I'm In Love with Sof!
Chapter 10: You're Beautiful
Summary: Prince James has been having strange thoughts about Princess Sofia lately. Eventually he realizes he's fallen in love with her, but knowing they can never be he struggles to keep from acting on his feelings. It gets harder and harder for him to do so as the days go by, and the more he's around her, the stronger his feelings become. Meanwhile, Amber and friends struggle to find love and Ruby and Jade compete for Prince James's affection.
/*StF*/
It was the next day, Saturday afternoon to be exact, and Queen Miranda was in the castle library curled up on a couch reading a book and enjoying one of her rare days off. Roland was off in a village of Enchancia doing charity work and wouldn't be back until the evening, Amber was outside in the castle gardens having a girls' day with Hildegard and Clio, as for James and Sofia she had no idea where they were. She assumed they were somewhere hanging out together like they usually did. The two of them were quite close after all and they were never apart for no more than a few hours.
"Mom, can I talk to you about something? It's been bothering me, and I couldn't get any sleep last night because of it."
Miranda looked up from her book and saw Sofia standing before her. It would seem she wasn't with James after all.
"Sure Sofia. Have a seat and tell me all about it." She said with a smile as she patted the empty spot on the couch beside her.
Sofia did as her mother asked of her and took a seat beside her on the couch. She took a deep breath before she began.
"Mom Hugo told me that he was in love with me last night." Sofia said solemnly as she looked down at her lap.
"Well, I would say congratulations, but judging from your demeanor that's not a good thing." Miranda said.
Sofia shook her head.
"No, it's not, because Lucinda's in love with him, and when she confessed her feelings to him last night he turned her down because of me. She's depressed now, and it's all my fault, and I just feel so bad. I'm a horrible best friend!" Sofia said as she began to cry.
Miranda wrapped her arms around her daughter and brought her closer. Sofia laid her head on her mother's chest as she continued to cry and Miranda rubbed her back up and down in a soothing fashion.
"Sofia you're not a horrible best friend. It's not as if you knew Hugo loved you before you invited him to Dunwiddie so that he could meet Lucinda and possibly fall in love with her. Now if you had known before hand then you'd be a horrible best friend."
"I guess you're right but the fact still remains that Hugo's in love with me and that's why he broke Lucinda's heart which caused her to be so upset. She locked herself in her room mom and I told her dad to tell her that I'll be back to check on her today, but that was before I knew I was the cause of her despair. I just don't know if it's such a good idea for me to go check on her anymore."
"I understand Sofia but you can't let the guilt you feel stop you from doing what's right and the right thing for you to do is to go and see about your best friend." Miranda said.
"I know mom but I'm scared. What if she tells me she hates me and that she never wants to see me again?! I don't want to lose her!" Sofia said looking distressed.
"Sofia my dear girl you've never been afraid of anything in your life! You've faced many dangerous and scary things in your short life, things that frightened even me and Roland, but you didn't even bat an eyelash and you faced them head on! If you can face giants, and trolls, and an evil princess, among many other things then comforting an upset friend should be a piece of cake for you despite the circumstances!" Miranda encouraged her daughter.
Sofia quickly stood up and she had a determined look on her face.
"You're right mom! I am Princess Sofia the First of the Kingdom of Enchancia! I've never backed down from anything in my life and I won't back down from this either! I'm going to go and check on her and even if she tells me she hates me and doesn't want to see me I won't become discouraged! I'll just go and see her everyday until she gets tired of me and sees me anyway! I will not lose her over something as trivial as this!"
Miranda stood up as well and hugged Sofia in delight.
"That's my brave girl!"
The two continued to hug a little while longer before Sofia pulled away.
"I'm going now while I'm all fired up! Wish me luck mom!"
"I will although I'm certain you won't need it."
With a nod and a grin Sofia was off and out of the library in a matter of seconds.
Queen Miranda sat back down on the couch and reopened her book with a satisfied smile on her face.
Everything was going to turn out just fine.
Her mother's intuition was telling her so and it was never wrong.
/*StF*/
Lucinda sat in the living room of her home looking a little better than she had last night. She was still incredibly sad, but after telling her mother, father, Ruby, Jade, and Clarence what happened to make her so depressed, she felt slightly better. She'd come out of her room and confided in them after her father told her that Sofia and Hugo were gone. Needless to say they were incredibly sympathetic and comforting.
Ruby and Jade wanted to stay all night, but they knew they couldn't because their parents would be worried about them, they left well after midnight but they promised they'd be back first thing in the morning, and true to their word they'd returned this morning and had been by her side ever since.
Clarence left a little bit before Ruby and Jade did, but he too promised to return sometime today, but she has yet to see him and it was already after noon. She wasn't worried though. His parents probably had him busy working at the flower shop and he would most likely stop by later on in the evening. He'd shown such concern for her last night and quite frankly it surprised her. They've never been exactly what you would call friends. They were more like acquaintances. She didn't hate him or anything, and he really was a nice guy, it was just that they ran in different circles, considering he was so popular, and while she, along with Ruby and Jade, were popular in their own right they weren't nearly as popular as he was. He'd always speak to them when he saw them at school, but he only recently started talking to them and being friendly when he became friends with Sofia. It would appear he considered her a friend now. She supposed she felt the same way about him.
Luckily her parents didn't have to leave her. Her mom stayed up just about all night with her, comforting her as she cried her eyes out about why she couldn't be the one Hugo loved. As for her father, he spent the night angrily badmouthing Hugo for breaking her heart. He almost placed a curse on him, and if it weren't for her insistent pleading that he didn't Hugo would be one cursed prince right about now. She could have let her dad curse him as revenge for breaking her heart, but she still loved him too much to let any harm come to him even if he didn't return her feelings.
She honestly didn't know what she would do without her parents and friends. There was no way she would be able to get through this emotional pain without them.
