Hey guys! I will say this is a rewritten version of chapter five, and yes it is completely different from the first crappier version. Sorry for the language. I have rewritten the first couple of chapters on my laptop of you want me to completely switch the old with the new ill gladly do it just drop me a message. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter I'll have another one up as soon s possible. Love you guys 3
"Princess Emma if you are not willing to participate in this training I'm going to have to ask you to leave!" I frowned at her and nodded.
"Yes ma'am." I repositioned the gun and shot the target.
"Very nice, now try getting the actual center." Lena commented.
"Very funny." I mumbled, this is how practice usually went. I take my anger out on the target even if I miss 8 time out of ten. I have nothing else but practice, and training, and staying bored in my room. It goes like this every Tuesday and Thursday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday I have Running, more training and of course staying bored in my room.
It had been maybe a month since my ball, and I was desperate to get out of the castle.
"Mother, may I go out to the store?"
"Why would you want to do that? The servants go out, you don't need too."
"Yes I know, but I want to smell the fresh air, and see the outdoors again."
"Emma yes, you can go out. Just dresses in regular clothes don't want to attract attention." I smiled at the Prince and nodded.
"Thank you." I rushed back to my room, andchanged into bright blue jeans, and a tattered band shirt id had for a while.
After I had changed I ran down the stairs with a red hoodie and burst out the door. I almost ran to the small outdoor village mall area. We may have evolved into a modern day society, but we still loved our outdoor shopping markets. I walked down the rows of carts watching everything.
A mother stepped in front of me with a baby on her arm and a giant bag in her arm.
"Ma'am do you need any help?" She looked at me startled, then she smiled at me.
"Thank you sweetheart, but I shouldn't bother you."
"Oh, it won't bother me ma'am im just out walking."
"If you insist" she smiled at me, she had dark brown long hair, and a pretty smile. She had light olive colored skin and freckles dotted her cheeks.
"You wont mind helping me walk home will you?"
"Not at all." She handed me the two big bags in her arms, and held the baby in both arms. I followed her through the neighbor hood, We ended up near my old house, I smiled at the house, and kept following the young woman, when new reached her door she pulled out her keys only to have a girl who looked my age open the door before the keys entered the lock.
"Mama if you needed help I would have come with you." She told her mother, she looked familiar, like I'd known her forever. She looked at me andstopped; the mother turned around and handed the baby to the girl, and turned to face me.
"Thank you so much for the help. I wish I had something to offer you but I don't" the girl continued to stare at me like she was figuring something out.
"Oh, no worries ma'am I was just helping. I must be getting back soon. Have a good evening." She nodded her head and smiled.
"Wait, miss can I have your name, if we meet again I'd like to thank you again." She smiled at me, while her daughter stared at me through slit eyes, the baby on her hip waving at me. I laughed
"Emma, have a good evening ma'am" she said good bye and I headed back towards the little shopping center. It felt nice to help, but her daughter still left me on edge. I've seen her before, but where?
I continued to walk down the rows of shops and stands looking at everything, after I had walked around the area a few times I decided to head back. I walked through the streets watching the people on the street, and I saw the girl again. She was watching me, I looked away and headed back home, and whywould she be watching me? I don't even think I knew her, by the time I reached the gate my mother was standing in the path.
"Where were you?"
"I went to the market, like I said I was. It was nice there, watching the shops and people working. Makes me miss our old house." She scowled at me and pointed me in the direction of the castle. That was my last trip outside for a while.
I stood at my window staring down on the town, it was so small from here. The snow covering everything in its path, it was early February. The Kinsbury festival was next week.
"Emma." I looked over my shoulder at my step-father, they had the wedding in late December after we had moved in. They were getting ready for a honeymoon trip later tonight. They would have taken one earlier if the something hadn't come up with the Prince. So maybe a month and a half later they're going on a honeymoon.
"Yes sir?"
