"Part of me aches at the thought of her being so close yet so untouchable"
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6 months later
"Princess Erina, the Prince Jaidin is waiting for you" Lenny, Mother's former servant and now mine, stated as she gestured towards the door expectantly. It's funny really. She left me alone in Auradon with only a maid and a soon-to-be-husband after everything that has happened. Though, maybe they're just really, really busy. My gaze moved from the Isle of the Lost as I walked towards the door with a light smile painted on my face. I gave her a nod in affirmative before opening the golden door where a certain Prince stood behind the wooden barrier.
"Erina, you look sexy" Jaidin stated in awe, mouth agape. His golden-bronze eyes widened in complete astonishment as they wandered through my body. I chuckled lightly at him, shaking my head and making a few irritating strands fall out of my bubble bun. I watched his hand move towards my face to tuck the fallen tendrils behind my ear before grinning at me shamelessly.
"You really are the worst in compliments, Sultan" I rolled my eyes as he only smiled cheekily. A month ago, the former Sultan Aladdin and Sultana Jasmine crowned Prince Jaidin as the Sultan of Agrabah. And in 2 weeks, I'll be his Sultana. Jaidin grabbed my hand and kissed the skin. His lips lingered on me while his golden eyes look inside me, searching. My heart thudded in my chest as I look away from his intense gaze when suddenly a loud horn blared throughout the entire Auradon Prep signalling the arrival of the new students. Both of our eyes widened in horror, freezing in front of my room. Slowly, a smirk played on our lips before we run towards the front gate where King Ben and soon-to-be-Queen Mal await.
We are so screwed.
"Mal is going to kill us!" I ignored the warning bells currently ringing inside my head as Jaidin shouted behind me in terror and psychotic glee before I heard his footsteps fall harder and faster, completely leaving me behind.
"Faster, slowpoke, wouldn't want to anger the Dragon!" I rolled my eyes at his childishness as we skidded towards the corner where a few students loitered in the hallway. Pushing past the girls gossiping in the middle of the hall, an evil smirk grew on my face when my eyes fall on a flower vase standing on the corner beside a knight guard. Running faster, I shouted at Jaidin.
"Better watch where you're going, Addy!"
"Wait, wha- Ahh!" I burst into a fit of laughter when I saw his foot slip through the puddle of water. My feet slowed down when I caught up in his curled-up figure, giggling heartlessly at the agony painted on his face, groaning furiously at me as he rubbed the back of his head before shooting me daggers with his narrowing eyes.
"Oh my Poseidon! My hand slipped. Sorry" I faked sincerity as I outstretched my hand to him. His fingers grasped my hand, only for me to pull back while he fell down again in a mess. He glared at me, growling lowly while muttering curses. I watch him stagger slightly to stand up. I backed away quickly when I saw his arms move to reach for my body, making a face at him, I laugh sarcastically before speeding away.
"Better run faster, Addy! Don't want your fave boots burned to ashes" I teased chuckling evilly, remembering the time when Mal almost blew up to Jaidin yesterday when he messed around her dragon form. Luckily, he survived the Dragon's fire, unluckily, he was left with nothing but his boots. "Erina! I'm going to kill you!" He shouted at me in annoyance just as his footsteps behind me grew faster. I gasp for air as I reach the front gate, my breath loose while the ongoing excitement took my energy when suddenly I slammed on a hard wall making me stumble back. A set of arms encircled my waist pulling me in an embrace while a squeal of surprise left my lips. My hand grasp a set of wide shoulders. Definitely not a wall.
In a panic, I pushed myself away from the figure making me tumble to the ground. Oh, Poseidon! This is definitely humiliating. I wonder how Mother will react when she sees me so unprincess-like.
"Ha! That's what you get, you motherfu-"A clearing of throat emanated in front of me, cutting Jaidin off as he laughed maniacally. We both turned our gazes to the source of the voice, smiling cheekily at the sight of King Ben and Mal standing above me in alarm before they both glared at the snickering Jaidin for his word.
"Are you okay, Erina?" Ben asked me, ever the gentleman he is, before assisting me stand up.
"Yes," I nodded my head, straightening my pink floral dress of any wrinkle before looking at them in confusion, ignoring Jaidin's childish talks behind me.
"I thought we were supposed to be welcoming the children from the Isle, Ben" I started slowly in confusion, my eyes passing between him and Mal while Jaidin finally stopped talking and listen to the conversation, his face scrunched up questioningly.
