Shauna

In the quiet of my room, as the last slivers of daylight slipped away, I confided in Kiser about the tumultuous feelings swirling within me towards Cell. Her reaction was swift and dismissive, insisting that I was merely projecting my unresolved emotions for Hawk onto Cell, especially now that Hawk was bound to marry another. "You're just confused because Hawk is off the table," she argued, her voice laden with sisterly concern yet lacking the understanding I yearned for.

I shook my head, feeling a stir of frustration. "I don't believe that's it," I countered firmly, my conviction clear. There was something about Cell, something that had caught my attention and held it from the very first moment we met. It wasn't just a mere displacement of my feelings for Hawk; it was different, deeper somehow.

As I sat there, facing the grand mirror that reflected back a soon-to-be-crowned princess, I pondered the sensations that Cell evoked within me. Ever since our first encounter, there had been an undeniable pull—a curiosity and a warmth that resonated deep within my core. It was as if there was an ancient melody playing just for the two of us, a tune I had tried to ignore but found increasingly difficult to tune out.

These feelings had always been there, simmering beneath the surface, unexplored and unacknowledged. With every playful jest, every serious conversation, and the profound connection during our unexpected journey to Earth, those feelings had crystallized into something undeniable.

"I've always felt something, Kiser," I admitted, my voice a whisper as I turned away from my own reflection to face her. "There's something at the bottom of my stomach that stirs whenever I'm around him, and it's not new. It's been there, growing quietly."

Kiser watched me, her expression softening as she listened to the earnestness in my voice. "Then maybe," she began, her tone shifting to one of gentle contemplation, "you should explore this. See where it leads without Hawk in the picture."

Her words, simple yet profound, echoed in the spacious room, giving me the nudge I needed. It was time to confront these feelings head-on, to understand what they truly meant—free from the shadows of what might have been with Hawk. With my coronation looming and the weight of a kingdom soon to rest upon my shoulders, understanding my heart's leanings seemed not just a personal quest but a necessary clarity before stepping fully into my role as queen.

As Kiser whisked me away from my concerns and the mirror reflecting too many burdens, her excitement was infectious. "Look, we are going to have a little party. No one but us, Trevor is setting up the ballroom for a blast from the past 2nd millennial party," she announced with a theatrical flair, laying out one of her signature outfits for me.

"Do we have time for that? What second millennial? Whose idea was that?" I questioned, caught off guard by the sudden plan but intrigued by the diversion.

"Yes, you have six hours before you are crowned. The party is for you. You love the 2nd millennium," Kiser reminded me with a knowing look.

"True, that was the time Hominin had nothing to worry about," I mused, recalling the historical period known for its peace and prosperity before the cosmic turmoil that had shaped recent centuries.

Kiser pulled me to my feet and began to work on my hair, twisting it into elegant Goddess twists that suited the theme perfectly. I slipped into the dress she had chosen—a daring piece that was more revealing than my usual style, but Kiser assured me it was perfect for the occasion. "It's just us, and no one else will see," she reassured me, though I couldn't help but feel a flutter of nerves.

However, as we approached the ballroom, I realized that the 'just us' had expanded slightly beyond our tight-knit circle. The checkpoint outside the ballroom was a buzz of activity, with guests required to surrender their cellphones and undergo a security check—a necessary precaution that Trevor had insisted on.

When I walked into the ballroom, the vibrant beats of 2nd millennium music greeted us, only to be drowned out by the sudden stop of the music and applause as everyone turned to clap for me. I waved back, my smile a mixture of gratitude and slight embarrassment at the unexpected attention.

The room was beautifully decorated, a perfect throwback to the era we were celebrating, with colorful lights and retro decorations that brought the theme to life.

Kiser's grin was wide and unapologetic as she maneuvered me through the crowd, her hand firmly clasped in mine. "Just us, huh?" I couldn't help but let out a laugh, tinged with a mix of surprise and sarcasm at the sight of the 'few others' she had mentioned. The ballroom was buzzing far more than I had anticipated.

As we reached the balcony that overlooked the lively scene below, I took a moment to soak in the vibrant energy that filled the room. The music picked up again, a lively beat that seemed to pulse through the crowd, urging everyone to move with renewed vigor. From up here, the party was a tapestry of joy and celebration, everyone immersed in the spirit of the evening.

