Why Not Us

Bailey's POV

"Night walks grand, yet silent,

Now hear its gentle wings,

In every room so hushed,

Whispering like wings.

Look, at our threshold stands,

White-clad with light in her hair,

Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!" The group of singers continued passionately.

Maisie led the group to the center of the ballroom and stood still with a proud smile plastered on her face. Right behind her, he could see the curly-haired boy of his dreams standing right under a painting of a mountain range. The Queen nudged his arm signaling him to clap and then go up to the podium.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming out tonight to help me look for the future of not only our country's crown," Bailey cleared his throat, "but also my future".

"Also a special thanks to the choir," He said staring into Tanner's eyes, "and to the amazing performers we just had!"

Bailey quickly shuffled down from the podium to the ballroom floor as the guests applauded. His parents gave him approving nods of their heads before he was pushed into the awaiting crowd.

He was practically dancing around the bodies of people he was being introduced to, trying to crawl away from everyone. By the end of the first hour, he thought he started hallucinating because everybody's faces started to look the same. And by the end of the gruesomely long second hour, he wanted to sweep Tanner off his feet and go back to his room away from everyone else. Finally, he was at the podium again after two and a half hours of endless meet and greets of potential suitors.

In his heart though, Bailey knew it was useless for these people to make the struggle of looking their absolute best to come to the palace because deep down he knew no one could take over the place held by Tanner in his heart.

Bailey ran away to his room as soon as he got the okay. He started to run water in the bath as he grabbed his pajamas and undressed. Right before getting into the warm water though, a knock came from his door. Knowing who it was he told them to come in.

"Nice singing earlier," Bailey said as he watched Tanner take off his slippers.

"You did great earlier too," He said, "can I join?"

He nodded while slipping under the bubbles covering the warm water. The slightly smaller framed man followed after him. The two of them sat in a comfortable silence while shampooing and conditioning each other's hair. After the water grew colder they drained the tub and were welcomed by the comfort of Bailey's dark grey towels.

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Bailey lazily opened his eyes to the sound of his alarm. Turning it off, he looked next to him at Tanner. Brushing the hair out of his face he heard knocking on his door.

"Who is it?" He hollered.

"It's me!" Said a familiar feminine voice.

His eyes widened, "One second!".

Shaking Tanner lightly he motioned for under the bed. Tanner's groggy state made it take what felt like forever before Bailey could tell the girl to come in while he fixed his joggers.

The door opened to reveal Maisie. He turned away from her quickly as he crouched down next to the bed shielding her from his quick shushing movement and then he picked up his phone.

"Geez it's only nine, why are you here?" He asked.

"Your mom told me to come over for something," She said looking around.

Bailey raised his eyebrow while she shrugged her shoulders in return.

"Come on out mystery boy," She said knocking on the wooden post of his bed.

Eyes popping open from Bailey he gasped. Tanner carefully slid out from underneath with an awkward smile and a confused look in his eyes.

"H-H-How?" He stuttered in astonishment.

"Slippers at the door, and two used towels in your hamper," She nodded.

The two of them returned the nod and Tanner quickly grabbed his things and went to his room.

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Bailey now stood outside the hall where he first saw Tanner. Except this time he stood next to Maisie and was also in a suit. His parents walked up to them and motioned for the doors to be opened. He very quickly noticed something different about the room but he couldn't tell what yet, but, he did know that people had been in there. He followed the Queen with his eyes glued to the floor, not daring to look at any of the paintings. Especially not the painting.

His father waved a hand in front of his face and then he felt the world go quiet. It was gone.

And then the world went dark. A loud thud pierced the hall walls.