The Shirley Temple
"Hey can you get me a drink?... yes my usual."
Huckle Seeds's tavern, a great place for the drunkard and the... odd. Guess that's why I fit in around this place. At least the odd part... I'm still underage to have anything, fun. Most people within the kingdom are red heads, besides the princess and me. Yeah I know the lowest female in the food chain, and the highest. Gotta love brunette hair with natural bleach blonde streaks.
A crash sounded from around my preferential vision. A red haired boy's black hood flew off as a broader guy slammed to the wall at his throat. "What do you mean you don't have it?" I took another sip of my shirley temple as others' eyes began to open up to the scene. "You promised to have the money... I want the money!"
"Shh, shh. Hold it up, the money will come. I told you I have my ways with money..." I watched in waiting... what could the red-head possibly mean? Of course Rover... not much else could be meant. Rover was a name that had begun to be well... known. No one knew where he had come from though, just like a cars head lights... he only showed up at night. Which is what gave him the calling of Rover.
Bang and my thoughts were broken through. A glass bottle had crashed open letting wine run down the wood ledges and over all the guests around. Rover's red hair whipped behind him and then back towards his attacker. "Hey," his eyes seemed to glower with anger, "watch where you aim that thing. You're wasting valuable wine!" The broader man raised the gun again, but I'm not even sure I was able to see the next movement. All I know as that Rover held the broad man's arm and a fair sized hole lay in the ceiling. "Ooo, expensive bill don't cha think."
With a curse the guy went to sock Rover, but Rover was quicker. The attacker's face spun to face me and a loud crack sounded from his nose. Followed by a trail of blood down his face. "I don't recommend trying that again," under his breath I swore I heard, "peasant..."
The man just looked up, "Sordid outsider." Spitting into Rover's face before he stormed out the door with a slam.
The tavern went quiet before almost all the girls ran to kiss at the red-head's feet I gave a groan and went back to listening to my Ipod while sipping more of my shirley temple. Men and they're glory from women... absolutely, "Ridiculous."
"What's ridiculous," I jumped and turned my face almost to hit noses with the red haired teen. Looking up at Rover's ice blue eyes I felt entranced with something incomprehensible. Those eyes... where? Before my thought could be finished he took my hand and kissed it ardently. "Not many women are able to just sit while others... well can't learn to just stand up." I gave a smirk at that part.. but I had no other words to say. I mean I know all that would come out would be pathetic muttering.
"Lost for words?" I glared at him and shook his hand away to sip my drink again. At least something was good... even if it was just a small drink.
Loud rumbles sounded from outside and the front door slammed open. And all eyes including my bright green eyes faced the group lead by a broken nosed fellow. He pointed at Rover and a wicked smile came and he whispered something to a guy beside him. His frightening eyes were on me.
"You coming beautiful?" Rover's eyes looked from me to a back hallway. I looked from this rebellious guy and back to the wicked smile. Without a second thought I grabbed Rover's hand and he pulled me off the stool. My feet went sideways as we rounded the corner.
"My drink!?" His face turned to be with a blatant look of really? Before he opened the metal door to the starlit sky. The metal gave a loud crash behind us, and Rover grabbed a large trash can and barricaded it infront of the door. "Now what do you have in plan?"
Rover gave a fake look of hurt, "You have no trust in me babe." I go to slap him with my echoed gasp. "Just a joke!" The metal door gave sounds of banging and without another thought Rover grabbed me by by wrist and pulled me towards the end of the alleyway. Feet pounded... and echoes sounded around us, or maybe behind us. My head pounded as blood rushed to my ears.
It felt like hours before we were able to stop. And in another alleyway... great just great. Rover looked around and leaned against the wall, his lip ring popped in and out as his tongue licked against it. "You've got a good run." I smirked and sat against the wall opposite of him. He looked at his watch and cursed under his breath. "Let me get you home, and then... well I'll have to run."
"I'm good to go from here..." what was with his voice, so familiar. So... warm. But mostly just familiar. He looked around and then ran off, but he gave a small look back at me before disappearing into the shadows. And then I knew... I knew. Gosh I wished I had my drink to sip. It couldn't be possible. No, no not possible. I got up though anyways and began to walk in the direction I needed to go. A bright marble castle in the distance seemed to brighten the dark streets of the Huckle Seed kingdom.
A carriage rushed up to the gates. And boy did I feel vulnerable standing there around a corner. Sure enough though... a red-haired boy stepped out of the carriage. And was met by a girl in a ball gown dress with jet black hair. He lifted the girl's hand and kissed it tenderly. Princess Rose, and Rover.... no not Rover.... Prince Fredrick. No longer in his black skinny jeans and tank top, but a tux, and polished shoes. I looked from side to side, I knew Rover's secret. A secret know one else knew. My head spinning I backed up slowly and rushed away. Somewhere, anywhere but here. I desperately wanted a sip of that drink back at the tavern.