"I know these past few weeks have been hard-"
"No sir, they have been fine. I hope you and mother have a nice trip." my voice showed no emotion, its been that way for a while, I don't remember why though. I turned to stare out the window again as a carriage pulled up for them to head off to the airport.
"Thank you Emma, I just want to let you know, I do trust you. When you told us-"
"Marcus we have to go the carriage is here." my mother had entered the room, she gave me a half smirk.
"The light shines on your blonde hair beautifullyEmmalise."
"Thank you mother." It had grown longer in the month that had passed, and she wouldn't let me cut it.I don't know why though, silly how she wouldn't let me cut it only a little.
"I'll be down in a minute darling, just talking to Emma."
"Okay." she walked back out of my room and I continued staring out the window, watching the white flurries kiss the ground.
"You should go sir, she hates to be kept waiting." I replied to the silence that had filled the room.
"Is there anything that would make your life more comfortable around here?"
"No sir, I'm perfectly fine here."
"I'd like to talk to you when we get back Emma."
"Yes sir." after that I heard the door to my room close. I stared outside and saw the servants putting their luggage in the carriage, I watched as they entered the carriage and slowly made their way down the driveway. I walked to my closet never breaking eye contact with the window. I walked inside and changed into sweats, and sat on the window sill seat with my head against the glass. It was cold against my cheek
I would give anything to go back to the market near my house, but I wouldn't tell the Prince that, it'd only make mother mad.
"Everything is just perfect here." I whispered, almost perfect I told myself.
"You know that's a lie." I jumped nd turned my head, in my doorway stood a tall young man, he had long black hair that covered part of his eyes, and olive skin.
"Who are you?" I asked, I was curled against the window the cool glass making my skin cold.
"Common Wendy don't play around." Wendy? That struck something, I've heard that nickname before. But where? I studied him he looked familiar.
"Emma why are you doing this? Why is your hair blonde?"
"It's naturally blonde, and who are you?"
"Emma, your hair is naturally black, and you know who I am." Another boy pushed past him, he was equally tall, with dark brown hair and light skin compared to the other boy.
"Who are you" I asked him, he frowned.
"Not funny Emma, common quit playing."
"Playing? I'm not playing who the hell are you two?" the olive skinned one shook his head sadly; the other one rolled his eyes.
"Still has her swears but can't remember us." He walked closer to me, and I pressed up against the window more.
"Lena" he called out, and she came running into the room.
"Why doesn't she remember us?"
"Suppressed the memory of a traumatic incident,you do remember you guys are her life." He shook his head, he studied me and shook his head again.
"Emma where's your lip ring?"
"Lip ring?"
"I put it in her top dresser drawer after a while she stopped wearing and I found it in the bathroom cabinet wrapped in a tissue." She gave it to the brown haired boy, he started to walk towards me.
"Leave me alone, Lena help me please!"
"Emma, this is Miles, and Ethan, they're your best friends!"
"I don't have friends, I've been here the whole time."
"They've fucking brainwashed her!" Miles growled, that's when it connected, even for just a second.
"Miles Matthewson don't you dare speak like that in front of a 14 year old." he stared at me in shock, his middle name, I had used his middle name. I use to do that when I was beyond mad at him, I hadn't done that in years.
"See, you do know who you truly are." he shook his head "Fine Emma, you wanna act like you don't care about us, like this is really your life then do it. Just leave me out of it." he put the ring in my hand and left.
"Miles wait!" Lena took off after him, Ethan took a few steps toward me and stopped I turned to look at him.
"I am Princess Emma Emeal, aren't I?" my father use to say, if you drill something in your head so many times you'll start to truly believe it.
"No, you're just plain old Emma Emeal from the dirty side of town." dirty side of town?
"Emma Emeal from the dirty side of town, I have black hair with red tips."
"You use too." I walked to the mirror, no I was blonde. That wasn't right, I could see black sprouting from my roots. My hair was down to my shoulders. I walked to the bathroom and grabbed the scissors lying on the counter; I took a deep breath and cut. I cut my hair back to chin length that looked more like it. I still had the ring in my hand; I placed it on the counter and stared at it.