Currently, Minerva was in the kitchen preparing lunch for herself and her family as well as her daughter's two best friends. Lucius sat in his recliner in the living room flipping through a spell book as he grumbled and complained about Hugo, who he would never forgive for breaking his daughter's heart no matter the reason. Ruby, Jade, and Lucinda all sat on the couch in the living room talking with each other, well, Ruby and Jade talked, Lucinda just listened not in the mood to talk for obvious reasons.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"I've got it!" Lucius called out as he rose out of his recliner and walked to his front door to answer it.
Lucinda quickly sprang to life, startling Ruby and Jade, and held out a hand to halt Lucius.
"Wait dad it might be…"
Lucius stopped walking and turned around to face his daughter, noticing the fear in her eyes. It broke his heart to see she was so afraid of her best friend.
"If it is her what would you like me to do? Turn her away or let her in?" He asked.
Lucinda looked torn. Luckily she didn't have to think on the subject too long for the person on the other side of the door spoke.
"You can relax Lucinda it's just me, Clarence."
Lucinda sighed in relief and nodded at her dad to give him the okay to go on and open the door.
"Good afternoon Clarence! Come on in!" Lucius happily greeted the younger man as he smiled at him.
"Hey Mr. Lucius!" Clarence greeted the man with a smile as he entered his home.
Minerva came out of the kitchen to see who had been at the door.
"Hello Clarence! It's good to see you!" She greeted him while drying her hands with a towel.
"Hello Mrs. Minerva and it's good to see you too!" Clarence returned her greeting as he smiled at her as well.
"I'm in the middle of preparing lunch for the others. I can fix you something too if you want."
"No, I'm afraid I won't be here long, I'm on my lunch break. Thanks for offering though."
Minerva nodded before she went back into the kitchen to resume preparing lunch.
Clarence made his way over to the trio of ladies.
"Hi Clarence!" Ruby and Jade greeted him with waves and smiles.
"Good afternoon ladies!" He said as he flashed them a winning smile causing them to blush and giggle like the school girls they were. He really was too handsome for his own good.
Lucinda looked up at him and smiled weakly.
"Hey pretty boy." She greeted him teasingly although Clarence noticed her humor seemed forced, as did her smile.
"Hey Lucinda," He pulled a bouquet of sunflowers from behind his back and presented them to her. He continued as he smiled softly at her. "These aren't much but I thought they'd cheer you up."
Lucinda's eyes widened in surprise. She'd never received a bouquet of flowers from a boy before, or any gift actually, but that still didn't mean she didn't dream of receiving a gift from one someday. She'd always dreamed of that guy being Hugo but never in her wildest dreams would she expect to get her first gift from Clarence. He really was a nice guy.
"Thank you Clarence. They're beautiful." She thanked him as she accepted the sunflowers.
She didn't really like flowers but she wouldn't tell him that. He went through the trouble of bringing them to her after all, and it was such a kind gesture, that she didn't want to hurt his feelings. She would treasure them forever and take care of them and keep them alive as best as she could.
"What did he give you Lucy?" Minerva asked her daughter from the kitchen.
"A bouquet of sunflowers." Lucinda answered her mother's question.
"Aww how sweet!"
Lucius draped an arm over Clarence's neck.
"I like you kid! You're the kind of guy I want my daughter to be with not that pompous prince. Giving her flowers is a bit sappy in my opinion but hey every man is different."
"Oh hush Lucius! You could learn a thing or two from Clarence! You can stand to be a little more romantic you know! Giving me flowers, or chocolates, or taking me out on dates every once in awhile wouldn't hurt!" Minerva chimed in as she walked out of the kitchen with plates of cheese toast and bowls of tomato soup.
Both Clarence and Lucinda blushed and looked away from each other.
"Mom, dad you're embarrassing me! Clarence and I are just friends! After what happened with Hugo I'm never falling in love again!" Lucinda explained to her parents as she groaned in embarrassment.
"Yes, you've got it all wrong Mr. Lucius and Mrs. Minerva. I only brought Lucinda those flowers to cheer her up not as a romantic gesture. I only see her as a friend." Clarence nervously explained.
"Oh Lucy you don't mean that! You're just really hurting right now! Don't let your first bad experience with love stop you from falling in love ever again! Love can be painful, sure, but it can also be a beautiful and wonderful thing!" Minerva encouraged her daughter.
Lucinda sighed.
"You're probably right mom but I meant what I said earlier. Maybe one day I'll fall in love again but how I'm feeling at the moment I highly doubt it."
"Ok sweetie." Minerva replied. She decided to leave it at that. She had to get over Hugo her own way in her own time and once she'd done that she'd be ready to move on and allow herself to fall in love again.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again! Prince Jerko wasn't the right guy for you and he missed out on an amazing young woman!" Lucius said as he smiled at his daughter.
A genuine smile appeared on Lucinda's face.
"Thanks dad."
There was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" Minerva called out in question.
"Sofia."
Everyone turned to look at Lucinda.
"What are you going to do?" Jade asked her.
Lucinda didn't answer. She was too deep in thought.
Sofia was the last person she wanted to see right now, besides Hugo, and honestly she just didn't know how to deal with her right now. I mean, it wasn't like she hated her or anything, and she still even considered her to be her best friend, but the jealousy she felt towards her was strong and she felt like she'd say something she'd regret out of anger and she and Sofia's friendship will be ruined forever. She didn't want to lose her.
"Lucinda she's waiting. What are you going to do?" Ruby asked.
"I don't want to…"
"Come on in!" Clarence called out to Sofia interrupting Lucinda in the process.
Everyone else gasped in shock and Lucinda was about to run away and hide in her room but Clarence stopped her in her tracks.
"Let me go Clarence!" Lucinda yelled as she struggled to free her wrist from his hold to no avail.
