I was afraid to wake up the next morning in fear of realizing that last night's events had all been a dream. Even when I did wake up, I just lay in bed without opening my eyes, as if doing so would kill me. When I finally decided that I couldn't stay asleep forever, and that my rendezvous with Royce last night was complete reality, I still didn't get up. I had to relive it. Closing my eyes again, I pushed myself back into last night…
I was sitting opposite Royce, trying not be caught staring into his electric- blue eyes, my face spreading with heat that had nothing to do with the flames burning on the candles… we were talking and laughing, his teethgleaming pearly white as he guffawed…we were walking in his garden,between the rows of petunias and tulips, silent in the shining moonlight. We continued over to the poolside, and he spoke the words: "Rosalie, I really, really, like you..."
And he was coming closer and closer, and still closer…
I felt dizzy as I returned to the present. He had kissed me. Royce King the Second had kissed me. With a huge grin, I danced out of bed merrily, inhaling the scent of roses as strongly as I could before twirling out of the room. Mother and Father were both in the kitchen when I entered.
"Rose!", he hollered. "We didn't hear it from you; How was it with Royce last night?", my Father asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and something that sounded almost like hope.
"It was absolutley wonderful, Father. I couldn't have enjoyed it more!", I chirped.
"Very good, very good!", Father cheered. He then turned to Mother. "Nance, think of this! The Kings!" He seemed almost as happy as I did.
The next weeks with Royce were very…rosy, for one thing. Roses showed up in the mail every single day. I didn't have any room to put them in my bedroom. A lot of bouquets were lying around the floor. A note showed up among the roses one day, "Midnight.", it read. This note was even shorter and simpler than the first one that I received from Royce, but it also meant so much more to me. Royce was coming! At midnight…
I waited that night for Royce, sitting up in my bed. I was starting to doze off when I heard a sound like a hard tap, followed by the sound of quivering glass. Royce! I was immeadiately fully awake. Quietly but hastily, I tip-toed to the window and threw apart the curtains. Standing below was Royce, about to chuck another pebble at my window. When he saw me, he gave me such a smile that I couldn't help returning it, even if I didn't want to.
"Come on!", he stage whispered.
"Wait one minute! I have to get dressed!", I called back.
"That would be unnecessary.", he said, gesturing towards his own body, though I couldn't see what he was wearing. I tip-toed downstairs as quiet as can be, and out the door. Royce pulled me into his arms, kissing me with passion. My knees felt weak. As I gazed at him, I noticed something strange. He too, was wearing his nightclothes. Tight, body hugging, silk pajamas. I stared with guilty pleasure. In fact, I wouldn't have been surprised if I was drooling with my mouth hanging wide open, because Royce chuckled softly to himself. He grasped my hand and led me to a fancy- looking bicycle leaning against the porch.
"I would have brought a car, but the noise would have woken the neighbors.", he whispered
"That's quite alright, Royce.",I murmured.
I hopped on to the handlebars like a child, and he rode off into the night
We soon reached the entrance to his estate, and he led me into the yard.
"What are we doing, Royce?", I asked curiously.
"Oh, you'll know soon enough", he grinned. He brought me to the swimming pool and dreamily sat down on the edge, letting his pajamas get wet from the knee down. "Sit here, Rose, it's warm!" he said.
I smiled as I hitched my nightgown up to my thighs and let my calves soak in the water. Royce was right, the water was warm; it felt great on my skin. Then, all of a sudden, Royce's arms were pulling me into the pool, his arms securely holding me to his body. I shrieked, but it was a shriek of delight. Royce smiled seductively at me under water, and then pulled me up above the surface.
We gazed at each other for a few moments, with wet grins on our faces and the then he said, "Rose, your eyes are beautiful, like violets."