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Cheers to another day where I had to dress up and show my face because I made obligations to someone I lost interest in. Wooo me!

Even though she received no votes at her party due to her reputation, Ebany was still going strong. She wasn't going to let bad press mess with her party. She didn't care if she looked like a joke, she was going to enjoy herself and here she is with her parents' popular boat that her grandfather's 2nd wife allegedly drowned on. Really nice right?

I avoid that side of the docks like the plague. I didn't even want her to see me. She gives me ptsd. I was not going to let that girl even see a peak of my shadow. I wasn't going to accidentally wander into her section. I kept close eyes on where my body and the crowd was carrying me. Another person to be diligent about was Aaron. I needed to act like he didn't exist yet somehow we would catch each other's gazes every now and then. It was sickening. I need to forget and pretend. Could he not forget and pretend? He doesn't like me so it should be easy for him all he had to do was not look in my direction but he's always doing it in this longing way. WHAT DOES HE WANT? Ugh my mind.

Who's yacht do I board anyway? I'm standing between two different sections in one's color and confused. I have to stay at Saleena's but it might be boring and I would rather spend my time on Daniela's. I make stupid rash decisions.

"It's boarding time!" Lorel grabbed my hand pulling me in Saleen's direction. UGH! I don't wanna go! "Fix your face. I'm gonna get you a new girlfriend or something." Lorel says as she switches to pulling on my wrist. "Pick one now because this might change everything now."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm fixing you up with someone. Guy or Gal? I'm being for real. You might not get it now but it represents something, so choose." Is she fucking serious and what does she mean it might change everything? I feel like this was much of a bigger choice than she was making this out to be. Should I even answer?

"I don't get it."

"You don't have to just trust me and choose one." The look in her eyes was making me hesitant.

"I don't know."

"Fuck your indecisiveness." She rolled her eyes as she pushed me into a corner. "Marceline Yoon or Macius jr. Pick one." Isn't she that nerd Chantelle fucked up and the guy is like high status. People I prefer to stay away from but physically they both hit my standards. They were both unconventionally attractive. Not my type but they hit my standards in the look department. "What's with the hold up? Over-thinking?"

"Yes, Macius is a prince and he's flashy and Marceline is a nerd that went downhill from one bad choice."

"But they're hot. Zayn c'mon I have things to do and you're slowing me down and soon this both is gonna pull off so let me put you on game and make a fucking choice."

"Wait, does Macius know?"

"Know what?" What else would I be asking about? Obviously I'm not out yet and she's trying to set me up with someone. She squints her eyes in concentration for a few seconds before it hits her.

"Obviously not. Wait, I thought you wanted to be out?" She asked, confused now.

"Well yes and no. I want to but I'm afraid. What if things change for me?"

"Fuck it, move like Chantelle. We know and we don't. He doesn't even confirm anything. He hates everybody and is open with everything. Don't let it bother you." Even though I don't like him, he does have the best method. "Choose! Like I said before. I have shit to do, I don't have time for you to be confused."

"Fuck it, Macius."

"I was hoping you would say that. Cheers to fucking up another monarch my friend."

"I didn't do that."

"You have a type."

"The only other royal I have dated was Daniela."

"Ok, quick briefing. He's not looking for anything serious or long term because he has future obligations and wishes not to develop anything deep. He'll cut anything off if he or you seem to be getting way into deep. Don't expect to be super dotting but he'll mick a normal relationship to his best ability. Sounds like what you're looking for and what you'd be giving." Well yeah. It's stupid that I lay out the same rules and expectations to people yet enjoy when they fall. I like someone being in love with me even if I don't give the same energy. I like being loved. I like it when someone wants me. Is it wrong?

"Fine by me." yet feeling dissatisfied. I never paid much attention to the guy. He seemed like every other rich guy who has the looks to compensate for the personality. He wasn't the brightest crayon in the box but he had the impression he had a good heart. He liked to show what he had and you had to adjust to his lifestyle to stick around.

"He's not here. He's on Daniela's" He was probably one of few people she seemed good with and had nothing against him. The boat started pulling off from the dock as the last call finished. "Ugh! Until we dock again at six you have to wait and Thank you for wasting my time!" Lorel hit me in the forehead as she angrily stomped away somewhere on the ship.

"Time for candid photos!" The lady in waiting who I now know as Margot yelled as she led me over to where the rest of the court stood waiting for me lined up in front of a photographer. Time to put on my smile for the camera.

"You left so early last time." Saleena said as wrapped her hand around me.

"Oh sorry. I went to Danie's." Those camera flashes were starting to make my eyes hurt.

"Ok… could have said that."

"I thought I mentioned that I might leave early."

"I don't think so I can't remember. It looks bad when you just leave when you're part of my court. It seems like you are not truly in it." I am not. I'm still here because I feel like I have to.

"You're not the only person I support though." I don't think she gets it. I guess it's just jealousy but she's aware Daniela is my friend right? So of course I would want to show some sort of support. "It's not like we're dating or something, I'm just part of your court." The look in her eyes was saying she was looking for something more and I feel I should have picked my words better. She's a really nice girl. I'm just not interested.

"Okay." I could hear the voice crack but she carried on with the pictures. I started feeling uncomfortable because I feel like I shouldn't have said that but there's no other plain way to say it honestly. It is what it is.

I can get through this without problems. Right…

"Do you know I'm the best?" Lorel kept repeating that question while we looked over at the sea.

"Why do you keep saying that?" She just looked over and smiled.

"I am the best."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I am the best and you can't lie and say I don't ever come through."

"What the hell are you referring to Lorel."

"Y'know I have connections. I made a strong one at Danie's party. I met Robin Graham, you know she plays the wolf girl on Over my dead body. I put in a good word for a certain someone cuz I heard he's been persistently auditioning." Is she for real? What's the point of putting him on the show if you don't like him?

"What's the point though?"

"Cuz I'm gonna snatch his happiness. You'll see soon." Her wide cackling grin was putting me off. Her and Danie were beginning to seem like crazy people. It's not like this is the first time I've seen them plan out extensively on how to get revenge on someone but they seem more excited this time. I'm kinda scared. "Like I said, you don't have to lift a finger or have anything to do with this but this is for you." I don't even feel like they're doing this for me more like they're doing this for their own satisfaction. "Oh my god, I AM THE BEST!!" She screamed off into the sea. "Hey can we do the titanic thing?"

It didn't exactly set in the big step I was about to make. Lorel just kept repeating to me "Don't take my efforts for granted!" but I wasn't thinking about what exactly she was saying cuz it didn't matter, in the moment.

"You should have rode with us. All the sea sick people annoyed me." Daniela said as she led us to the front of the ship. They both were doing their weird quiet whispery thing. Details of their plan I guess. "Are you for real? Why him?" She says kinda loudly making me dart my eyes over to them.

"What the hell do you mean, "why him"? He's available, that's why. Didn't know yall were friends like that." What the fuck are they talking about?"

"Honestly…" She looked over at me and then at Lorel. "We have history." Huh?