~ Chapter Three: Pubescent Outbursts ~

I had trudged down the stairs, as Darling got her formal introduction - minus the damaged trumpet - and dinner was about to begin. I let out a heavy sigh. Darling took me aside just before I was about to sit down. "I don't know what you're going through," She told me abruptly, wrapping her arms around me in a solid hug. "but I hope that helped." Her smile was radiant as ever as we parted.

I gave her a smile of my own, even though it was fake - it was the only one I could give. "I'm fine, just having an off day. It's alright." I hoped she couldn't tell that I was trying to convince myself more than her.

"Alright then," she nodded with such confidence. "let's dine."

We sat down to the wonderful feast Clara had prepared. Daring sat right next to my father, I sat next to Daring. Darling sat next to our mother. I often wonder what it would be like if we had any more siblings. What would their names be? What would they be like? . . . would any one of them resemble me?

"How was everyone's day?" Our mother asked, I dreaded this question. But luckily both my siblings adored it enough to ramble on. I might actually be forgotten this time, that I would appreciate.

"It was hexcellent," Our father spoke first, "I have been preparing for the next year of my class at Ever After High. Arranging the assignments and lessons so that they're," he chuckled, "as Miss Blondie Lockes would say - just right."

Mother laughed. "She is a sweet little thing."

Father laughed and put his hand on Mother's. They shared a quick kiss and looked onward to the table. It was our turn.

I wanted to slither under the table and hide. But if I so much as sunk down in my seat, it would make me stand out more than I desired to.

"Well, I had a pretty decent day." Daring offered to go next. "I've been keeping busy, working on the skills I've learned at school to stay brushed up on them, for good grades."

That was a decent response. Good for him.

Mother gave a smile, "Rumor around the castle is that you've been seeing a young lady."

I quickly looked at Daring, whose eyes widened and he coughed. His cheeks reddened.

Darling smiled widely, "Oh brother, keeping secrets from us are you?"

Even I couldn't take my eyes off him - only for the reason that I wanted the details just as badly as anyone else at the table right now did. "N-no, of course not. If I were seeing a ravishing young lady, I would share."

Bullfrog. I highly doubt that Daring.

"Now, now son." Father chimed in, "Even if it's not your ideal Princess, or the one you're supposed to be with forever after-"

Mother seemed saddened, "Oh, but I enjoy Apple. She's such a sweet girl."

Father put his hand up, "Let me finish love," he turned back to Daring. "that's alright for right now. You're only a young prince and therefore - you're allowed to court other Princesses. Only for the time being. There will come the day, where you must settle down into your own Kingdom, but until that day. . . you may frolic here and there. Nothing too serious of course, don't want to be a heartbreaker now." He laughed, continuing to eat the delicious ham and vegetable platter he had in front of him.

I stuck my fork into a piece of carrot, slowly bringing it to my mouth and chewing just as slow. I was listening to the conversation.

"What about you, Darling?" Mother asked her promptly, I was thankful. I didn't have to speak yet.

"My day was wonderlandiful!" She beamed, "Well, perhaps not in the eyes of some - but it was to me. I read my favorite book in its entirety. I lounged in the nature during the day, when Dexter came back to the castle near dusk he brought me the most glorious present. New book-to-school shoes!" She was truly that hexcited about the shoes I brought? She was so sweet. It was no trouble at all.

"You were out near dusk?" My Father questioned, suddenly looking right at me. "Dexter. . ."

"I, uh, went for a walk and lost track of time." I told them the truth, minus a few details.

Daring smiled, what for - I'm not sure. He could just be doing it as he does all the time. "I think you're courting someone."

"W-what?!" I stammered, I certainly wasn't courting anyone. I wasn't about to be the new target to take the heat from him. "I am not."

Mother smiled, "Don't be embarrassed sweetie, it's alright."

"No mother," I answered hastily, which shocked her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I just, no I'm not courting anyone."

"Alright son, no need to become upset about it." Father assured me, I stayed silent. I gave a nod of acknowledgment. But that was it. "So, how was your day Dexter?"

Ughh, he really asked didn't he?

"Fine. Thanks." I looked down, either I only grabbed roasted carrots or I ate the whole plate. But I think I only grabbed the carrots. I honestly couldn't remember, I'm so out of it. I always am when I wake up though, so that's not new.

"Did you do anything interesting? What about the walk you had, dear?" Mother inquired, when I looked up sheepishly - I noticed she stared at my plate which only had a few carrots on it the whole time thus far.

"I uh, it was just a walk. Nothing hexciting happened."

"You got my shoes on your walk," Darling chimed in, although she looked at me apologetically, she just loved those silly shoes already. "that's something."

I shrugged.

Daring raised an eyebrow, he turned to me. "You had to have stopped at Ashlynn's shoe shop, to come out with shoes. Unless there's a barefoot Princess walking about."

Everyone laughed, I slightly smirked with the thought - but it soon fell from my face. I didn't have the energy to do much of anything at all. "Yeah, I did."

