Chapter 13
The second night at the ball was much like the first. All of the guests met in the ballroom, where the king made a few announcements. Then we headed off to dinner, and back to the ballroom to dance. Yet again, all of the girls made a line, and all the guys made a line. I didn't get in either. The guys and I just took seats at a table, and sat and talked.
"He's dancing with you last?" Tai grinned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes he is," I smiled confidently. I turned my attention to Eric "How about you and Lily? At dinner, she mentioned your name quite a bit Eric."
"She did?" he blushed, and scratched his head.
"Aww… Ewic and Cindi, have cwushes!" David teased, and I threw a biscuit at him.
In the background, a piano played a soft melody and the couples danced slowly, spinning in elegant circles, while talking quietly to each other. The King and Queen sat in their thrones, and smile at the crowd. Cindy looked up at the two then noticed her father in a handsome suit, walking up to the king. They talked a bit before he walked away and headed out of the ballroom with a smile on his face.
"Mind if we join you?" a sudden voice asked.
The four us turned and stared unfortunately at Zack, Jack, and Josh. They sit down at the table and absorb the silence. I almost forgot that they were even here…I hadn't seen them since we've been at the palace.
"We didn't say it was ok" Tai finally said, as Zack put his butt on the chair.
"Well too bad. We want to talk to our dear, dear stepsister, so if you gentlemen wouldn't mind clearing out-" Jack smiled with fake politeness.
"Well we do mind, so go screw each other at another table," David growls, I feel the tense energy coming from the guys as they all stare needles into my stepbrothers.
"If you've got something to say to her, I'm sure its nothing we cant hear too." Eric joins into the defense.
"Hey why don't you let her speak? She hasn't said a single word yet, so dear girl, will you let us share a few words?" Zack sneers.
Share a few words? Hell I'm so shocked that they've spoken to me this long with out lashing out at me, or cussing at me, or throwing stuff at me, that I'm at a loss for words. I think a moment then I muster something up.
"If you're here to relay a message to me, from Kahea about leaving the Prince alone, then I don't give a damn." I say quietly.
Josh's face turns red, and I sense him resisting the urge to jump across the table and throw me into a wall.
"Well you hit the nail on the head," Zack says " and Kahea wants us to assure you that she will be making sure of it, like the stunt she pulled this after noon. Quite creative, I'm sure she'll become even more brutal."
"Well if she thinks 'she so damn tough' why won't she just come and tell me in person?" I asked
"Well she thought that if she did, she'd gouge out your eyes, and she'd have lost her chance with him."
"She's already lost her chance with him with that hideous mask, she calls a face." I snap back at him, and Josh becomes more impatient.
"Leave, get out of here now!" Eric growls at them, and with a final smirk from Jack, they get up and leave.
"I can't believe your parents married people with kids like that!" David exclaims, putting an arm around my shoulder.
"Yeah? Well you weren't at both weddings where they decided to make my life a living hell."
After a few minutes of talking, the stepbrother thing blew over and we got up and got some refreshments…that's when the announcer called the last dance. My hear beat raced faster as I turned to look at the dancing floor. There he was, walking towards me with a sweet smile on his face. I felt the corners of my mouth raise, as he got closer. I heard the footsteps of Tai, David and Eric as they evacuated, but for some reason I had tunnel vision and all I could see was Aden.
"Cindi," Aden started as he reached me, " I take it you got my message"
"Yes I did. Thank you." My heart fluttered as I felt a blush rising to my cheeks.
"Shall we?" he held out his hand as the last song began. Many people were heading up to their rooms for the night, and the ballroom was becoming more and more empty. There were only about 50 people left.
The last song was a slow waltz, and as I went to put both hands on Aden's shoulders, he caught my left hand with his, held it gently and held them both a away form our bodies. He put his hand on my hip, my hand on his shoulder, and we began to waltz. The simple kind where there are only four steps and the male leads.
"Did you have fun this after noon?" he asked
"Oh I had loads of fun…until Kahea came," I sighed looking away disappointed.
"She told me-," he said simply
"Told you what?"
"Why you ran away. That you're allergic to yellow chalk…She said she felt horrible for forgetting, and letting that arrow get away from her." He seemed to genuinely believe her story, " Are you alright?"
"Yes I'm fine, embarrassed slightly," I admit "Sorry I ran away"
"Oh, no. Its ok. I would have too." No he wouldn't have. He's probably saying it for my benefit.
"So tomorrow," I change the subject " don't you have appointments or rather dates with all the girls here?"
"yes, it'll be quite interesting. Tiring."
"You wouldn't happen to I know when I go do you?" I ask with a mischievous grin.
"Boy I wish I knew…but it's random."
"Well if it was alphabetical I'd be close to last." I smile.
Soon the song ends, and we stop. There's a silence between us as I keep staring into his eye, which were staring into mine. He leaned in a little, and I felt my face get hot.
"Aden, when your done can you come to my office? We need to discuss the schedule for tomorrow." Aden closed his eyes, frustrated by the interruption, as am I.
"Okay dad. I'll be there." He grits. "Com'on. I'll walk you to your room."
"It's ok Aden…I don't want you to get in trouble." I can't believe I'm saying it, but I truly mean it…last thing I want is for the prince of Arabia to be grounded.
"Are you sure? You won't get lost?" He teased.
"Promise." He walked me to the stairs, and then bid me good night. I walked up the stairs, and turned around. He waited for me to reach the top before waving and turning down a hall.
"I think he almost kissed you." I spun around to find David.
"Maybe. I'm not sure." I commented lightly.
"See? I told you he thought you were cute." He laughed, and pulled me into a hug. He let me go, and then we started walking towards out rooms.
"So what were you doing in the ball room any way? I thought you left."
"Well, you and Mr. kissy-pants took such along time coming out of the ball room, Eric and Tai voted I got find you…to make sure Kahea didn't kill you or something."
"Thank goodness I have body guards," I sigh sarcastically, as we reach my room.
"Night David,"
"Night Cindi"
Dun, dun, DUN! Two more days to go before the prince and princess choose…Cindi feels very confident, but what will happen that will make her doubt her self? Find out in Chapter 14!