A/N: Hello people of the internet and welcome to chapter 11 of Turning Pages. So, because no one has answered my desperate plea for a love poem, I was forced to pull something together from that squishy, red, blood pumping organ inside of me. I hate writing poetry, at least about love, anyway. I mean in a sense it's easy but it's only easy if you have felt it so, can't really relate. The only reason I'm able to write a story like this is because I love the idea of love, have read about many romances and from other fanfictions about love. I, however, have no experience. *sigh* Now you see the cruel fact of my life. In any case I wrote the poem but if you still have a poem for me then stick it in your review or pm me because I will probably be using many due to the fact that poetry is a big part of Page and Vincent's relationship. I didn't use it this chapter because I got lazy and cut this one short but next chapter it will definitely be there. Anywho, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. *does ballerina turn and jumps across stage as curtain raises*
My eyes flutter open. I look up to see Vincent still asleep and his arms still around me. He looks so peaceful. I smile and reach up to run my fingers through his hair. I quickly pull my hand away when he begins to stir.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," I say.
"No, it's alright Page," he says yawning and stretching his arms above him only to bring them back around my waist when he's done. "Did you sleep ok?" he asks snuggling closer to me.
"Yeah I did. How about you?" I say kissing his forehead.
"I slept much better with you beside me," he whispers in my ear making my heart flip. Suddenly he gives a sigh and asks "Do you have to go back now?"
"Yeah, probably I have to go and get Aaron. He's probably pissed I spent so much time with you and made him wait," I say trying to get out but being held back by Vincent. He rolls over so that he is hovering above me.
"You never put a time frame on when you had to be back so technically you could just stay with me for a little while longer," he says kissing my neck repeatedly making me give an involuntary sigh.
"That's true but to everyone else I am out with Aaron right now and that means that I, in order to keep my reputation in check should be home at a reasonable…" I can't even finish as he kisses my lips. He keeps me there for a while pulling me closer against him and like an instinct I wrap my arms around him.
We pull away and he says "You really don't have to go Page."
"Yeah I do Vincent. I'll see you soon, okay. If you miss me just come to me in my dreams," I say kissing his forehead. He rolls over and I sit up and stare down at him. "I love you Vincent." I try to make him feel better as he just lies there and pouts.
"It's not fair," he says after a few moments.
"Our world isn't fair. I will see you soon," I say kissing him once more and walking out into the garden. He follows close behind me.
"See you soon Page," he says as I walk through the portal into the forest.
!
When I find Aaron he's sitting underneath a tree reading something. I raise an eyebrow in surprise but then I smile a little to myself when I see that he is reading The Catcher in the Rye. I walk up to him and my presence isn't noticed until I take a seat in front of him. "Do you like it?" I ask.
His head shoots up as he smiles and says "Yes. I like it a lot. I bet you've already read it."
"Twice actually. It's a good book." I say taking it from him to see where he is. He's actually pretty far in the book. He's at the part where Holden and Sally go on a date but soon Holden starts spitting out nonsense about how he and Sally should run away and live in a cabin in the woods. Sally gets a little freaked out and completely dismisses his idea which makes her start to cry when he starts to yell at and tells her she's a pain in the ass. Holden at this point is already on the verge of breaking in this scene. Holden likes to be alone because he doesn't really get people or at least people like Sally and most adults. I think that's why I liked him. I don't like how he never faces his problems though; he just runs away. "You'll like this part. It really gives you perspective into Holden's personality," I say standing up then walking away and soon he follows.
"Yeah I can see that. I feel bad for him a little he seems so sad in life. It's like he doesn't fit in anywhere." Aaron says sympathetically.
"That's the point. Holden has this fantasy of what the world should be. That's why he doesn't like what the world is. He absolutely refuses to accept it," I say. We go on like that for a while. He tells be about parts he likes and the parts he found funny. I listen and laugh at his impressions of Holden. It was only then that I remembered who I was talking to. I suppose when a book is involved my heart just opens up. "I thought you didn't like to read," I say accusingly.
"I don't really. I just knew you would be gone for a while and I wanted something to amuse myself with. I thought I would find out what you see in these paperbound wonders," he says smiling at me.
"Paperbound wonders? I like it," I say nodding to myself. "Why did you pick The Catcher in the Rye?" I ask curious.