I woke up with the sound of birds. And a blinding sun in my abandoned building's windows. I couldn't get those sights out of my head. What, why... who? So many questions, so many things, so... so many thoughts within my head. My head pounded, and I desperately needed a drink for some reason. Reality just can suck sometimes. Throughout the say I kicked rocks around the ground. My tiny self got pushed between large crowds, again people knew me for my brunette, bleached streaked hair. Not hard to miss right? Finally as the sun began to set I found my way to the music blasting tavern. The red-haired boy was already there. And without catching his eye I rushed over to the bar to get a shirley temple.
"Avoiding me now?" I jumped at his voice and turned.
"No," he raised an eyebrow, "I just wanted to get my drink. Rover looked at me hard. And for once in my life life I took charge. Grabbing him by the arm I toppled over my drink, and walked him over to a quieter part of the tavern. "You... you, how!?" He looked at me confused, "Oh for gawd sakes Fre-" He slammed his palm on my mouth and mouthed silently, how?
I didn't have the heart to say anything, and how could I say I followed him... and saw him with the princess. It wasn't hard to figure out the rest. But his eyes showed worry, because he knew. "You... you followed me?" I shook my head, because I didn't officially follow him. "Then how?"
His eyes... when he looked back. Could I say that though? Would he believe me? "Your eyes..." Was all I could say. And he nodded without question. "I just ended up... I wanted to make sure afterwards. And well, I was right."
"You won't tell though right? Rose... she'd never be able to take it." I shook my head and looked at him with a chuckle.
"And let her know you're a rebellious guy, and not a tuxised prince. What would be the fun in that?"
His eyes widened with an expression I'd never seen before. "Thank you." He wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my forehead. In a state of shock I looked at him without truly knowing what happened. I felt so vulnerable in his arms. For once, no sip of shirley temple could compare to this. My face turned red and as I looked at him so was his.
And then my desire for a drink came again... but I looked at him. "Rose...? Y-you're betrothed to her are you not?"
"Not by choice," his voice was bitter. "I had no choice... I was forced to choose one of to woman. Rose... or you."
"Me? Why?"
He sat back on the cushion, his arm still held around me, "You are far more beautiful then Rose. My father.... doesn't agree, you are odd. Ordinary, and fun. He wants me to be a man. And as far as he knows... I am. Rover... is just a man to be around you. And to continue to have fun as who I am."
"A rebellious, fun loving teen... what's so bad about that?"
"I'm a prince... that means. My fun life is over before the rest of you."
And my response was never to be forgotten in my mind. "Then let me show you how because you can still have fun if you stay around me." His ice blue eyes rested on my green ones, and I melted into an unknowing warmth. "Is there a way?"
His face fell, "Maybe in a few years when I can change things without getting either of us in trouble."
"Could you convince your father..."
"But Rose."
I figured out the next part, "You care for her." he lowered his head in response. "Obviously that would be a yes."
"But... I care for you. I had before." He sat up, "I could ask my father... maybe if I admitted the truth."
My heart pounded as more music rushed through the crowded tavern, "Would you be safe?"
He nodded and then pulled me in closer, "Meet me in the back alley we left off yesterday... if I'm not there by sunset... run away. I will find you. I promise." I gave a nod, and he gave me one last hug and small kiss before leaving me with the craving for another sip of shirley temple. And the wish to know what would happen tomorrow.
For the next day it started just like the day before. Except for the fact of a feeling of hopefulness. Not one person who pushed me down or gave me the look of hideousness could wipe away my anxiousness. Or a small smile.
By the last light of day I had sat in that alleyway for at least an hour early. And another hour pasted hen I heard loud footsteps. I hid behind something as shoes slid against the concrete ground. A shadow loomed down the alleyway. And my breath caught, "Starlina?" My name... no one knew my name. No... one could, one who had been keeping his eye on me for a long time.
I jumped up and was caught in by ice blue eyes, "Rover... you came."
"Of course I did," his voice was soft and full of warmth. Hugging me close he looked at the sky. "Be my queen... but be ready for nothing to ever be the same."
"You act like I would complain with things being different," he shushed me up and looked around, "Queen... wait."
"I'd rather run away with you then own the Huckle Seed Kingdom. Come with me?"
I grinned and hugged him back, "Gladly." He pulled me into his arms and pressed his soft lips to mine. And this truly would never compare to the shirley temple of the tavern. Reality right now, could never be better than the fizz of a drink.
