Kept Secret

Chapter 3

Lia~

The ride to school was the same it always was - totally and completely tedious. The glamor of the Regalia High limousines were just a facade. That's how it's always been and how it always will be. They use glitz and glamor to distract people from how pretentious and stuck up they really are. I hated everything about it but because it was one of the best (if not the best) schools on the continent, I had no choice but to attend this luxurious nightmare if I ever wanted to be ready for the responsibilities of running a species.

"So, tell me why have you been rubbing that spot on your neck all morning?" Maddie's words catch me off guard and for the first time, I realize how raw I've rubbed my skin, the spot where Lucas marked me in my dream.

I immediately stop rubbing it, "No reason, I think something bit me in my sleep so it's been bothering me all morning, that's all" I look away, knowing that she would never believe my lie. Maddison has been my best friend since before I could walk so she knew me better than I knew myself.

"Yeah sure okay, let's pretend like you haven't had this whole deer-caught-in-headlights look going on since you sat down."

Yeah... busted

"Really, Mads it's nothing important really, just..." I sigh knowing that I had to tell her the truth but deciding against telling her all of it. "I was walking through the park and I thought about my father, about everything he told me just before he died."

Her face softens and I can tell that she doesn't completely believe me but she'll accept my answer... for now. "Your father was a great man, heck he was like a second dad to me. I loved him too and I miss him every day. He'd be so proud of you." She leans over and squeezes me so tight I have a hard time breathing for a split second before she lets me go.

I spot a tear drop onto my skirt and for the first time notice that I've been crying silent tears. I laugh slightly and look up while waving my face," Damn bitch you're gonna make my mascara run." We both laugh but it's just a cover-up. Maddie was like a second daughter to my father which meant that his death hit her just as hard as it had hit me.

Sure, it doesn't hurt as much as it used to and these days I'd rather smile at the memories than cry about the fact that I won't be able to make more but there are days when I'm reminded of what I had lost that day in the "accident"...

"Anyway back to the topic on hand. What are you going to do about your royal proposal?." I make sure to put as much emphasis on the last part, knowing it would make her mad.

That's what she gets for yelling at me so early in the goddamn morning.

She blows one of her orange locks out of her face. I swear all she's missing is the Scottish accent and she could star in the live-action version as princess Merida. "I don't know honestly. You know dear ol' mummy would want this marriage to happen as soon as possible." she rolls her eyes at the mention of her biological mother and honestly, who could blame her. Queen Ophelia might have been just a princess when she gave birth to Maddie but that didn't give her an excuse to be totally AWOL for almost 18 years. The worst part was how controlling she could get at times. You would think being absent from your daughter's life for that long wouldn't give you the right to practically run her life but then again you obviously haven't met the woman. She's basically the more beautiful, sickeningly sweet version of Hitler. If Hitler wore $20 000 shoes and a gown that could probably hide two people underneath the skirt.

"Well at the end of the day it's your decision so what is your heart telling you Mads?"

Ah yes, matters of the heart are so complicated. The question seems so easy yet it couldn't be more difficult.