"No, you're no coward, and you're going to have to face Sofia sooner or later so it might as well be sooner." He explained to her.
The door opened and Sofia walked in. She immediately ran toward Lucinda and hugged her with all of her might.
"Lucinda I am so sorry for hurting you and for being such a horrible best friend!" Sofia apologized to her with tears in her eyes.
Lucinda sighed.
"He told you huh?"
Sofia nodded still hugging her.
"Yeah, after we left last night he told me everything."
"I see…let's go to my room so we can talk in private." Lucinda said as she freed herself from Sofia's hold and headed to her bedroom.
Sofia was right behind her.
Clarence waited until they were in the bedroom before he headed toward the front door.
"I wish I could stay to see how this turns out but my lunch break is almost over and my parents will kill me if I'm late getting back. I'm sure it's going to go well though and they'll be even closer than they were before. I'll see you guys later."
They all bid him farewell and once he was gone they sat in the living room eating their lunch in silence.
All they could do now was wait and hope that Clarence was right.
/*StF*/
Lucinda sat on her bed watching as Sofia paced the length of her floor with a troubled look on her face.
"So when you say he told you everything how much did he tell you exactly?" Lucinda asked the princess as she continued to watch her pace.
Sofia stopped and looked at her with big, sad blue eyes.
"He told me the whole story from beginning to end. About how you took him to the forest and told him you loved him but he turned you down because he was in love with someone else, with me."
Lucinda nodded with an unreadable expression on her face.
"W-What did you say? After he told you he loved you?" She asked Sofia as she looked away from her.
She should have had enough of asking questions that she was pretty sure would break her already fragile heart even more but she just had to know.
"Well, I told him that I didn't really know how I felt about him and that even if I did return his feelings we could never be together because you loved him first and it would be wrong of me to date the man my best friend loves."
Lucinda looked at her shocked.
"Y-You said that?!"
Sofia nodded.
Tears welled up in Lucinda's eyes only this time they were tears of joy. She got off of her bed and wrapped her arms around Sofia in a hug.
"Sofia you really are the best friend a girl can have! I can't believe you did that for me!"
Sofia smiled and hugged her back.
"I don't know why it's so hard for you to believe. I'm your best friend silly and I would never do anything to hurt you…at least not intentionally anyway. Boys will come and go but girlfriends, best friends, are forever."
"Oh Sofia, how could I have ever allowed myself to become angry with you?! You truly are a kind person you know that?!"
Sofia pulled back slightly so she could look at her.
"I've been told that by quite a few people." Sofia told her with a smile. She then grew serious and asked. "So does that mean you've forgiven me?"
"Of course I forgive you Sofia. I'd be crazy to give up a best friend as great as you." Lucinda told her with a smile.
Both girls hugged each other tightly before letting go.
"I—I should let you know that Hugo wouldn't take no for an answer and isn't willing to give up on me. He wants me to think things over, get to know him better, and then make my final decision." Sofia nervously told her.
She closed her eyes and braced herself for the inevitable backlash.
"Ok."
Sofia opened her eyes quickly and they were wide with shock.
"That's all you're going to say is okay?! I thought you would be angry!"
Lucinda shrugged.
"I'm not angry, but I can't say I'm exactly pleased to hear that bit of news either. I wouldn't be happy if the two of you dated now but who knows, maybe in time I'll be willing to accept it."
"So are you saying you've given up on him?" Sofia asked even more shocked than she was before.
Lucinda smiled a bittersweet smile.
"Yes, I have. There's no point in loving him, or trying to get him to fall for me, when he's so deeply in love with you."
Sofia quickly shook her head.
"Don't give up on him Lucinda! I don't love him so…"
"But you said earlier that you didn't know how you felt about his confession or him." Lucinda pointed out.
"But I…" She sighed. "Yes, that's true I did say that but…"
Lucinda walked up to her and placed her hands on her shoulders.
"Until you've gotten to know him better, and know for a fact that you don't have any romantic feelings for him, don't tell me you don't love him."
Sofia opened her mouth to say something else but she closed it and simply nodded her head.
"I just want to forget all this Hugo drama ever happened so we can go back to the way we used to be. Can we do that Sofia?"
Sofia smiled.
"I'm willing to try if you are."
Lucinda smiled back.
"Great! Well come on so we can tell the others we've made up. They'll be thrilled."
The two of them walked out of Lucinda's bedroom and headed back into the living room.
/*StF*/
Lucius, Minerva, Ruby, and Jade looked up from their meals when they heard Lucinda's door open.
That sure didn't take long. Hopefully everything went well.
"We are best friends again!" Lucinda announced to her parents and best friends.
"Yay!" Both Ruby and Jade cheered as they rose from the couch and ran to their best friends hugging them tightly.
"We're so relieved!" Jade said.
"Yeah, we didn't want to have to choose between the two of you." Ruby said.
"I'm so glad my girls are best friends again. My family is complete once more." Lucius said with a grin.
Minerva nodded her head in agreement.
"Yes, I agree, it would seem Clarence was right after all."
Both Sofia and Lucinda looked around.
"Where is he by the way?" Sofia asked.
"He said that his lunch break was almost over and that he had to get back to the shop before his parents got angry with him." Lucius said.
They both nodded.
"Will you be staying for lunch Sofia? There's plenty of soup and cheese toast left if you want some." Minerva said to Sofia.
"I'd love to stay but I'm afraid I've got to get back to the castle. I promised Cedric that I would bake him cookies this week and I still haven't gotten around to doing it so I said I would do it today." Sofia said looking apologetic.
"Aww do you have to go?!" Ruby, Jade, and Lucinda asked while pouting.
"Yeah you just got here!" Lucius chimed in pouting as well much to Sofia's amusement.