"Um…no particular reason, I was in your library when I was waiting for you and realized that you had mounds of books in there and it was just the first one I spotted. There was no summary or anything so, it was just a shot in the dark," he says flipping through the books pages.
"Yeah I found that peculiar when I picked it up. It ended up being much better than I thought it would be." I say taking it from him and reading a few lines on a random page.
We walk in silence for a while. I feel his eyes on me and I ask "What is it?"
"It's the look on your face when your reading. You just zone out everything else," he says grinning at me.
"I'm always unaware. I don't know I guess I like reading because like Holden, if I can read I don't have to face the world around me," I say looking him in the eyes.
"I know what you mean," he says a faraway look entering his expression.
"What does Prince Charming know about my loneliness," I say teasing.
"I know nothing of your loneliness but I know mine. Being Prince Charming isn't very fun," he says reaching for the book but I hold it out of his reach.
"Tell me more," I say wondering what could possibly be making his life what it is.
"Will you give me my book back?" he says reaching for it again.
I smile and say "Maybe. Actually I believe you found this in my library therefore, I the Princess of Winter claim ownership of it. You, Summer Prince are just borrowing it."
"Yes, Princess but in any case I have not finished it and I really need to know what happens to Holden," he says laughing and grasping into the air for the book.
"Oh well I can just tell you that. You see Holden…" I'm not even able to finish before he covers up his ear and singing loudly in an attempt to drown me out.
I laugh and yell "Holden…" I am soon cut off as he sings louder not wanting any spoilers. "Oh fine, I'll let you finish." I say laughing.
He stops and says "Good. Now, may I have the book please?"
"Um…no, you have to answer my questions first." I say holding the book close to me.
"Fine, Page. What do you want to know?" he says with a sigh.
"Walk with me, Aaron." I say and I begin to walk away from him so he follows a few steps behind. I don't know why but I'm suddenly curious about him. Maybe it's the fact that he's reading a book that I believed helped me so much upon coming to the Winter Court or maybe I just feel sorry for him. Who knows? We walk a little farther until we are sitting in a glade. The book is in my lap and he is sitting across from me.
"I'm curious about you now. You see this book changed my life. I didn't interest in anything or want to talk to anyone when I first arrived here and this book showed me someone who felt just the way I did. Someone who didn't understand and was just trying to find their way. Someone who wanted an escape. So, the fact that you're reading it and that you like it make a very…interesting combination." I say staring straight into him.
He laughs and says "Page, it's just a book."
I sigh and think, exactly what I thought. I stand and start to walk away from him.
"Page, wait up!" he calls after me and I turn to face him. "What was that about?" he asks confused.
"I'm trying understand you." I say growing frustrated. He stares at me looking perplexed. "Aaron, this is the first time you've ever been real with me. When I first meet you were pushy, clingy and frankly all around annoying and now when you're reading this book you seem intelligent, cool and not a total douchebag. Then, there was the night you got drunk and…I just…I want to know what you're really like. I don't know why; maybe it's because you're reading one of my favorite books or maybe I'm just in a good mood today but I want to understand you now," I quickly. "I mean which guy are you? Are you the one I hope I'm seeing now, who's smart and seemingly nice or are you the guy I first met who got drunk and hurt me one night?" I say realizing a pain in my throat from the shouting. I have a right to be angry, at least that is what I tell myself.
We simply stare at each other for a while, the sound of the wind blowing around us being the only noise until he says "Where do I begin?"
I sit back down in the snow and he follows after me. "Who are you?" I ask simply.
"What do you mean?" he says immediately after.
"I mean exactly what I say. Who are you? You just act differently every time I see you so I want to know which one is the real Aaron." I say demanding answers.
He puts his hand on his chin and thinks about my question for a moment then says "I don't even know some days Princess. I guess it's just that I wanted to be whatever you wanted me to be. I wanted you to like me but in that attempt I ended up making you hate me. So, now I just stopped trying. I mean at this point I don't think there is anything I can do to make you like me, let alone love me. That's all I wanted really. I wanted your affection."
I sigh and say "Okay. I understand. But where does your profound loneliness come in."
