The Urban Princesses: Ariel

Chapter 13

I rushed over to him to see if he was ok. There was already a bruise forming on his face. His eyes fluttered open. A groan escaped from his mouth.

I got up and went to punch Will, but he grabbed my arm and twisted it behind my back. I whimpered.

Eric was up by now, still gaining his strength.

He looked at us and a scowl crossed his bruised face.

"Don't you ever touch her." Eric said through clenched teeth.

He lunged at Will and karate chopped his arm so I was free.

I ran ten feet away from the two boys. I
wasn't going to get in the middle of this.

Then a thought hit me. They are fighting over me. There are two boys fighting over me. And one of those boys was Eric Jacobsen. This has truly been the best day of my life.

They threw a few punches at each other. They were mostly dodged but one of Eric's got Will on the cheek. They were on the floor now. Will was pinned down with Eric's knees.

There was a crowd forming now. Most of them were members of the other teams. I heard murmurs going around like 'Eric Jacobsen' and 'What are they fighting over'.

Finally, a few boys from our team broke them up.

Their faces were bloody and bruised.

I ran over to Eric and brought him to the bathroom.

The moment we stepped in he started crying. I hugged him and wouldn't let go. He sobbed. And sobbed, and sobbed, and sobbed. He smelled like sweat and blood.

He finally stopped crying. I found a washcloth and started cleaning him up. He was hurt. Badly. Eventually he has to sit down on the floor his stomach hurt so bad from when Will kicked him.

"You didn't have to do that." I said.

"He punched me. I had to get him back." He started. "Nobody hurts my girl."

I looked at him. He was the Eric Jacobsen I've always imagined and more.

I kissed him lightly on the forehead and kept cleaning him.

I heard the door creak open and an overpowering perfume smell filled the bathroom.

I turned and saw Abigail standing there. Her mouth was open in awe at me cleaning him.

"They are announcing the results." She said.

I helped Eric up and he limped to the door.

I rushed out on stage and took my place.

I peeked over and saw a fresh Will standing with a smile. The wonders of makeup. I looked down and saw my arm was red from where he grabbed me. Now it will never be the same between us.

"Third place goes to....... West Valley High School!" The crowd cheered.

We were in the top two! Seemal was trying to contain his excitement.

"This is the most crucial part of the competition, the winner of the fortieth annual Junior Chorus National competition is.........."

The suspense was killing me. If we don't get first, flipping over in a limo would've been for nothing.

"Palm Bay High school!!"

My legs were wobbling. I fell to the ground and cried. This is a dream come true! If Seemal was excited when we won semifinals, he is floating now.

Eric ran from offstage and embraced me in a hug. He twirled me around in his arms. I wouldn't let go.

After the applause receded, we went backstage. Fallon hugged me and started crying. I cried with her.

"Thank you." I whispered in her ear.

She has been the best friend I could ever ask for. She snuck out to a concert with me, stayed with me the entire time, and never judged me for my decisions.

Eric has been the best boyfriend I could ask for. He believed in me, got in a fistfight for me, and never let go even when to going got tough.

This is what it feels like to be loved.

***

Vanessa's POV

"I'm ready, Seemal." He was too busy worrying about Ariel. He has an amazing understudy and doesn't even care. He should stop worrying anyway because she isn't coming.

I already sent Fred and Josie to hold off their limo, so she shouldn't be here until after our performance is done.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I see a head of bright red hair embrace Seemal. What?! This wasn't supposed to happen!

"You're off the hook, Vanessa." I heard Seemal say between sobs.

I stomped away and found a chair to sit in. I was fuming.

"Uh, um, Vanessa?" I looked up and saw Josie standing over me.

"You were supposed to create a diversion!"

"We did it's just that, we didn't realize that they called an ambulance."

I leaned back in my chair and put my hand to my forehead.

"Leave me." I commanded.

I sat for a moment and thought, I had to get revenge.