I don't know how long Max and I sat together but it was the first time in a long time I felt relaxed and like I was back home. Even with the fancy dress clothes and slick hair he still smells like the same Max I grew up with. Like trees in the summer from long outside jobs,a bit musty,and just a little bit of mint.
Just the thought of us when we were young sends a sharp pain through my heart.I sigh. "I miss home Max." Max rubs my shoulder. "I know Ari." We sit like that for a moment then Max stands up and holds out a hand to me. "Come on. We better get back to the party. Dinner will be staring soon." I huff and take his outstretched hand. "Fine I guess your right." Max chuckles and pulls me up slowly. "Okay princess come on now." I stand up and groan loudly. Max looks back at me. "Come now that is very unlady like." I roll my eyes. "Since when do you care about things like that? You always said you thought my flaws were cute." I stick out my bottom lip. Max cant hold back a laugh. I cant either and laugh along with him. Soon we reach the doors to the castle again,but we both hesitate before going in. "Your laugh is so beautiful.I haven't heard you laugh like that in so long." He reaches up a hand and brushes a stray piece of hair from my face. A slight shiver runs across my face where he touched me.
He gets a slight blush across his cheeks. So do I. He leans a little closer. Butterflies set off in my stomach. "M-Max." I whisper and my heartbeat picks up. He gets closer and our lips very very lightly brush. My eyes flutter shut and I wait for the warm pressure to meet my lips. But it never comes. "I can't." I open my eyes and sigh. "Yeah of course. We have been friends for so long and you don't want to ruin it." Max shakes his head. "No Ari. Thats not it. I can't because-" I shake my head. "No Max. Its really okay. I understand." Max looks like he wants to say something but I step back from him and curtsey. "Lets get back My Lord." Even though you wouldn't have noticed it unless you were face to face with Max,but I notice it, look of hurt passes over his face but I pretend not to notice. Tears brim the edge of my vision and I reach my hand up to cover my mouth. I bump into someone not paying attention. I curtsey and speak not looking at the one I bumped into. "So sorry. Pardon me." "Your Highness. Are you alright?" I recognize that voice. Great this is the last person I want to see me crying. I look up to meet a pair of silver eyes. I dont know why but I feel a sudden rush of anger towards him. "Why would you care? After all I am just a stupid simple ignorant girl,who has no idea how to live here." I sigh and rub my arm. "I'm sorry Dex. I am just not having a very good night right now. I shouldn't blame you." Dex has a look on his face that can only be explained as one thing. Well two. Surprise and shock. I huff.
"Look we may not like each other very much right now,but that dosen't mean we have to show it. I'm not incapable of feeling Dex. Or liking you one day." I curtsey to him and walk back to my parents. Once I reach my seat my mother looks at me concern plain on her face. "Darling are you alright?" My father gives me the same look. "Yes my darling daughter are you well?" I nod. "I will be okay." Amber,Lily,and Marie are standing beside my chair. They rush to my side. Marie hands me a handkerchief. I smile and take it gratefully. "Thank you Marie." Marie nods. "Of course your Highness." Amber steps up. "Is there anything else we can get your Highness?" "Umm yes could you get me a glass of lemonade please?" Amber nods and rushes off. "Anything else?" I shake my head. "No. Thank you." Lily and Marie nod and step back beside me. "Oh no. Please go enjoy yourselves." They both look at eachother and shake their heads. "Your Highness has already given us so much freedom and kindness tonight. We all wish to stay by your side the rest of the night." I want to object but I can see by the look on their faces that they really mean it. So I just nod and turn back as dinner begins.We have a really peaceful dinner with roast beef,corn,mashes potatoes,some kind of weird looking sweet fruit,and warm soft bread. I end up laughing and having a good time with my birthparents. I never knew my birthparents were so humorous and how deeply they love each other. I hope to find that kind of love one day. All the while I feel a pair of eyes on me.
Max's P.O.V
Ariella left me standing in a daze at the doors. What did I do? God I screwed up. What am I doing?. It's for the best I groan and enter the castle. I notice Ariella talking to my brother. She looks mad. I cant help but know that it is my fault. Then she says something that leaves my brother with a look of shock on his face. That never happens. He is not shocked easily. She walks away and joins her parents and maids. I stare at her for another moment and walk to my brother. The moment he sees me he smirks. It is filled with cold amusement. I hate it when he dose that. "So how did you piss off the girl this time?" I give him a look of disdain. "Ok for the record that was years ago and well," I look over to the princess. A strong ping goes through my heart watching her. She is beautiful. "I screwed up. I freaked out and screwed it up." Dex pats me on the shoulder not sympathetically. "Well little brother apparently that's what your good at." I shoot him a glare as dinner is being brought out. I sit and eat conversing with everyone but only half of my heart is in it. I keep my eyes on the one person I really care about. The one girl I want but can't have. The one girl I have spent more then half my life with and may have just screwed up the chance at being with her the rest of my life.