"Sorry girls…and Mr. Lucius but I do. I promised him I would and I don't break my promises." Sofia answered them.
"Ok." The three girls and Lucius said sadly.
"Well you have a safe trip back Sofia and as always don't be a stranger. Our door is always open to you." Minerva told her with a smile.
"Thank you Mrs. Minerva." She said to the others. "I'll see you all later."
"Bye Sofia!"
She saw herself out closing the door softly behind her.
Lucinda's stomach growled loudly.
"I'm starving! I haven't eaten anything since yesterday!" Lucinda announced as she headed into the kitchen to fix herself some lunch.
Lucius, Minerva, Ruby, and Jade smiled at each other.
She'd gotten her appetite back and it was good to see that she was back to her old self again.
They couldn't be happier.
/*StF*/
Cedric was in his lair working on a random potion when there was a knock at his door. He knew that knock anywhere. She was the only one who knocked that way after all.
"Come in Princess Sofia!" Cedric called out to her never taking his eyes off of his magical concoction.
He heard his door open and close and Sofia's soft footsteps as she approached him.
"Good afternoon Cedric! I've brought those cookies I promised you!" Sofia cheerfully greeted her favorite sorcerer.
Cedric turned around and snatched the plate of cookies from her hands.
"It's about time you've brought them! They had better taste exceptional considering how long you've kept me waiting for them!" He grumpily complained to her as he glared at her with a frown on his face.
Sofia rolled her eyes but smiled nevertheless use to his seemingly perpetual foul mood.
"Taste one and see for yourself."
Cedric took a cookie off the plate and took a bite out of it chewing it thoroughly.
"Well…how is it?" She asked him with baited breath.
"Humph, luckily for you they're even more delicious than usual. There seems to be more chocolate pieces in them this time."
Sofia beamed.
"You noticed! Yes, I did put more in this time, I figured it was the least I could do for being so late getting them to you! I've had a busy week with school, and flying derby practice, and other stuff. I hope you can forgive me."
Cedric rolled his eyes.
"You and your excuses, fine, I suppose I can forgive you."
Sofia took a cookie off the plate as well and took a bite.
"Thanks! You're the best!"
"Hey, these are my cookies! I didn't say you could get one!" Cedric said as he frowned at her.
"I'm the one who baked them so I can get one if I want without your permission." Sofia said as she stuck her tongue out at him.
Cedric rolled his eyes.
"Oh, real mature! Are you this petulant with everyone else or is it just me?" He asked her annoyed.
"Just you, but that's because you're special." She told him while giggling.
"Oh goody I'm honored!" He said sarcastically as he rolled his eyes.
Sofia noticed the beaker of unfinished potion and various ingredients on the table behind him.
"What kind of potion were you working on?" She asked him curious.
"It's an obedience potion. It's especially useful on headstrong princesses like you."
"Seriously Cedric what kind of potion is it?" Sofia asked not believing him.
"It's none of your business Princess Sofia now why don't you run along and do whatever it is spoiled, pampered princesses do all day."
"I don't want to go. I want to spend time with you." Sofia told him with a pout.
Cedric's eyes widened in surprise.
She was the only one that has ever wanted to spend time with him and no matter how many times he's heard her say it over the years it never ceased to amaze him and warm his cold heart.
"Fine, you can stay. You fancy being my assistant as I finish making this potion and a few others?" He asked her.
"Of course! Anything to spend time with one of my dear friends!" Sofia said happily as she wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug.
Cedric looked down at her.
"Dear friend?!" He asked surprised.
"Of course Cedric, I thought you knew that you were dear to me. You've helped me so much these past ten years, and vice versa, and we've gone on our fair share of adventures. You've tutored me, took me on as an apprentice, and I know that no matter how sarcastic, and rude, and mean you are that you're just a big softy underneath. I know you're misunderstood by mostly everyone but just remember if no one else gets you I do. I mean this in the most platonic of ways but…I love you Cedric." She said as she smiled softly at him before she pulled away from him and started fiddling with things on his potions table.
Cedric was frozen in place and his heart was beating a mile a minute.
She loved him! That was the first time she ever said that to him. He knew she meant only as a friend, she'd said so herself, but still hearing her say those words made him feel funny inside. He felt anxious and giddy all at once. He'd never felt this way before. He didn't know what the feeling was but he had to admit it wasn't unpleasant. Why was he feeling this way? He didn't understand it?
"Cedric what's wrong?" He heard Sofia's angelic voice ask him in concern.
He took a deep breath and put a frown on his face. Whatever was wrong with him it was best to act normal for both of their sakes.
"I'm perfectly fine brat! Run over to my ingredients rack and get two strands of giant's hair and four mermaid scales! Make it snappy!" He barked orders as he made his way over to the table.
"Right away your grumpiness!" Sofia said with a giggle as she saluted him and ran off to get the ingredients he asked for as quick as she could.
Cedric watched her and for some reason his mind went back to that time years ago when he, Sofia, and her little scout troop visited Mystic Meadows, he to see his parents, or more specifically to prove to his father that he deserved to get the Family Wand, and Sofia and her friends to earn their good deeds badges. Her little friends spent time with the elderly sorcerers and sorceresses like they were supposed to. Sofia on the other hand spent the entire time helping him prove to his father that he was a great sorcerer so that he could get the wand that he rightfully deserved, and in the end he not only got the wand but his father's respect as well. Oh, and Sofia and all her little friends got their badges too but that wasn't important. Perhaps his mother was right when she said that Sofia really is the only friend he's ever had. He knew it should make him sad that he only has one friend but…
"I've got the things you need Cedric? What do I do next?" She asked him excitedly.
"Place them in the potion, but one at a time or else there will be an explosion." He instructed her.
He saw her nod and she began to add the ingredients to the unfinished, orange concoction.