I saw Ethan reach for it and I took a step away from him.
"Please Emma, we want you back. We miss you, I miss you." I stared at him, and he slowly as if testing his boundaries came closer to me.
"Your hole is starting to close up." I felt my lip, it was. I had stopped wearing it at night last week, when I finally cracked and began to think of myself as Princess Emma. I was my mother's new creation, a younger version of herself. He brought his hand with the ring near my face and I flinched slightly.
"Put it in." I whispered I wouldn't be able too. I would just throw it down the sink, I had the urge to grab it from him and toss it. He did what I asked and put it back in; I looked back at the mirror.
My sweats, short hair, and ring. I was slowly starting to sort the truth from the lies I had drilled into my mind.
"How do I look?"
"Almost like before."
"Before." I whispered, I went to walk past him and he grabbed my arm gently. He bent down slightly since he was taller then me, and pressed his lips to mine. I was shocked, his hand let go of my arm and rested lightly on my waist.
This brought back the memory of the incident, I didn't disobey my mother. She jumped to conclusions, like she always does. She turned me against my friends, I don't belong here, I don't have blonde hair, I have a lip ring. I have friends I've been treating like crap. I pushed him away lightly, he stepped away and apologized.
"You have to go Ethan. This whole mess is my fault, you guys probably hate me. I think its best if you guys just go."
"Common Emma listen to yourself, your friends, we care about you. We don't hate you, we miss you."
"Ethan. Thank you for helping me sort things out but I can't. I've already dug myself too deep in a hole I can't get out of. She's trained me to bend to her will;she's trained me to think I'm a princess. That I am only a younger version of herself." I walked past him and headed out of my room. If I lost him in the castle he'd finally realize I can't go back. I've trapped myself in my own personal hell.
I made my way to the library, and sat on the couch. I looked at the side table for a book to pass the time and found an envelope instead. Written in neat calligraphy was my name.
I opened the envelope slowly, inside was a letter. I unfolded it and began to read.
Emma,
I know this past month or two has been hard for you, adjusting to new things. I just want you to know I do believe you when you told us about the incident after your ball. It's a shame I can't get your mother to agree with me. While we are away Lena has brought your friends over so you can be with them. I will still try to convince your mother that you are indeed an honorable child in your word as well as your actions.
-Prince.
He knows I would never call him my father, he would always be the prince to me. He believes me, I am not a princess. I am Emma from the dirty side of tracks. I am Wendy who just pushed her Peter Pan away from her, who pushed her friends away. I ran out of the library and smack into Ethan, he caught me before I fell. He let go of me and took a few steps back. I hugged him.
"I am so sorry Ethan, I should have believed you and Miles and Lena." I looked into his eyes, they showed relief and happiness. I stood on my tipi toes and returned the kiss I had ignored earlier in the bathroom.
"I have never kissed a girl with a lip ring before." he whispered after we broke apart. I smiled and replied
"I've never kissed a guy without a lip ring before." which was slightly true, because when I had kissed them they had the ring. Now they don't.
The first was Max, Sam's brother. The second was just a guy I had dated for a week before we split. Finally there was Miles, we dated for a month maybe. Then we realized we weren't really comparable paired up in a relationship. That's why we both have such a close bond, but now we're just friends.
"Well then it's a first for both." he said breaking my thoughts, I smiled and nodded.
"Let's go show you to your friends again shall we?" I nodded and raced him down the stairs. I stopped right before the giant front doors.
"It's cold outside. I have no shoes or warm clothing." I looked up at him and a shoe hit my arm. I turned to see Miles with half a glare and half a smile.
"Put on your shoes Em." he tossed the other shoe at me and I dodged it. Lena gave him a glare and handed me a sweatshirt to put on top of my tank-top. I slipped the shirt on and put on the shoes Miles had tossed at me.
Lena and Ethan walked out first leaving me behind with Miles.
"You're an ass." I growled at him.
