A/N: I don't own Narnia. Just OCs. REVIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEWWW muah.


CHAPTER 11

was our company along our walk to the castle. Awkwardness wrapped around us entirely until we couldn't utter a single word.

As soon as we broke off the kiss, I got out of the pool and left an unease impression to Edmund. I should not have done that but I was too panicked. I was kissing the ruler of my country and who am I to be delighted by it? It was fun, I had to admit. But the realization should have hit me the moment it started.

I burst into my room and found the knob of the bathroom door and just opened it. I took a long bath and drowning myself into flashes of images that happened late that afternoon. I didn't know what Edmund would feel, but obviously he didn't feel pleased nor good at my reaction after the kiss. But when we made our separate ways into the castle, I took a glance at him and our eyes met. A pang of guilt hit me as sadness was written on his face. But he shrugged it off and walked away.

I couldn't sleep that night. All I could see as I closed my eyes was his face flying around above my head. I didn't know who to blame though, since I knew I kissed him back. What was I thinking? I knew I had to get done for tomorrow preparation. Kate seemed as happy as ever to watch the event and so did I. Hopefully I could get a chance to corner Edmund somehow and have a talk to sort things out.

A glimpse of sunlight seen already from the sun that was rising in its place. I mused, sitting on top of a strong branch of an apple tree in the backyard, where not one but still a lot of apple trees like this stood almost everywhere. I picked an apple and ate it. It still felt fresh. Sweet and had no drawbacks. While I as the one who was eating it had so much drawbacks. Of course, since I'm only a human being.

My guilt towards Edmund still overhung me perfectly. I didn't sleep well last night. I'm sure I only slept for two or three hours. I spent the rest of the morning dragging my feet here and wait for the sun to come up. Constantly I thought of Edmund. There was a space where I did not want this to happen, that I would like the situation returns to normal again. If the kiss never happened, I would have to get a beautiful dream in my sleep that well last night.

"Bad dreams I suppose?" a voice snapped me out and I looked down. Caspian was resting his hand on the tree and looking up at me.

"More than that," I said with a sigh, "Where are you supposed to be going?" I teased him.

"Nowhere. Just lucky enough to spot you here," he said, "How can you manage to climb up there?"

"Don't tell me you can't climb this high." I said in disbelief.

"Well, no one's ever been up there before. so I suppose I never try to and never bother to." He said sarcastically.

"Do you want me to help you? Or sort of." My tone was not convincing.

"Nah, I'll be right here. We can talk like this, can't we?" he teased.

"Go on Caspian, go on." I said and chuckled. Eventually, I climbed down though. It was good to have a companion showed up out of my expectations. "Have you seen Edmund?" I asked as my feet on the ground again.

"I think he is still asleep," he said and smirked, "What's with the sudden question?" he nudged my arm.

"N-nothing," I stuttered, "that sleepy head is just being what he is supposed to be."

"What do you mean?" he asked in confusion.

"I-I don't know." I lied.

"Evelyn!" Susan screamed far away from the castle and waved a hand at us, "you have to see your dress!"

"Well well, Susan is being Susan again." Caspian muttered to me. I chuckled and excused myself to walk up to Susan.

Susan took me to her bedroom and no one was there. I wonder where Kate and my mother went these past couple of days. I barely see them. "So, what do you think?" Susan said and pointed at the dress that was laid on her bed.

I had to admit, the dress was beautiful. Pink soft was the color. And somehow, Susan made it hung until knees only. But it looked better that way. (A/N: see my profile for the picture.)

"Susan, this is lovely!" I yelped.

"I know you'll like it." She smiled.

"How am I supposed to say thank you?" I said in such happiness.

"Owh, since you asked," Susan said and took a tray with a bowl of soup that was still hot and a hot tea on it, "take this to Edmund's will you? He is sick since last night."

"He is?" I asked in disbelief. Maybe because of swimming yesterday, I thought.

"Yeah, but he doesn't want to talk. I checked his temperature at midnight, he was getting fine though. But he was mumbling in his sleep that he was dizzy." She sighed.

"Sure, I'll check him then." I said.

I made my way to his bedroom and all I could think of was the situation we were both in. I couldn't picture about what was going to happen soon after I knock his door. Would he talk to me?

I knocked on his door a few times but there was no answer. So, I turned the knob and stepped in. What a shock, Edmund was still asleep. His face was red and his body was covered with blanket from his toe until his neck. I pitied him of course, because I was fine. As healthy as ever whereas he got sick. I put the tray on the table next to his bed and just stared at him for a moment. If only he was awake, I wanted to talk. But he was sick. I couldn't be so egoistic.

"Argh." Edmund mumbled.

"Ed?" I said as I tried to make sure he was awake. He opened his eyes slowly and found me standing next to his bed. He tried to sit up but I didn't let him to.

"What are you doing here?" Edmund said bitterly. I was a bit taken aback.

"Susan asked me to bring your breakfast here. Also, she said that you are sick. Are you alright?" I asked in concern.