"Hey can you get me a drink?... yes my usual."
Huckle Seeds's tavern, a great place for the drunkard and the... odd. Guess that's why I fit in around this place. At least the odd part... I'm still underage to have anything, fun. Most people within the kingdom are red heads, besides the princess and me. Yeah I know the lowest female in the food chain, and the highest. Gotta love brunette hair with natural bleach blonde streaks.
A crash sounded from around my preferential vision. A red haired boy's black hood flew off as a broader guy slammed to the wall at his throat. "What do you mean you don't have it?" I took another sip of my shirley temple as others' eyes began to open up to the scene. "You promised to have the money... I want the money!"
"Shh, shh. Hold it up, the money will come. I told you I have my ways with money..." I watched in waiting... what could the red-head possibly mean? Of course Rover... not much else could be meant. Rover was a name that had begun to be well... known. No one knew where he had come from though, just like a cars head lights... he only showed up at night. Which is what gave him the calling of Rover.
Bang and my thoughts were broken through. A glass bottle had crashed open letting wine run down the wood ledges and over all the guests around. Rover's red hair whipped behind him and then back towards his attacker. "Hey," his eyes seemed to glower with anger, "watch where you aim that thing. You're wasting valuable wine!" The broader man raised the gun again, but I'm not even sure I was able to see the next movement. All I know as that Rover held the broad man's arm and a fair sized hole lay in the ceiling. "Ooo, expensive bill don't cha think."
With a curse the guy went to sock Rover, but Rover was quicker. The attacker's face spun to face me and a loud crack sounded from his nose. Followed by a trail of blood down his face. "I don't recommend trying that again," under his breath I swore I heard, "peasant..."
The man just looked up, "Sordid outsider." Spitting into Rover's face before he stormed out the door with a slam.
The tavern went quiet before almost all the girls ran to kiss at the red-head's feet I gave a groan and went back to listening to my Ipod while sipping more of my shirley temple. Men and they're glory from women... absolutely, "Ridiculous."
"What's ridiculous," I jumped and turned my face almost to hit noses with the red haired teen. Looking up at Rover's ice blue eyes I felt entranced with something incomprehensible. Those eyes... where? Before my thought could be finished he took my hand and kissed it ardently. "Not many women are able to just sit while others... well can't learn to just stand up." I gave a smirk at that part.. but I had no other words to say. I mean I know all that would come out would be pathetic muttering.
"Lost for words?" I glared at him and shook his hand away to sip my drink again. At least something was good... even if it was just a small drink.
Loud rumbles sounded from outside and the front door slammed open. And all eyes including my bright green eyes faced the group lead by a broken nosed fellow. He pointed at Rover and a wicked smile came and he whispered something to a guy beside him. His frightening eyes were on me.
"You coming beautiful?" Rover's eyes looked from me to a back hallway. I looked from this rebellious guy and back to the wicked smile. Without a second thought I grabbed Rover's hand and he pulled me off the stool. My feet went sideways as we rounded the corner.
"My drink!?" His face turned to be with a blatant look of really? Before he opened the metal door to the starlit sky. The metal gave a loud crash behind us, and Rover grabbed a large trash can and barricaded it infront of the door. "Now what do you have in plan?"
Rover gave a fake look of hurt, "You have no trust in me babe." I go to slap him with my echoed gasp. "Just a joke!" The metal door gave sounds of banging and without another thought Rover grabbed me by by wrist and pulled me towards the end of the alleyway. Feet pounded... and echoes sounded around us, or maybe behind us. My head pounded as blood rushed to my ears.
It felt like hours before we were able to stop. And in another alleyway... great just great. Rover looked around and leaned against the wall, his lip ring popped in and out as his tongue licked against it. "You've got a good run." I smirked and sat against the wall opposite of him. He looked at his watch and cursed under his breath. "Let me get you home, and then... well I'll have to run."
"I'm good to go from here..." what was with his voice, so familiar. So... warm. But mostly just familiar. He looked around and then ran off, but he gave a small look back at me before disappearing into the shadows. And then I knew... I knew. Gosh I wished I had my drink to sip. It couldn't be possible. No, no not possible. I got up though anyways and began to walk in the direction I needed to go. A bright marble castle in the distance seemed to brighten the dark streets of the Huckle Seed kingdom.
A carriage rushed up to the gates. And boy did I feel vulnerable standing there around a corner. Sure enough though... a red-haired boy stepped out of the carriage. And was met by a girl in a ball gown dress with jet black hair. He lifted the girl's hand and kissed it tenderly. Princess Rose, and Rover.... no not Rover.... Prince Fredrick. No longer in his black skinny jeans and tank top, but a tux, and polished shoes. I looked from side to side, I knew Rover's secret. A secret know one else knew. My head spinning I backed up slowly and rushed away. Somewhere, anywhere but here. I desperately wanted a sip of that drink back at the tavern.
