One Night with the Prince (7 page)

Chapter twelve

Anna

Sunlight filtered through the white see-through curtains, warming my face in a nice way. I smiled with my eyes shut and stretched like a cat while still huddled in the fluffy comforter.

I peeped my eyes open and groaned before I sat up lazily. I patted down my bed hair, and stood up swaying slightly from lying down for so long. Walking to the attached bathroom, I rubbed my eyes and looked at the mirror and laughed at my reflection. My hair was sticking up in every direction.

I turned on the shower making it extra hot because who likes a cold shower? Well, unless it’s summer. Stripping down to my birthday suit I stepped in and sighed deeply. I shampooed myself in stuff that smelled like vanilla and berries.

Once I was done I felt more awake and ready to raise hell. I skipped to my closet that the staff here has so thoughtfully stocked up. I shuddered to think how they got my size, but shrugged it off. I picked up some dark fitted jeans and slipped on a blood red shirt where the sleeves came down my elbows, and pulled on some black ballet flats.

I heard some noises outside my door and opened it to hear that there was excited chatter in the opening downstairs. I saw some of the girls huddled around Elise smiling and giggling. She saw me and grinned like a cat looking at a canary.

“Hello Annie.” She sneered. I scoffed, rolling my eyes and crossing my arms.

“It’s Anna.” I corrected. She rolled her eyes at me.

“Whatever. I was just telling the other girls here about my night with Zachias.” She smirked. My eyes narrowed minutely with irritation but pushed it back. Why should I care?

“Yes? And?” I asked disinterested. She wasn’t happy about that I was disinterested in the subject.

“He couldn’t keep his hands off of me.” She said as she tried to goad me. I clenched my fists subconsciously and released them with a breath, knowing it was silly to react this way with a guy I can’t be with.

“Yeah? Well doesn’t surprise me.” I said with a sly smirk. She quirked an eyebrow
.
　

“Why? Because I’m so beautiful?” She flattered herself. I scoffed.

“Um no. Because you’re so easy.” I said easily. Some girls were laughing quietly, while Sydney, Carol, and Rachel were cracking up laughing. Sydney high fived me, and Elise looked murderous. Ha! Take that you swine!

“I’m easy?! Please! He was begging me for sex!” She defended. I started laughing so hard I was crying. Pounding my knee I couldn’t breathe.

“Woo! That was a good joke! Please! Tell me another one!” I cracked up. She was glaring at me with such hate I swear I could turn to stone.

“You have no idea who I am!” She yelled. I quirked an eyebrow.

“A hooker?” I offered. My new friends started laughing again. I faked yawned.

“You know, I grow tired of this witty banter, I shall take my leave!” I huffed in false sophistication, and flipped my hair while waltzing away. I heard her scream in frustration and I just sniggered under my breath. Sydney, Carol and Rachel followed my step as they laughed.

“Anna! That was hysterical!” Sydney laughed. We walked together down the hall.

“Where’s the breakfast in this beast of a home?” I asked as my stomach grumbled. Carol answered.

“Just down the south wing.” And she showed us the way. My eyes twitched at the thought of Elise and Zach together.
See what I mean?! He’s a player!
I stopped that train of thought. Sighing inwardly I realized I shouldn’t take Elise seriously unless Zach says otherwise. I wouldn’t want to be one of those stupid chicks from movies that jump to conclusions.

Wait. Why do I even care?! It should mean nothing to me if they are together. I shuddered at the thought.

“You okay?” Rachel asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, just a bit cold.” I lied. There was no way I was telling anyone about those jealous thoughts that I was so
not
jealous about! I mean yeah, he’s hotter than Arizona in July, and I would love to kiss those lips. I shook my head to stop those thoughts. I felt someone nudge me.

“Someone is having dirty thoughts about the prince!” Sydney sang. I elbowed her.

“I did not!” I said defensive. All three of them giggled and I groaned.

“Yes! Yes you did! You had that faraway look in your eye,
and
you were drooling!” She laughed. I blushed.

“Well can you blame me?! Yes, he’s hot but it doesn’t mean I like him! He’s arrogant!” I huffed. This was true, what I felt for him at the moment was just lust and nothing more.

“Who’s hot?” I heard a deep voice behind me. Crud muffin! I turned to see the Prince Player himself. Wait! No! Bad Anna! No judging unless proven!

“Demetrius! That’s who!” I said quickly. His eyes darkened slightly and I gulped. His eyes were piercing my very soul and if I wasn’t so determined to stay strong, I would have crumbled where I stood.

“You’re lying.” He stated simply. My eyes widened slightly, and I regained focus.

“Nope! Believe what you may, but Dem is just my type!” I lied again. Truth be told Zach was
exactly
my type of guy I’d go for, but sadly I can’t. Not if I want to get home sooner and without heartbreak. I felt him glare daggers at something behind me so I turned around and inwardly groaned.

“Hey Dem!” I said in false cheerfulness. He quirked an eyebrow and smirked as he came to me, placing an arm over my shoulder.

“What’s up Red?” He asked casually. He seemed oblivious to Zach who was looking like he wanted to melt Dem’s arm off my body. I shrugged indifferently.

“Oh nothing. We’re were just discussing how hot you were.”

He sputtered and choked on air. Sydney patted his back worriedly. After a moment he regained himself finally taking notice to Zach’s stare. He moved himself a couple steps away from me.

