To skitz for you!

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Veronica, but Veronica was lonely, her sarcotic father, King Jelly Man, was an over possessive know-it-all who believed she needed edicate more than to have futile friendships, so, every time she brought a new friend home her father would deliberately sabotage their fun by asking outrageous tasks. The only joy she ever found was by a place she liked to call 'The River of False Hope', where she would write stories of what she wished her life to be.

River

One hot summers' day as she sat down writing her latest fantasy she had an epiphany, 'it is such a hot day, maybe I should go for a swim.' Having not brought swimmers with her, she improvised, stripping down to only her underwear, she entered the cool refreshing water. After 10 minuets she saw something moving, and as she made to get out of the water a figure appeared. Obviously not noticing her, he took of his top and entered the river, suddenly the unsuspecting male visitor heard a scream and saw something coming towards his head. Ducking just in time, he looked over to see a strange, young, half naked girl in HIS river, still in shock he tried to ask her obvious question ' Who are you?', but before he can get the words out he hears…

'What the hell, you scared the crap out of me… who do you think you are?' She glares at him, waiting for his response.

In an indignant tone he answers her, 'EXCUSE ME, this is my father's property, who the hell do you think you are? This ISN'T bush week, or haven't you noticed?'

Offended by his tone she replies 'if you check your Calendar you will find that it is bush week, and you should know better than to treat royalty in this manner'

'Oh, look at me I'm a princess…' he says in a sarcastic tone as he gets out of the river.

'I'll leave you to get dressed,' as he walked off slowly gathering his cloths under his arm, she slowly creeped up the bank of the river. Once dressed she glanced at her watch and ran back to the castle.

Castle

'Where have you been?' asked King Jelly Man. 'You were supposed to be back by three…'

Still rather grumpy from her run in with the stranger, she answered ' I'm so sick of your nagging… just leave me alone' and she stormed up to her room well aware her father was right behind her. As she entered her room and slammed the door she heard…

'Sweetie pie, what's the matter? … You can tell daddy… Would you like someone beheaded? Another pony? What about a visit from Draco Malfoy?'

'Can I have all four?' Came the teary reply.

'Umm … sure.' He said in a befuddled manner as he walked towards his study contemplating what he had just agreed to.

River

Two days later Veronica set out toward The River of False Hope with a mission.

When she arrived, she was not surprised to find the strange boy lounging on the bank. His dark hair fell shyly on his forehead, his toned features where nicely tanned and as he lay totally relaxed, with his eyes shut, she walked over to him. As he lazily opened his eyes she noticed how green and piercing his gaze could be.

'What can I do for you, princess?' He said in relaxed tone.

'I came to … to… to…' she said in an uncertain tone.

'To what? Breathe my valuable air? Well you've done it now, so you can leave again.' Came the amused reply.

'Actually... I came to apologise… if you don't mind' she said in a very reluctant-irritated voice.

'Well you might need to be formally introduced to the one you're apologising to then… I'm Esan,' he extended a very relaxed hand towards her, 'and you are? No, no don't tell me... you're… Princess Veronica, aren't you?'

Taking his hand limply, she shakes it with a look of forced disgust on her face.

'Now princess … now what did you want to say?' he said with a smug smile on his face.

'Esan…' she said cautiously 'I want to apologise for my very rude behavior two days ago.'

'Any thing else…?' He was really enjoying this.

'What more did you expect?' she almost screamed at him.

After a few seconds 'OK, apology accepted…' he said with an idiotic smile, you know, the one that people wear when there've just won something.

' Would you like to sit down?' he said

'You mean sit with a peasant?' she looked at him. He had obviously never thought of himself as a peasant before.

'Sure' she said almost laughing. 'I will sit with you as long as there are no smart-alec jokes about me being a royal, alright'

He nodded slowly, he was not sure that was possible.

'WOW, I feel so honored… most PEASANTS don't get to sit with royalty' he said sounding almost hurt.

'I didn't mean it like that; do you want me to apologise to you again?'

'Well… Maybe just once more'

'Try no. So this is your father's property?'

'Yer, last time I checked. You're not gunna go home and tell daddy you want it, are you? 'He said in the most patronizing voice he could manage

'If I was not royalty… I would kick your but… and that's a promise!'

'Well let's play a game...' she gave him puzzled look ' lets pretend… that you're not royalty'

'Fine' she said lunging at him.

Almost surprised that she took the bait, he fell sideways as she felt some thing digging in to his skin, and soon noticed they were her nails.

'You're just lucky we're pretending you're not royalty, aren't you?'

'And you don't know what you've got your self into…'

Pinning him to the ground she said 'now… lets pretend that YOUR royalty'

The two went on playing around, totally unaware they were being watched…

Esan and veronica spent many afternoons by the river, talking about life, laughing, and joking. But of all the many days spent talking, they never noticed the shadow lurking in the bushes… little did they know that this stalker could mean the end, to not only their friendship… but potentially there lives.