Okay, I'm really sorry that it has taken more than a month and a half I think to get this chapter up. It gets a bit hard to get up chapters once you get into the 20's. The chapters are harder (for me) to think of and (for me) I feel like they are going down hill even chapter I write.  School has kept me busy and since it is my last term for the year, I am getting a bit busy.  I'm really sorry to everyone who has waited for this chapter (yes SoHo Chic that especially means you), and I hope to get the chapters back on track and more interesting soon.  Soz.

*~Whitey~*

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Tears

Alanna sat by the entrance of the gardens where Lucinda said they would meet her. She still couldn't believe that Thom would rather stay in bed and sleep than help her out. He didn't seem to realize just how annoying Lucinda was.

Alanna sighed. Lucinda would be here soon. Lucinda and some other flittering ladies, who all had about the same amount of personality as a mule.

The hour-past-mid-day bell went. They would be here any minute now.

20 minutes later

Any minute Lucinda would come giggling along.

10 minutes after that

Any minute now…

15 minute after the 10 minutes

Alanna let out an agonising cry. "Oh that is it!" she shouted, causing some people to look up and stare at her.

"What are you looking at?!" She screamed at them. Everyone's heads went back down quickly and pretended to go back to what they were doing.

Alanna picked up her skirt roughly, and stormed to wards the courtyard.

She couldn't believe she was just stood up by fluff-brained bimbo's who could spend five minutes thinking on their own! She knew some ladies took ages to get ready, but being forty-five minutes late was beyond a joke. No one could take that long putting on a dress!

Pushing past a man Alanna didn't know, or care about she walked into the courtyard.

It was surprisingly crowding today. There were no new ladies coming from the convent so she wondered what all the commotion was about.

Alanna stopped walking and looked around her. She saw nearly every noble imaginable under the age of thirty. What was going on?

"Lady Alanna," a silken smooth voice muttered behind her.

Alanna turned around.

The man bowed. "At last a have the pleasure to meet you, my lady."

Alanna buried the though of snorting at him and curtsied. Where had she heard his voice before…?

He must have noticed the look she was giving him and said, "Oh I forgot you may not know me. Alexander of Tirragen at your service my lady."

Alexander… Alexand… Alex… Alanna gave a start. Alex! Oh Goddess, she thought. That's where I've heard him before isn't it?

"Are you alright m'lady?" he asked inquiring.

"Fine," Alanna whispered. Annoyed at her sudden meekness. She wanted to shout out what she had heard, but something about him stopped her.

 "Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Okay. I was actually wondering if you would like to go to the up coming ball with me. I would be honoured if you could."

NO! Alanna wanted to scream. Why don't you go with a rat! Or a snake! That would suit your personality better! But instead all she did was nod dumbly.

"That's great," Alex, the girl-watching snake, said smiling a sickly sweet smile.

All Alanna could do was not stare at him. She didn't trust him one bit.

"Alanna!" a voice cried up above all the voices. It was Lucinda. "Oh there you are Alanna," she said coming into view. "This is where you were. I was running a bit late. Mary-sue and Melinda couldn't make it, so it looks like it's just you and me going to the market. Isn't that just wonderful, I think I will have a much more fun just being with you I think!" Noticing Alex she curtsied. "My Lord."

Alanna doubted that she had ever been so happy to see Lucinda. "Well we better get going." Alanna said quickly, grabbing Lucinda's arm lightly and starting to pull her along. "Bye."

And with that Alanna pushed her way through the crowd dreading the ball even more than she once did.

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What do you think? I have 2 ideas for chapters now… and then… who knows? I really have to start thinking about how to finish this, though I doubt it will be finished for a LONG LONG time. Hope you liked it. Best Wishes.

TWIW  (The Weirdly Insane Wolf)