The stable hand did not answer the princess at first. Xavier's eyes were fixed straight ahead, focusing on nothing in particular. He was scooping up hand fulls of sand, and letting the grains slip through his fingers like a sieve.
"I'm sorry, Hali," Xavier finally responded.
"For what?"
"I turned the entire night into a fiasco," Xavier replied gloomily.
"I wouldn't call it a fiasco..."
Hali stopped speaking when Xavier shot her a look of disbelief.
"It was a disaster," he sighed, "It's just that he was saying such terrible things about you... and me."
"Once, when I was ten, I whacked the princess of Galuerhaven over the head with her own croquet mallet. She said that Melody looked like a giraffe with buck teeth," Hali confessed, gripping Xavier's hand tighter, "Sometimes you just have to protect the people you love, Xavier."
Xavier shook his head, "That's different, Hali. You were only a child."
"True," agreed Hali, "but that didn't make it any less offensive. 'A complete disgrace to the entirety of Shireland,' my father called it."
Xavier stood up abruptly, brushing the sand from his pants, then he put his hands on the back of his head, and stretched. Hali waited for Xavier to offer her his hand, and help her up, like he always did. He didn't, this time.
"I never imagined, any of this growing up, Hali," Xavier sighed with his back towards her.
"How could you have, Xavier?" asked Hali, standing up on her own.
He finally turned to face her, "Sure, I entertained the thought of getting married...having kids...owning my own house someday. But that's the biggest I've ever dreamed."
"Xavier," Hali placed a gentle hand along his cheek, and tried to kiss him, but Xavier turned his head.
Hali tried not to display her hurt, but her azure eyes betrayed her. Why was Xavier being so distant?
"I don't think I can do this," he whispered, still refusing to make eye contact.
"Do what?" tears could be heard forming in Hali's voice.
"I'll never fit in with you world, your... life," lamented Xavier.
"You're just tired, Xavier. You've had a long day. Tomorrow, everything will seem better."
Xavier grabbed Hali roughly by both her wrists, "Don't you get it?" It's never going to work out between us! I take care of horses. That's all I'm good for."
"You're hurting me," Hali cried.
Xavier's released his harsh grip, and glanced away form her again, "I'm sorry."
"Xavier," Hali began, taking in a deep breath.
"Hali!" Xavier yelled, "I can't do this."
Poor Hali suddenly burst into tears, and hastily pulled his ring off her finger. Tossing, the terrible thing into the sand, she fled the scene, running towards the castle.
As soon as Hali was out of eye shot, Xavier's knees gave out, and he tumbled into the sand. The night was exceedingly dark; Xavier couldn't even see where Hali had dropped the ring. He desperately combed the sand with his fingers, and by some miracle, he found it.
Ultra Special Blah Blah Blah
This is the shortest chapter for Ocean Star so far. I could have made it longer, but I just didn't feel like writing anything after this. I feel so sad. Don't you?
Do you remember when in the movie, Eric told Grimbsy, "You're not still sore becasue I didn't fall for the princess of Galuerhaven, are you?" Well, apparently, Hali whacked her daughter over the head with a croquet mallet! Awesome!
I bring you, and sing you a moonlight serenade,
xJadeRainx
PS. Did any of you check out Hali's dress on my profile? I'd like to know.
