Crossed Paths

~A day earlier~

~Chaviv~

"Remember, you come from a line of royalty and you must behave like one, and sit up straight." Aunt Mary whacks my knee and I push myself up onto the leather seat. Already feeling uncomfortable and wanting to sit back low.

"Tía I don't want people knowing I'm royalty, I don't want special treatment. I'm just a regular guy attending college," I sigh out, running my hands through my hair.

"Stop doing that, I don't even know where you learned that," she says sternly, her jaw is ticking, she fishes out a comb from the small pocket of her apron and combs my hair back.

"Tía," I groan but sit still and let her comb my hair and just being glad that Mama didn't come along or I'd have two nervous women on my case. She finishes combing my hair into a slick back and nods proudly at her work "Now you look handsome."

She shoves the comb back into the apron before her eyes land on the next thing that needs fixing "Sweet Maria, metete tu camisa, you can't be looking all messy," her voice is tight as she starts tucking in my shirt.

"Tía," I protest again, "Don't Tía me–" she waves her little finger at me before going back to tucking in my shirt "–we haven't even arrived at the school and you're already slacking off." Her husband – Uncle Bruno – is looking at us through the rear view mirror, humor in his eyes. Glad he's enjoying the show.

Aunt Mary starts mumbling in spanish. Complaining about the clothes that she picked out. I bite my tongue and say nothing. I'm wearing a black dress shirt; I left few buttons undone so it doesn't feel like I'm being strangled, with a grey tight jean and dress shoes which I'll be switching out later into sneakers.

She now moves to button up my shirt and that was the final straw. I quickly held her hands in mine and looked into her soft brown eyes, a deep crease has formed between her eyebrows. I gently squeeze her hand, and in the most loving and respectful way I tell her, "Tía, te quiero but you're driving me crazy, toma respiraciones profundas."

I take a deep breathe and exhale. She follows me and breathes out, relaxing a bit before saying "Your Spanish needs work, we need to head back." Her husband cracks up laughing, she shoots her husband a look and he immediately goes quiet trying to hold back a laugh while I drop my head and chuckle.

Her hands are still in mine. I give her three squeezes; I love you. "Tía my Spanish is fine and you don't have to worry about me." I kiss both her hands but don't let go cause she'll go right back to fixing my shirt. I lean forward and kiss her forehead were a deep crease has formed.

"You shouldn't frown so much, it takes away your beauty." She gives me the look as if to say; my charms won't work on her. "I'm just worried about you and I don't want anything to happen to you," she says softly, looking down at the two golden bracelets embedded with sapphire's. I could hear my mothers voice loud and clear in my head when she gave them to me as a kid; "Under no circumstances do you take these off or break them, promise me Chaviv, I need you to promise me." Her tone was hard and her brown eyes searched my dark ones. "I promise mama."

"And nothing will happen. Trust me, I'll be careful," I reassured her and pull her into a hug.

She hugs back even tighter, like a mom who's not ready to let go of her son. "We're here," Uncle Bruno announces as we pull up to the university gates.

Aunt Mary pursed her lips together as we drive up the gravel road towards the entrance. There aren't any students outside, probably they're in classes. I guess I'll have to hold off on making friends for now.

"There's still time to turn back." I laugh and pat her hand before climbing out there car. I take in the student life smell and exhale. Things are about to change. I felt excited, nervous and many other emotions, after being confined behind castle walls for twenty-one years this was definitely the first time in a long time I felt excited for something.

Uncle Bruno and Aunt Mary file out the car after me and stand beside me. Uncle Bruno claps my shoulders and looks up at me proudly. Uncle Bruno is 5" 9' just about two inches shorter than me with strong brown eyes, a rugged look and his messy brown hair is always pulled into a messy slick back, he always runs his fingers through his hair and it drives Aunt Mary crazy.

His not much of a talker nor is my Father but he has his own way of showing his emotions. I smile at him, his been more than a father to me than my old man. Having to see him with that look, spread a warm feeling in my chest.

"I'll unload the boxes," he says, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze than walking off to unload the car. Aunt Mary remained and just watched the tall red brick building in front of us. I could see every emotion pass through those deep brown eyes of hers. Her and Mama are really emotional. I barely got out the castle with Mama hugging me and planting kisses all over my face.

I bring her into a side hug and gently squeeze, "I'm going to be fine," I reassure her, "I know, I know its just...I'm going to miss you mi diablo." Her voice is thick. She wraps her arm around my waist and hugs back.

It hits me now how small and short she is standing next to me. I can see the top of her head. She's probably 5'3" and I can see the small silver streaks in her dark brown hair. I remember nights when I was a kid were she'd allow me to brush her back long hair, she always kept it into a neat bun. It was always so soft and smelled like citrus. I leaned in and it still smells like citrus, I'm going to miss it.

I give her another squeeze before kissing the top of her head and went to help Uncle Bruno with the boxes.

Simultaneously we run our fingers through our hair as we look down at the boxes and I could practically hear Aunt Mary narrow her eyes at us. We work out a plan to carry the boxes to my dorm. I can carry two at a time and reduce the amount of trips I make. I toss the kiss to Uncle Bruno, hr catches them before he takes two boxes and starts walking towards my dorm.

"Chaviv, its really not necessary. You shouldn't be carrying anything. What would your father think?" I can't help roll my eyes at the mention of my father.

"Tía, I couldn't give a fuck—", " language," Mary scowls at me, hand firmly on her hips, "Tía, I care less what my father thinks besides I don't want any special treatment."

