Ch 13

After the strange events that occurred both Above and Underground, I found myself settling into a rather confusing change of pace. When I was originally told by Jareth and Sarah that Gareth and I were to be partners to help put together two weddings, I thought that usually involved actually working together. I didn't hear much from the Dream King for almost a week, and decided to study and make plans on the side with Karen over the phone for the Aboveground wedding. So far the location by the lake near the park where Sarah would hang-out was secured, Karen was going to get some large tents rented, and she and I both agreed to have my mother and I do the cake. Since it was to be a smaller private wedding for the Aboveground not too many details had to be made, plus Sarah and Jareth wanted it to be quiet and inconspicuous as possible so not to attract too much attention.

Rob also texted me four times about Judy's plan, but I never texted back. I couldn't believe he was that dumb to think at because Judy is unavailable he can see me as if everything he said and did never happened. I still feel stupid over the fact that I found him intelligent and witty enough to be a soul mate years ago.

A few days later, I went out to the gazebo again to look for him in his owl form, instead I found a tall pile of old books on the table with a note from Gareth saying that he wasn't available, but brought me material to study about the Fae culture. I stomped my foot like a I was 5 years old again, doesn't he realize that I'm already in school and need to study my brains out as it is? How dare he! First I have to deal with him as a new surprise in-law, second; he argues with me and calls me a childish fairy, third; he made me nervous on purpose with his whole stalking game, and now he piles more work on me despite all the stress I'm under! I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Sarah's, fingering Gareth's "protection" gift around my neck.

"…and now how am I even going to explain anything to Mom about this? I've got a copy of Elvin language for crying out loud here, she's going to realize that it is not a procedure for medical practice. Sarah, I know this is one of the few days you're home, but what am I suppose to do?"

I heard Sarah chuckle over the phone, "you know, I asked two talking doors that once and instead they gave me a riddle."

"Sarah, this is serious! I already have two exams this week on the eyes and baby medications, do you understand how many vocabulary words that is?!"

"Alex, calm down! I'm sure it's just his idea of helping-"

"Well, he has gone too far this time! How am I supposed to memorize Elvish for crying out loud? Him and his nice hair and gentlemanly manners should have realized that he was more of a-"

"Alex calm down, he's just out having lunch-!"

"How dare he leave me all this work to myself! He's probably out with Judy by now…"

"Wait! Time-out! Judy 'the-one-who-snatched-up-Rob-from-you', that Judy?"

"Yeah, she ran into Gareth and I when I 'poofed' off to school a few days ago, she was all over Gareth as if he were catnip!"

"Don't worry about it, Jareth and his relatives tend to have that effect on humans-"

"Well you should have seen it Sarah, she was eyeing him like candy and had the nerve to ask him out, and dump Rob on me to baby-sit. It was supposed to be today but I never responded to any of his texts."

"Are you serious?! Wow, she never let Rob even speak to you on the phone or in person after she hooked her claws on him, now because she sees you have something better she wants it, I swear that woman is crazy and selfish."

I sighed and sat down in one of the chairs by the gazebo table, "I don't understand what her problem is Sarah, she's been hounding me since we were seniors in high school, I don't really want to think about it. You have any idea where Gareth is?"

"I don't know, I'll call Jareth."

I protested, "Sarah, you don't have to do that-"

"hey it's ok, remember, we talk through my mirror."

I shook my head, "I'm still getting used to the idea of fairy tales being real."

I listened through the phone to hear what Sarah asked her fiancé.

"…anyways, Jareth, where's Gareth now?"

I pressed my ear against the receiver to hear what Jareth had to report.

"…he did mention this morning at breakfast that he was planning to have lunch with a lovely young lady, other than that precious I …"

I held the phone away from my face in shock and depression. Why were all men alike? Playing nice one minute, then ditching the next day? I couldn't believe he planned to date Judy despite how she acted. I mean, I didn't tell him about my history with her, but I thought that was obvious enough by her rudeness.

I cannot believe he turned out to be another jerk who could easily be blinded by a pretty face!

"That does it! Prince Gareth! I wish you would stop your mind games and get you're toned hid over here right now! Or I swear I'm going to hit you with my Anatomy book this time aiming for one of your beautiful eyes!"

"What did you say?" came a pair of muffled voices over the phone.

I clamped a hand over my mouth I had forgotten Sarah and Jareth were still on the phone. Then I heard Sarah laughing her head.

"What's so funny Sarah?" I growled.

Sarah chuckled, "you like him! I knew you would! I knew it!"

I was dumbstruck, "What are you talking about?"

"That is exactly what I was going to say, Alex, you do realize that insulting a royal's person brings a high punishment."

I gasped and turned around to find Gareth glaring down at me, he was in back in his medieval style of clothing again with that cape with feathers that seemed to flow in the wind. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, trying to not lose my temper after my rant.