"So, you see me laying in my bed. With a pale face and hot temperature. Probably my cheeks are getting red by now, then you can still manage to ask that question?" he said sarcastically.

"Hey!" I said, "I was just being nice."

"Sure." he said simply. He tried to grab the water on the table beside him but I took it, and gave it to him instead.

"Do you want to eat your breakfast too?" I asked as I helped him drinking.

"Nah. I'm fed up already."

"Eat Ed. You're sick. You need energy." I begged.

He sighed and tried to reach the soup, but I slapped his hand and took the soup on hand, "Ouch! What was that for?" he whined.

"I'm helping you here. So, shut up." I said. Edmund just rolled his eyes.

"I can eat by myself." He said.

"Are you sure?" I asked. He nodded and I gave the soup to him.

I watched him eat and I couldn't hold back anymore. I wanted to ask. I wanted to sort things out. "About yesterday-" I started but he immediately cut it off.

"I'm sorry it wasn't supposed to be that way." He said. I was shocked at his sudden apology and just being silent. But then he continued, "I was pissed off when you didn't say a word and we went home with such sealed lips. I didn't know what to say."

"So did I." I muttered. We were in a long silence for a while after that.

He stared at me and bit his lower lip. "Please talk." He begged.

"I-I don't know," I started, "I'm sorry I kissed you back."

Edmund with a raised eyebrow and a confused look stared at me and asked, "Why are you apologizing?"

"W-we can't. I can't. I thought we were, you know, archenemies until yesterday. I couldn't get off the images out of my head. I have been wondering and thinking about it myself. Y-you are such a confusing person." I told him.

He sighed and straighten up, "I didn't know I have feelings for you," he declared, "well, sort of." I chuckled and he chuckled too and continued, "I know I've been so annoying towards you. I know you probably think I'm this mean and weird person that you can't stand to be with for more than five minutes," he said and I laughed. The tense between us was lifting by then, "but I just want you to know Ev. I think I like you."

I stopped laughing. I stopped blinking. I thought for a second that the world had stopped. The lives of everyone's had stopped. What a declaration he made in his bedroom to me. I was shocked. I didn't know Edmund would fall for me after what we had been through together. I thought we would never got ourselves into this kind of situation but instead, I had thought we would be like cats and dogs for the rest of our lives knowing each other.

"Edmund, we should-" Lucy burst into the room without knocking and froze in place when she saw me sitting on the edge of Edmund's bed. She snapped me back to reality.

"Oh, so now I should hang a sign 'don't disturb' on my bedroom door? How funny life can be." Edmund said sarcastically, like he just forgot that I was there, that we were having a very serious conversation.

"I'm sorry, am I disturbing something important here?" Lucy said as she grinned.

"Well, the fact that I will say yes will never change a thing." Edmund said and rolled his eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Are you feeling better?" Lucy asked.

"I think so. The soup is good." He said.

"Well then, I just want to check you up." Lucy said and turned around to step out of the room, "Have a nice day you both." She whispered loud enough for both of us to hear before she closes the door. I blushed so hard until Edmund had to clap his hands right in front of my face. And then we both laughed.

####

The funny thing was that as I went out of the room, Edmund didn't say a word anymore. After Lucy stepped into our conversation, I still didn't say a word either. I was too confused to react to what Edmund said. He likes me. But what about me? I didn't know my feelings to him look like. I saw him as my archenemy. A weird person that had gotten to ruin my mood every single day and now he turned into something I couldn't recognize anymore. Do I like him?

The question was still wandering in my head when late afternoon came. Everyone was ready to go down to the city for the event. I was so excited but from all of us, I could see the ones who were beyond excited were Lucy and Kate. They were at the same age and the thought they could get along together was not a burden in my head.

Two carriages had set in front of the castle. Peter, Caspian, Edmund, and Susan were in the first carriage whereas me, Kate, Lucy, and my mom were in the second one. Lucy didn't want to get separated from Kate I suppose.

Along the journey, my mind couldn't stop thinking about Edmund. Lucky though, Kate distracted me with it by talking about the event. She was so excited that I could bet she would faint sooner. I couldn't wait to see the event myself. I wondered about what would the drama be. I wanted to meet Aden if he comes. I wanted to meet everyone. I wanted to get to dance with everyone near the campfire. Just enjoying everything and pull aside Edmund from my head.

As we got there, everyone was cheering. I could see from inside the carriage that everyone was waving at us. Lucy and Kate enjoyed the view and waved at the crowd. Whereas I just stunned by what would lies ahead.

The stage was not different from the previous years. It was all still the same. The campfire, the seats for the royals, everything.

As we stepped out of the carriages, of course Lucy joined her siblings and my mother, Kate, and I blended into the crowd and tried to find a seat on the green grass in front of the stage. I was surrounded by kids. Every spot was taken by them in the front. I chuckled at the view, and kept on looking around.