"Yes, we were supposed to meet them at 7 in the morning. Given that you are both thirty minutes late, we decided to give them the tour ourselves" Mal interjected, shooting both of us a pointed look which we only replied with a sheepish smile. I scratched my neck nervously while Jaidin walked to stand closer to me, I can feel his arm snaking around my waist before he pulled me closer to his chest, presenting the most perfect couple of Auradon.
Remembering the unfamiliar figure who practically saved me from my demise, my eyes search behind them to thank the person but all I saw was a girl, probably twelve years old, looking at me mischievously with a set of crystal-like eyes. Almost the same as him.
A multitude of emotions rage through my veins, and I can feel my eyes flash as I heaved deeply. Hands clenched beside me while I tried to calm myself down. Breathing deeply, I massaged my forehead, slumping my body to Jaidin's chest.
"Are you alright, Erina?" Ben asked me, his eyes manoeuvring around my form before settling in my eyes. Waving my hand, I chuckle nervously. "I'm fine. Haha, I just didn't have any sleep, I guess"
Biting his lip, he nodded, leaving me alone. Though from the look of their eyes, I knew that they didn't believe me. Smiling tightly, I cleared my throat and speak in a cheerful tone. "So, what's her name?"
The girl raised her eyebrows at me, only shooting me a smirk but when she turned her gaze towards Jaidin, I was surprised when she sends him a seductive smile making him shuffle at his feet awkwardly. I choke in a chuckle before yelping in pain when Jaidin pinch my side hard. I turned to glare at him while he send me a cheeky grin, winking before glancing back at the couple in front of us.
"This is- Hey! Where is he?" Mal's voice asked frantically, her eyes scanning the hallway in panic. I can see the distress glinting in her eyes as she searched for the mystery person while Ben consoled her to no avail. My eyes stared at the unknown girl behind them who was smirking knowingly. There was something with this girl which I couldn't pinpoint making me crazy. He reminded me so much of him. I opened my mouth to speak when light thundering, lazy footsteps were heard from the darkened hallway beside us. All of us looked at the shadow in anticipation, when suddenly a familiar chuckle resounded in the entire hallway completely freezing me on the spot. My eyes widened as a series of emotions ignited from inside me. Joy. Love. Betrayal. Anger. Pain.
It all seemed to consume me as the figure slowly came to light. The hauntingly crystallised eyes continued to haunt me in my dreams. The red leather jacket swing with every step. The familiar hook glinting into the light. He's here.
Holy seahorse, he's really here.
Mal released a sigh of relief while my heart was slowly entangling itself with its vein among the enormous waves of erratic beating.
"Prince Jaidin, Princess Erina, I would like to introduce Harry and Haley Hook, children of Captain Hook"
Time seemed to completely stop as we stared at one another. Me in horror, and him in psychotic glee. I was frozen to the ground, my hands shaking wildly at my side while my lips were parted. I can't breathe. He hadn't changed one bit. After months of not seeing him, he hadn't changed at all. Red leather jacket, slightly ripped, hung loosely on his shoulders, on his right hand, he's gripping a familiar silver hook glinting under the lights of the Auradon Prep. A thick layer of eyeliner still aligned his familiar crystallized eyes that were twinkling mischievously at me and his soft, pink lips pulled into that familiar smirk. I swallowed the lump forming in my throat when a clearing of the throat pulled me out of my frozen state.
"Erina, babe, are you alright?" Addy asked from beside me, drawling the word 'babe' as he pulled me incredibly closer to him. His voice radiated a deep concern for me whereas his eyes were staring at Harry in confusion. I can feel his body stiffen behind me when Harry only looked at me, completely ignoring everyone.
No.
"Yes," I answered giving him a smile through gritted teeth, although I knew that he didn't believe me at all. Thousands of emotions overflowing my body right now, and I can feel that tight knotting in my stomach. I think I'm going to puke. Surprise, delight, dread, sorrow then fury. I clenched my jaw tightly, feeling the muscle ticked, before pulling another smile. A smile that I've been practising since I was just a mere child.
"Well, I guess, we can continue the tour?" the girl beside Harry, Haley- I think- questioned us, blowing a pink bubble gum on his mouth. Her eyes, now I know where I saw them, stared at me deeply, just like her brother, she was incredibly eccentric. Yet, behind those beautiful eyes, something dark waiting to play.
"Yes! Of course. I'm sorry. I was totally out of it today. You know, preparing for my wedding and whatnot" I exclaimed, letting out an annoying and exaggerated giggle to lessen the awkwardness that seemed to radiate in the atmosphere but it only seemed to worsen the mood. From the corner of my eyes, I can see Harry glowering when I spoke.