"I…I just never was able to understand people. My whole life has been filled with me trying to fit their molds of what I should be and that doesn't make me happy. Nothing makes me happy anymore. I feel so empty all the time and that causes my loneliness which leads to depression. The worst part is that I feel all these things and I have no one to tell them to. That's why I like Holden. He and I have a similar problem and that is that we trust no one. Everyone in our world just wants something from us and no one bothers to ask what we want or how we feel. It just leaves us feeling so…"
"Trapped," I say finishing his sentence. He smiles a sad smile at me and nods. "I understand that too. Aaron, if you were real with me when we met then maybe I wouldn't feel the way I do now about you. I mean I wouldn't love you because I have Vincent but perhaps I might like you."
He blinks a few times and then gives a bitter laugh "Yeah, I suppose you're right. Can I have my book back now Page?" he asks his hand outstretched. I hand it to him and he immediately flips to his last marked page. He starts to read and then he looks up and says "Page?"
"Yeah, Aaron."
"Do you hate me?" he asks. He has a concerned expression on his face. The worried look in his eyes catches my attention and I feel like I could just see right through him.
I feel bad for him for a moment. He really is like a child. But how you could you not be when your life is filled with those who want nothing more but to use you and you have virtually no one. I found books and then my brothers. They saved me. But I wonder….is it too late to save him? I think about this as I contemplate my answer. I could say I hate him and break whatever piece of him is left and after all the trouble he has cost me I very well have the right to say that I do hate him and he would just have to deal with it. A little piece of bitterness rises in me as I think of that night. He made me feel so helpless and alone. It could have gone way worse. I think of all of this before I finally find my answer.
"No." I say simply. "I don't hate you but I don't like you either."
he simply nods and accepts my answer without another word. He stands up and offers me his hand and I take it as we walk back to the castle in silence.
We walk on and suddenly as we are on the steps leading up to the castle he stops turns around quickly and places both hand on my shoulders and says, "Page…would it be possible for us to be…friends?" He looks deeply into my eyes as he says this with a peculiar mix of desperation and hope. I think for a moment. Could I really be friends with someone like him? I don't know. I'm afraid that when I look at him all I'll see is the bad parts of him. Is there any good? I don't know that either. There might be. I'm finding out that the more time I spend with Fey the more emotion they show. Even Winter Fey with their hearts of ice sometime thaw, it just takes the right person, the right moment, the right book. Is there still hope for someone like Aaron?
"I don't know. I mean…I have to think about it," I say hesitantly.
"Page…I won't hurt you. The only reason I wanted to go through with this was because I didn't want to be alone anymore. I want someone who will actually enjoy my company. I want someone who doesn't want anything from me. They would just be with me. I was hoping I would find that in you. I saw you at every Elysium and you were so shy and quiet. The only person I ever saw you talk to was Ash. I thought it would be really easy to make you love me but…I was wrong. I guess you were like Sally to me. I was just trying to reach out to someone even if they didn't agree with my plans. I did like dancing with you though. You're so clumsy it was kinda cute," he says laughing. I gasp and punch him in the arm. "Ow! It is cute though. Anyway, after all I've put you through I owe you much more than I can repay." He sighs and says "Page, I like you and I really just want to be close with you. I only ask that you forgive me for me past offenses against you. Can you do that?"
I stare at him for moment. I've never seen him like this. Is this the real Aaron, Prince of the Sumer Court? I'm unsure. I don't trust him. "Possibly." I say as I walk past him and into the castle.
!
The next day, Sage comes to me with bad news. We are all sitting in the library together having to regroup after all that has happened. We call it Operation Black Veil.
"The wedding is set to be in the next few weeks. We don't have much time Page," he says as calmly as one can under these circumstances.
"I know. I don't know what to do. I can't run and Aaron won't call off the wedding. I don't even think we could call it off if we wanted to. Man, its times like these that I hate being a Princess."
"Page?" Ash suddenly asks staring at me with intense eyes.
"Yeah, what is it?" I say confused by his sudden change in demeanor. He walks over to me and places his hand behind my neck. I wince a little as my bruises still haven't healed. He looks further noticing the large purple-ish mark that runs down my shoulder. I was wearing a crop sweater and didn't see the need to cover my shoulder with make-up today. I guess it wasn't one of my best decisions.
"Who did this to you?" he says growing serious. I feel scared as I see his eyes darken. "Was it Vincent?"
"No!" I say quickly. "Vincent wouldn't hurt me like this. He cares about me too much."
