Chapter 2

The sign of dawn was peeking through the blinds. I tossed and turned for a few seconds before propping myself back on the pillows against the headboard.

I pursed my lips and blew a hair out of my face.

Any second now....

'Hurghhhhh!!!!' That was Tasha for you, alright. I swore she could be a mountain bear in disguise. She has the most unfeminine gestures sometimes. That's why we picked each other to be roommates. Her secret is safe with mine.

I could hear the sound of the sheets rustled before a messy bed-hair Tasha came to view. She groaned.

That could only mean one thing: she had a belly full of buffet food. Wait for it.. Wait for it..

Tasha jumped from the bed and ran to the bathroom. While most college students got hungover from the alcohol shots, Tasha is the weird one - hungover from food!

I giggled.

'Shut up!' Tasha growled before throwing a pillow on my face.

'Sorry, I couldn't help it. You're so funny! So, I assumed, you had fun yesterday?' I apologized and asked innocently.

'Yeah, right. I mean, you know how much I can't resist the food! There was a chocolate fountain, for heaven's sake! You just can't say no to that! Plus, it's free flowing, Belle! One gotta take full advantage of that.' Tasha was extra chirpy this morning, oblivious from her minutes-ago moment at the toilet.

What I like about my sister is that she is a happy-goer. Nothing can stop her from being happy. I wished I could be the same. Yes, we have the same blood running in our veins but we have totally different personalities.

Reading and swimming are my favourite pastimes while dancing and baking are Tasha's. I'm articulate but withdrawn as opposed to Tasha who is an extrovert.

'Whatever, Tash. Tell me again, how on earth you can fit that many junk inside your small, tight stomach?!'

'It's God's gift, babe. Use it wisely.....' Tasha said in a singsong voice.

I rolled my eyes. She continued again, 'Anyway, where were you yesterday? One minute I saw you dancing with your Leon, then the next I saw Leon walking away... I swear he looked dejected,' No doubt, Tasha is the famous inquisitor.

'First off, he IS NOT MINE,' I particularly stressed on those few words, 'Secondly, I went to look for you. Where the hell were you?!'

I gave up searching for Tasha after 5 minutes. I couldn't stayed any longer at the ballroom. So I hailed a cab and got back to the dorm room alone.
I remembered that falling asleep was hard. Everytime I closed my eyes, I could faintly hear Leon's voice, '....'ll be looking for you, Isabelle. You may be running, but we'll meet again soon. Very soon.'

'Hey!! Back off!' I screamed as I got hit on the face again with a damn pillow. My sister is irritating!

'What? Belle, you are always in your dream lalaland. You will stare in space, zoning out and I just wasted my freakin' breath yapping like an old lady when you aren't listening to any of it! B***h!' Now it was her turn to roll her eyes.

I held up my hands defensively and said, 'Jeez, chill will ya? Don't need to get so pissed off. I'm a not B, okay? That's a fact. Another fact: you are really an old lady!!' I couldn't help it but I was in a fit of laughter.

Truthfully, Tasha is only 2 years older than me, which makes her 26. You will realize that sometimes she acts and talk like an old spinster. I can't blame it on her since she is like a mother figure to me. I thank God for that.

'Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. What am I going to do with you, Belle?' Tasha hung her head and left for the bathroom again.

I burrowed further in the covers. Luckily for us, there are no classes today because of the ball last night at Kingdom of Waverly. Apparently the whole school and lecturers went for it.

I silently shrugged. Rumors has it that the Prince was in search of a bride and that he need to get married at the end of the month.

Funny, I did not see the Prince. Maybe he was busy dancing with his intended.

Knock! knock! Somebody was banging at the door.

I swung my legs at the end of the bed, slipped on my fuzzy bedroom slippers and dragged myself to the door.

'Hold on! Sheesh!' I muttered.

Standing in Hello Kitty pajamas with matching slippers was my Barbie-look-alike best friend, Adrynn Beth Johnson.

'Heyya Ry! What's up? Why the hell are you panting? You ran a marathon or what?!' I joked as she was busily catching her breath.

'Holy smokes, Bella mia! You won't believe what I've just read!!! Ry shrieked.