…with Sofia as a friend he's more than happy to have just one. She was…all he needed.
He frowned.
Blah! What was wrong with him getting all sappy like this?! She meant nothing to him and she was simply a pawn in his plan to take over the kingdom. He can't get soft now!
He sighed.
Deep down though he knew his previous thoughts were a lie. She meant everything to him and he was finding it harder and harder to go through with his plan.
"I did it Cedric! It turned pink is that the color it's supposed to be?"
"Yes, you did it perfectly."
She beamed at him, her smile as beautiful and bright as the sun, and he felt his heart skip a beat.
As he went to go and get the things needed to start on the next potion he couldn't help but think…
What on earth was Sofia doing to him?!
/*StF*/
Sofia spent hours with Cedric in his workshop, only dismissing herself from his presence when she realized it was dinner time and that she was starving. After having dinner with her family, minus James who was still in Tangu with Zandar, she was dragged off by Amber to join her, Hildegard, and Clio. She claimed that she spent more time with Ruby, Jade, and Lucinda than with them. So now she found herself in Amber's bedroom, sitting on her rather large bed with her sister and the other girls, listening to something she wasn't too fond of…gossiping.
"Princess Leilani says she didn't make out with Prince Marco but she so totally did. Princess Rachael says saw them behind the gymnasium." Amber said.
"I don't know why she's so ashamed about it. I'd make out with him and tell everybody I did." Hildegard said while smirking.
Amber and Clio laughed agreeing with her.
"Oh yeah, he's so good looking!" Clio added.
Sofia sighed.
She's never been a gossipmonger. Her mother taught her better than that. As such she tried to avoid it as much as possible but in situations like this, when she couldn't, she didn't engage in it and even rebuffed it if she knew the truth.
"Sofia what do you think of Prince Marco? He's so handsome right?" Amber asked her excitedly.
Sofia placed a finger on her chin and tapped it repeatedly as she looked up at the ceiling thinking deeply about Amber's question.
Prince Marco was a tall, muscular prince with short, curly, black hair, dark green eyes, and a tan complexion.
"Marco is very handsome indeed. He's more than just his looks though. He's quite kind and…"
"Yeah, yeah who cares about that?! All that matters is that he looks good!" Clio interrupted Sofia.
Hildegard and Amber nodded their heads in agreement as they moved on to another topic of gossip.
Sofia messaged the bridge of her nose and silently screamed in frustration.
And she thought guys were bad when it came to only caring about a girl's looks. These three were worse than any guy she'd ever talked to.
She didn't know how much more of this she could take!
Suddenly Amber's door opened and James walked in.
"James! How rude?! You can't just barge into a girl's room like that!" Amber yelled at him.
James shrugged.
"You come into my room without my permission all the time. I figured I'd return the favor."
Amber was still angry but said nothing more about the matter considering she knew he was right.
"What do you want?!" She asked him instead.
He ignored her as he looked around her room as if he was looking for something. Once his eyes landed on Sofia he grinned.
"Sof there you are! I've been looking for you! I went to your room first but you weren't there so I came here next hoping you'd be here or Amber or the girls would know where you were."
Amber rolled her eyes and Clio frowned.
He came here looking for her. They should have known.
"Well here I am. Did you need me for something?" Sofia asked him.
Hopefully he would say yes so she could get out of here.
"I just wanted to spend time with you is all. Tell you about my day in Tangu." James told her with a shrug.
Sofia smiled and nodded as she got off of Amber's bed and made her way over to the only male in the room.
"Ok James that sounds great, let's…"
"Uh James wouldn't you rather tell me about your day? I am your girlfriend after all." Clio spoke up with a forced smile on her face to mask the anger she was feeling.
How dare he choose to tell Sofia about his day and not her?! She understood that he wasn't use to having a girlfriend, and that Sofia has been his best friend for most his life and that he told her everything, but that was her job now and it was high time that he got use to it!
James opened his mouth to say something but Sofia interrupted him.
"It's alright James. Clio has a point. She is your girlfriend now and you should talk to her about your day not me. I'm just your sister after all. Go on. I'll be fine. You can tell me about it after you've told her." She said as she forced herself to smile at him but those blue eyes of hers were unmistakably filled with sadness.
Clio smirked in satisfaction thinking that she'd won over Sofia.
"Well you heard her James. Now…"
"Sofia you are not just my sister! You are my best friend forever and always and that will never change! I said I wanted to spend time with you tonight and I meant it!" He looked at Clio. "Sorry Clio but I spent time with you yesterday. It's Sofia's turn now. I hope you understand."
Without waiting for Clio's reply he took Sofia by the hand and dragged her out of Amber's room slamming the door closed behind him.
"Unbelievable! I can't believe he chose her over me!" Clio said angrily.
Amber and Hildegard looked at each other.
"I can." Hildegard said with a shrug.
"Sofia is the number one person in his life. I still have a hard time accepting that fact, but as his girlfriend, the quicker you accept it, the better." Amber told her sympathetically.
She competed with Sofia on a daily basis for James' attention and never once has she come out on top. It hurt, still does, but after she confronted James about his favoritism toward Sofia she felt better now.
"I won't accept it! I'm his girlfriend now and I should be his number one!" Clio said.
"What are you going to do to get him to replace you with Sofia then?" Hildegard asked.
A determined gleam appeared in Clio's eyes.
"I don't know yet but I'll come up with something."
"Good luck with that Clio. If I, as his twin sister, couldn't replace Sofia as number one in his life I don't really see how you will." Amber told her with a shrug.
It wasn't that she didn't want her to succeed she just couldn't see her pulling it off.
"I'm going to be his new number one girls! Just you wait and see!" Clio told them.
Amber and Hildegard exchanged glances as they smirked at each other.
They couldn't wait to see if she would truly succeed or not. If nothing else it would sure be interesting to see her try.
