The Mystical Prince And The Pauper

I was greeted by a familiar, ocean blue pair of eyes that slightly calmed my raging nerves.

“H-hi Rosella,” I nervously stuttered with a small, shaky smile.” I’m so sorry I followed you, I don’t know what got into me. Please forgive me?” I immediately rushed, shame flowing through me like a river.

“What’s there to forgive?” She softly smiled, almost making my jaw drop in disbelief of her easy going nature.

“Aren’t you upset with me?” I found myself asking in disbelief.

“Nope. Not really? I mean, I guess I was acting suspicious, am I right?” She lightly giggled.

“I guess...” I trailed off.

“Is that my pencil case?” She suddenly asked, pointing to the small bag, still clutched in my hand.

“Y-yeah. Mr White found it on our table, it was actually the main reason I followed you.” I explained, handing her her pencil case.

“Thank you. I don’t know how I left it. I always check before I leave,” She replied, taking the bag from my hands,” Thank you so much.”

“It’s my pleasure. Sorry again for following you.” I apologetically smiled.

“It’s alright. Please don’t worry yourself.” She reassuringly smiled.” Well, I have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow? But for real this time.”

I giggled but nodded,” Yes.”

She turned around with a smile and made her way out the greenhouse with me at her heels. With one last wave at each other, we went our separate ways.

My phone vibrating in my pocket, had me pulling it out and swiping on the green, answer button without a glance as I trailed down the now almost desolate hall.

“Honey, where are you?” Came my mom’s concerned voice.

“I’m so sorry, Mom. I got a bit sidetracked. I’ll be there in a minute.” I said as I walked at a faster pace down the halls.

“Okay, I’m in the parking lot.” With that, the line went dead.

I made it to the school gate and stepped out into the pool of students, happily loitering around as they chatted with their friends. My eyes scanned through the crowds as I slipped past the many crowds to the first parking lot. I immediately spotted my mother’s familiar, grey Nissan X-Trail. I made it to the passenger door and pulled the door handle, opening the door before jumping in.

“Hey you.” She smiled at me with that soft, motherly smile that never failed to fill me with calmness and peace.

“Hi Mom. I’m sorry I made you wait.” I apologized as I put my bag down and pulled on my seatbelt.

“It’s alright, Baby. I really didn’t wait that long, my Angel.” She reassured,” So tell me how your first day went? Made any new friends?” She asked as the started up the engine and reversed from the lot.

“Yeah, I did.” I said, a smile lacing my lips at the thought of Rosella’s energetic behaviour.

“That’s good. Do we need to go buy something?” She asked as we stopped at the red signals.

“Yeah, I took notes on my notepad in my phone.” I replied, staring out at the petrol station next to the road as we slowly took off.

*****

“Mira? Earth to Mira? Are you in there?” Came Rosella’s playful voice through my deep thoughts, snapping back to reality and to my surroundings.

“Sorry Rosella, I was just thinking about later.” I apologetically smiled.

“Is there a problem?” She asked, concern lacing her words as it shone lightly in her ocean blue orbs.

“Not exactly. It’s just that my mom won’t be fetching me today as she has been in the past three days. I have to use the train from now on and I won’t lie, I’m a bit scared.” I nervously admitted, lightly biting my

bottom lip unconsciously.

“You’ll be alright, Mira, besides Toni and Leila use the train too, so I’m sure they wouldn’t mind if you tagged along, as they call it.” She smiled.

“You think so? I wouldn’t want to bother them.” I admitted.

“Well, we won’t know unless we ask them, right?” She enthusiastically chirped.

“Ask who what?” Asked one of our two other table mates, Toni.

“Well, Mira would like to join you two on your walk, if you don’t mind.” Rosella explained.

“Of course we don’t. The more the merrier.” Leila smiled.

“Thanks Guys.” I thanked with a smile that I hope could convey my gratitude.

“Sure.” Leila smiled.

A short vibrating sensation in my hip had me pulling out my old, beaten down Samsung.

‘I’ll fetch you after school. I got a half day today so you won’t need to use the train but you’ll have to wait for about 15 minutes before I get there, Love ya, Hon.’ From Mommy, the message brightly lit up on my screen before slowly dimming until my screen was black again.