Glancing around our private section, I noticed Trevor deep in conversation with a girl I hadn't met before, both laughing over what appeared to be an inside joke. Siren, too, wasn't alone; he was accompanied by a date, adding to the festive atmosphere. My gaze then drifted to Hawk, who sat somewhat awkwardly next to his new fiancée, a woman who seemed perfectly lovely, yet somehow not quite right for him. A pang of discomfort twisted in my stomach at the sight.

Seeing my distress, Kiser leaned in, her voice soft yet firm. "Calm down. If it wasn't for Hawk, we wouldn't be here. This party is to celebrate your rise, don't ruin it with feelings," she advised, squeezing my hand reassuringly.

Before I could respond, Torell and Viper joined us on the balcony, with Cell trailing right behind them. Their arrival seemed to complete our little circle of trust, and I forced a smile, determined not to let my personal feelings cloud the evening.

"Tonight is about looking forward," Torell announced as he approached, his tone jovial yet carrying an undercurrent of formality that befitted the occasion. "It's about celebrating what Shauna will bring to our worlds as Future Princess."

Viper clapped me on the shoulder, a brotherly gesture that grounded me. "Let's make this a night to remember, for all the right reasons," he chimed in, his smile infectious.

Cell lingered a bit behind them, his expression inscrutable. As our eyes met, there was a flash of something undefinable—a mix of admiration, concern, and perhaps a hint of something deeper that neither of us was ready to explore just yet.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded, rallying my spirits. "You're right. Let's enjoy right now. Tonight can wait," I declared, more to myself than to anyone else.

With that, I stepped back into the whirl of the party, allowing the music and the laughter to wash over me, to drown out the complexities of love and duty, even if just for a few hours. Right now was about embracing the joy of the present, the unity of my friends and family, and the promise of my future reign, but I was still not in this headspace.

Cell seemed to sense my discomfort and, ever the observant one, acted with a subtlety that spoke volumes of his growing understanding of me. He offered his arm, which I accepted, grateful for the support as we navigated our way through the laughter and loud conversations to a more secluded table in the corner of the room. His gesture of pulling out the chair for me as we sat down was a small comfort in the swell of emotions that I felt watching Hawk with someone else.

As everyone around us loosened up, their voices buoyed by the spirits they consumed, I found myself retreating further into my own thoughts. I took a sip of my drink, the cool liquid barely registering as I played back the recent events in my mind. The liquor didn't seem to affect me; instead, it was the sight of Hawk's laughter, shared with someone he was bound to out of obligation rather than desire, that stirred a dull ache in my chest.

Cell watched me for a moment, his gaze thoughtful, before breaking the silence that had settled between us. "You know," he started, his voice low enough not to carry over the music, "it's okay to feel out of place sometimes. It reminds us that we're alive, that we have things to sort out, but it doesn't define us."

I looked at him, struck by the sincerity in his tone. "Sometimes, I just feel so tangled up in what I 'should' feel and what I actually feel," I confessed, the words spilling out before I could temper them with the usual poise I was expected to maintain.

Cell nodded, his expression softening. "It's the 'should' that often traps us," he replied. "You're about to be crowned, and yet here you are, human as anyone else, dealing with heartache and conflict."

His understanding offered a kind of solace, a reminder that beneath the titles and the expectations, I was still just Shauna. "Thank you, Cell," I said, feeling a slight lift in the heaviness that had settled around my heart. "For seeing me as I am."

He smiled, a genuine uplift of his lips that reached his eyes. "It's not hard, Shauna. You make it easy to see the real you, despite all these layers of royalty and ceremony."

As the night wore on, I allowed myself to lean into the comfort that Cell offered, the conversation drifting from light-hearted jokes to deeper discussions about our hopes for the future. For the first time in a long time, I felt a genuine connection that wasn't marred by duties or royal expectations but was simply human and real.

The atmosphere in the ballroom shifted as Trevor declared the start of karaoke, a tradition seemingly engraved in our little family's lore. Despite the initial protests from Kiser and myself about not wanting to embarrass ourselves, Cell's unexpected enthusiasm for the activity lightened the mood.

