light, he was so... pretty. I can't explain it. I didn't care about the guy from before, the one from the store--hey, that rhymes!--because I knew he could not live up to this guy. My eyes closed slowly. I smiled softly and hugged my pillow tighter.

     I shot up in my bed, my eyes flying open.

     Holy Hercules.

     I didn't get his name!