Chapter 9

"The Seven?" I asked, trying to hide my disappointment.

"Yeah," Nick replied with brightened eyes to match his excitement, "great place for a first date, huh?"

"Yeah," I tried to match his enthusiasm, "perfect."

Okay, I know I should be appreciative of the mere fact that Nick was even taking me out on a date, but the romantic inside me had a fancy restaurant imagined, complete with soft music and candlelight.

Then again, we're only freshmen in high school. There aren't many of us who can afford fancy restuarants...well, I can since my mother's an interior designer and my father is the CEO of a company.* Oh well, at least he wasn't taking me to a McDonald's.

Luckily, the cocktail dress that I wore wasn't considered too fancy, it was nice for a date at The Seven.

"I'm gonna go order, what would you like?" he asked after we found a table.

"Two slices of plain pizza please, with a small Coke," I smiled.

He grinned, "coming right up."

A few minutes later, he came back with our food. At first, we ate our pizza in silence, then he started to talk.

"So, what made you get into swimming?"

I smiled, "my father was on the team back when he was in high school. He was also on the soccer and basketball teams, but I like swimming the best; that's why I'm only on the swim team."

"Ah," he grinned, "so you want to be like your father?"

"Mhm," I nodded, "he's a great man, I'm proud to call him my Dad. Not that I'm not proud of my mother too, she's a fantastic woman. She's so nice, and her creativity makes up for her lack of athletic skills." Not to mention they're both amazing magical beings.

"That's very mature of you," Nick replied, "I'm proud of my parents too. I can see us accomplishing great things together."

"Like owning a business?" I questioned.

He smirked, "something like that."

Just then, Oops I Did It Again came on. I rolled my eyes, but they crinkled with amusement when Nick started mouthing the words.

Oops! You think I'm in love

That I'm sent from above!

I'm not that innocent!

We both started laughing. Sure, some people were staring at us, but we were having a good time, so who cares?

We talked more throughout the date, we talked of our interests, our favorite tv shows, favorite colors, etc. Overall, I had a good time, even if the place wasn't what my romantic side was expecting.

He gave me a sweet kiss on the lips goodnight before he left, leaving me smiling like an idiot when I entered the house. Mom giggled at me and winked, while Dad rolled his eyes with a scowl. I smirked as I kissed the both of them on the cheeks for goodnight (to this Dad smiled and told me he loved me, same as Mom) then went upstairs to my room. After which, I got changed and went to sleep with Nick's face in my mind.

I stared at myself in the large body-length mirror. My dress was beautifu, and my tiara was set perfectly atop my head. My black locks were curled, styled into an elegant updo.

Deciding that I was ready, I left my quarters and was met by a servant.

"Your Majesty, the King is waiting for you in the ball room, the celebration has already begun."

I nodded with a kind smile, "I see. Thank you."

I made my way to the ballroom, all the while passing the occasional guard. They would stare ahead of them, and, if I caught their eye, they'd give me a bow of their head.

Eventually, I made it to the magnificent ballroom. One person saw me, and immediately stopped dancing with their partner. The woman he was dancing with met my eyes as well, and their previously hovering feet touched the floor again.

More and more people became aware of my presence, and more and more feet began to drop to the floor. The spell was cast to stop the music by someone whom I didn't see.

"Her Majesty, Queen Rosalyn of the Magical Realm!" The announcer stated in a booming voice.

I smiled at all the people who bowed/curtsied, giving a polite nod of my own head. "Welcome to the Royal Palace, I am pleased and honored to have you all here with us. I hope you have thus far enjoyed yourselves and wish you all an enjoyable night!"

I sat on my throne, which was the signal that my small speech was done. The music instantly started up again, and couples were soon again twirling around as if I never disturbed them.

Suddenly, a hand was in my line of vision. I looked up, only to meet a blurry face. All I could make out was a pair of bright eyes.

