Alanna sat up in her bed and stretched. Suddenly, she remembered. She nudged Faithful, and whispered, "Come on, Faithful, I'm going to the city with Gary today. I need to get ready."
Faithful let out a big cat yawn which showed all his teeth. "How are you supposed to get ready? You're a boy, remember?"
Alanna's face fell. "I wish I could be like Kel. She doesn't have to worry about hiding her sex."
"Kel?"
"She's a girl who's trying to become a knight in the future." She pulled herself out of her bed. Suddenly, there was a knock on the door connecting her to Jon's room. Without even waiting for an answer, the door opened and Jon walked in.
"How long are you going to make me wait for you like this, Alanna? You know we were meant to be." He crossed the room in a few steps and stopped inches away from Alanna's face.
She looked up into his eyes. "I'm sorry, Jon. I just don't love you that way. Please find someone else. You're breaking my heart."
He sighed. "Alanna, if you really, truly, feel that way..."
"I do."
"Then I'll leave you alone," he finished.
She smiled up at him. "I'm sure there are other wonderful girls just waiting to meet you, Jon," she told him, thinking of Thayet.
He returned the smile. "Of course there are. I am the most handsome man in all of Corus."
"I wouldn't say that," Alanna answered, her thoughts landing on Gary.
As if Jon read her mind, he said, "Well, I suppose you're getting ready for your day with Gar-." He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at Alanna, and he looked like her just had an epiphany. "Gary?" he squeaked. "You like Gary?"
"No!" Alanna immediately cried.
"I wonder what took him so long," Faithful meowed. "You were only fawning all over him yesterday."
Alanna glared at Faithful. Turning back to Jonathan, she answered, trying to restrain her voice, "Well, at least I don't think I like Gary."
Jon laughed. "Well, if it wasn't me, at least it was Gary." He ruffled her hair and turned to leave. "Have fun." He walked out and closed the door behind him.
"Men!" Alanna muttered.
* * *
Alanna met Gary down at the stables. "Ready, Alan?" He asked, already on his horse.
"Just a minute," Alanna answered, trying to avoid eye contact with Gary. She walked up to Moonlight, and started getting her ready. It felt so good to be back with all the people and animals she loved. As she mounted Moonlight, she put Faithful in the cup she had made for him. "If I start staring at him or do anything out of the ordinary for 'Alan' today, you stop me, okay?"
Faithful gave a little nod, if it was possible for cats to nod. "I'll try, but it's not like you'll listen to me anyhow," he replied. He received another glare from Alanna for this answer.
Gary rode over to Alanna and reached over her to pet Faithful. As he did so, he brushed against her. Alanna had to take deep, steadying breaths to calm herself down. "You've got it bad, dearie," her brain told her.
"I know," she muttered to herself. When Gary was done petting Faithful, he pulled back onto his horse.
"Well, let's go. We've got all day to be in the city. I'm looking forward to meeting George again."
Alanna's stomach jumped up to her throat. "Goddess, what will I do when I meet George?" she asked herself.
Faithful seemed to know what she was thinking about, and meowed, "Just act like you normally do." Alanna gave a slight nod, and she and Gary rode along in companiable silence. Well, it was companiable for Gary, but quite uncomfortable for Alanna.
Soon, they were amid the hustle and bustle of Corus. They came to a stop in front of the Dancing Dove, and got off their horses. They got inside and spotted George quite quickly. Gary walked over to him, and Alanna had no choice but to follow.
George saw them coming toward him and walked over to them. He shook Gary's hand and sat down, gesturing for them to do the same.
"Hello, George," Alanna squeaked.
George smiled at her, and Alanna found that his smile didn't have the same effect on her as it would ten years in the future. She already felt herself calming down. She, Gary, and George continued making small chit chat. George then introduced Gary to his cousin, Rispah who was visiting for the day. They soon were engaging in deep conversation. Gary motioned for Alanna to follow him. They went into George's chambers, and Alanna plopped down on a chair.
"Are ya alright, Alanna?" George asked. "You seem far away today."
"I'm fine George, just a little tired," she answered.
"You also keep looking at Gary," he said slyly.
"It seems everyone except you has figured it out," Faithful yowled. George looked at him queerly, and shook his head, as if to dismiss his thoughts. He walked over and kneeled down in front of Alanna.
"You fancy Gary, don' you? I can see it in yer eyes."
Alanna looked down at him, twisting her hands nervously. "I-," she began but was cut of as George planted his lips on hers. At first she struggled, thinking of Gary, but then settled against him, enjoying the sensations flowing over her. She had always liked George's kisses.
George broke it, looking at her. "Don't get serious, now. I jus' wanted to give you a token of my affection before you go pursuing Gary's." He looked a little flushed.
"Well, let's go back outside. They'll have noticed we're gone by now," Alanna said, breaking the awkward silence. George acquiesced, and they walked out, joining Gary and Rispah again.
Gary caught Alanna's eye. "Well, Alan, we must leave. We have to go back and get ready for the party tonight."
"I had forgotten all about it," she told Gary. "Well, then, let's go." She looked back at George and Rispah.
"Bye, lad," George said before turning back to Rispah. Gary and Alanna walked out the door.
"Do you mind terribly if we stop by the marketplace, Alan?" Gary asked.
"No. Why?" Alanna asked, petting Faithful.
"You're staring," Faithful interjected. Alanna quickly pulled her gaze from Gary.
Gary didn't notice. "Well, I don't know if Aria's going to be there or not, but if she is, I want to buy something for her, you know, as a gift." He was turning red.
"Aria? That's her name." Alanna wrinkled her nose. "Fine, I'll accompany you." They soon got to the dusty marketplace, and went to the jewelers. Gary dismounted, but Alanna stayed on her steed.
"What are you waiting for? Aria is you, remember? Pick out something nice!"
"But I want it to be a surprise," she muttered. Gary was soon done and came back outside.
"Do you want to see it?' he asked.
"No," Alanna answered, trying to muster up as much distaste in her voice as possible.
Gary chuckled. "Alright," he replied. This time the ride back to the palace was not quiet, as Gary wanted to talk about Aria as much as possible. Alanna was thankful by the time they reached the palace, hoping that Gary was not noticing how red she was. They rode over to the stables, and both were about to dismount, when Faithful jumped out of his cup and landed on Gary's horse.
"Faithful!" Alanna cried, reaching around Gary with her left arm, trying to grasp him. But Faithful darted around it, evading her grasp and landed on the other side of Gary, who was watching all this with a look of confusion and amusement on his face. Alanna threw her other arm on the other side of Gary trying to pin Faithful between her arms. However, as Faithful jumped back onto Moonlight, with a triumphant look on his face, Alanna realized she had pinned Gary instead. She turned even redder than before, and looked up. She was startled by how close his face was too hers.
"Ala-." Gary was cut off as Alanna reached up and placed her lips tentatively
on his. She was surprised when Gary didn't kiss her back. Suddenly, she
realized. "Oh Goddess, he thinks I'm a boy!" She pulled away, and rode
Moonlight top speed into her stall. She dismounted and ran back into the
palace, passing a very confused Gary on the way in.
Poor Alanna! Poor Gary! Whatever will happen now? Sorry I left you here, but I'm going out for lunch. I'll try and write the next chapter soon either today or tomorrow! Thanks for reading! Rock on!
Tata,
Sue