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҉ A PrinceSSly CoNNectioN ҉

Song's chapter: collide by howie Day (I'll post it when I figure out how...)

ChaPtEr TWENTY-SEVEN _________________________

Karma...

"You did what?!" My heart was racing. Placing my right palm over my chest, I sat on my bed.

"Well technically, I didn't do anything. Peter texted me to know where he could get one more ticket..." she trailed innocently as I glared at my faint reflection on my room's window.

"And what did you tell him?"

"I-I might have encouraged him beforehand to ask a friend out," she added carefully, "because at the moment seemed like a splendid idea," I rolled my eyes, "you know, so you wouldn't go by yourself and all that..."

Forget the stupid dress. Or the time I just spent putting on makeup or trying to perfect my hair.

The whole night was completely ruined because Peter decided to come with a friend.

Another guy.

Apparently as in a double-date kind of thing.

And Jason was going to be there.

I couldn't tell him about this mess.

He wouldn't come. And then my life would be completely over.

All because of my best friend's bloody crush.

"Valerie," my tone was clipped.

Before I started to say anything else, she added accusingly, "You did force him to come to this bloody thing, didn't you? So, it's not my fault. If you hadn't invited him, we wouldn't be in this mess!" I rolled my eyes again. I wanted to rub a palm on my face but I would smear my makeup. And by the way things were looking, the least I could do was look presentable. "And how was I supposed to guess that Jason would call you today?"

My shoulders sagged. She did have a point.

I took a deep breath while closing my eyes for a moment, "I know." As I straightened my dress, I added "I guess life just has this way of messing things up...at least mine..." Val snorted, "It just sucks, you know? I mean what if Jason walks in and see the four of us and assumes that I'm with the other guy? I'm pretty sure that he would walk away..." and I would probably chase after him.

Wow. I have no dignity. That's quite sad and pathetic. My brows furrowed at my dark thoughts.

"It's not like he could say something, is it?" I could see Valerie raising an eyebrow and giving me a pointed look if we were together.

I swallowed hard, "I'm such a pathetic loser, aren't I?"

Val sighed. "No. You're just madly in love. And love makes us stupid."

A strangled chuckle left my mouth. "Yeah, like coming up with the idea of vandalizing some dude's house."

She snorted, "Please...I'm not in love with Peter, M. I'm not even sure if I like him or not."I shook my head. She was so stubborn. Anyone could see how much she liked him if they saw her around Peter. She was a complete klutz. "However, if we hadn't done that, you wouldn't have met Jason."

"And I wouldn't be so pitiful..." I muttered disheartened.

She rolled her eyes. I could tell by her tone of voice. "Stop pitying yourself. You're just being stupid, that's all."

"Oh, well....that's comforting..."

"Pfft. You know what I mean! Besides, you don't know what he wants to talk about. So, I'd man up and look my very best so I could flirt endlessly with the other guy on the room and make Jason know that he doesn't have the upper hand here." But he does. "At least pretend, Marianne..." she added discouraged since we both had thought the same thing.

She did have a point. Several, actually.

I bit my lip before nodding to my reflection on the window. "You're right. We'll pretend that I have some dignity." Valerie chuckled and a smile formed on my face.

"That's the spirit, girl!"

My smile transformed on a smirk as I added, "and Val? You should pretend to be brave and fearless around Peter, too." She barely talked around him. She was shy and pretty much awkward. I had a feeling that Peter found that adorable, though.

"Whatever," she muttered before we hung up.

My smile faltered as I thought about it all.

Time passed slowly. Painfully slow. I would usually enjoy hanging around Hugh and Mom. Their constant bickering and jokes would always make me smile. However, I couldn't even pay attention to what they were talking about. I'd checked the time every two minutes.

I thought about Jason. And the girl next to him. My heart clenched every time.

Yet, he had called. That had to mean something, didn't it?

"Honey?" I blinked at the green eyes that were looking at me. Mom's lips tugged up on a comforting smile, "Tom's here. You have to pick up your sister on the way to Valerie's house, ok?" My eyes were somewhat wide and panicked as I nodded. "Just have fun, ok?" Mom voice tone was soft and loving.

"You'll do great, Marianne." Uncle Hugh's eyes sparkled proudly as he held my coat on his arms. "And you can always call if the guy turns out to be a douchebag. I'm black belt on tae kwon do, remember?" he winked at me as a shaky smile drew on my lips.

Mom shoved him playfully, "I'm pretty sure he'd kick your ass, Hugh." She smiled innocently at him as he glared at her, "but it would be a nice gesture, though." Shaking my head, I left them bickering like and old couple.

Taking a deep breath, I greeted Tom who was already waiting for me by the car. Carefully, I took a seat on the back seat of the car trying not to mess my green dress. Yes. I had purposely chosen a green dress because it was Jason's favorite color.

I know. Pathetic couldn't cover it.

