Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Keys to the Kingdom books. They belong to Garth Nix only. If I invent something for this story, then it's mine. HA!
Chapter 2
Hmmm...I was just thinking about Arthur again. He's so adorable. But I wonder...what if he really likes that other girl? His friend, Leaf? What if he likes her but doesn't like me? Oh, I feel so stupid. I mean, I should be glad that he's my friend an' all, but I really really want him to like me--you know, like like me. But even if he never really likes me that way, what if he's better friends with Leaf than he is with me? I so wan' him to be my best friend at least--and then maybe more later.
Leaf's a nice girl. I don't think it's right for me to put her down just coz Arthur might like her and not me. Sure, she seems a little strange--but no one could be stranger than Dame Primus(grrrr...she really got to me today!)! Her clothes are kinda weird, but all Earth mortals have weird clothing anyway. They probably think denizens in the House are even weirder than they are. I like her hair though. I wish I had a haircut like hers. It looks kinda fringed--I think that's what Earth mortals call "layered." I don't know that much about hair...but I still think Leaf's is pretty--what's the word? Oh yeah--"cool."
I just hope Arthur isn't her...boyfriend. That would really crush me. I really really really really really like him. Just today, I was thinking about just a random conversation I'd have with him. I really miss him. He's been away from the House for so long! Well, the conversation kinda goes like this:
Me: Hey, Artie!
Arthur: Suze, what have I told you about calling me that?
Me: Sorry. I just wanted to talk to you...that is, if Dame Primus hasn't got you all busy and stuff.
Arthur: I was just trying to run away from her.
Me: Okay, that's good. Just as long as she doesn't find you.
Arthur: I hope she doesn't! What did you want to talk to me for?
Me: Oh, just...stuff. I don't know. I just need someone to talk to now. I'm kinda bored.
Arthur: Me too. You know, it's really hot outside.
Me: Yeah. I wish we were in the Border Sea right now. I'd give anythin' to go for a swim.
Arthur: But I thought you hated going there 'cause Dame Primus forced you to promise her that you would behave like a proper young lady while you were there.
Me: Yeah, I know, but I still would love to go for a swim.
Arthur: Me too.
Me:
Arthur: (breaking silence) You know, Suzy, before...well...I just wondered...have you ever liked anybody? You know, like a crush?
Me: Ummmm...sort of.
Arthur: Really? Like who? I mean, if you don't want to tell me, that's okay. I'm just curious.
Me: Uh, well, of course I'll tell you! You're the only person I really trust to keep secrets.
Arthur: I promise I won't tell.
Me: Well...there's this one guy...
Arthur: Who?
Me: (smiling slyly) Guess.
Arthur: Hmmm...Monday's Noon!
Me: Ewww, NO! He's too old for me...no offense to him.
Arthur: (laughing) Ha ha! Okay, let me think. (pause) Is it...another one of the Piper's Children?
Me: Close, but no.
Arthur: Ummmm...Grim Tuesday.
Me: YUCK! Arthur, quit goofing off!
Arthur: (laughing again) You might as well not tell me. You're making this too complicated.
Me: No! Keep guessing. I'm sure you'll get it.
Arthur: (sighing) Okay. Hmm, is it someone I know?
Me: Definitely yes.
Arthur: Leaf's brother?
Me: I don't even know him!
Arthur: All right...is it one of the Rats?
Me: Why would I like a Rat?
Arthur: (laughing again) Just kidding. Is it Japeth?
Me: No, although he does look pretty handsome now that the soot from the Pit's been cleaned off him.
Arthur: Hmmmmm...this is hard.
Me: Oh, come on, Art. It's so obvious, it's practically in front of you.
Arthur: Ummmmmmmmm...what's he look like?
Me: Well...he's got brown hair and brown eyes. And he's a mortal.
Arthur: (thinking) Okay, brown hair and eyes...mortal... (pauses suddenly, looking surprised) Wait a minute...how many other mortal guys do you know besides me?
Me: (blushing)
Arthur: (quietly) It's me, isn't it?
Me: (nodding)
Arthur: (smiling) Aww, Suze, you could've just told me.
Me: (looking at him, embarrassed)
Arthur: I don't mind, really. This is actually amazing. No girl has ever had a crush on me before. Not that I know of.
Me: Really?
Arthur: Really. I feel kinda...well...
Me: So...what?
Arthur: What?
Me:
Arthur: Don't look so worried, Suzy. I like you too.
Me: You--you do?
Arthur: Yeah. I mean, how could a guy not like you?
Me: (blushing) Well, I...
Arthur: Duh, you're really pretty, you know, despite you're looking totally disheveled all the time.
Me: Uh...
Arthur: And you're daring, and not afraid of anything, and well, pretty cool. That's all I have to say.
Me: Umm...well...compared to what Dame Primus says about me, that's really nice.
Arthur: (laughs again) Yeah, I guess I'm a pretty nice guy. Is that one of the reasons you like me?
Me: Yesss...plus, you are cute, if I do say so myself.
Arthur: (blushing) Really? Am I cute?
Me: To me you are.
Arthur: Well, I guess that's all that should matter.
Me: (blushing really hard)
Arthur: (leans over and kisses me) Thanks for telling me. Or else I would've had to tell you. I'm not good at this kind of stuff, you know.
Me: (frowning playfully) Well, you're welcome, you little rascal. (then smiling) But you are a good kisser.
Arthur: Oh, really? Why thank you, Suzy, that is a very nice compliment.
Me: Could you do it again?
Arthur: (kisses me again)
And that's it. If anybody reads this diary, I'm going to pulverize them! (Especially if it's Dame Primus!)
