4: A New Friend

Jillie

 

“Ouch. Would you stop poking me?” I asked, becoming a bit irritated.

“Well, if you’d hold still….” They mumbled.

“What was that?”

“Nothing, Your Highness.”

           I let out a deep breath—stupid dress fitting. I looked over to see Alyx with a grin on her face. I glared at her before rolling my eyes.

“Someone’s not in a good mood.” She stated.

“I’m really not. I had to meet with Angela early this morning. That took about three hours. Then, I had to go to my first fitting. That took almost two hours, and now I’m here. To top it all off, I have no idea where Jarren went.”

“He’s not supposed to see your dresses before the wedding,” Alyx stated in a duh tone.

“I know that. I want him to go get me something to eat. I’m starving.”

Alyx laughed. “I’m sure we can find someone to get you something to eat.” She placed a hand on her stomach. She already looked as if she was about four months instead of two.

“Well, let’s find that person as soon as possible. I get agitated when I’m…ouch.” I looked at Hannah. I was starting to think she was poking me on purpose. “Alright, that’s it,” I stated, gathering the bottom of the long dress. “I’ll come back and do this when Felicity is here.”

“Your Highness, I’m almost done. If you could just-”

“No,” I stated, cutting her off. “I’m done.”

           I walked out of the room and into the dressing room. I changed back into my clothes from before and exited the room.

“I’m going to get something to eat,” I informed Alyx.

She stood slowly. “Jarren is supposed to come back and pick you up.”

“Yes…well, I’m hungry, and I’m going to that café to get something.”

           I didn’t give her time to say anything before I walked out of the dress shop. I looked both ways before crossing the street. I walked into the café, and every head in the building bowed. I fidgeted slightly, shifting my weight from one foot to another.

“Um…that isn’t necessary,” I stated as I slowly continued to the counter.

“Princess Jilliannah. What can I get for you?” The girl behind the register asked.

I studied the menu for a moment. “Your blueberry bagels, are they good?”

“They’re very good, Your Highness. They’re my favorite.” She responded.

“Alright, then…” I looked at her name tag. “Brittney. I’ll take two blueberry bagels and an iced caramel latte.”

           I watched her walk away to get my bagels and make my latte. She came back and placed the items on the counter.

“How much is it?” I asked, reaching into my back pocket.

“It’s on the house,” Brittney stated with a smile.

I shook my head. “No, I insist on paying for it.”

“Have a great day, Your Highness.”

I knew what she was doing. I smiled and placed a ten on the counter. “You too,” I stated, picking up my bagels and latte.

           I made my way to one of the tables in the back corner. I’d just sat down when this little girl came up to me. She bowed her head, and her red curls fell into her face.

“Hi, sweetie.” I greeted.

“Hi, Princess.” Her little voice was so cute.

“Do you want to sit down?” She nodded before hopping onto the seat across from me. “Where’s your mommy?” I asked.

“She’s next door. I don’t like going in that store, so she lets me come in here.”

“By yourself?” I asked, a little shocked.

“Yes, but it’s okay because Brittney watches me.” I nodded and took a sip of my latte. “What are you eating?”

“Blueberry bagels. You want a piece?” I asked, breaking one in half and holding it out to her.

“Thank you.” She stated as her little hand closed around it.

“So, what’s your name?”

“Kinley.”

“That’s a really pretty name. How old are you?”

“Seven.”

I studied her, trying to determine whether she was really seven or not. I couldn’t tell what she was, so it was hard, but from the sounds of it, she was.

“Are you happy school is out?” I asked before taking a bite of my bagel.

“Yes, second grade is hard work.” She stated seriously.

I smiled at her. “Yes, school, in general, can be that way.”

“Are you still in school?”

I shook my head. “No, I finished this year.”

“I can’t wait until I finish.”

“Don’t rush it,” I told her after sipping my latte. “You’ll miss it.”

She looked at me skeptically. “Do you miss it, Princess?”

“Well, not yet, but I’m sure I will.”

“So, what is it like to live at the palace? I bet it’s really great.”

“Well, I don’t live there yet, but I spend a lot of time there.”

“What’s the queen and king like? Oh. What’s Prince Jarren like?”

           I couldn’t help but let out a slight laugh at her tone of voice. It just sounded so dreamy. The way she said Jarren’s name was like he’d hung the moon to her.

“He’s um…”

“He’s absolutely awesome.”

           I looked up to find Jarren standing there. I hadn’t noticed that he’d come in. I was lost in my own little world. He took the seat beside me.

“Who is this pretty little girl?” He asked.

“This is my new friend, Kinley,” I told him.