“Guys, my mom will be fetching me again today so I won’t need to tag along with you for today.” I notified the others as I stuffed my phone into my blazer’s inner pocket this time.

“Alright, tomorrow then?” Asked Leila.

“Yeah.” I replied.

“Great!” Squealed Rosella excitedly,” I want to show you something before you leave. It’ll be quick.”

“I’ll have 15 minutes to spare, so I guess it will be alright.” I lightly shrugged, taking a bite of my fry.

“Great! Prepare to be amazed, my friend!” She excitedly exclaimed before taking a bite of her salad.

The bell rang soon after signifying 6th period so we packed our remaining lunches into our bags or threw them away before heading back to class.

The next hour and thirty minutes passed in a breeze and before I knew it, Rosella and I were packing our bags. Rosella was basically bouncing on her toes in barely contained excitement, making my curiousity barely containable as well.

I zipped up my zip, just to have Rosella’s soft, tanned hand gently take hold of my slightly rougher, but equally small one. My natural light brown skin a bit of contrast to her tan one. She guided me out of the classroom and threw the pools of students in the hall. Most of the students were descending the hall but we were ascending it, making us nearly collide with a few on our way. We finally made it to the less crowded school field which welcomed us with much needed fresh air. I greedily took in gulps breaths of it as it cooled down my face that had grown a bit flushed from the walking through the hot, stuffy halls.

“Where are we going?” I found myself asking Rosella in curiousity.

“Weeellll,” Rosella dragged,” Do you trust me? And can I trust you?”

I would be lying if I said her question didn’t take me off guard because it did. It was definitely unexpected and in a way brought a bit of uneasiness in me, but a part of me also felt confident in her and had me replying before I could even digest her words properly,” Yes and yes, I think you can. Well as long as we aren’t talking about anything illegal, that is.”

Rosella smiled at me in amusement before replying,” I assure you it’s not illegal. Actually, we’re almost there.”

That’s when I took notice of the green house as we walked next to it.

“What are we doing at the-” I stopped as my feet grew rooted onto the ground as my eyes drank in the unbelievable, impossible sight.

“Sapphire!” Rosella quietly screeched before her hand slipped from mine as she ran to the white, beautiful, mystical creature that only existed in my dreams and in fairy tale books. I swear my eyes threatened to slip from my eye sockets as my knees turned to jelly and threatened to give up on me.” What are you doing here, Sapphire? People are going to catch you. Go hide!”

I couldn’t help it as I dropped to my knees in bewilderment. A white unicorn with a snowy white mane and a creamy white horn that stuck out from its forehead stood a few feet in front of me. Its tail a long, rainbow of brown and cream. I couldn’t help but to greedily soak in its beauty even as my mind malfunctioned. It was gorgeous. Those sapphire coloured eyes stared at me and drank me in as much as I drank them in. It lightly tilted its head as if questioning me.” Sapphire listen to me! You are going to be caught.” Rosella whisper yelled to the stubborn, curious creature. Rosella’s eyes turned to me before scanning both Sapphire and I’s staring competition. ” Mira, please lend me a hand?”

That snapped me out of my stupor and had me slowly standing up on weak legs. I slowly wobbled towards her, Sapphire’s, sapphire blue eyes following my every move in wonder.

I stopped next to Rosella, fear of the large creature starting to settle in replacing the prior adoration.

“What do you want me to do?” I whispered.

“Well, would you like to brush her mane? Sapphire is a sweet darling.” She cooed at the unicorn as it turned it’s gaze to her and flipped it’s mane with a neigh.” You are a sweetie pie, aren’t you, Sapph?” Sapphire responded by brushing her head gently against Rosella’s chest before turning to me again.” It seems like Sapph here, would like you to caress her. Are you interested?”

I nervously bit my lip as I stated at the gorgeous creature before nodding my head. Rosella’s soft hand slowly took hold of mine before guiding my palm towards Sapphire’s awaiting mane. A few centimeters from it, Rosella stopped moving and turned to me questioningly. I gave a barely noticeable nod before my open palm was placed on Sapphire’s soft, straight locks.

Before I knew it, I was slowly brushing my hand over Sapphire’s mane, making her neigh in happiness.

“Oh, Empress, hey there.” Greeted Rosella, making my attention turn in the direction that Rosella’s voice was headed.