Trees and different houses blurred in my line of vision as I shyly addressed to Tom, "Do you remember the guy I went to see the other day?" He nodded warily, "well, he's coming tonight and I need you to lead him towards our seats inside the theater. Could you that for me?"

Tom tilted his head and watched me from the rear mirror. "I can," his voice tone was unconvinced. But he didn't push any further and I appreciated that.

"He'll meet you at the back door. Thank you," I looked to the side knowing that he wasn't very keen on the idea.

We picked up Ashley and Mara, her friend. Then, we went to get Valerie. As soon as they were all inside the car, they were all talking excitedly about the concert. Especially Ashley. She hadn't seen Ben in a while and she couldn't keep still for a minute.

The car parked on the main entrance of the theatre and a large herd of paparazzi were already waiting for any celebrity that might show up. For a moment there, I wondered if Ben's agent had something to do with it. From the corner of my eye, I watched my shy sister trying to ignore all the shouting and cameras in front of her.

The guys were already waiting for us inside the theatre. My stomach was already churning as I looked to the side expecting to see Jason nearby. Val squeezed my arm as we reached our stall. It was somewhat private and near to the stage. Ashley came in first followed by her friend.

Peter's red haired head peeked through the door. His brown eyes lit as they laid on my best-friend. I wanted to roll my eyes at how obvious they both were. They so liked each other. My heart warmed for her. Valerie deserved to be happy. Even with the geeky Peter.

We greeted him. Well, more like I greeted him and pushed Val inside next to him. She had completely frozen the moment he had looked at her. A brown-haired man was leaned on the rail of the stall. I bit my lip as he turned our way.

He wasn't bad looking. His smile was sincere and gentle. He reached out his hand, "I'm Richard Green, nice to meet you, Your Highness."

Shyly, I shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, too. Please call me by my first name."

He smiled gently as he looked at my right, "and you must be the infamous Valerie. I've heard so much about you." He smirked as my best-friend blushed like crazy.

My lips were twitching at her reaction and I had to bit my lip to suppress a smile. I introduced them to Ashley and Mara, who didn't really pay attention to anything around them. They were both absorbed looking in awe at the already buzzing theatre.

"Do you mind if I seat by your side?" Richard looked at Peter who didn't seem happy at all. "I think I'm not welcomed over that corner."

A forced smile played in my lips. I did not want him to take a seat next to me. But I didn't want to be rude either. He seemed like a genuine nice guy. Someone I could be friends with.

I swallowed hard. "You can...but I sort of invited someone..." I bit my lip while shifting in my seat awkwardly. "I'm expecting him at any moment, now."

"Oh," disappointment showed in his face. His dark eyes travelled towards my sister. "I guess I'll be seating over there. Cheering and all that..." he frowned.

Feeling bad, I sighed. "I'm really sorry. You seem like a great guy and if I wasn't expecting someone important I would have loved to enjoy the concert with you."

He took the seat next to me, "I'm just seating here for a minute." I smiled at him and felt worse. "I do believe that we would had fun. I had a few killer jokes ready for you all." I chuckled at that. He smiled at me. His eyes studied me for a moment before he leaned closer and in a low tone he added, "I would have loved to talk to you, Marianne. I believe there's more to you than what you lead on." My smile faltered as his eyes travelled behind me. "Maybe some other time, right?"

He got up and reached Ashley. She smiled at him as he made some comment and both Mara and her erupted into laughter. I looked after him for a moment. He did seem like a nice guy. Apparently, there was more to him than what he led on, though.

"Did I interrupt something?" Someone voiced behind me.

I knew who he was instantly.

My heart started to race as my breath caught in my throat. Slowly, I turned around to find myself immersed in grey eyes watching me warily.

He looked great. His dark blonde hair was gelled and styled to the side. A black formal suit with a grey tie completed the look. His eyes were intense as he stared at me for a moment. "Is this seat taken?" his eyes flickered to Richard before returning to mine.

I shook my head. I didn't know if I had to feel flattered that he was seemingly jealous or get angry at him. He didn't have any right to be jealous. Especially him. Last time I'd seen him, there was another girl by his side. Who apparently hated me by the way she had been glaring at me as I'd left his house.

His eyes travelled around the stage and the arena before they landed on me. We stared at each other silently for a moment.

There was so much that I wanted to say.

That I wanted to do.

I wanted to touch his face. To pass my hand through his hair. To kiss him. But I also wanted to punch him. For making me feel like shit for the last few days. For making me fall in love with him and then braking my heart in a million pieces.

His eyes flickered to my lips. My heart skipped a beat. "How are you?" he whispered in a dark husky tone.

"I've been better..." I shrugged nonchalantly.

"You've lost weight." He stated as his eyes roamed all over me. I swallowed hard. "Don't do that, Marianne. You have to take care of yourself."

"I'm fine," I averted my eyes while fidgeting with the program someone gave me at the entrance.

