Al
2025
“Maylee,” He starts softly, leaning his forehead against his palms. “What do you look like?” I stare at him for a moment, in shock. “Why do you want to know?”
“I just realized I have no idea how you look.”
“Well, I guess that’s true.”
“You could be a man with a girl's voice, for all I know.”
I laugh, my shock disappearing with his joke. “I can assure you I’m a female. I have hair, and two arms, and two legs, and a mouth—”
“Yeah, no kidding, you never shut up.”
“—Now what I want to know is where the prince of Ilha Dourada learnt such informal language from?”
He smirks, his eyes lighting up with a glint of mischief, and I am relieved to feel his shuddering has reduced slightly. “You’ll never know.”
“How mysterious.” My sarcastic comment does not go without repercussions.
“Says the mystery herself.” He turns his head towards me. “Left my island but won’t tell me why.”
“The fact that it is your island is the entire reason I won’t tell you.”
He pulls his brows closer together, his teasing expression replaced by one of confusion and curiosity. The prince’s duality is certainly impressive—I must remind myself never to go overboard with my teasing.
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Aurelia stifled a laugh. "This is too good..."
"The Pirate and the Prince, huh?" came a sarcastic voice, which she always imagined in place of Maylee's. "Have fun. I think you need it most now than ever."
"Haha, thanks Selena... so helpful."
"It's my pleasure!" she chirped back, rolling her eyes as she snatched the book from Aurelia's hands.
Aurelia watched as Selena snatched the book from her hands, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Hey, that's my book!" she protested, reaching out to retrieve it.
Selena held the book out of reach, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Not anymore. I'm borrowing it."
"But I'm in the middle of a good part!" Aurelia exclaimed.
"Too bad," Selena replied, feigning innocence. "I need something to read on my flight."
"You have a flight?" Aurelia asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I'm going home for the weekend," Selena explained. "My parents are throwing a party."
"Lucky you," Aurelia sighed. "I wish I could have that feeling of going home."
"You should," Selena suggested. "It's been a while since you've seen your family."
"We see my dad every day, almost. Perks of minoring in his subject."
"Not just your parents. Your extended family," Selena answered.
Aurelia hesitated. She knew they would love to see her, but she was also worried about leaving her friends behind.
"I don't know," she said, her voice filled with uncertainty. "I'm so busy with school and everything."
"You need a break," Selena insisted. "Besides, it's not like you're going to miss out on anything. We'll be here when you get back."
Aurelia smiled at her friend. Selena was always there for her, no matter what. She knew she was right. A weekend away would do her good.
"Okay, I'll go," she decided. "But I'll be back soon."
As Selena packed her bags, Aurelia couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness. She had grown so accustomed to having her friends around that the thought of being alone was daunting. She lost two friends last year, and didn't want to lose more.
She felt a bit like the prince. She had it all, but she had to blow it up for no reason. And now she was stuck, figuratively blind and clueless. The prince was blinded by lightning. She was blinded by ambition. She shrugged it off and decided to help Selena instead.
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