Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 13408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 67(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13408 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 67(@200wpm)___ 54(@250wpm)___ 45(@300wpm)
Deciding to ignore the gossip and such, I load up my groceries and put them in the tail end of my truck. Looking at the time, I see I have a few minutes for the half-off beers left, so I drive towards the bar. On the way, I passed a lot of trucks at city hall, and once again, my curiosity peaked. I walk inside the bar, and everything is buzzing. “Yo Chris, welcome back. I heard you were up in Sealandia.”
“I was. They needed some help with navigation training. But I'm back now. Can I have a Lager please?”
“Sure thing.” I am sitting here trying to ignore that I was with Anya the last time I was here. “Here you go, buddy.”
“Thank you,” I say, grabbing the beer and taking a swig. “Hey, what is going on? Everyone seems to be up in arms about something.” He looks at me like I am somehow new to town.
“You really have been gone. Well a scandal broke out a couple of weeks ago which resulted in a number of firings within the royal chamber.”
“No shit. I wonder what happened.” He shrugs.
“I'm not really sure about that, but it seems there is going to be a press conference to tell us all about it in the next few minutes.” For a second, my heart begins to skip thinking of seeing her face, and then it drops, remembering the Royals hardly ever do their own press. It will probably be a mouthpiece.
It is amazing how easy it is for the things you ran from to show up in the same spot when you return. The problem is the memories are also in my home. Hell. I am going to have to move. Throwing back my last sip, I slam it on the bar and reach back to grab my wallet when I look up and see the one face that can bring me to my knees. Anya. “Hey, turn that up.” I motion to the TV. Nodding, he grabs the remote, and the whole room quiets down. Now, there is only her voice. The voice that gave me many hard-ons is filling this space.
“I know you all have questions but please allow me to make a statement beforehand. A few weeks ago I met a man, a nice hardworking man who grew up here in our orphanage. As he told me of his childhood and his experience…”
I check out the rest of what she is saying because my eyes are more concerned about how pale she looks. She looks ill. She looks sad, and she looks like I feel… miserable. Love shouldn’t make you feel miserable, right? Love? As soon as the word flies through my head, I jerk back, and dizziness hits me. Love. I love her. I am in love with Anya, Princess of Evergreen. Holy shit. I am such a dumbass. How did I not realize it until now?
I am up out of my seat before I can think straight. It's not until I am in my car that I pause and ask myself. “Does she love you back?” My mind flashes scenes of our two days together like the best movie I’ve ever seen.
Those days are like a broken record in my head, the pictures clear yet faraway, but as I go over them, what I assumed was just fun could have been love and happiness. I know that is what it was for me. “Screw it.” I start up the truck and drive the five minutes to the steps of city hall. When I get out of my truck I see her talking to someone not a part of the press, and I assume the press conference is over. “Anya,” I yell her name over the crowd of people. Pushing my way through people, I call her name again. “Anya.” She turns immediately and calls my name.
“Christopher. Christopher.” I push through a couple dozen reporters, and finally, I stand before the keeper of my happiness. She locks eyes with me and runs right into my arms. “Oh my God, Christopher. I thought I would never see you again.” She cries into my chest. Everything in me calms down like the sea when the storm has passed. Holding her is everything. “You finally called me Anya.”
“I know. It took me a minute to realize what this is.” I move her hair from her face and kiss her little red nose.
“And what is it?” She asks, biting her lip with a hint of doubt. I hate that I am the one who put that there, but I am going to take it away now.
“Love,” I tell her before lifting her into my arms and kissing her. Suddenly, I see flashing lights, and people are asking more questions. “Oh shit. Is the press conference not over?” Giggling, she shakes her head no before kissing me once more. When she starts wiggling, I let her down.