/*StF*/
James and Sofia made their way to Sofia's bedroom, after their hasty retreat from Amber's own, and they were currently lying on her bed. James finished telling Sofia about his day with Zandar in Tangu a little while ago and they found themselves talking about any and everything like they usually did. Let's join them shall we.
"So how was your date with Clio last night?" Sofia asked him with a smile as she turned on her side to face him.
James, who had his hands behind his head and was staring up at the ceiling, turned his head to the side so that he could look at her.
"It went great actually."
Sofia's smile widened.
"Oh that's wonderful news James! I know you must be happy!"
"Yeah, I'm thrilled. We're going on another date soon but I haven't decided where we're going or what we're going to do yet." James said as he forced himself to smile.
In actuality he wasn't happy at all that things turned out so well. He supposed in the back of his mind yesterday he was hoping the date would turn out to be a disaster so that he would have a reason not to continue using Clio and ease his guilty conscience. With the date going as well as it did however he was now forced to continue this ruse. He thought dating Clio would help him get over Sofia, but considering he still found himself wishing he were on that date with Sofia last night instead of Clio, that didn't seem to be the case. Now here he was stuck dating a girl he didn't really love and still deeply in love with his sister. He supposed he could always just breakup with Clio but that was easier said than done; however, because she was a nice girl who really did like him and he couldn't bring himself to breakup with a girl who did absolutely nothing wrong. It was times like this that he found himself wishing Clio was like Amber, like he'd thought before he'd gotten to know her. It would be so much easier to break things off with her then. He hated to admit it but Lucinda had been right all along. He may have to go to her for advice again, but he wasn't ready to admit to her just yet that she was right like she always was. He could just see the smug look on her face and hear the smugness in her voice.
"James, are you sure it was wise to blow Clio off and choose to tell me about your day instead of her. She is your girlfriend now, and things are going so good for you two. I don't want to come between you guys and be the reason your relationship fails before it even really begins." Sofia said with a worried look on her face.
"Sofia don't worry about me and Clio. I promised you that I wouldn't completely abandon you when she and I started dating and I meant that. Like I told her earlier I spent the entire night with her yesterday so it's only fair that I spend time with you today." James explained to her.
"Yeah, I get that, but…"
James placed a finger to her lips and looked her in the eyes.
"Sofia, Clio and I aren't going to breakup because I want to spend time with my little sister, and if we do well it just means she wasn't the right girl for me anyway. So for the last time don't worry about us and just enjoy our time together like you always do, before Clio entered the picture." He said as he grinned at her.
Sofia took a deep breath before she nodded and grinned as well.
"So, what were you and the girls talking about before I came in?" James asked.
"They were gossiping as usual. Talking about Marco and Leilani making out and if I thought Marco was handsome and stuff. I…"
"Well, do you?" James asked her while frowning.
"Do I what?" Sofia asked confused.
"Do you think Marco is handsome?" He asked her again still frowning.
"Yes, I do. He's very sweet too, and I was trying to get Amber, Hildegard, and Clio to see that but they were talking about all that matters is that he looks good. I was so glad you came when you did and got me out of there. I didn't know how much longer I could take being around them. I love them, and they're sweet for the most part, but I just can't deal with their shallowness."
"Humph! He doesn't look that handsome! I look better!" James said feeling jealous as he crossed his arms still frowning.
Sofia giggled and wrapped her arms around James' neck hugging him tightly.
"You're right. You're the most handsome prince, no man, I've ever seen."
"You're not just saying that because you're my sister and you feel like you have to are you?" James asked suspiciously.
"No, I seriously mean it. You know I don't lie."
James grinned.
"That's right you don't do you? Thanks Sof! You don't look so bad yourself."
Sofia rolled her eyes.
"I tell you you're the most handsome man I've ever seen and all I get is a 'you don't look so bad yourself'! Gee thanks James!" She told him while pouting.
James quickly climbed on top of Sofia startling her. She opened her mouth to question his actions but he placed a finger to her lips once more effectively silencing her.
"Sofia I didn't mean it like that at all. I didn't say what I wanted to say because I was afraid I might say too much." He explained as he removed his finger from her lips.
"What do you mean?" Sofia asked him confused.
"Sofia you are truly the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and I truly believe you are the most beautiful woman in the world."
"Thank you James. You know I'm no good with compliments and flattery though." She told him with a laugh while blushing.
"I don't know why. You should be, because you deserve every compliment you get. You're extremely beautiful, and it's not that vain beauty that Amber and a lot of the other princesses have, but you're naturally beautiful and the fact that you're so kind makes you even more beautiful. You don't just have outer beauty but you have inner beauty as well."
"You really mean it James?" She asked him shyly as she looked up at him, biting her lower lip in a nervous fashion.
James studied her.
Her long hair, which she wore down today, was splayed about on her pillows giving her a wildly sexy look. Her blue eyes were framed by long, thick eyelashes, and her cheeks were red, due to her blushing from his compliments, her innocence contrasting beautifully with the wild look her hair gave her, and the way she bit her bottom lip only made her look sexier.
James stroked Sofia's face lovingly…
She wasn't just beautiful. She was stunning. She was breathtaking. She was gorgeous. She was…perfect.
"Sofia I meant every word. You are absolute perfection." He whispered to her.
"Aww thank you James. You are so sweet and I'm going to try and be more receptive of people's compliments." Sofia said as she smiled up at him.
James nodded as he gazed at her with such intensity that it sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. He had an emotion in his eyes that she couldn't quite place.
God it was crazy how much he wanted her! Why did the girl he love; his one true love, have to be his stepsister? Why did out of all the single women in the world his dad could have married he just had to choose Miranda, and why did Sofia have to be her daughter? Life just wasn't fair!