“Awww, really?” He chuckled nervously. “That’s, um, awesome?” He offered, not taking his eyes off Zach. I huffed annoyed.

“You can stop with the third degree thing Zach! You don’t have to be so jealous!” I smirked. He narrowed his eyes at me.

“I am not jealous.” He stated. But his left eye twitched giving his lie away. I was good at reading people. I gave him a challenging stare.

“Oh really? Well I guess you wouldn’t mind just Dem and I getting together later on today?” I sent him a sly grin. Dem looked uncomfortable.

“I don’t think-” He started but I stopped him.

“Oh, it should be fine! It’s just a, uh, play date of sorts between two friends.” I assured, looking at Zach the whole time.

“No. I guess I wouldn’t mind.” He spat between his teeth. I grinned in victory. Then turned to Dem who looked like he wanted to bolt.

“Do you think you could show me the gardens later on after lunch?” I asked fluttering my lashes at him. He grimly smiled and bobbed his head yes. I grinned and hugged him.

“Don’t be so afraid! I don’t like you like that.” I assured him, whispering in his ear. He looked back at me and chuckled, getting his sense of humor back.

“You’re a little trouble maker. You’re doing this just to rile him up aren’t you?” He asked under his breath so no one else but I could hear with amusement dancing in his eyes. I nodded happily. Riling up people is like a hobby of mine. Dem was also hot so that makes it a plus as well.

“Walk me to breakfast?” I asked sweetly. He chuckled and nodded. I tucked an arm under his leaving my friends and Zach to gape. I loved making waves.

“I like guys with shorter hair.” I said loud enough to goad Zach. I turned around to see his hand twitch, and laughed silently to myself.

“You’d marry me just to see him have an aneurysm wouldn’t you?” He asked, laughing. We were now far enough away where they couldn’t hear us anymore.

“You bet your prized goat I would!” I laughed. I would too! Zach’s more fun to mess with than Mr. Anderson. And that’s saying a lot! We reached the dining hall and I saw a buffet type thing laid out with different spreads of fruit, breakfast meats and bread.

Grabbing myself a heaping plate of strawberries and cantaloupe, I sat down by the window happily. Dem joined me moments later although his plate was full of meats. Ugh, men! I swear the majority of them are carnivores. I’m not a vegetarian, but I can survive without meat.

I picked up a large strawberry thinking about nothing in particular and brought it to my mouth biting the end of it slowly. “This is really good!” I exclaimed. I heard a chuckle next to me and looked up to see Dem looking amused. I gave him a questioning look.

“Lustful gaze two o’clock.” He murmured. I followed where he was looking and saw Zach staring at me with such longing that it made me feel nervous.

I smirked to myself and took the strawberry I had and motioned for Zach to come closer. He gulped and walked over. I heard Dem laugh under his breath. I held up the big piece of fruit, “You want a bite?” I asked wanting to laugh when he looked a little lost. I then proceeded to put the strawberry down his shirt and smash it so it squished into him. Dem was now trying not to laugh harder than he already was.

“You’re so devious!” He wheezed, highly amused that I was messing the heck out of his friend.

“Hasn’t your mother taught you it’s impolite to stare?” I talked back to Zach. I sucked on my finger where stray strawberry juice lingered with a cheeky grin. Hopping off the chair I grabbed another while Zach stood there shocked as I turned to Dem, and guided the fruit up to Dem’s mouth.

“Here, you try it.” I say with a sly smirk. He bit his lip to keep from laughing.

“You’re costing me my face.” He warned, but I could see humor in his eyes.

“Probably, but it’s such a pretty face, that he wouldn’t want to mess it up. So eat!” I ordered. He rolled his eyes laughing to himself, and took a slow bite while looking straight at me. Wow, he was good at this!

“Mmmm, yeah you’re right! That is delicious!” He said loudly. I heard a throat clear and we turned innocently to see a
very
ticked off looking Zach, and a lot of envious girls. Well, I guess I see why. Dem is hot, but not Zach hot. Wow, I just made a freakin Zach scale of hotness. Just perfect!

“What?” I asked innocently. Dem had to cough to hide his laughing, and wasn’t too successful. I rolled my eyes at Zach and continued with my breakfast ignoring the stares boring into my body.

Breakfast time came and went. I spent the rest of that morning getting to know my new friends better. Sydney was indeed from Ireland, and Carol was from Italy, while Rachel was from Spain. They all didn’t particularly want to be here. But if your family receives a request to do this competition then you do it. I guess it’s some great honor and privilege. Whatever. Seems like a sexist game to me! They told me on your night with Zach, you chose what you could wear from a specific wardrobe they have for this occasion, and you also get to choose what type of jewels you wear to bed.

I guess it’s all to impress him or whatever. I couldn’t care less! When it’s my turn, I’m not going to wear stinking jewelry to bed! That’s just uncomfortable! Well, maybe a necklace, but only if I really, really, really,
really
like it! What? I like jewelry, but I just think it’d be uncomfortable!

Well I was now lounging about in the open area below where we sleep, as everyone else either was off doing their own thing, or trying to bide Zach’s time with endless flirting. Bleh! So sickening!

“Hey there Red! What’s got your face twisted in a lovely scowl?” I heard Dem behind me. I smiled at him.

“Thinking about how many STD’s Zach is carrying.” I state.