Why Not Us

Tanner's POV

Tanner was on his way to the ballroom for choir practice after making a detour for a bottle of water. He carried it down the hall and passed the royal family's kitchen but heard laughing so he backtracked and stared at the Crown Prince who sat there, still in his navy and gold patterned pajama pants and black t-shirt, and had just stopped laughing when he noticed Tanner. They smiled at each other quickly and Tanner waved at him then carried on walking to the ballroom with the smile still plastered on his face. For all he knew he could also be blushing, but who cares?

The ballroom was cold when he sat down after being called in. He only sat down for a minute before Madam Fernandez called him over while shooing an unknown person out the door. She handed him a copy of It Takes A Fool To Remain Sane and he quickly looked it over before she was signaling him to start.

When he was done Madam Fernandez nodded her head and thanked him then called a new person in while dismissing him. He left hoping he made an impression and would get the solo. His audition had only taken a few minutes so he decided to explore a new area of the palace.

Tanner was walking down a hall when he heard people walking. He decided to see who it was and that's how he found himself watching the Crown Prince get ushered through a corridor towards a room set up for what looked to be an interview. Tanner stood there trying to hide himself while he watched what was happening, he saw Bailey sitting on an antique-looking chair.

"Crown Prince, was it you in the photo?" The black-haired man asked Bailey.

"Yes sir," He said with a forced smile.

"Are you in fact dating Maisie Henderson?" The man now asked.

"Oh, no, she is just my childhood friend." He said looking slightly annoyed, "And I doubt we will become more than friends," he finished.

Tanner heard the whole interview, with the Prince denying he was dating his friend Maisie and getting a few questions about his upcoming galas. When it ended he quickly walked away to his room hoping no one had noticed his presence.

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Tanner's phone rang for a few moments before his mom picked up.

"Mama, how are you doing?" He asked, smiling.

"Good, but me and your sister have to stay here for another month, your aunt broke her arm," She said. Tanner nodded and they continued talking and he was able to tell her about how it's been at the palace. He didn't mention his conversations with the prince though. Tanner felt a little bitter about not being able to see his family for a month but at least they were having fun.

They eventually hung up and Tanner stayed laying in bed scrolling on his phone until dinner came. It was a staff dinner so he had to change back into his staff uniform before jogging down the hall to the stairs. He stepped through the open doors and sat down next to Esther and Walter.

"Good to see you all here," Madam Fernandez said from the middle of the room.

"I have picked a soloist for the first gala," She said looking at our anticipated filled faces, "Please congratulate Tanner Peirce for getting the solo!". Shock rose through his body while people around him clapped. He thanked her and everyone carried on with the dinner.

When everyone finished their dinner they were dismissed and Tanner went to his room to relax and slowly fall asleep.