"James how much longer are you going to stay on top of me? You're getting heavy not to mention it's awkward." Sofia asked him sweetly.
James, whose gaze had shifted to her lips when she was talking to him, was overcome with the desire to kiss her.
He licked his lips and slowly leaned down.
"James…what are you doing?" Sofia asked nervously as he got closer and closer to her face.
He didn't answer her as he continued to get closer to his prize.
He knew what he was about to do was wrong but he couldn't bring himself to stop. His mind was telling him not to kiss her but his heart and his testosterone was screaming at him to keep going. Who was he to deny his heart…and his desires?
He was so close. Just a little bit more…
"James are you trying to kiss me?"
"What?!" The blond asked her alarmed coming back to his senses slightly.
He was surprised she'd realized what he was about to do. He supposed it wasn't hard to figure out but with her being Sofia she was usually oblivious to these kinds of things.
"There's no need for you to be so dramatic about it! You know I don't mind you kissing me! Which will it be this time? My forehead, my cheeks, or maybe both?!" Sofia asked with a giggle.
James took one look into those eyes of hers and laughed. It would appear she was as oblivious as he thought she was. There was no way he could kiss someone as innocent as Sofia. He still wanted to kiss her, don't get him wrong, it was just that he wanted her to be aware of it, and possibly even want to kiss him back, whenever he does it. Maybe one day he'll be able to kiss those lovely lips of hers but until then…
He kissed her forehead and each of her cheeks before he finally got off of her and sat down Indian style beside her on her bed.
…he would just have to settle for her forehead, cheeks, hands, and whatever else he could get.
Sofia sat up as well and stretched feeling lighter now that James was off of her.
"Well since you told me about your day it's only fair that I tell you about mine. Well it started off pretty bad actually. You see…"
James gave Sofia his undivided attention as he listened to her talk.
She had such a lovely voice.
He wished it could be like this forever, just him, and Sofia and no one else.
He was always happiest when he was with her.
/*StF*/
Dunwiddie Floral Arrangements is a two story building located in the downtown shopping district of the village of Dunwiddie. The first floor consisted of the shop itself while the second floor was where Clarence and his parents, Paul and Lily, lived. After a long and successful day Paul and Lily retired upstairs to their home leaving the job of locking up for the night to their son. He was in the middle of doing inventory when the bell above the door rang alerting him of someone's arrival in the store.
"Sorry but we're closed. You'll have to come back tomorrow." He said to the person never once looking up from his checklist to spare them a glance.
"You should really look at people when you talk to them pretty boy. It's rather rude when you don't."
Clarence quickly looked from his clipboard. There was only one person who called him a pretty boy…
"Lucinda!" He exclaimed nervously as she slowly approached him. He swallowed hard and continued. "I know you're probably angry with me for what I did but you and Sofia are best friends. I couldn't just standby and let you all's friendship fall apart over Prince Hugo. I don't regret what I did and I'm sure you're probably here for revenge so go ahead and hex me and do whatever else it is you came to do."
She'd finally reached the counter, the only thing separating the two of them, and reached out to Clarence.
He winced and closed his eyes preparing himself for the worst.
Instead of feeling unimaginable pain and agony like he thought he would. He was surprised to feel himself surrounded by pleasant warmth. He opened his eyes again and gasped when he realized he was in Lucinda's arms. She was…hugging him!
"Thanks for meddling Clarence. Sofia and I are on friendly terms again. I can't say things are going to instantly go back to the way they were before this whole Hugo fiasco but I'm hoping that someday soon they will."
"So you're not angry with me?" Clarence asked her still in shock.
"No I'm not. If you ever meddle in my life again; however, I'll make your face so hideous that no girl will ever want you again." Lucinda warned him.
Clarence laughed and finally wrapped his arms around her hugging her back.
"Only you can hug someone and threaten them at the same time Lucinda and I'll try my best not to meddle again."
"Hey, it's a gift." Lucinda said as she pulled away from him with a smirk of amusement on her face.
"I'm glad you and Sofia are friends again. Knowing that the two of you are happy again makes me happy." Clarence said as he smiled at her.
Lucinda nodded as she smiled back at him.
"Sofia informed me that Hugo told her that he was in love with her last night. She said that she told him she doesn't know how she feels about him and that even if she returned his feelings they could never be together because of me. He wouldn't take no for an answer though and told her to think about it and get to know him better before she made her final decision. I've decided to give up on him and told Sofia that I'd probably be okay with her dating him if she waited a while. I know how much you love Sofia so I just thought you should know."
"It's that obvious how much I love her huh?!" Clarence asked as he chuckled in amusement.
"Yep, to everyone but Sofia." Lucinda told him with a smirk.
"Have you really truly given up on him?" Clarence asked her serious once more.
Lucinda sighed.
"I told Sofia I have, and I meant it at the time, but now I feel as if I misspoke. I still love him Clarence, and I still want to be with him, but there's just no possible way that can happen, considering he only has eyes for Sofia."
"So is that a yes or a no?" Clarence asked for clarification.
She thought on it a long moment before she sighed deeply once more.
"It's a yes, a reluctant one, but a yes nonetheless." A thought occurred to her and she asked. "What are you going to do? Hugo confessed to Sofia, but you haven't yet, and even though he told her to think about his confession before she made her final decision the chances are quite high that she may end up falling in love with him as well. Is that okay with you?"
Clarence scowled and slammed his fists on the counter startling Lucinda.
"Of course it's not okay with me! He might have got a head start by confessing to her first but she hasn't said she felt the same way about him yet so I'm not out of the fight yet! Did she say when she'll be visiting the village again?"
"She didn't say but she usually visits once a month. This month was an exception considering she visited yesterday and today because of Prince Hugo and the…incident. The way things are looking she won't be visiting again until toward the end of next month. It could be sooner or later though if she gets some free time or gets too busy." Lucinda explained.