"Well, I set up Karaoke," Trevor announced, his excitement palpable.

"No, I am not going in front of everyone and embarrassing myself," Kiser immediately countered.

"Agreed," I echoed, not feeling up for the spotlight either.

"No, anytime I pass a test, make an accomplishment we do Karaoke. That's a family rule. If you won't do it, I will make you," Trevor declared, downing a shot in a sort of celebratory defiance.

"I will go," Cell said suddenly, his voice calm yet firm, surprising everyone. He had his arm casually draped behind me, adding a comfortable warmth. "Seriously?" I asked, turning to look at him with a mix of amusement and disbelief.

"Why not? I love 2nd millennium music," he replied with a smile that was both charming and mischievous.

"What a surprise?" Kiser remarked, her tone playful yet showing a hint of admiration.

Cell then stood up and walked down to the DJ booth, his confidence seemingly unshaken by the crowd. As he made his music selection, Viper slid next to me, his presence solemn compared to the festive atmosphere.

"When we first met, I saw how you made Hawk and Cell feel, and I hated you for it. Hawk cares for you, but Cell loves you. He has never once come out with me or smiled the entire night for anyone. Don't break his heart if you don't care about him," Viper said, his voice low and earnest.

"I care for him, but aren't you going against your brother by taking up for Cell?" I asked, genuinely curious about his loyalty.

"They're both my brothers," he simply said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, leaving me to ponder the depth of his statement as Cell started his performance.

The room fell silent as the opening notes of "Wicked Games" by The Weeknd filled the air. Cell's voice, smooth and unexpectedly powerful, commanded the room. His choice of song, poignant and laden with emotion, seemed to address the unspoken tension between us directly. As he sang, his eyes found mine multiple times, each glance sending a wave of warmth through me.

Kiser came over and hugged me, her excitement contagious. We giggled like we were back in high school, swept up in the moment. Cell's performance not only showcased his vocal talent but also his ability to convey deep feelings through music. As he continued, the intensity of his gaze made me feel like the only person in the room, reinforcing the connection that had been slowly building between us throughout the night.

By the end of the song, the applause was thunderous, and Cell's performance had shifted something within me. His display of vulnerability and passion through music was more than just entertainment; it was a declaration, and I found myself reconsidering what his presence in my life could mean moving forward.

As the final notes of the music faded and the laughter and chatter dwindled, the party drew to a close. The shift from the public spectacle back to quiet, personal moments felt stark. Cell returned to my side, the warmth between us palpable. I leaned my head on his shoulder, a gesture that felt natural and comforting. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Hawk's reaction; his discomfort was evident, but I brushed aside any guilt. Tonight wasn't about Hawk or the past—it was about the present and how Cell made me feel.

We lingered on the balcony for a while, absorbing the last bits of the evening's energy before deciding to head back. As we walked to my room, the corridors of the palace seemed especially serene, a stark contrast to the boisterous energy of the ballroom. The quiet allowed me to gather my thoughts and appreciate the man beside me who had shown nothing but understanding and support.

"Thank you for saving me," I said as we reached the door to my room. The words felt small in comparison to the gratitude swelling inside me, but they were sincere.

"I thought I would return the favor since you have saved me as well," Cell replied with a gentle smile. His presence had become something of a safe harbor in the tumultuous seas of court life and personal turmoil. He paused at my door, his hand resting lightly against the frame.

"See you at the Coronation," he added, then leaned in to kiss me. The kiss was soft, a perfect end to a night of revelations and shifting dynamics. It wasn't just a goodbye; it was a promise of more to come, a brief connection that hinted at potential future depths.

He walked off after the kiss, leaving me standing by my door, touched by the gesture and more aware than ever of the complicated feelings intertwining through my life. As I watched him go, a mixture of anticipation and nervousness about the upcoming coronation filled me. His last look, filled with warmth and a hint of something more, stayed with me as I entered my room and closed the door behind me.

The solitude of my room gave me space to think. The coronation would be a pivotal moment, not just for my role within the Solar but for my personal life as well. How I handled things with Cell, and what I decided about my own heart, would shape the future in ways I was only beginning to understand.