The Urban Princesses: Rapunzel

Chapter 13

I glanced up at the sky and my heart jumped as sparks of red filled the sky. Another boom.

I shot up and didn't even register that Earl's hands were on my waist to steady me.

Purple sparks exploded into the sky. Next came yellow, then blue, the green, then white, the colors danced and fell before my eyes. Illuminating the dark sky. They were amazing. Amazing didn't begin to describe their beauty. Dazzling light and color that exploded into patterns of blue and gold, purple and red, green and pink, truly radiant.

They continued for another five minutes until the last white spark flew into the air like a rocket.

"That was...." I had no words. I sat down on the bench and kept staring at the sky. The sky that had once been illuminated with the amazing lights. Every time I closed my eyes, I still had the shadow of the lights imprinted on my vision

"Everything you hoped and dreamed and more?" Earl grinned.

I looked into his big brown eyes. "Yes."

He smiled at me, genuine care and respect show in his face. I wasn't afraid anymore. I scooted a little closer to him on the bench. This time, he scooted closer too. I was shocked when he held my hand. He leaned towards me this time. I followed suit. Our faces were inches apart. Wait! You don't know how to kiss! I screamed at myself. I could feel his warm breath on my cheek. I let my eyes fall closed and pursed my lips slightly. Then, I felt his grip on my palms loosen. I opened my eyes and saw him staring at something across the water.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I.. um... I have to do something."

I leaned back and pulled my hands away from him. He cleared his throat, took the oars in his hands, and we started rowing back to shore.

I choked back tears. I wasn't going to cry. There was nothing to cry about. I have had the best night of my life and I wasn't going to let one misperception ruin it.

We came to shore and docked the boat back up. Earl walked quickly behind the building.

"Wait here." He directed. I sat down on a rock and watched him walk to other way. I felt a tear roll down my cheek and I wiped it away quickly.

"My poor dear."

I looked up and saw mother sitting on a rock on the other side of me.

"Mommy-"

She opened her arms and I ran into them like a child. She smelled like tobacco smoke and lilac.

"There, there, it's ok." She patted my back gently. "I know how it feels to have your heart broken."

"You saw us?"

She nodded.

"Mother, I'm sorry. I should've never left you. I was stupid-"

"Yes, yes you were. I tried to warn you."

Did she just call me stupid? I pulled away. Her eyes were old and weary, they didn't look as happy and young as they used to.

"That Flynn boy-"

"His name is Earl."

She wrinkled her nose. "Earl, sorry to say, but he abandoned you."

My heart dropped into my stomach. "What are you talking about?"

"He is gone. I just saw him with that necklace. He pulled away in a car and left. He seemed to be done with you."

"No. I don't believe you." He wouldn't leave me.

She pulled out her small cellphone. "I got a video of it. I'm reporting him to the police immediately."

She clicked play on the video and I saw a small sedan whip into view, Earl sat in the driver's seat, his sunglasses still on and the necklace wrapped in his fingers. I put a hand over my mouth and choked back tears.

"Rachel, are you ok?"

"Momma, I want to go home."

***

Flynn's POV

Was I going to kiss her? Did I really have feelings for her? Our lips seemed to be magnetic. We both slowly advanced on each other. Her green eyes closed and mine were about to when I saw something across the lake. Two large figures were in a boat across the lake, they were focused on me. I froze. I needed to apologize. I needed to tell then that I had Rachel now and didn't need them. I needed to do it now.

"What's wrong?"

"I.. um... I have to do something."

We both leaned back in our seats. I cleared my throat and started rowing back to shore.

Rachel's face was bright red and she looked disappointed. I should apologize. For what? I don't know, not kissing her?

We came to shore and docked the boat back up. I led her behind the boat renter building.

"Wait here." I directed. She sat down on a rock and I walked towards the other side of the lake.

They were just docking their boat when I got there.

"Ok, boys, I'm here to apologize."

They didn't looked shocked or nervous to see me, they just crossed their burly arms over their large chests.

"I'm sorry for leaving you, I'm sorry for taking the necklace for myself, and I'm sorry for eating the last brownie bar."

"You ate that?!" Jack grunted.

I nodded. "I was doing you a favor." I said as I scanned his large stomach.

He took a step towards me but Quinn stopped him.

"Listen, Rider, we don't care about that, we want the girl."

I was caught off guard by this question. "Excuse me?"

"That blond chick."

No, I wasn't going to put Rachel in danger like that. "Why would you want her?"

"She is the millionaire's daughter."

My mouth gaped open. "How do you know that?" No, that couldn't be right.

"We have our sources." Jack grinned.

"Now hand her over."

"No."

They raised their eyebrows and looked each other. "Well alright then."

It all happened in a single moment. Quinn stepped towards me and threw his fist at my face. Before I could react, everything went black.