"So basically what you're saying is you don't know when she'll back?" Clarence asked with a sigh.
"No, but what does it ma…oh I see, you want to confess to her too." Lucinda said as it dawned upon her.
"Yes, and I'd rather do it sooner than later. The longer I wait, the more time Sofia has to consider her feelings for Hugo, and like you said she may end up falling in love with him and I'll lose my chance to get with her. I can't have that." Clarence said.
Lucinda remained silent deep in thought.
She felt for Clarence, really she did, considering she is going through the same thing with Hugo that he could possibly go through with Sofia if he didn't confess to her in time. Usually she would offer her services to him no problem but this time was different. James had already confided in her about his less than brotherly affections for Sofia and while she hadn't promised to help him win her over she wouldn't deny that she was rooting for him, even if he wasn't exactly rooting for himself. If she helped Clarence she'd feel like she was betraying James, and no doubt he'd feel the same way. Their friendship would be over and she rather liked the idiotic blond prince and would be terribly saddened if that happened. She was torn. Should she help Clarence or stay out of it and continue to silently root for James?
"I got it! I'll just go to the palace tomorrow, ask to see Sofia, and then once I'm alone with her I'll tell her how much I love her!" Clarence said his blue eyes alight with the brilliance of his plan.
"And just how are you going to do that? You can't just march up to the palace and demand to have an audience with Sofia. You're a commoner remember and they'd just kick you out."
Clarence sighed, the light in his eyes gone.
"Yeah, you're right, it was wishful thinking, but I have to come up with something, and quick! There's no way I'm going to let that prince get my princess!" Clarence said the defeated look on his face replaced with one of determination.
Lucinda sighed in relief. She was glad he didn't ask her for help so she could remain neutral.
"Well I wish you the best of luck pretty boy. I just came to tell you the good news…and the not so good news. I'm going to head back home now. It's getting dark."
"You want me to walk you? It gets dangerous at night and I don't want anything bad to happen to you." Clarence said a look of concern on his face.
"I'll be fine Clarence there's no need to worry about me. I'm a witch remember. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself." Lucinda said confidently. She added with a smile. "Thanks for offering though. You're a real gentleman."
"Alright I won't walk you home but promise me you'll be careful." Clarence said reluctance in his voice.
"I will." Lucinda said as she made her way to the door.
"Oh and Lucinda…"
She'd reached the door by now and after placing her hand on the doorknob she turned her head to the side so that she could look at him.
"Yeah?"
"You're too awesome for Hugo and honestly you can do much better. He missed out on an amazing woman. I know you're probably not looking for love right now but there's a guy out there for you somewhere. I don't know who he is but just trust that he's out there." Clarence said as he smiled softly at her.
Lucinda's breath hitched in her throat and her hand tightened around the doorknob. Her mom, dad, Ruby, and Jade had told her similar things but she didn't really believe them. Somehow though, when Clarence told her the same things they had, she believed him.
She swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat from forcing herself not to cry and smiled at him.
"I had given up on love pre—Clarence but thanks to you I've decided to give it another try. I'm not rushing anything though. I'm in no hurry to fall in love again."
Clarence nodded.
"Goodnight pretty boy. See you later."
"Goodnight beautiful." He said as he winked at her.
"What?!" Lucinda exclaimed her green eyes wide with shock.
Clarence laughed.
"You call me pretty boy all the time so I figured I'd tease you for a change by calling you beautiful." He explained with a smirk of amusement on his handsome face.
Lucinda scowled at him but laughed nevertheless.
"Oh, for a second there I thought you were seriously calling me beautiful."
Clarence placed his elbows on the counter and rested his head in his hands as he studied her.
"I was mostly teasing but you are quite beautiful."
Lucinda blushed.
"No one has ever called me beautiful before. I'm no Sofia after all."
"No you're not, but you're both still beautiful, you're not the traditional beauty though you're more of an…exotic beauty." Clarence explained to her, head still resting in his hands, as he grinned at her.
Lucinda smirked.
"An exotic beauty huh? I like the sound of that. You keep sweet talking me like this and I just may end up falling for you." Lucinda teased as she winked at him.
Clarence laughed.
"Is that so? Well I'll be sure to catch you and never let you go." He said smirking in amusement.
It was Lucinda's turn to laugh.
"You know up until now I thought you were just a pretty face with no personality whatsoever. I had you all wrong though. You have a ton of personality and a quick wit about you that can rival my own. It's nice to have someone I can tease who can keep up with me enough to tease me back…"
She opened the door.
"…I like you pretty boy. I think I'll keep you."
With those parting words she finally exited the shop leaving Clarence alone once more.
He smiled.
He liked her too and he found her to be quite entertaining. She made the right decision to give up on Hugo. Someone with spunk like her wasn't meant to be cooped up in a palace all day, following proper royal protocol and being a submissive princess like she would have had to do if things had worked out with her and Hugo and they'd gotten married. She would have been very unhappy with that kind of life. He just knew it. A girl like her was meant to be free to do as she pleases. Living by her own rules and just enjoying her life.
He chuckled as he imagined a stiff like Hugo trying to tame a free spirit like Lucinda.
"Yep, she's definitely just too much awesome for someone like Hugo to handle."
He picked up the checklist and clipboard and resumed doing inventory.
/*StF*/
Well that was Chapter 10 guys; I hope you all enjoyed it! Sorry for taking so long to update but I made this chapter long to make up for it! Anyway, review and tell me what you thought of the chapter, follow me as an author or this story, or add me to your favorite author's list or this story to you favorite stories list! Just do something to let me know you like it so that I may continue to update!
Thanks to all of those who have reviewed, followed, or favorited I'm In Love with Sof! And to those who have followed and/or favorited me as an author! You all are the best and keep me motivated to write this fic!