Sleeping Beauty
Dandy remembers the time he learned guilt.
When Dandy first laid eyes on her, he knew she had to be his.
She was different than the rest of the girls his mother would bring to his disposal; she actually gets him.
She is such a willing playmate, always wiling to go along with whatever game he's come up with, no matter how asinine or degrading. He not once found her color or her size repulsive; she's absolutely stunning. Warm brown eyes, plump lips, and a body softer than any Egyptian cotton or Persian silk money can buy. The way his name dances on her lips are music to Dandy's ears; there are days he fantasizes about her screaming it in either terror or the throes of passion.
He noticed the attraction when he was 17 years old and Regina was scheduled to come over for tea and playtime; she had long, curly locks and her curves were starting to take form, only to be restricted in her tight dress. It was a bright, sunny afternoon, with birds chirping, flowers blooming, and everything smelling oh so sweet. Dandy was far from impressed with his surroundings until he laid eyes on her and saw her tight, colorful, dress and her long curly hair her mother must've spent countless years growing that's pulled into a bun. She has plump lips and glowing brown eyes that seem to have that shine of hope.
It was foreign to Dandy; he'd never seen such bright colors, such hope, such beauty from her face prettied in make-up that screams drugstore. It's her smile that makes him stupefied.
Regina looks at him, mild disgust and fear that was once etched in her features disappeared into a bright smile.
It was then, seventeen-year old Dandy Mott had experienced butterflies in his stomach.
It was like sipping on the finest champagne, eating the richest of chocolates, swimming in the finest of silk. It gave him a rush he can't compare to his frequent thoughts of death and destruction. Her smile, her beautiful and sweet smile, intoxicated him.
In that split second, he imagined how Regina Mott would sound on his tongue.
"Mr. Mott," He snaps out of his thoughts and sees her close to him, offering him a glass of lemonade.
"Would you like something to drink? You look parched."
"No, I..." Dandy struggles to find something to say, but nothing comes out. Instead he snatches the glass and drinks it, the refreshing tang of homemade lemonade washing away his foolish indiscretions. Regina, upset over her playmate's rudeness, merely pouts and walks away from him to sit in the shade while her mother heads into the mansion for cleaning. She fans herself, complaining about the heat while Dandy watches her.
"It's much too hot to play, Mr. Mott," she complains, "can we please go inside and play instead?"
"I'll say we can go inside when I feel like it. Now you sit there and shut up until I figure out what we're going to do today!" Dandy barks.
His playmate sighs and reclines back in the shade. He vaguely hears her insult him but ignores it.
He walks over to her and lays down in the grass beside her, staring up into the sky.
It's been nothing but silence; only the soundtrack of nature is what remained. Dandy rolls over to his side to face Regina and notices she's sleeping. Her soft snoring, her relaxed face, the way the flyaway hairs frame her face seems to make the butterflies in his stomach flutter even faster. His fingers itch to touch her but he restrains himself. He was taught to never touch someone who's poor and beneath him. So he watches her sleep, his mind racing.
He should light her hair on fire for falling asleep.
He should jostle her awake to play Captain Mott.
A small part of him wants to kiss her.
Her lips are so plump, tinted with red lipstick, shining like a candy apple. They're parted slightly, as if enticing him.
He wants a taste.
He leans over, placing one of his legs over her soft body. His hips are flush to her waist, the contact making blood rushing to his nether regions but he pushes it aside. He thinks back to that god-awful fairytale Mother used to read to him, the one where the Prince had to kiss the Princess to break the spell. Regina is exactly like the Princess, so vulnerable, sleeping, and beautiful. Dandy will break the spell and save the day as always.
They're nose to nose now, his breath mingling with hers.
His heart is thumping so fast he's almost dizzy; the anticipation is killing him.
Swallowing his nervousness, he places his lips against hers.
Fireworks went off in Dandy's head; electricity zapping through his inner frame. He has to have more.
He moves his lips this time, his hands roaming everywhere to ease his jitters. When he opened his eyes, he's met with the look of horror from none other than Regina.
He pulls away, looking down at her, both unsure of what to say. Before Dandy could react, he's thrown onto his back and he sees Regina scramble away from him and run into the garden.
"Regina," He calls out, "Regina!"
He trails after her, gaining speed from his years of athletics and proper health. He finds her quickly and trips her, marveling at how she tumbled to the ground and crying out in pain. She nurses her skinned knee as she looks at Dandy once more, her eyes wide in fear.
"Stupid girl," Dandy begins, "Why would you run off, knowing I'd catch you?"
"Why did you kiss me? Why did you wait until I was asleep to, to..." Regina shudders at the sensation. He just stolen her first kiss, after all.
"Because I wanted to. What are you going to do about it?"
Regina's eyes, once shining with hope and promise, seem to darken in disgust and rage.
"I hate you," she says softly. "I hate you and I wish you...you..."
She slaps him.
Time stood still.
Dandy clutched his cheek while looking at her in shock. No one ever struck him before.
He sees her eyes brimming with tears and she runs away, her sobs boring their way into Dandy's ears.
For once in his life, he feels sorry.
He broke the spell and ruined a possible shot at happiness.