Her jaw starts ticking again. A sign that she's nervous about something or when I get under her skin with my behavior that isn't up to standard or up to the standard my father approves of. But, her jaw has been going on overdrive the day I announced I was starting college.

Matter of fact the whole castle was on edge, everyone needs to just relax. I'm a grown man and know how to take care of myself and keep my secret hidden.

Mama was concerned but supportive as always but father, he immediately said no. He just went on and on about being a prince and that I have all the education I'll ever need within the castle walls blah blah blah. I stopped paying attention to him eons ago.

Mama talked me down to attending the lectures online during my first year of studying but I soon wanted to experience the whole university life, and I know she knew that the day will come when it's no longer enough. I don't like spending my entire life in one spot, I want to experience what the world has to offer.

I've been living behind castle walls for my whole life. I know my way around the place like a pastor knows his bible. And that's not good. Aunte Mary is now standing next me, her jaw still tight. A deep crease between her eyebrows.

I know she's worried about me, after all she help mama raise me. She's just as much as family to me as I am to her. Everyone in the castle is my family and there's not a day in my life were I didn't feel loved or run them all up the wall. Aunt Mary has had first hand experience on that.

Aunt Mary cups my cheeks in her hands, her soft brown eyes hold mine and I can see tears welling up in them, "I'm going to miss you mí diablo," she says and I can't help laugh at the nickname.

She brings me into a tight hug, "I'm going to miss you too," I say and hug her back even tighter. I don't step away immediately and let her hug me for as long as she needs to or maybe for as long as I need to. The details are not important. I hear her sniff before pulling away and adjust herself, wiping the little tears that escaped.

"Now promise me that you'll call everyday."

"Oh not you too," I roll my eyes. Mama made me promise her as well.

"Everyday and not a day longer," she repeats sternly with her hands on her hips.

"Okay, I promise to call," I say with my arms up in surrender.

She places her hand on my cheek, gently rubbing it with her thumb with a sweet smile on her face but her eyes however said trouble, her voice is silvery when she speaks "Not a day longer." She taps my cheek a little harder than usual and a cold chill runs up my spine.

She wasn't asking. Just like Mama.

I gave a her the same nervous smile before walking over to pick up the two boxes and walked into the school building. Jesus, these woman scare me half to death.

Uncle Bruno is already heading back towards the car, we nod our heads in greeting as we pass. The top box is slowly sliding off and just as I was about to adjust it, someone bumps into it throwing it off balance and it falls with a loud thud, spilling out the CDs that were inside.

Shit.

I look to see who bumped into me and my heart stopped and its like the whole world had gone silent. Her back long raven black hair fell lose around her face, she'd occasionally tuck a strand of her behind her ear and I suddenly got the urge to be the one tucking her hair.

She kept apologizing as she picked up the CDs and quiet frankly I couldn't care less about them. Her voice is sweet and soft. I could listen to her all day.

Dude, say something. Stop staring.

I shake my head to clear the sudden clouds that fogged my thoughts. "It's okay, it's my fault for thinking I could make one trip," I joked, I felt like kicking myself. Lame. She shook her head as she places the final CD into the box.

"I should be the one apologizing for not looking where I was..." She looked up and her words caught in her throat. The world around us disappeared. It felt like it was just us two, "– going."

Her hazel brown eyes were bright against her light brown skin. I was completely drawn to her eyes. They seemed to shine as bright as the sun, and I could bask in their warmth forever. And just under the warm beautiful left eye was a small beauty mark.

Her eyes were trained on me and I wondered what was going through that beautiful mind of hers. I just wanted to know every little detail. I could hear heavy footsteps from a distant and I knew Uncle Bruno was returning.

I didn't want to just yet without getting her name but I didn't want Uncle Bruno asking questions. Guess I'll have to pass this chance, for now.

"Uhm, do you mind?"

"Hmm?" She seemed a bit distracted and blinked a couple of times. I had to hold back a smile.

I indicated with my head to the box of CDs and she seemed to snap back and immediately dropped down, her cheeks took on a darker tint. "Oh right, yeah sure. Sorry...again," she nervously chuckled, she picked up the box and placed it back on top before stepping to the side.

"It was nice meeting you," I said with a side smile and walked away. I could still hear her heart beating in her chest. I'm sure if I listened closely it sounds like the ocean, pushing and pulling me in.

A small breeze picked up, brushing past my skin and it felt like I was walking on the beach with her by my side and our hands linked together. College just got a whole lot more interesting.

"Someone looks happy." Uncle Bruno walks in and places the two boxes down. Eyeing me suspiciously. After that brief interaction, I couldn't get her out of my head and I barely kkoe her yet it feels like I've known her all my life. I didn't even know that I was smiling until now. "Just excited about school," I shrug it off like its nothing. Its not nothing.

"You can fool your Tía with that but not me, spill." He walks over to the desks and leans on it, folding his arms over his chest. I sigh. I lean on the desks as well and rub the back of my neck.

"I met someone," I start, running my hands through my hair and scratching at the nape of my hair. Why am I so fidgety? Uncle Bruno says nothing and patiently waits for me to continue. I take a deep breathe, "You know the funny thing is, I don't even know her name," I chuckle while silentely cursing myself for not getting her name.

"But you like this girl?" I nod. Uncle Bruno hums in response "Well than, if she's right for you, you'll find your way back to her," he says and pats my shoulder. He pushes off the table and heads out the room to fetch the rest of the boxes.

I allowed his words to sink in. A smile forms on my lips. I push myself from the table and follow Uncle Bruno to fetch the remainder of the boxes.

I get the feeling that our paths will cross.