I dragged her into my room and noticed that she was carrying a newspaper.

'Here, sit down. Gosh, what is so unbelievable now?'

'Belle, belle. Tell me this, did you go to the masquerade ball yesterday?' Ry asked, eyes wide with curiosity. Ry went back to her hometown to visit her bedridden mother. She wanted so badly to attend the ball but family's first, was what she told me.

'Yeah, I did. I went with Tasha.'

'Tell me, what gown and mask you wore!'

'What's wrong with you, Ry? You looked as if you've seen a ghost and why would you ask that?' I pouted my lips.

'Shut up, Belle! And tell me!' She was mad.

'Okay, okay. I was wearing a turquoise long gown with a matching mask. Now will you tell me what the hell is wrong with you?!'

Ry's jaw dropped and shoved the newspaper to me.

Front page. Bold.

PRINCE LEON BYRON FINLEY HAS FOUND THE ONE.

I frowned. Leon. Oh. My. God.

Pictured was Leon dancing with a girl in a turquoise gown. This girl was wearing her hair down, with waterfall braids and a silver-turquoise mask. I shivered.

'So?' I didn't realized that Ry was probing me with questions.

I glanced up. Tasha was already standing beside Ry.

'Mmmmm', I was speechless.

'It's you isn't it? Well I read that article y'know. It said that you were the only one wearing a turquoise gown. You even told Prince Leon your name.'

I shrugged.

'Belle, are you okay? Heck, Leon is looking for you. He didn't get your last name. News has it fast that he wants to meet you. Say something please!' Ry said exasperatingly.

I looked at Tasha, silently asking for her help but she just grinned.

'I don't know, honest to God! I didn't know that I danced with the Prince. That's a first. But I was scared because he said.... He said...' I couldn't finish the sentence.

Tasha gently probed, 'What did he say, Belle?'

'Well, Mmmm .. He said he was drawn to me and he wanted to get to know me. I didn't refused but I didn't say yes either. I was scared, guys. I don't know how to deal with men. Y'know how I am right? He wasn't that satisfied with my answer. But before I ran, he ... He.. He said he will look for me.' I was literally sobbing, with my eyes on my face.

Two pair of arms went around my shoulders, whispering words of comfort.

'Belle, it's alright. It's normal to be feeling this way. Chin up ya.
You have us always.' Tasha cooed.

'I know... I can't believe he is a Prince. He looked normal y'know. Like any guy in school. We talked like any normal people would. He didn't come across as a person with a royal blood. He is so perfect. And then you look at me. Broken inside with a tainted history. You think he would want someone like me?!' I poured out my feelings, grappling to the impossibilities.

'Isabelle Wyn Williams! Don't you dare sell yourself short! You are a brave, responsible, and beautiful girl. You are my sister. You are stronger than this. Hell to the past, it's time for you to live up, Belle. This is your moment. To fall. To fall in love. To reach for that happy ending.' Tasha held my hands and gave me a tender look.

'Ya Belle. I've seen you all these years, growing up with maturity. You are smart and strong-willed. You can't let the past rule your present or future. Don't back down now. We are here for you. Tasha, me and Ryder.' Ry spoke calmly. Ryder was Ry's boyfriend, childhood playmates. They were friends and now lovers.

I admire their relationship and hope that one day they will make it to the altar.

I willed myself to stop crying and breathe in deep breaths.

'So... What shall I do now?' I asked in a low voice.

'Now, you are going to take a long, hot shower.. Then after that we are going to have pancakes and waffles at WEP's Bakes. How does that sound?' Tasha suggested.

'Sounds awesome! Wait for me guys. And thank you. I feel a lot better now.' WEP's Bakes is my favourite shop. Not only do they serve pancakes and waffles... They have the best pastries, cakes and delicacies. Tasha knows so well what will cheer me up.

Whoooshh! Another pillow hit my thighs. I glared at Ry.

'What?'

'Hurry up, princess! Or we're gonna have to call Prince Leon up here!'

'You wouldn't dare!!!' Ry can be so blunt at times. My cheeks redden with embarrassment.

I stuck out my tongue and strutted to the bathroom feeling calm but bothered.

What will happen, now?