"My Queen," his rich voice sounded, "will you do me the honor of sharing a dance with me?"

"Of course, my King," I found myself saying, despite not knowing who it was. I found myself not caring about his identity; everything was normal.

He led me to the ballroom floor, to which everyone parted into a large circle, leaving a large space for me and the King.

Once in the center, the music changed to slower tune. The King placed a hand on my waist, and we began to sway from side to side. We turned, then got back to swaying, all the while my eyes never leaving his. I couldn't help but stare at them, they captivated me; they forced me to look deeply into them.

I slowly turned, his arm leading me outwards. Before I knew it, he spun me to him so I was in front of him again.

His left arm lifted, the wrist supporting my right. We lifted our wrists up and down, his other hand that was on my waist went behind his back.

Our arms went higher and higher, eventually he used that arm to spin me around. Instead of returning my arm to my side, I held it close to his face, so that my elbow was slightly touching the crook of his. His left went behind his back again, all the while we were slowly spinning.

I gasped, sitting up in my bed drenched in a cold sweat. I took in huge mouthfuls of air, extremely disoriented.

"It was all a dream," I said to myself, "just a dream."

But how was it a dream? It all seemed to real. There was no way I could imagine that beautiful ballroom, my dress, the tiara, the music, or the people. It was all too magnificent, it truly felt real.

And I was a queen? I used to wish when I was younger to be a princess, but this was no childish fantasy. I really was a queen, and in the dream I acted as if being one was...well, normal. As if I was used to it, as if I lived it everyday.

Then there was the King, whose face was just a blurry image except for those bright eyes...

I took one more shaky breath, then settled under the covers. I closed my eyes, determined to have a less confusing dream. Luckily, I did.

In the morning, the dream was still crystal-clear in my mind. I pushed it aside; it meant nothing. It was just a dream.

Alex and I walked to school, during which I returned to my usual cheery, joking self.

"So, how was your date with Nick?" she asked with a sly smirk.

"It was nice," I replied, smiling. "He was a perfect gentleman, and we talked a lot about our interests and that."

She rolled her eyes. "Who cares? What I want to know is if he kissed you!"

"Alex!" I scolded, a blush overtaking my features.

"Oooh, you're blushing! He did kiss you! Give me the deets!" she pressed.

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. "Yes, he did kiss me. It was sweet, just a quick peck on the lips."

Alex sighed, "it's obvious this guy lacks passion. I say you should dump him."

"No! What if he's just saving the passion for later? You know, this was only our first date."

"Whatever. All I know is that the guy seems boring so far."

A/N: Rose's dance with the King is based off Cinderella's dance with the Prince. There's a video clip of it titled 'They're Looking At You.'

Soo...whose eyes were they? What do you guys think? ;D

*lovethatignites and I think that Jax would be a CEO of a company in the future, along with Emma being an interior designer.

LINKS FOR THE DREAM ARE ON MY PROFILE!

lovethatignites: Gotta love Jimmy! XD Lol 'hips don't try' I love it! And Nick does seem cute and nice...or maybe boring like Alex said ;D

tierrayaoi: I love your enthusiam for DarrenxRose XD

ILoveEWW: Hmm...Dick or Nick? It's hard to remember XD

MyEveryWitchWay: Thank you!

Jemmalover1: I'm guessing you don't like Nick... XD And aww, wasn't that adorable of him? I think he's maybe starting to wisen up... Haha, I don't think there's an official ship name for them. I've seen Roseren and Darrose. You guys can decide the name!

Guest: It seems that people either hate Darren, or love him. I guess there's no in-between XD

delightisadream: I know, and they're coming! :) Last chapter was just a snipet of his soft side, you'll see him improve chapter-by-chapter. Well, maybe not every single chapter, considering he might not be in some, but you know what I mean :)

Toolazytologin: Lol the 'mbm gene' XD I don't think he's inherited it haha.

Guest: Thanks!

alessandramottam: Thanks!