"Evly! I didn't know you came to the gym," Mshell said, approaching Evly, who was running on the treadmill.
Evly turned her head to the side while still running. She saw Mshell standing beside her, shirtless and dripping with sweat, with a face towel on his shoulder. Suddenly, Evly lost her balance from the glance and fell flat on the floor. As her back hit the ground, she realized the embarrassing situation she was in and felt too ashamed to stand up.
"Need some help, princess?" Mshell said, stretching his hands out to her, directly above her, still shirtless and sweating. Evly didn't say a word for a minute, and slowly, drips of his sweat fell on her.
"Evly! Are you okay?" he asked. She suddenly grabbed his hands, pushing him towards her, and she kissed him.
Mshell was stunned but then gave in to the kiss. After a few seconds, Evly realized what she had done and stared at Mshell, confused by the unexpected turn of events. However, Mshell pushed her back and kissed her, assuring her, and then his hands ran through her waist and towards her hips.
"Princess Evly! Princess Evly!" Kaniz called out while tapping me.
"Stop calling me princess!" I yelled out, still half-asleep.
"Um... what should I call you, then, your highness?" Kaniz asked. That was when I woke up.
Kaniz immediately realized that I was sleep-talking.
"Good morning, your highness. I hope you had a wonderful sleep. Today, classes will officially begin, and you might be late if you don't get up now," Kaniz stated.
Damnit! Classes were officially starting today, and I was having a weird dream!! There is something wrong with me.
Kaniz had already prepared my bath, and the carriage was ready. I quickly got ready, and Kaniz drove me to class.
Fortunately, I arrived just before the first class started. One of the things Crowns Academy does not mess with is student attendance; it's very important, and most times the castle servants are blamed for the absence of the royal they are in charge of.
"What are we doing this evening for games night?" Hayley jumped at me out of nowhere.
"Jesus Christ, Hayley! You scared me," I said out loud, startled.
"Oh, sorry, princess! You seemed so lost in thought. Care to share what's on your mind?" she asked.
She was right. We had just finished our 5th lesson, and I was getting ready for a break, which I normally spend in the library. But for some reason, I was deep in my thoughts. But I couldn't possibly tell her that I was having a weird dream about a guy that likes her.
"Did someone just say game night? Oh no, that's today. I dread those lousy events," Jane said, saving me from coming up with some lie to avoid Hayley's question. She had just come from Mello and Hayley's class, holding the latest audition of TATBILB, one of theepurplebutterfly's novel series.
"Is that TATBILB?" I asked out loud, almost yelling when she came closer.
"Shushhhh! Evly, keep it down. You don't want the novel gang to attack me," Jane said, hurriedly covering my mouth with her hand. The novel gang at Crowns Academy was quite feisty.
"Don't worry, I'll let you read it, okay?" Jane said, releasing her hand from my mouth.
At Crowns, classes were divided into four: Science, Technical, Commercial, and Arts. Jane and I were in Science class, and Mello, Carlos, and Hayley were in Technical, which was mostly boys. Mshell was in Arts.
"So are you coming for the game night?" Hayley asked. At this point, I doubted she was even asking a question.
"Of course, I'll be there, though. I'll be with Mello," Jane replied, but Hayley was still waiting for my answer, not that it even mattered.
"I liked you better when you were single," I said to Jane. She just smiled, and I turned to Hayley.
"Yes, I'll be there, not like I had a choice."
"It's 5 minutes into the game night, and you guys are leaving me by myself?" I said when Hayley was walking towards the sea in her white bikini.
The game night was always an outdoor event at the beach, and today was no different, only that the weather was a bit windy, and I don't remember it being this crowded.
"Why do you all even make me come to these events when you leave me anyway?" I yelled.
"Mingle with others, darling. You are too enclosed. What would you do without us?" Hayley yelled back as she got lost in the crowd.
"Need company?" a voice from behind said to me. I knew who it was before I even turned, but I hoped it wouldn't be him. After the dream I had, I just needed to stay away from this guy.