"And you're a brainwashed idiot." he tossed back, he pushed my shoulder making me stumble into the cold outside.
I scowled at him as he walked past me, all three were a good ten feet away from me and I took off running towards them. Before I stopped I pushed Miles and he went crashing into a giant pile of snow. He looked up at me in shock. He took a chunk of snow from next to him and tossed it at me. So I returned it, Ethan and Lena watched as Miles and I fought in the snow.
"You're a jerk Miles." I screamed, dodging another snowball.
"Like you're any better!" he growled, he tackled me from the waist and we fell into another deep pile of snow. He rolled off of me and I punched his arm.
"Missed you Miles." and finally he gave me a real smile.
"Missed you too Ems." he stood and helped me up as well.
"What was that?" Lena stared at us in shock, Ethan's expression wasn't too far behind that.
"We were just apologizing."
"By fighting?" Lena kept staring in shock. Weweren't the usual type of friends you would have.
"Yeah, basically." I replied, Miles shoved my shoulder but not as hard as he had earlier.
We continued to walk towards Jazzy's house, my arm through Ethan's and Lena walking beside Miles. It wasn't too long before I started to shiver badly, Ethan could tell I was too. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.
"Thanks." I whispered
"No problem."
By the time we had reached Jazzy's my hands were numb and Ethan had his arm around my shoulders trying to keep me warm. Jazzy opened the door and saw me; she brought me into a big hug and led me inside.
I was wrapped in a fluffy blanket leaning on Ethan. Jazzy was leaning back on my legs.
"I missed you Emmy." Jazzy whispered.
"I'm so sorry. For everything, I feel terrible about it all."
"It's not entirely your fault." Miles added.
"How so?" I asked staring at him; he was leaning back on his elbows legs stretched out.
"Your mom is the one brainwashing you, you were just stupid enough to fall for it."
"Miles!" Lena, and Ariel yelled at the same moment.
"He's right." I whispered.
"Common Emma, don't believe him. He's still holding a grudge since your mom kicked us out." Sam looked at me trying to show me the 'truth'.
"No Sam. He's right. My mother was trying to make me like her, trying to recreate herself in me. And I fell for it like an idiot."
"Well now you're making me sound like the bad guy." Miles grumbled.
"Because you are." Ariel shot back; he gave his sister an ugly look. I shivered once again; this one shook my whole body.
"You ok?" Ethan asked I nodded. I was still freezing and couldn't stop shivering.
"I'm going to get you a new pair of clothes, Miles you too. Why are you both in wet clothes?" I looked at Miles and back to Jazzy.
"You fought again didn't you?" she had her hand pressed to her forehead.
"He started it." I mumbled, I brought my knees up to my chest and rested my chin on them.
"I did not. She was the one who pushes me into the snow." he frowned at me.
"He was the one who threw the shoe at me!" I called back.
"Alright shut up already. I'll get you guys clothes, Ethan come with. Miles needs clothes too." he got off the couch and I almost fell over, I hadn't realized I was leaning on him until now.
I quickly straightened myself and started to look at my friends, Sam, then to Khira, to Lena, and finally Miles. He had a cocky grin on; I gave him a confused look.
"You like him." my eyes widened and I could feel heat in my cheeks.
"How've you been Khira?" I looked at her trying to distract Miles and everyone else. That's when I truly recognized the girl of the woman I helped at the market.
"You're not getting off that easily." she replied, she winked at me. I groaned and put my head on my knees.
"You do! You're blushing Em." I glared at Miles.
"Em has a crush, Em has a crush." he started to mock me by singing and I almost tackled him if Jazzy hadn't come back. Ethan following behind her, I could feel my face grow redder by the second. Miles laughed and I glared at him again.
"Quit fighting." Jazzy glared at both of us, she gave me a pair of jeans and a shirt and I headed towards the bathroom.
When I came out, Miles was gone still, and so was Ethan so I went to sit on the couch. Before I reached the couch I felt arms wrap around my waist and spin me around.
