Chapter 5:
(Amber POV)
I collapsed to the ground in sorrow. How could Desmond think that about me? My breath quickened as I began hyperventilating. What was going on? Why couldn't I breathe? Why won't it stop? Fear and sadness were overtaking me as I felt my body harshly shake. Was I having a panic attack? If so I needed it to stop. I needed Desmond to come back and help me. I needed help.
I heard the door knob began to turn and I peered up hoping to see Desmond. James, I thought to myself as he opened the door, "Amber, Des are you in here?" He hadn't seen me but I managed to stutter, "J-J-James." He turned back and saw me on the ground. "AMBER!" He came down and wrapped his arms around me. "What happened Amber? Amber come on you need to talk to me," He kept saying, trying to coax something out of me but I continued sobbing into his shoulder holding onto him tightly. He held me and stoke circles in my back calming me down. I used to have these when we were really little and James was the only one ever capable of calming me down. They stopped when I was 6 but, it felt the way I remembered in my worst nightmares.
James kept holding onto me, doing everything he could to calm me down. And I did eventually calmed down and James, keeping his hands on my shoulders, separated from me and looked me in the eyes, "Amber what is going on?" I could feel my lip trembling, "D-D-Des..." I stuttered out. James' eyes narrowed, "What did Desmond do?" His voice was deep and terrifying.
I shuddered and he quickly calmed down, "Shot sorry Amber, can you talk to me?" I nodded my head. "I-I-I wanted to know why he was ignoring me and why he was acting like we were never friends. He told me that I never wrote to him and would have never thought about him again had he not be assigned here, b-b-but I did write him every week the first year and he never responded. He then said t-that I needed to stop rewriting history and stop being trying to be his friend. He t-told me that I was playing with his f-feeling and t-that I sh-should just court some prince," I was falling apart as I was telling James what happened. He continued to hold me comforting me as best he could. "Amber, do you have feelings for Des?" I looked up. "Oh Amber," He said pulling me in closer. He helped me go to my room and I didn't come out for dinner.
I gave myself the day to cry and fall apart. That day I was allowed to be upset and hurt and completely fall part. The next day though, I will go back to being the fierce confident princess everyone expects me to be. I won't let them see me cry. I won't let him see how much he hurt me. I am not giving any one the satisfaction of knowing that he had power over me. You wanted me out of your life Desmond, well done. I am done with Prince Desmond.
(Desmond POV)
I didn't leave my room the rest of the night but, later I heard a firm knock on the door. I opened and saw James standing in the door frame. "Ja.." He punched me in the face. "What the..." I said holding onto my face but, James continued talking, "That was for Amber. How dare you say that to her. How dare you treat her like that." I brought my hands to my eyes, "I had to James... I can't let myself go there again. Not when I know what is going to happen." "What are you talking about?" He asked coming into my room and shutting the door. I walked over to the bed and sat down, "Your sister is the most amazing person I have ever met. Not only is she beautiful and confident but she was born to be a leader, she cares about everyone so deeply and she-she means everything to me." "THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU SAY THAT TO HER? WHY DID YOU TEAR HER APART AND LEAVE HER IN TEARS? YOU LEFT HER ALONE WHILE SHE WAS HAVING A FREAKING PANIC ATTACK. WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? WHY DID YOU DO THIS?" Tears were coming to my eyes as well as I looked up at him. "Because I have read this story and I know how it goes. The beautiful princess ends up with the handsome prince and they live happily ever after, she doesn't end up with the nerd who crushes on her from a distance" I said. Flopping back in defeat.
James brought his hand to his face and groaned, "You don't know how badly you have messed things up do you?" "Des you will never have a shot with Amber if you don't tell her how you feel..." James started, 'And what? Humiliate myself? Lose Amber as a friend? Know that I was rejected for the rest of my life? No James, I have to protect myself." "She likes you, you idiot," he said harshly speaking each syllable. "She likes me?" I said looking up at him, "Well she did, and then you said all of that to her." Amber likes me. I just told her that we were never friends and to go court someone else and she likes me. James sighed, "You need to apologize to her. I can only hope, for both your sakes, that you are able to fix this."
(Amber POV)
I woke up the next morning and put on one of my most extravagant ballgown and put on my favorite tiara. I was going to take on the world today and I wasn't going to spare him a glance. I walked to the breakfast table and saw everyone sitting there. I didn't even look at Desmond but, simply went about my day. As we finished breakfast, "Dad I think it is time we begin calling on the princes who sent to court me." I saw James choke on his water and I knew he was shocked about this. Mom and Dad exchanged glances, "Alright Amber if that is what you want." Mom said. I made eye contact with Desmond for the first time, "Yes it is exactly what I want." I got up and left the table.