"Well, you could tell us about that if you want." Mother offered, as if really trying to urge me to keep talking about my uneventful day.

I pushed another piece of carrot around on my fork, before finally picking it up. "I just stopped in, dusk was approaching soon and she was still there doing inventory so I hung out with her for awhile. So she wouldn't be alone."

"Oh good, that's my boy!" Father praised.

I held a hand up and stopped his praise, "She was waiting for her Prince, not this one - to walk her home. I was just hanging out with her. She said she had way too many shoes for Book-To-School so she gave me a pair for Darling, I walked home - that's it."

They all nodded. I don't understand why they pretended to care. I mean, I faked caring about their days for the most part - I can't fathom they wouldn't do the same.

I shifted my gaze lazily to Daring, when I noticed something different. He was looking straight down, both hands on his lap, fingers moving like lightening and he was, smiling? He has his cellular phone! He's communicating with someone as we spoke. Hmm, well played Daring.

"Daring, who's blowing up the phone?" I asked him nonchalantly. If he wanted to annoy me, I'd annoy him. Mi casa, su casa.

I felt bad when he looked panicked though. "No one! Nothing. I'm eating dinner."

I scoffed, "No one looks down at their crotch and smiles for no reason Daring, just putting that out there."

Darling covered her mouth right away - hiding what would be a fit of giggles. Mother had covered her mouth in shock, Father just blinked and Daring narrowed his eyes, giving my leg a discreet kick under the table. "Thanks 'Kingdom Times'," he growled under his breath, cleverly referencing the local newspaper.

Clara soon came into the royal dining room, good thing! I was so ready to leave and go back to sleep. "How was the meal everyone?" She asked warmly.

"Most glorious," Mother praised. "thank you dear, did the maids and servants, stable hands - did everyone eat as well?"

Clara laughed, "Oh yes, we did. We're all stuffed! Thank you for sharing your majesties."

Father waved it off, "Not to worry, we appreciate our meals being ready round the clock. And we appreciate all of you, Clara."

She beamed, "Oh my, thank you. Now let us clean up here."

Mother and Father stood from their seats at the table - walking out. I took that moment to start heading to my room. "Ah, children." Oh darn, what now? I didn't inch closer, I just stared blankly. "Well, Daring and Darling - you may retire to your rooms for the evening."

What?! That wasn't fair. I wanted to go to my room. . .

"Dexter?" My mother called softly.

I turned slowly, "Yes, mother?"

She stepped towards me worriedly, "You barely at a thing during dinner," she immediately did the same thing Clara did just an hour ago - put her hands on my face. "have you fallen ill sweetheart?"

"No mother," I answered her. "I just wasn't riddled with hunger, that's all."

"Did you eat when you were out on your walk?"

I thought about it, "No, I didn't. I know it was rude of me, but I'll make it up to Clara. I just wasn't hungry, I'm sorry."

"The matter of concern, Dexter - is not one of ignorance. It's about you. You seem very, different. You and your siblings know that if anything is ever after the matter, you can speak to us with confidence."

I nodded, "Of course."

She hugged me, my father's comforting hand touched my shoulder as well. "Your father and I love you very much, dear."

They told me that a lot lately, I knew that. "I love you guys too." I sighed, "Can I go now? I'm tired."

They studied me, realizing that I wasn't making an excuse - I really was hexhausted. "Alright, sleep sweetly." My cheeks were kissed at least twice before I could finally leave.

By the time I reached my room, I locked the door. I was finally alone. I kicked off my shoes, off came my socks. Removed my jacket - tossing it on a chair, I pulled off my shirt and sighed. Unfastening my bottoms, I headed into my en-suite bathroom, taking off my glasses - entering the modernized shower and I turned the tap - as soon as the water spurted out. . . it happened. I could feel this stinging sensation in my eyes, my lip quivered and I couldn't control it. Sobs shook my entire body as the water droplets slid down my skin. When this happened, I cried in the shower because no one could notice, or hear me.

This is ridiculous, I know it is. . . but I-I can't stop the tears. They keep coming and I don't know why. I sniffled and reached for the hygienic necessities, such as shampoo. I lathered and rinsed. I grabbed some conditioner next - don't laugh, soft hair isn't a luxury anymore, it's a must. I chuckled a little bit with the thought, but the tears still flowed despite trying to think a humorous thought.

I can't shake this.

After soaping up my body and rinsing completely, I stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel to tie around my waist. Looking at the fogged mirror. I saw the tears still coming, I choked out another sob. Why?!

I felt overwhelmed with sadness. I just want this to stop!

For a moment, everything went black and next thing I knew I was standing in front of a shattered bathroom mirror. The f- how did this happen?

Drip. Drip.

"What?" I asked breathlessly, glancing down at my hand - now bleeding. I didn't feel it hurt before now. But something strange happened. My tears, stopped. I wasn't crying anymore. I touched my face, my cheeks were still moist from the tears - but I think I cried so much that I ran out. Perhaps this won't happen and I'll be okay for a little while?

I heaved a sigh, I could only hope.