"What are you doing here?"

"You called, and since I was insulted, I demand an examination."

I took a breath to try and calm down, "listen I understand that you find me annoying, and that you are busy as a monarch and all that, BUT please don't take it out on me by treating me like I am a simpleton."

"Then cease acting like one at once, what little difficulties do you need help with this time? I see it has become quite apparent that you cannot do much without my assistance. As you said before, I am a ruling monarch with a tight schedule, so why is it that I need to bend myself to bow down to your every wish just because I want to fulfill my role to honor my brother and future sister-in-law?"

I fought to keep my jaw from dropping; did he just call me useless? That did it!

I growled and took a step towards him, my teeth gritting towards his face, "how dare you, you, accusing me of being useless. I may not have magic in my arsenal, nor a castle full of servants to do my bidding, but I will do my best with what I know and have to honor my cousin and best friend who has always been there for me like a sister since we were born. I have enough to worry about as it is with drills at school and working towards getting a better job, but if you want to ditch me to so you can see Judy fine with me! At least leave behind a language tutor so will not have to study alone without an idea of what I am doing."

Noises came from the phone in my hand; my cheeks became warm in embarrassment. I took a breath and told Sarah I would call her back later, and then hung up trying to collect my thoughts.

I found my headache getting worse so I walked past Gareth to head towards the herb boxes near the fruit trees, "excuse me"

"You are not yet dismissed from my presence, Lady Alex!"

I felt like I was in a Shakespeare movie, I snorted, "Then I beg your leave, kind sir, allow me to leave with what is left of my dignity."

"May I ask where you venture?"

I continued my steps forward without looking back at him, "I need some lavender for my headache, please excuse me your majesty."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and walked near the lavender bushes by the birdbath near our herb boxes. I picked a long strand of purple buds and brought it to my nose to inhale the aroma. I felt my headache starting to leave me as I walked back towards the house to boil some water for some tea. I felt a presence behind me, I didn't have to look over my shoulder to know that Gareth was following me to the backdoor steps.

"It's Gareth in your presence alone my-lady, I apologize that I have offended you."

Well, at least he is mature enough to admit it.

I sighed, "I'm sorry too, I have a nasty temper when I am under constant stress."

"Do I have permission to enter your home?"

"You are my guest, so you may do as you please."

"Thank you"

I opened the backdoor and Gareth fallowed me past the laundry room into our humble kitchen where I put the kettle on the stove to boil. It was a Friday so I didn't have classes at the college, but my parents were away working. I was hoping to get some work done and study for my exams coming up, but since I once again found myself in a riff with Gareth.

I silently gestured towards a wooden kitchen chair for him to sit down while I fetched two tea cups and saucers from the cupboard.

"Sugar or honey?"

"Honey please, thank you"

Once I had prepared our cups of tea, we sat in a somewhat awkward silence of uncertainty.

Gareth cleared his throat before speaking, "I'm sorry that I sent too many books, I think the fairies grabbed more than I originally planned to lend to you."

"You do realize I am still in school and have more than enough books to study right?"

Gareth sighed, "yes, but I only wanted to give you two, not two dozen, I'll have to speak to them about that."

I gently protested, "No don't punish them for a simple mistake, besides I shouldn't yelled at you again."

Gareth nodded and sniffed the aroma of the tea before drinking it.

I sighed an glanced at the clock on the wall, "well, like you said, your too busy today to help me."

"I was trying to be considerate of your time with the gentleman your friend tried to set you up with?"

I silently groaned, "first of all, Judy is not my friend, she just tries to make my life miserable. Then again that's my experience with her, but I'm warning you, if you date her she would drain you like a leach and try to control your life. Please reconsider seeing her today."

"Alex, what are you talking about?"

I frowned, "you know, Judy asked you out?"

"I am not familiar with this "date" term."

"Oh, well, it is a modern form of courtship."

"Well, whatever has changed over time in the Aboveground, it is my experience that a man inquires the lady's father for permission and organizes the event."

"Some people still do today, but not always."

"Would it trouble you if I said that I was meeting Ms Judy today?"

I bit my lip and my mind scrambled for an answer, "I, I-I, my opinion about how you live your personal life is your own business, you are a grown man and knows what he wants. I can only offer advice whenever you ask."

I looked at my lap as I spoke, feeling nervous as I spoke. Why am I nervous?

I felt Gareth's gloved fingers tip my chin upwards to search my face, what is he doing?

He smiled, "would you like to meet the lady I was planning to have lunch with?"

I shook my head, "no, no, I don't want to impose, I mean-"

Before I could finish my sentence, we had vanished from my house in a burst of light.

Gareth, if keep doing this I'm going to kill you!

As if he heard my mind, I heard him chuckle darkly.

Please leave a comment :) My finals ended yesterday! Yay! Back to writing!

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