"This is becoming a habit," I said as I turned to Mshell, who wasn't wearing a shirt.
He smiled at me and asked, "What's that?"
I immediately looked away and said, "You know, keeping me company at events."
"True, true," he said in agreement.
"Why do you even come for these events when you have no one to spend it with?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Oh, I could ask you the same question," he said.
"No, my friends make me come. They say I should mingle more," I said.
"Well, let's say I'm here to help you mingle," he said.
I laughed out loud when he said that.
"See, you are laughing. I'm good at this," he said, feeling accomplished.
We talked, had drinks, and even participated in some of the games. Being with Mshell was so easy. After that dream, I had thought that we would be awkward or I would feel awkward around him, but that wasn't the case. Maybe only for the first few seconds; I mean, he was bare-chested and all, but as the evening went by, he did his magic, and soon I forgot about it.
"You didn't have to walk me back. I could have just called Kaniz. But thank you, your majesty," I said with a little bow.
"Well, what can I say? I like spending time with you, your highness," he said, imitating my bow.
We were already at my dorm, so we said goodbye, and he left.
"Ouu, you hit a good one, dear, your highness," Hayley jumped out of nowhere.
"Hayley!! You really should stop doing that," I blurted out.
"Sorry, darling!" Hayley said, looking at me with her cute eyes.
"Whatever," I smirked and began to walk into the dorm, successfully avoiding whatever Hayley thought she saw.
"Uh, not too fast, Evly!" Jane stopped me, and at that point, I knew I was doomed. I hadn't seen their shadow at the party. How did they even get back before me?
"Mshell, huh?" Jane said with a mocking smile.
"What!
What's gotten into you guys?" I said, stalling as I entered the elevator.
Our suite was on the 89th floor, and the dorms were on 100 floors. Hayley and Jane kept asking questions until we reached our suite.
"There's nothing, guys. He likes someone," I blurted out loudly. Kaniz, Hanina, and Wafai all turned towards us.
"Welcome, Your Highness!" they all chorused, which was weird. They were never this formal. We had told them to leave all the honorifics outside the castle suites.
"Ahhh! What's this, a ball hit your head?" Hayley said, but they kept their heads bowed and didn't utter a word.
We then got talking, and they told us that some senior student had reported a disrespectful castle servant, and she was immediately dismissed by the authorities. Now they made new rules that every castle servant should use honorifics at any time and must under no condition disrespect their royals.
"Khloe, I never liked her. Once our paths crossed, and ever since then, I knew she was trouble," Jane said in disgust.
"Poor girl. I wonder how she must feel," I said.
"Sorry to the girl. To hell with Khloe. Let's brighten up, okay? This is Crowns Academy. Why are you even surprised?" Hayley said. Then she turned to the castle servants.
"You guys don't have to worry about anything. Just stay clear from the likes of Khloe, okay?"
They all nodded. Hayley was right. Crowns Academy was always right. The royal before anyone else. That was meant to be a good thing, but right now, it's just messed up.
"Rise and shine, my loves! Today, we are all going to work out!" Hayley's voice was so loud it woke us all in the suite.
I wonder how she has so much energy. Oh yeah, she is an athlete. I forgot. She plays handball, which at Crowns is a female game.
"Hayley, isn't it too early for this? Yesterday was a long night," Jane mumbled from her bed.
Yesterday was indeed a late night, and it just dawned on me that I hadn't eventually told the girls whom Mshell liked. I'm glad I was able to avoid it. I promised Mshell that I would put in a good word for him with Hayley, but she has been a little obsessed with the blonde lately.
"It's a bloody weekend, Hayley," I said, turning on my bed.
After a lot of mumbling and turning, we were finally dressed in our "workout fit," as Hanina would say. It was hopeless to argue with Hayley.
When we arrived at the gym, I could have sworn we lost 10kg. Hayley made us jog from the dorm to the gym, and trust me, it was a huge distance.
"Working out, ladies?" Carlo said as he approached us. My jaw dropped. He was shirtless, of course, and his body! Oh, Lord! He was dripping with sweat and still smelled so good. His belly was folded into six forms—what a pleasant sight.