"Then that only leaves one suspect. Our troublesome Summer Prince," Sage says standing up from his seat. "Well there is only one thing left to do. Ash, I believe we have a score to settle. Let us go show him what real pain is."
"I agree. I wonder how much trouble we'll get in for making ice sickles out of him." Ash says firmly gripping his sword.
"You know you don't care and neither do I," Sage says. They give each other a look that even I don't understand and start to walk out.
"Wait!" I say and they turn around to face me once more. "Don't hurt him."
Ash looks at me shocked. "Page, do you see what he did to you? How could you expect us to just sit here like everything is okay?!" he says raising his voice.
"My brother has a point. Page, it's our job to keep you safe and if we can't do that…" Sage says with tension in his voice.
"Listen, I got hurt yes but that doesn't mean you guys have to do anything. He didn't…he just gave me the bruises and that's all. I gave him a few as well. You see I fought back and that is all that matters to me. If things had taken a different turn I'd let you waste him. I would make you bring me his head on a platter but…I'm okay. Besides he won't do anything like that to me again."
"How do you know that?" asks Ash still tense.
"I just do. If he does I can just give him frostbite like I did the last time." I say confidently.
"You did what?!" they say in unison.
"Yeah, when he pinned me down I couldn't fight him off because he was stronger than me and I started to panic so when he went to touch me he flinched like I had burned him and then I put my hand on his neck and tried to strangle him…his skin turned black and he started to writhe in pain so I let go. He has scars from it too."
"Finally, you're learning how to use your Glamour. I'm so proud of you Page." Sage says hugging me tightly. "But…I do wish that I was there for you. It would have been over much sooner."
I laugh and say "Yeah, but he would be dead." Sage laughs too and nods in agreement.
Suddenly I hear Ash scoff and say "Page, please tell him he's not your favorite. He just whispered it over your shoulder again and it's annoying"
"But I am. I don't know why you just won't accept that." Sage says holding me tighter.
"Guys, let's not do this again. Like I said I love you both. We need to focus. I think the best strategy is to get his mind on someone else. What do you think?" I say.
Ash puts his hand under his chin in thought and says "I know a girl who could help us out. She owes me a favor."
"Great! Well there is a ball coming soon to celebrate my engagement. Make sure that she is there and looking her best. I'm counting on you okay." I say smiling at him.
"I won't let you down." He says with a determined look in his eye and I smile on his face.
"What am I to do?" asks Sage.
"Figure out whatever other information you can about the wedding. If this first plan fails then we will need a back-up. We'll probably have to crash the wedding somehow." I say hoping it won't come to that.
"Alright. I'm on it," he says.
"Well then, I guess we're done here for today. Operation Black Veil is a go. Now boys, be off you guys got work to do."
They salute and leave me in the library but as they leave I hear them bickering away.
"You see how she didn't deny me not being her favorite. I think she was just trying to spare your feelings," says Sage.
"Yeah but you see how she didn't confirm you were her favorite either." Ash says.
"Yeah, but she didn't deny it."
"I will split you in half, Sage."
"Come at me Ice Boy."
I sigh and shake my head. My brothers, you got to love them. I sit back in my reading chair and look at my ring once again. I find myself glancing down at it all the time now. It always makes me smile. I feel kind of useless though. My brothers are out doing something with their lives and I'm not even able to leave this castle. Of course they are doing stuff for me but I wouldn't need their help if I was free. I am lost in these thoughts when Aaron walks in.
"Hey," I say simply.
He just sits down in a chair across from me and places his head in his hands. "Is something wrong?" I ask slightly concerned.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he simply says.
I tilt my head in confusion and ask "Tell you what?"
"This…this book! Why didn't you tell me that the author would just leave it like that? I mean did Holden go crazy. Where is he? What about Phoebe? He loves her." Aaron says looking distraught.
I smile and say "Phoebe will be fine. She is a smart girl. Holden didn't leave her or anything he just…well I think he was sent to some place where they can help him. He just doesn't understand the world or anything about it. He has people who love him but it's like…he doesn't fully accept their love. He just had a lot of growing to do. Did you like it Aaron?"
He nods and stares at the cover for a few moments. "I loved it. Do you have more that you think I might like?" I nod and begin to show him my world.
We browse through a few books together as I tell him about all the ones that I think he might like and all the ones that he definitely should read. When I sit back down there are a mountain of books before me. "Where do we begin?" he says smiling happily.
