"Oh come on Laura, let's go swimming," said John while yanking at my arm.
"No thank you, maybe some other time," I said in the politest, most practical voice I could.
"You wouldn't be scared of Ell telling your father about you swimming with a boy would you?" John asked sarcastically. We had been friends for 5 years now and he read me like a book.
"Not me," I said standing up trying not to give it away that I still was nervous. Sometimes even though I knew that John could read my every thought I pretended on my own that he couldn't so that I wouldn't be embarrassed. I mean, John was my best friend and I went to him for everything. Everything, even sometimes feminine this or that but he usually he gets annoyed or doesn't have a solution. As I was getting up I stepped on the end of my long skirt and toppled backwards, even though I was reasonably pretty I was also really clumsy. John laughed playfully at me then extended his arm which I grasped gratefully and he pulled me up. John and I both had parents who were friends of King Charmond, and Queen Eleanor. We were always wisked away to this or that, so our undisturbed play time was precious. Usually I didn't like going to these royal parties, or banquets, except for when we sat near Queen Eleanor. I always felt a connection to her, which may be just because we share the same birthday, May 1. Today is April 3 so I do not have too long to go until my 17th birthday. John is 2 years and a bit older than me though, so he always teases me about being a little girl.
"Catch me if you can," I laughed cheerfully as I ran circles very fast around John. He stood in the middle of my circles standing upright and proper, arms folded on top of his broad chest. He had an amused look on his face as he watched me run. He waited about 5 seconds, then stretched out his arm and held me around the waist.
He pulled me back into his arms then tilted his head so that her was looking into my face then smiled and said "got you." We both burst out laughing so loud that a servant came out from one of the bed chambers and hissed at us. John apologized, then we both looked at each other and sneered.
"Come on," John said pulling my arm as we made our way to the great hall. John and I knew the palace like the back of our hands.
We had played here for years as children with the King and Queen's son…before he…before the accident. When we came to the stair rail I looked at John with sad and begging eyes. He knew what I was thinking about, but he also knew that I was begging him not to mention it. John wrapped me in a quick hug then we both slid down the balcony hand in hand until my clumsiness kicked in when we got to the end and we both toppled over laughing unharmed. The banquet hall was big with a miraculous huge oak wood table and beautiful tapestry covering walls. All the guests had arrived already and by the look on my father's face I was late. "Hello Father," I said in a small voice as I came to sit in-between him and Ell for that was the only available seat.
"Your late," my father said as if it I didn't know. Ell gave me an evil glare.
"You are an embarrassment to this family, do you know that Laura?" said Ell, her glaring eyes, tiny nose, and annoyingly high voice made her all the more dreadful. "You wouldn't want the young men to think that you are irresponsible now would you?" Ell batted her eyelashes and gave me a pouty face after that rude remark. You are a disturbing imbecile, do you know that Ell? I wanted to spit back at her, but I kept my mouth closed for I knew the worlds of trouble far deeper than tonight that she could some way or another get me into.
After the banquet I approached Queen Eleanor and said "You wouldn't happen to have any other pairs of tiny shoes for the others you have given me are ruined." I said nervously.
"You have ruined all of those shoes in such a short amount of time," said Queen Eleanor with an obviously fake surprised tone.
"Well you see your majesty…" I began.
"Please, call me Ella," Queen Eleanor interrupted.
"Well anyway...um…Ella, I." I began again.
"No need to explain," Ella said kindly. "I know your playful nature." "Here come with me." Ella said as she extended her hand toward me. Her hand was so soft and her words were so soothing that I felt like a little child being coaxed to do something by their mother. I smiled at Ella and she smiled back. After about a five minute walk I was lead into a beautiful room. The walls were painted coral, and the bed sheets were silky and rose colored. There was much fancy crystal, and everything was spotless. This must be the Ella and Charmond's room I thought to myself. The next thing I knew King Charmond came bursting into the room.
"Another boring royal event" said Char as he covered his face with his hands and rolled over playfully on the large bed. Ella giggled as she watched Char.
"Char, we have company," She said half laughing.
"Oh" said Char smiling as he looked at me. "How are you Laura?" Char asked in his most relaxed King like voice.
"Fine," I said. Char turned to Ella and gave her a questioning look.
"I am helping Laura pick out some of my shoes for herself," said Ella getting the hint.
Char, being not as cunning as Ella, to that replied, "She has shoes of her own." Ella shot him a glare and waved her own tiny foot around in back of me so that I she couldn't see. "Oh so Laura you are a friend of the…" Ella shook her head and mouthed, she doesn't know, to Char. Finally Char, getting the hint, shut his mouth.
"Alright Laura," said Ella; "Here you go." Ella opened a closet door to reveal hundreds of shoes on tens of rows. The tiny shoes were elegant and came in all different types and colors. Some were dress shoes, some were play shoes, some were sandals, and some were high heels. They were auburn, charcoal, mauve, scarlet, ivory, lemon, cream, peach, every color you could imagine. "Go ahead," said Ella sensing my insecurity. "They are all yours."