I woke up with the sound of birds. And a blinding sun in my abandoned building's windows. I couldn't get those sights out of my head. What, why... who? So many questions, so many things, so... so many thoughts within my head. My head pounded, and I desperately needed a drink for some reason. Reality just can suck sometimes. Throughout the say I kicked rocks around the ground. My tiny self got pushed between large crowds, again people knew me for my brunette, bleached streaked hair. Not hard to miss right? Finally as the sun began to set I found my way to the music blasting tavern. The red-haired boy was already there. And without catching his eye I rushed over to the bar to get a shirley temple.
"Avoiding me now?" I jumped at his voice and turned.
"No," he raised an eyebrow, "I just wanted to get my drink. Rover looked at me hard. And for once in my life life I took charge. Grabbing him by the arm I toppled over my drink, and walked him over to a quieter part of the tavern. "You... you, how!?" He looked at me confused, "Oh for gawd sakes Fre-" He slammed his palm on my mouth and mouthed silently, how?
I didn't have the heart to say anything, and how could I say I followed him... and saw him with the princess. It wasn't hard to figure out the rest. But his eyes showed worry, because he knew. "You... you followed me?" I shook my head, because I didn't officially follow him. "Then how?"
His eyes... when he looked back. Could I say that though? Would he believe me? "Your eyes..." Was all I could say. And he nodded without question. "I just ended up... I wanted to make sure afterwards. And well, I was right."
"You won't tell though right? Rose... she'd never be able to take it." I shook my head and looked at him with a chuckle.
"And let her know you're a rebellious guy, and not a tuxised prince. What would be the fun in that?"
His eyes widened with an expression I'd never seen before. "Thank you." He wrapped his arms around me, and kissed my forehead. In a state of shock I looked at him without truly knowing what happened. I felt so vulnerable in his arms. For once, no sip of shirley temple could compare to this. My face turned red and as I looked at him so was his.
And then my desire for a drink came again... but I looked at him. "Rose...? Y-you're betrothed to her are you not?"
"Not by choice," his voice was bitter. "I had no choice... I was forced to choose one of to woman. Rose... or you."
"Me? Why?"
He sat back on the cushion, his arm still held around me, "You are far more beautiful then Rose. My father.... doesn't agree, you are odd. Ordinary, and fun. He wants me to be a man. And as far as he knows... I am. Rover... is just a man to be around you. And to continue to have fun as who I am."
"A rebellious, fun loving teen... what's so bad about that?"
"I'm a prince... that means. My fun life is over before the rest of you."
And my response was never to be forgotten in my mind. "Then let me show you how because you can still have fun if you stay around me." His ice blue eyes rested on my green ones, and I melted into an unknowing warmth. "Is there a way?"
His face fell, "Maybe in a few years when I can change things without getting either of us in trouble."
"Could you convince your father..."
"But Rose."
I figured out the next part, "You care for her." he lowered his head in response. "Obviously that would be a yes."
"But... I care for you. I had before." He sat up, "I could ask my father... maybe if I admitted the truth."
My heart pounded as more music rushed through the crowded tavern, "Would you be safe?"
He nodded and then pulled me in closer, "Meet me in the back alley we left off yesterday... if I'm not there by sunset... run away. I will find you. I promise." I gave a nod, and he gave me one last hug and small kiss before leaving me with the craving for another sip of shirley temple. And the wish to know what would happen tomorrow.
For the next day it started just like the day before. Except for the fact of a feeling of hopefulness. Not one person who pushed me down or gave me the look of hideousness could wipe away my anxiousness. Or a small smile.
By the last light of day I had sat in that alleyway for at least an hour early. And another hour pasted hen I heard loud footsteps. I hid behind something as shoes slid against the concrete ground. A shadow loomed down the alleyway. And my breath caught, "Starlina?" My name... no one knew my name. No... one could, one who had been keeping his eye on me for a long time.
I jumped up and was caught in by ice blue eyes, "Rover... you came."
"Of course I did," his voice was soft and full of warmth. Hugging me close he looked at the sky. "Be my queen... but be ready for nothing to ever be the same."
"You act like I would complain with things being different," he shushed me up and looked around, "Queen... wait."
"I'd rather run away with you then own the Huckle Seed Kingdom. Come with me?"
I grinned and hugged him back, "Gladly." He pulled me into his arms and pressed his soft lips to mine. And this truly would never compare to the shirley temple of the tavern. Reality right now, could never be better than the fizz of a drink.