"Are you sure, Erina? We can continue without you if you're not feeling well" Ben asked me, concern glazing in his tone. I gave him a slight smile, my heart beating thunderously in my chest as I continued to ignore the burning gaze of a certain pirate standing beside me.
"Yes, I'm sure" I replied, clapping my hands to enhance my so-called glee. Everyone jumped in surprise, tainting my cheeks red while I turned back around and continued to walk, pulling Jaidin, with the others right behind me.
Somehow, in the middle of this endless tour, I found myself trailing behind the group. My gaze focused on my feet while Ben's voice seemed to echo from a faraway land. My body buzzed with butterflies and I couldn't keep the lump in my throat away. I just want to rewind everything and stop myself forever thinking about going to the Isle. Why is he here? After everything, what in the Poseidon's trident is he thinking of applying for the VK Day Auradon Prep scholars? I thought of every single memory I had of him, every touch, and kiss. Stop! Gritting my teeth, I shook my head to erase the thoughts when suddenly, someone grabbed my arm and pulled me into a darkened hallway. My mouth opened to curse the intruder, but a hand muffled my shrieks while a hard body pressed me into the wall.
"Shh, it's me, Princess" a hoarse voice whispered softly in my ear has me clenching my hand on his shirt. Realizing what was happening, my eyes widened in alarm before pushing him off me. Growling lowly to myself when I was met with the pirate I'd been ignoring the whole time.
What the hell does he think he's doing?
When I was a good foot away, my body relaxed, shoulders slumping on the wall behind me. I watch his hand with narrowed eyes moving towards my face to brush the little tendrils off my eyes, toe-clenching tingles started to travel where his hand touched my skin. I breathe deeply, closing my eyes when his hand fell to graze my lips a little before I pushed his hand away burying my face in my own hands. After a few moments, when Ben's voice can no longer be heard, I turned to stare at the wall behind him, I don't want to know what will happen if I look him straight in his eyes. "What do you want, pirate?"
"I want to know why you've been ignoring me, Princess" I sneered at his statement, before letting out a sarcastic laugh.
"Are you seriously asking me that, pirate?" I glared at him disdainfully. My lips pulled backwards when I saw him taking a step closer. My hand shot towards his broad shoulder trying to push him away forcefully but with one flick of his fingers, he managed to disregard my grip while encircling his arm around my waist. This is what I hated about him, even after almost killing me, he still managed to make me weak on my knees. He pressed his body to mine harder while his hand caught mine in a deathly grip.
"Let me go" I whispered furiously.
"I want to talk" I laughed at that, shaking my head.
"There's nothing to talk about" I whispered again, not wanting anyone to hear us before struggling in his hold. A flash of memory sparked through my mind.
"No! I trusted you, Harry. I gave you my heart. But you tore it from my chest and burned it to ashes. How could you do this to me? I- I thought you like me too. I couldn't believe I've ever loved you"
A ringing resounded in my ear. I let out a pained cry at the back of my throat when the constant sound started growing louder and louder. Harry released me immediately, eyes flashing in agony, but I was too disconcerted to think as I covered my ears.
"I wished I'd never left Auradon. I wished I never met you. I don't want to see you again, pirate"
"It was my plan"
"I love you, Erina"
A single tear rolled down my face before everything stopped. Total mind-numbing silence. I breathed heavily, my heartbeat moving frantically inside my chest while I straightened myself up as if nothing happened. I didn't look at him. I couldn't. I didn't want to see his face while he learned how much he destroyed me.
"We have nothing to talk about, pirate. After all, you got what you want. You've escaped the Isle. I have nothing to offer you anymore" I spoke lowly, my voice was void. Empty.
"Princess, I just–"
"Is he bothering you, love?" Jaidin's voice suddenly ricocheted beside us. My head snapped to his figure as he stood there. His stance is menacing as he glowered at Harry. In front of me, Harry straightened as well, rolling his shoulders as he stared Jaidin down. I could actually see testosterone floating in the air.
"No, I was just showing him the library" I dismissed, waving my hand carelessly. It wasn't actually a lie since the library door is practically right beside us at the moment. They ignored me, still in their staring match contest making me sigh.
"Let's go" I snap my fingers in front of them, cutting the tension off before sauntering towards the remaining group who, I can see, are on their way upstairs, probably to show their dormitories. My hands clenched into a fist and my body felt like it was burning in flames. I quickened my pace wanting everything to just stop.
I just want this all to end.
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Edited [06/14/22]