"What does it look like?" Hayley said with a very weird smirk. They both exchanged weird glances. Jane and I just kept looking at them in awe.
"Okay, guys, make sure you all enjoy your workout," Hayley said and left with Carlo.
"Wow, Hayley woke us up on a beautiful Saturday morning, made us jog to the gym, just to leave us and walk away with that sexy blonde?" Jane said, a little loud.
"You think Carlo is sexy?" Mello said from behind us.
"I mean, you are not blind, are you, Mell?" I said, trying to save Jane from the situation even though I knew she got this.
"Oh, Jare! I didn't even see you there," Mello said, looking down at me and trying to point out the height difference.
Jane just smirked and said, "I'm going for a swim. You both have a nice time."
Jane was a goddess of the sea. Sometimes it seemed like she was born in the water.
"How can someone have a body like that?" I asked, facing Carlo. He and Hayley were on the treadmill. The Gym at Crowns was extremely large, with every workout tool you could think of and an indoor large pool.
"I thought you had deeps on Mshell?" Mello said.
"What! Who told you that?" I said, almost screaming.
"I'm very observant, Jare. I hope you haven't forgotten that. Plus, you weren't exactly hiding it, were you?" Mello asked.
Of course, I hadn't. Mello had to be the most observant person I know, and I believe that even more now.
"There's nothing like that, Mell," I said in defense.
"You must tell yourself that. Why, though?" he asked, looking directly at me.
Oh, I hate it when he is right. But I don't even know myself. Do I like Mshell?
I don't like him, right? These feelings I'm having, is that what it feels like to like someone? It's really strange.
"I don't like Mshell," I finally said to Mello, looking straight into his eyes.
"Wow, you must not know? Well, when you do realize it, I'll be here, okay?" he said as he patted me on the head.
Just then, Jane was coming out of the pool. She was in a purple swimsuit that blended well with her dark skin. As she came out of the pool, it was as though she was walking in slow motion, and her curves were revealed as she was dripping with water. Mello's eyes lit up. I liked how he looked at her; it was beautiful. I wonder how he must feel.
"Do you like her that much?" I asked, staring at him as he stared at her.
"More than you can imagine, Jare," he replied, not taking his eyes off her.
"How does it feel?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Beautiful and breathtaking, something I can't just let go of. You can only understand how I feel when you experience it too. I hope you eventually do," he said.
Well, see you, Jare. I've got to go cover my girl up before someone else gazes too long," Mello said as he took a robe and approached Jane, his eyes filled with affection.
I watched them from a distance, feeling a mix of emotions. It was heartwarming to see Mello care for Jane so deeply, but it also made me question my feelings for Mshell. Could it be that I liked him more than I wanted to admit?
Shaking off those thoughts, I decided to join Hayley and Carlo, who were still working out together. As I approached, Hayley flashed me a mischievous grin.
"Finally decided to join us, Evly?" she teased.
"I had no choice. You dragged us here, remember?" I retorted playfully.
Hayley and Carlo continued their workout routine, but I couldn't help but notice how well they clicked. They had this natural camaraderie that made everything feel effortless. I envied their friendship and wished I could have something similar with Mshell.
As I immersed myself in the workout, I tried to push away the confusing feelings inside me. Why was everything so complicated? Why couldn't I figure out my own heart?
After our workout session, we all gathered by the pool to cool down and relax. The sun was shining brightly, and the water shimmered like diamonds. Jane and Mello joined us, Jane looking radiant and carefree in her element.
As the day went on, we laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed each other's company. Mello and Jane seemed inseparable, and I found myself becoming more at ease with Mshell's presence. He was charming and witty, and the initial awkwardness between us had dissipated.
The evening came, and we decided to head back to our dorms. Walking back, Mshell and I found ourselves trailing behind the others, lost in conversation.
"I had a great time today," Mshell said, breaking the silence.
"Me too," I replied, smiling genuinely.