Third installment of my 'of a Princess' series. I encourage you to read Untold Story of a Princess and Adventures of a Princess before this one, not entirely necessary, but it will give you background on Ali and Carlos's relationship. I also have a oneshot series entitled Tales of a Princess, there's only one now but I have some more that are just waiting to be proofread and published.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who like, followed, reviewed, and stuck it out with Carlos and Ali! You guys truly are amazing! I'm going to try and respond to reviews for this story so feel free to drop one!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

When we last saw our lovely gang of teenagers, Cotillion had come to close. True love was in the air for many, and it seemed like it would be nothing but happily ever after. However, life isn't a fairy tale.

ALI

I looked around my room. Audrey and I had just finished packing all my stuff. My side of the room looked seriously empty. I walked over to my closet and checked one last time, making sure it was empty, but I found my crown box on the top shelf. I reached up and pulled it down.

"We forgot this," I turned to Audrey, showing the box to her.

She smiled, "Which one is in there?"

I opened it, "The old one." I picked up the intricate silver headpiece and titled it, watching it glimmer and shine in the light. I looked at it for a minute before placing it back in the box. "Here," I handed to box to Audrey.

Her eyes grew wide, "I can't take this."

I nodded, "Yes, you can. I got a new one, remember?" I smiled and pushed the box into her hands.

"Thanks," She placed the box on top of her desk.

I checked my watch, 1:30pm, "The limo will be here in a half hour."

Audrey opened her mouth, but was interrupted with a knock on the door. She walked over to open the door and we were greeted with all our friends.

It was suddenly like a little party. Carlos walked through first, a short greeting to Audrey, and then walked straight to me. He pulled me into a hug, wrapping his arms around my waist as I placed mine around his neck.

"I'm going to miss you," he whispered into my ear.

I pulled back and pressed my forehead against his, having to stand up on my toes to do so, "I'm going to miss you too. We'll still see each other though." He gave me a small smile. "I'm not going to let them tear up apart, I promise."

His hands tightened on my waist, "Good, because I won't either."

"C'mon lovebirds, we're all going to miss her!" Jay yelled at us.

Evie hit his shoulder, "Shut up, they're cute together."

I laughed as I came off of my toes. Facing all my other friends, I smiled at them. Ben and Mal were holding hands, Doug had his arm around Evie, Lonnie and Jay were standing next to each other. I can't believe this is the last time I'll be in my room with my friends.

"Ali," Audrey called my attention, "Don't forget, you need to wear this." She had my new crown, which just happened to be my mother's old one, in her hands as she walked up to me.

I drew in a breathe and nodded, carefully picking up the crown. I walked over to the mirror mounted above the desk. placing the crown down, I took my hair out of the ponytail I tied it in, running my fingers through the long blonde tresses. I picked up the crown and placed it on my head, I didn't even know Audrey was behind me until i felt her pinning my hair around it so it wouldn't fall in my face.

"Thank," I whispered as I took in my appearance.

"You look just like mom," Audrey smiled as she stepped back a little. She was right, I looked exactly like our mom.

"Knock, knock!"

I looked at the door, "Dad!" I ran up and hugged him, even though they are the ones taking me out of school, I'm still excited to see my parents.

"Are you ready to go, Ali-girl?" His eyes were shinning, which meant he was happy that I was coming home. I'm glad someone was happy about it.

"Hey Dad!" Audrey greeted him, hugging him as well.

Lonnie, Ben and Doug shook hands with hands with my dad, and Carlos shook his hand last, being polite but I knew he was upset with my parents for taking me away.

"Dad, this is Jay, Evie, and Mal. You haven't officially met yet," I laughed as I introduced the rest of my friends.

They shook hands and exchanged a quick greeting before my dad spoke up again, "Got your stuff all ready?"

I nodded and pointed to a pile of luggage by my bed. Ben and Jay were quick to help and they both grabbed my pink trunk, which was the heaviest of the luggage. Doug and my dad each took a suitcase, which left me with my backpack and a small duffel bag. Carlos snatched up the duffel bag before I could and took my hand; squeezing it as we followed everyone outside.

I watched as Ben and Jay placed my trunk into the back of the limo, then proceeded to lift the luggage into it as well, closing it after Carlos put my duffel bag in. I took a deep breath and turned to Mal, guessing I should start my goodbyes.

"I feel like this is all my fault," Mal told me quietly.

I shook my head and smiled, "It's not, my parents are just overprotective."

She gave me a smile and hugged me. We let go and I turned to hug Evie next.

"This place is not going to be the same without you," Evie whispered as we separated.

I gave a sad smile, "I'm going to miss all of you so much."

Jay was next, he smiled at me, "Who's going to sit in the library with me and make jokes about the other kids now?"

I laughed, "I'm sure you can find someone to fill that void."

He laughed as he pulled me in for a hug.

Lonnie squeezed me next, and I mean literally squeezed me, "I'm going to miss you."

"You live 15 minutes away, come visit whenever," I reminded her.

She laughed and released me, "I plan on it."

I laughed and walked up to Ben, who was still standing next to the limo, talking to my dad, "Benny-boo!"

He stared at me and I knew he was trying not to laugh, "Don't call me that."

I grinned at him, but still he opened his arms so I could hug him, "Don't give your parents too rough of a time, okay?" He whispered into my ear.

I stepped back and gave him a smirk, "No promises. Remember to take time to be a teenager while I'm gone, okay?"

He chuckled, "No promises," he echoed back and winked at me.

Doug was standing next to him, and he was quick to envelop me in a hug. We didn't say anything, we didn't need to. As best friends, we already knew what needed to be said to each other. Tears started forming in my eyes as Doug and I separated and I had to say goodbye to the person I never wanted to say that too.

Carlos. Okay, now I'm actually crying, so was he. I basically collapsed into him and he hugged me so tight that he lifted me off the ground. I heard my dad clearing his throat behind me, a subtle signal that we needed to get going. I loosened my grip and Carlos set me back on the ground, stepping back I lightly pressed my lips against his.

"I love you," He whispered.

"I love you too," and with one last peck, I turned to get into the limo.

Audrey was coming home for the weekend, she said it was because she missed mom and dad, but I think it's more that she'll miss me when she gets back to school. My dad climbed in the limo first, followed by Audrey, I stood at the door and looked over my shoulder, giving my friends a small smile and a wave, I climbed in as well. The limo started to pull away slowly, I watched through the rear window as my school, my friends, and my boyfriend, became so far away I couldn't see them.

I cant believe this is happening.