"Hello, ladies and gentleman!" the host voice was heard loudly, "and of course the children. How have you all been doing?" he said. The host this year was not the old man anymore. Last year, an old faun was gladly hosting the event and he was so funny. He fell a few times on the stage as he called out for the band to get onto the stage. He did silly stuff that made the crowd cheered so loud. I kinda missed him. Though, this year's host is a human. He looked about seventeen, tall and curly dark hair (A/N: picture on my profile). I couldn't see what colors his eyes had but he looked gorgeous. I had never seen him around the city before though.

The show had begun after a long long speech from him and from Peter. There were moments where I just wanted to tell him to shorten the speech and let the show begin. This year's drama was called Swan Lake. It was beautiful and the girl who played as the swan lake looked flawless. She looked about fourteen. The drama was obviously had amused the viewers as everyone was cheering and clapped their hands after it was done. Now was the time for the band to get on the stage and everyone who sat on the grass started to stand up and blend everywhere, either to dance or buy some food and snacks or just to get a drink. My mother had gone off nowhere whereas Kate had joined Lucy again and were dancing with other kids. I was too confused, so I decided to walked out of the crowd.

I went to buy a drink and when I was about to turn around, I bumped into someone and spilled my drink on his clothes. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" I said in panic.

"It's okay, you didn't spill that much." He said in return. When I looked up to see his face, it was the guy who was hosting on the stage. I felt blood crept onto my cheeks immediately as I saw how gorgeous he was under the moonlight.

"But I'm still sorry though." I said in awkwardness.

"It's fine, really," he said and smiled, "perhaps you should be more careful if you want to blend into more crowded spots with a cup of drink in hand." He joked.

I chuckled and said, "Yeah, remind me when I already spill another one to someone."

"I'm Chris by the way." He took my right hand and kissed it. I blushed immediately but I hoped he didn't see it.

"I'm Evelyn. Nice to meet you Chris."

"So, you went here all by yourself or with your family?" he started a conversation.

"Oh, yes I'm with my family. But I was left alone." I rolled my eyes.

"Funny though I'm that lucky." He flirted, "Do you mind if I ask you to dance?" he handed me his hand. I nodded as I bit my lower lip and he leaded me to the crowd that were dancing happily to the fast song the band was playing.

I had to admit he was a good dancer. I was too awkward to dance and he gladly made me feel the opposite way after dancing with him for a while. He twirled me around, showed me some crazy moves, like duck moves or just jumping on the spot and he had caught a few people's eyes. Sooner we both became the center of attention and everyone was enjoying it and followed our dance which was crazy.

Soon, he led us to the campfire and everyone was tailing behind us walking and dancing around the campfire. Even the royals had joined the line.

"You know, I didn't know you have so much potential of getting everyone's attention!" I yelled to Chris who was in front of me as the crowd became so noisy.

"If you're getting tired, we can run away though." He joked. He grabbed my hand and we soon left the line of people dancing and we ran to a spot where they were spotted only a few people sitting on the grass. We sat there, catching our breaths and laughing so loud.

"Funny how we got away from that." Chris said, still trying to breathe more oxygen into his lungs.

"You started it, but you ran away from it." I teased him.

"Yeah, I'm used to that kind of thing. Get involved into something and solve it with running away." He said and we both laughed.

"I can't believe I met someone like you."

"Oh, is that a compliment or what?" he asked still smiling.

"You choose."

"A compliment should be," he laughed, "I guess Edmund has infected me."

Wait. What?

"Edmund? You mean, King Edmund?" I asked in confusion.

"Yes. King Edmund. Oh sorry though, I don't use formalities with him. He is my friend. I'm not bragging about the social statues he has though, don't speculate anything like that." He explained.

I have been companied by the one and only person who claimed to be Edmund's friend and somehow I thought in mind, could he get away from my life for just a little while.

"Oi Chris!" Edmund's voice was heard from distance and soon I saw him approaching towards us.

"Hey, buddy!" Chris greeted him back. Chris stood up and hugged Edmund whereas I still sat on the spot, couldn't think of any clearer reality.

"Have you met my friend? This is Evelyn." Chris introduced me. I sat up and stared at the both of them. Of course Chris hadn't known that I had been living in his best friend's house.

"Don't try to introduce us, we've known each other." Edmund said bitterly.

Such a pang in the heart.

"Thanks for hosting earlier by the way. I'm not mistaken at all by choosing you." Edmund continued.

"Hey, no problem. That's what best friends for right?" Chris replied. He turned his head on me and noticed I had been frozen like a statue ever since their conversation started. "Do you want to drink Ev?" Chris asked me.

"N-no! It's fine," I refused nicely, "beside, I don't want to spill anybody's clothes anymore." I chuckled awkwardly, "I guess I should leave now." I said but as I was about to leave, Edmund took my arm.

"Don't. Stay. We don't want you to get lost." Edmund teased.

He acted like our personal conversation never happened again. I liked him this way since I hadn't figured out how my feelings towards him. I wanted us back to the old us. I still didn't want anything to change.

"How long have you guys known each other? I think I missed something here." Chris said as he was rubbing his cheek and sharpened his look at Edmund.

Edmund started to explain everything that happened, since the first time I met him in the woods but somehow, he missed the waterfall part.


review review xoxo