"I think we should start with this one," I say holding up the book for him to see. He reads the cover and nods.
"Fahrenheit 451. What is this about?" he asks.
"I would say read the back but I highly encourage you to just pull a Catcher in the Rye and just figure it out," I say smiling. He nods and takes a seat across from me. I start to get up to find my own book to read but then he starts reading.
"'It was a pleasure to burn'," he says the first line and looks up at me. I smile and sit back down as he continues to read the book to me. I remember all the words. I smile at scenes I liked and sometimes he would stop and have me explain something he didn't understand. Most of the time was spent as he begged me for spoilers that I would never give and then he would keep reading.
I found out a lot about him. He has a bad stutter. It's funny because he seems so confident all the time and then he just trips over a word or maybe a whole sentence that is just filled with crazy and strange syllables that are just much too difficult for his mouth to choke out. I smile when he does this and wait patiently for him to catch himself. He always gets embarrassed and turns so many unnamable shades of red. I tell him it's okay and he just keeps reading without even looking at me. He reads slowly and with emotion. Every word is important and he has the kind of voice that stresses such a thing. I like it.
I'm unsure how long we are there in the library but we manage to finish the book. When he's done he just stares at it for a moment. Soon he asks, "Have you ever read a book and then when it was over you didn't know what to do with your life next?"
I laugh and say, "Welcome to my world Aaron, Prince of Summer. Starting today you have finally come to see the light. I told you, reading is the most wonderful thing that has ever been created. I think everyone would read if they just got past this stigma that they have against it and found the right book. That's all it takes…just the right book."
"I love the look on your face you get when you talk about books. It's kind of cute," he says smiling at me.
"Stop flirting with me and tell me what you think about the book," I say leaning back in my chair.
"It was confusing at times but I liked it. It was great because he stood up for what was right and…he found people like him and now they're going to go on and make it so that the books can be read again and it shows that books can be burned but never destroyed," Aaron says with a warmth in his eyes.
"Well said my friend," I say smiling. "Speaking of friendship, I think it's the books and the way you just read to me that make me think that I might get to see more of the real you. If I get to see that then I think we could make good friends."
He smiles and says "I'd like to be friends with you, Page."
"Okay then, we're friends now." I say simply. "Now, pick another book. I want you to take me to see Vincent and you'll need something to amuse yourself with."
His smile falters slightly as he says "What do you suggest?"
"I picked the last one. You pick this one. We can take turns. Hey, if you find one I haven't read yet and you like it you could always recommend it to me."
"Yeah. I'll do that," he says as he picks up one at random. "Alright, let's go"
We walk out of the castle but not in silence. As we walk we talk about the book he's chosen to read and of course I have read it. He chose a book called The Great Gatsby. It's a wonderful love story. I haven't read it twice but I intend to. Once again he tries for spoilers but I offer none.
"This is far enough. Tell me what you think so far of the book when I get back okay?" I say already walking away. I see him nod and sit under the trees just as before. I watch as he is immediately consumed by the words on the page.
A/N: Hey, peoples of the internet! So this was chapter 11 and I hope you guys enjoyed it. I feel like this chapter was very much a filler chapter. I don't feel like I did anything here or rather I feel like I might have bored you guys. I don't know…I'm thinking of taking a break from this story for a while until I can figure out what I want to do. So your input is very important more so now than ever. Will I continue? Most likely, yes. I love this story and I can't let Page or that one unnamed guest reviewer, whose reviews I love, down. You and all those currently reading are much too important. Also I couldn't leave the world I've created here behind, I love it too much. If anything I'll probably keep writing for that one reviewer even if he/she is the only one continually reading this and I mean I have a ton of views so…I'm happy. I really am just glad that you guys are simply reading this story. It means more than I can say. I just wish you guys would review. I love to hear your thoughts. In any case, I will be posting a fanfic soon but don't worry I'll try to balance that one and this one. I don't know what I'm going to call it yet but it is a Grimm fanfiction for those of you who watch that show. Also for my little otaku's out there I have a Sword Art Online oneshot already posted so check that out and be on the lookout for an Ouran Highschool Host Club fanfiction from me that I hope to write with Shiori07 when we both finish out stories that are currently works in progress. As you see I got a lot going on right now so stand by me and bear with me, please. I love you guys and please R&R. Thanks from Maria and Page.