           Kinley was staring at Jarren with wide-eyed fascination. Her mouth slightly open, forming an ‘o’. I bit back another laugh. She just looked so adorable.

“Well, hello there, Kinley.” Jarren greeted.

“H…hi, Prince Jarren.”

           We both sat and talked to Kinley until Brittney told her that her mom was leaving out of the shop next door.

“Well, I have to go.” She grabbed one of the pens on the table and scribbled something on a napkin before sliding it to me. “You can call me if you want. Bye.” She stated, waving as she ran off.

I took out my phone and saved the number in it. She was such a cute little girl. I’d feel bad if I didn’t call her.

“She was such a cute little girl,” I stated.

“Yeah, she was. She’s a strange little girl too.”

“Jarren.”

“What? She is. I’ve never seen a were-panther with red hair.”

I cocked my head to the side. “Maybe she isn’t just a were-panther.”

“Maybe. So why did you storm out of the dress fitting?”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t storm out.”

“Hannah said you did.”

“Of course she did.” I took another drink of my latte.

“Well?”

“I didn’t storm out. I left because I was hungry, and she kept poking me.”

“Were you moving around?”

“No. She was poking me on purpose.”

“Why would she do that?”

I let out a breath. “I don’t know, but she was. Maybe it’s because she’s evil.”

“Baby, I don’t think-”

“I don’t want to deal with her again. I will not go to another fitting if Felicity isn’t there.”

“Fine.” He leaned over and kissed my lips, and I heard camera shutters. “Looks like we attracted the paparazzi.” He mumbled against my lips.

I pecked his lips again before pulling away. “Yay,” I stated dully.

“Are you finished?” He asked, gesturing to the table.

“Yeah, I’m finished with the bagels.”

           He picked up the trash and tossed it before grabbing my hand. I grabbed my latte, and we headed out the door as more camera shutters sounded. It was even worse when we stepped outside. I put on a smile, and I waved. People were constantly shouting my name and asking questions. This went on for a few minutes until Jarren became irritated.

“That’s enough!”

I squeezed his hand gently. “Baby, it’s okay.” I turned to the crowd of photographers. “Did you all get your pictures?” Murmured confirmations came from the group. I nodded. “Okay, then, please, no more pictures for today.” Slowly they began to fan away.

“How did you…”

“Sometimes, asking nicely is the way to go. When you get riled up, that just fuels them more.”

We made it to Jarren’s car, and he opened the door for me. I slid in and sank back into the seat. He got in a few seconds later and started the engine.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“Home so that you can relax.”

“We’re going to your house?”

“If that’s okay with you.”

“That’s perfect.” I sighed.

           The ride to his house was quiet, except for the soft music that played. When we pulled up to his house, I groaned.

“Carry me?” I asked before he got out of the car.

He chuckled. “Why are you so spoiled?”

           I rolled my eyes at his back as he exited the car. He opened my car door and pulled me out before carrying me bridal style into the house. Once inside, he carried me over to the sofa and sat me down. He sat beside me and positioned himself so I could lay my head on his chest.

“There’s a charity event tomorrow.”

“For?”

“The disaster victims.”

“What disaster?” I questioned, shifting to look at him.

“The recent natural disasters. Weather affects us just as it does you.”

“I didn’t say it didn’t.”

“You were thinking it.”

I lay back down and rolled my eyes. “You’re going, right?”

“Yes, but I’d like my princess to be with me.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“It’s at eight, so we can go and find you something to wear before then.”

“That’s fine,” I replied, closing my eyes.

“Are you staying here tonight?” He asked, rubbing small circles on my stomach.

I yawned. “If that’s what you want.”

“That’s what I always want.” He whispered in my ear. My body tingled all over. “I’ve been thinking.” He continued.

“About what?”

“When we get married.”

“What about it?”

“I know you wanted to live at the palace, but with you being pregnant, I just want us to have our own place.”

“So you want to stay here?” I asked, placing my hands over his.

“We can, or we can have a house built.”

“In a month?”

“Yea, why not?”

           I searched his mind. The tone of his voice made me think that he wasn’t telling me everything. I took a deep breath.

“What are you not telling me?” I finally asked when I came up with nothing.

“Nothing, Piccolo. Rest, and I’ll make something to eat.”

“I’m not really that hungry right now, but I do want to take a nap. Carry me to the bed, please.”

He chuckled. “I really need to stop spoiling you.”

I fake gasped. “What? Why?”

           He stood and picked me up. Once we reached his bedroom, he laid me on the bed gently. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held him in place when he tried to pull away.

“Lay with me.”

He leaned in and kissed my lips. “Of course.”

We lay in the bed together, and before long, I was drifting off to sleep.