His grey eyes bored into mine. His lips parted. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth to say something at the same time the lights went off and people started to scream and yell excitedly. The concert started as Ben appeared on stage.

Bloody hell.

Meeting at a concert was the worst idea ever.

"Is he the guy we need to scare?" Jason whispered by my ear sending a shiver down my spine. Especially when he placed the palm of his hand on my lower back as he leaned on me.

"Yes..." I answered breathlessly as his eyes bored into mine once again.

Slowly, his lips tugged up as he leaned even closer to me, "We need to find somewhere to talk."

My heart skipped a bet at his proximity. His scent had engulfed me and I just wanted to grab his shirt and pull him even closer to me. But we were surrounded by people and I still didn't know what he wanted to say. Also, the image of the girl next to him was imprinted in my mind.

"Come on," his hand intertwined with mine as he led me outside the room. My eyes turned to Ashley and Valerie. They were both jumping up and down excitedly. "We'll be back soon, I promise," Jason added as he sensed that I wasn't sure about leaving them alone. But I could trust Jason with my life, so I simply nodded and let him show the way.

We walked in silence through different corridors until we stopped at the back stairs. With a boyish smile on his face, Jason dragged me through the stairs until we reached the roof top. Completely out of breath, I stepped outside feeling a blast of cold air surrounding us.

He eyed me for a moment before searching a decent spot where we could seat. "I should have remembered that you aren't the sporty kind," he teased me with a smugly smile on his face.

Huffing, I glared at him. "I do sports!"

"Like?" he raised an eyebrow as the air teased his hair making him look even better.

"I did the paddle thingy!"

He raised his index finger. "Once. That's hardly considered a sport."

I rolled my eyes while leaning on the wall and crossing my arms on my chest. Jason watched me amused as a smugly grin drew on his face.

He leaned beside me. Still looking at the distance, he asked warily, "Why did you come to my house?"

"Is that why you wanted to talk?" I frowned.

"Maybe..." he trailed mysteriously.

My temper flared.

That was it? Was that the only reason he'd called me, then?

Uncrossing my arms, I turned to him. "Did you come all this way just to ask me that?" I glared at him in full force. "I thought there was something between us, you idiot!" I started to gesture around with my hands as Jason looked at me coolly, "that was until I saw you with your girlfriend...and I just...I just didn't know what to do..." my eyes brimmed with tears and I looked away while hugging myself.

He stayed in silence for a moment before blurting out, "I don't have a girlfriend." My eyes snapped to him. My brows were furrowing as he added, "I don't do dates, Marianne..."

I bit my lip as I processed his words. He didn't have a bloody girlfriend? So I'd been torturing myself for nothing at all?

"Not unless they are set in a tropical paradise with a certain royal member." My lips parted as he smiled at me. He even had the audacity to look smugly while crossing his arms lazily in front of him. "Movie and a dinner. I thought that it was pretty clear that it was a date, don't you?"

I stared at him for a moment. Mixed emotions passed through me. Surprise, excitement, joy...but mostly anger. I was furious. My blood was boiling as he looked like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Which wasn't. Considering that I always thought he had a freaking girlfriend.

"You're an asshole." I started to pace back and forth in front of him. "I've been torturing myself for the last month," I pointed a finger at him, "while you've been enjoying yourself seeing me go through all that!"

His lips twitched and I just couldn't hold it anymore. I launched myself while trying to punch him. On the face, the arms or the stomach. Anywhere. I was so incredible mad. He blocked my punches and grabbed both my wrist stopping me.

"I'm sorry. I said it because of me," his grey eyes bored into mine, "I needed to stay away from you. Plus, I knew there was no way that you wouldn't end up falling for me..."

I rolled my eyes as my fists unclenched, "I can't believe that you're making a joke right now."

His right hand cupped my chin, "It did mean something, Marianne. It meant...everything."

My heart warmed and my eyes teared up again. "But I didn't know if you felt it too. Not until you showed up at my house."

"You're an idiot."

His thumb caressed my cheek as his lips tugged up. His grey eyes softened as he murmured, "I am."

"I'm so angry at you..." I said softly.

"Do you want me to leave?"

I stared at him for a moment. "Of course not," I rolled my eyes as he chuckled, "but I'm still mad at you."

"I know." His thumb brushed my lower lip. My stomach clenched. He leaned closer stopping a few inches in front of me. "Where you on a date with the other guy downstairs?"

Glaring at him, I shrugged, "Sort of." He burst out laughing. "Why are you laughing?" I asked confused.

He raised an eyebrow, "because karma is a bitch."

My shoulders relaxed as I left a giggle out.

Still smiling, my heart was racing as I looked into his eyes. His pupils were completely dilated as he leaned closer and pressed his lips onto mine.

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Gosh...sorry for taking forever to update. I've been working non-stop but I wanted to give you all something :)

I have a gigantic cake to deliver this weekend, so this will be probably it for the week. But I'll update next week!

Love you all!

Gabs