What they could have been

Chapter 6

"What about this one?" Dalila showed the dusty-pink gown to her best friend as she studied it carefully, her head tilted slightly and hand on her chin.

"Hmm, I like it," Hadarah stated. A grin slowly appeared on her face. "Now we need to find matching shoes!"

They paid for their dresses and left. As they were walking, they saw a group of four coming their way.

"Mia! Eduard! Er..." Hadarah looked at the other two in confusion, trying to remember their names.

"Rhys and Fay." Mia finished for her, chuckling.

"Oh right. How are you all?"

"We're good. Just came to get outfits for the ball."

"Same here. Didn't you say once that you don't like dresses?"

Mia sighed. "I don't but they dragged me here." She gestured to the others. "As soon as Fay found out that the invitation was open to everyone, she gathered us all up and here we are."

"Of course I did!" Fay yelled excitedly. "Brad Peters will be there!"

"Oh not him again," Eduard grumbled. "That's the billionth time you've mentioned him. What's so great about some random singer?" He glared at Fay.

"It's Brad Peters." She enunciated each syllable, glaring back.

"I think someone's jealous," Dalila whispered to Hadarah.

"Well, we better be of now. Bye!" Mia cut through the tension brewing between the couple.

They parted ways, Hadarah and Dalila heading for the shoe shop, the others towards the boutique.

***

Ashar rummaged through his wardrobe, wondering what to wear at the ball.

"Asa, Emmet, help," he whined.

They both laughed, having never seen him so distressed.

"It's not a formal event this time. Pick something that will give you a smart casual look." Asa smiled.

"Why do you suddenly care about your outfit anyway?" Emmet smirked teasingly.

"Just help, please. The ball starts in a few hours and I need to look good. She'll be there."

"She?" Emmet pointed out.

"I- I mean the villagers will be there. If I don't look good, what does that say about me? I don't want them to think their Prince is lousy."

"Mhm hmm."

"What about a suit but without the tie and waistcoat?" suggested Asa.

"Which colour though?"

"Hadarah thinks you look good in blue," Emmet answered knowingly.

"She does?" Ashar's voice was excited.

"Yup," Asa replied.

"Okay, well I guess that's sorted then." Ashar selected the clothes from his wardrobe as his friends watched him in amusement.

***

"So, anyone here you might fancy dancing with?" Hadarah asked Dalila, her eyes scanning the crowd.

Dalila snorted. "Nope. What about you?"

"Not really."

"He's over there." Dalila pointed to a dark-haired man in the distance. He was wearing a navy-blue suit.

"Who?" Hadarah looked to where she was pointing.

"The person you've been searching for since we got here."

"No I haven't."

"You have."

"No."

"Yes. Are you going to talk to him or not?"

"I don't know."

"Well, it looks like you have to because he's coming this way."

"What? Oh no. I need to hide." Hadarah turned away from Ashar's approaching figure, her heart's steady pace increasing as she panicked.

"Dalila?" She heard Ashar's deep voice.

"Hi Ashar! Lovely party, isn't it?" Dalila greeted cheerily.

"Yeah, I guess. Umm you haven't seen Hadarah have you?"

"No, sorry. I don't know where she's gone."

"Oh alright then. Well, enjoy the party."

"Yeah, bye." She waved at his retreating figure, letting out a sigh of relief when he was out of sight.

"Is he gone?" Hadarah turned towards Dalila, cautiously looking around to see if he was nearby.

"Yeah. You can stop hiding now."

Hadarah let out a shaky breath and smiled nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear. Dalila observed her quietly.

"Hadarah?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you going to hide from him all evening?"

"Yes... no... maybe. I don't know."

"So what will you do if he finds you?"

"I don't know."

"Hadarah." Dalila's tone was serious, gaining her full attention.

"Yeah?"

"I know you're scared and I don't blame you for that. But tonight we're going to have fun. Tonight we're going to forget all our worries and enjoy ourselves. We're going to eat cake and chocolate and drink fizzy drinks. Because at the moment, that's all we can do, okay? Now come on."

Hadarah closed her eyes and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. When she opened them, determination flowed through her. "Lead the way."

***

Ashar frowned, sitting on a couch by the wall. Hadarah said she'd be here so where was she? He was pretty sure he'd seen her with Dalila but she'd vanished when he approached. Was she avoiding him? He just wanted to talk to her and maybe, if she was willing, one dance. Was that too much to ask for?

He felt someone sit beside him.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Emmet asked.

"I think she's avoiding me," Ashar responded in a quiet voice.

"Have you tried talking to her?"

"I can't find her. She was with Dalila but left as soon as I came."

"Are you giving up then?"

"I don't know."

"Well, she was by the buffet table a while ago. It seemed like she'll be there for a while."

"I'm feeling hungry. I'll be back later." Ashar stood up and headed to the buffet table.

Emmet smiled as he watched his friend leave. As clever as Ashar was when it came to the kingdom, he was equally clueless when it came to Hadarah.