"Shi-"
"Emma!" Sam stopped my swear half way. I was put down and I spun around to see Miles. I punched his arm.
"What the hell!" he started laughing and I pushed him.
"I bet you wouldn't have punched Ethan if he did it." he teased, I punched his arm again.
"Awww little Em is blushing." Sam teased and I shot a glare at him.
"What are you doing to Emma?" Ethan walked around me and Miles and sat on the couch.
"Being a pain in my ass." I growled towards Miles, Lena laughed.
"Common Wendy sit down." I sat next to Ethan;Miles caught my eye and started to make kissy faces. I went to flip him off but Ethan grabbed my hand to keep me from doing it.
"Calm down Wendy." he nudged my shoulder with his.
"Wendy?" Miles asked.
"Shut it Miles." I growled.
"You're back not even and hour and you and Miles are arguing. What is wrong with you two?" Jazzy scolded the both of us.
"He started it!" I pointed to Miles.
"We were just playing. Just teasing Emma about Ethan." I stiffened; I could feel Ethan stiffen beside me as well.
I glared at Miles and he looked away. I could tell he was feeling bad about what he let slip. Ethan nudged me with his shoulder and I looked at him, he leaned down towards me and kissed me.
I heard the group of our friends 'ooh' at our kiss. I pulled away and looked down at the carpet.
"That was so cute!" Jazzy squealed, I put my hand to my cheek. I was turning red badly; I continued to stare at the floor.
"Go Ethan!" Miles cheered; I slipped my shoe off and threw it at him.
"Hey!" he threw it back but I dodged it and fell onto Ethan.
"So you are dating now?" Sam called out, I saw Khira smack his arm.
"You don't ask something like that." Ariel scolded.
"Seems like all the guys are getting in trouble." Lena threw out. I laughed at her and nodded my agreement.
"Am I in trouble?" Ethan asked Lena shrugged.
"Not at the moment." he sighed in relief and I laughed. It felt good to laugh and to be with my friends again. Just like it use to be, like it was normal again.
I woke up with a thumping sound in my head, I lifted my head and the noise disappeared. I went to stretch but was trapped between the couch and something big. I looked up to come face to face with a sleeping Ethan. I must have fallen asleep on the couch with him. I sat up the best I could, I did have a decent amount of room considering how small I am. I looked back at Ethan I must have heard his heart beating when I woke up. I wanted to get up without waking him, but I wasn't sure how. I slowly slid one leg over his waist; the floor was far beneath the couch. It looked like I was straddling him, which I kind of was I had no other way. I almost lost my balance but a hand caught me at the last minute. I jumped and looked at Ethan. His eyes were half open he looked half asleep.
"Emma if you wanted to play you don't have to surprise me." he had a cocky grin on, I could feel my face heat up.
"Shut up Ethan. If you excuse me I have to pee."
He moved under me so that I wouldn't fall getting off the couch.
"Next time wake me up and I'll move." Next time? Well this is the second time I have fallen asleep on the couch with him.
"I didn't want to wake you, you looked peaceful sleeping."
"I would have noticed your absence sooner or later." I headed off to the bathroom, I saw my reflection in the mirror. My roots were showing tiny bit of black, I needed my natural hair back. My blonde bob was in a mess sticking up in different places. I ran my hands through my hair trying to smooth it down. I still had Jazzy's oversized shirt and black skinny jeans, I headed back out.
Khira and Sam were awake, Khira sitting in his lap with her head on his shoulder. Ariel was sprawled on the floor arguing with Miles who was leaning on Lena. I walked towards the couch, Ethan was missing and so was Jazzy. Before I could reach the couch I was tackled. I fell into the giant couch, I heard Miles laughing.
"Shit!" I screamed out, my heart was pounding in my chest.
"Is that the only swear you know?" a voice spoke in my ear, I jumped.
"Ethan! You scared the crap out of me!"
"No she has a few more swears in her." he groaned as he propped himself up on his elbow. My heart was racing from the attack, I let out a sigh and took in a deep breathe.