Royal

4-Remember

Sabrina's POV

I sulk into my room both deep in thought and confused at the same time. My dress gets stuck on the doorknob and I don't realize until I'm a few feet into the room and it's already snagged. I try to lift it up off the doorknob from far away but it doesn't work. I try again and again and again. Finally I become so frustrated, I yank the dress down towards me and manage to rip it in the process. But I don't care because anger has already grasped a hold of me and nothing else matters. I storm past the piles of discarded papers and dresses covering my floor and hurl myself onto my mattress.

        Angry. Confused. Confused. Angry. Angry at Chaol and myself, but mostly myself. Confused about everything, but mostly Chaol. I can't believe Chaol. It was like he hadn't even known me. He treated me like a royal. Like how a royal should be treated, with ultimate respect and full allegiance. I hated that. I hate that. He knew I hated that. He knows I hate that. It was like our friendship had meant nothing. Maybe now I'm just a ghost to him. Maybe I was just some sort of fling. Can there be friendship flings? I don't know. I sigh exasperated and roll over to bury my face in the white puffiness of my pillow. This wasn't fair. I was his friend and this was not how friends should treat each other. Or at least that's what I think.  A memory suddenly decides to make an appearance in my mind, and feeling I have no other choice but to oblige to it, I close my eyes and let myself be pulled in. 

  And, for the third time today, I fall asleep.    

***

   The sun is shining as I hop out of bed feeling light. Imminently, I move towards the far end of my room ready to draw the curtains back but when I look up in the direction of my windows, I see that someone has already done it. Smiling at the small act of kindness, I skip towards my wardrobe to pick out a dress for the day. I finally narrow down my choices to two two gowns one is a gold and silver gown and the other is a red and gold gown. I hold them both in front of me trying to decide and I'm so deep in thought I don't realize the person appear in front of me.

        "This one," A familiar voice remarks pointing at the red and gold gown, "It goes with your eyes."

        I smile up at my friend unashamed by the fact that I'm still wearing my nightgown. "Thanks."

        Chaol blushes and smiles wider. 

        He laughs. I laugh. 

        Everything in that single moment is perfect. 

        "So," I prompt him seconds later, "Question of the day: why are you here?"

        "Why are you here?" He counters.

        "Uh, it's my room..." I say as I take a seat on the edge of my black and gold comforter.       

        "Good point," He runs his fingers through his hair, an action I've noticed he does when he's nervous or embarrassed, "Uh..."

        "I know!" I exclaim playfully, "You just wanted to see me, didn't you?"

        He teases back with a "maybe..."

        I burst into laughter again and he joins in. 

        I'm laughing so hard I roll off my bed and onto the floor.

        I hit the ground with a thump. "Ow," I mutter still smiling. 

        Almost simultaneous with my fall, Chaol's worried face appears above me. 

        "Are you okay, your Highness?" He asks.

        I sigh. "Don't call me that," I reply thinking, "I don't like it. I mean, the whole utter allegiance to royalty thing. With you, I want to be equal."

        I watch him patiently, his brow furrowed in thought. Eventually, he speaks again, "What should I call you then?" He asks.

        "Sabrina?" I suggest, "We're friends, so anythings cool with me I guess."

        He smiles, "Okay 'Rina."

        "Anything but that, please," I groan making a face. 

        He just chuckles, "Common 'Rina," He teases, "Get off the floor you're going to be late to breakfast and laying sprawled across the floor isn't getting us anywhere.

        Us.

        Us.

        Us.

        Us. 

        No word has ever felt so special.