Romeo and Romeo

FØÜR

~LEVI~

"There you are!" I turned to see Amelia hurrying in my direction. I had navigated (with some difficulty) back to the ballroom, waiting for this disastrous event to end.

"Hey," I said quietly as she reached my side. I doubted she could hear my soft voice over the chatter of the ballroom, but that was the last thing on my mind at the moment.

"So, how did it go with your little prince? Don't think I didn't notice that you've been gone all night," Amelia winked suggestively.

"I don't want to talk about it," I tried to speak a bit louder so that she could hear me over the noise, but my voice wouldn't go past a quiet mumble.

Whether Amelia had heard me or just noticed that something was off, I had no idea. "Hey, what's up baby brother?"

"We're twins."

"Don't change the subject, Levi."

I sighed; she knew me too well for my own good. "I'll tell you about it when we leave."

My sister opened her mouth to say something else, but was interrupted by a voice speaking over a microphone, silencing the entire ballroom.

"I'd like to thank everyone for coming out tonight," a man, who I presumed was the King of Elizabeth based off of the massive crown on his head, addressed the crowd with a proud smile. "It's always lovely to meet with other kingdoms and their people. Now, without further ado, it's time for the final dance of the night. I'd like to ask all of the heirs to their thrones—all of my beautiful princes and princesses out there—to step onto the dance floor for this last number. Goodnight!" The King glanced around irritably, as if looking for someone, before making his exit. That's when I realized that there was no sign of Prince Charles. Great job, Levi.

The orchestra began playing a nice classical piece. All of the noblemen and women, Dukes and duchesses, and kings and queens cleared the dance floor to give the heirs room. I reluctantly followed Amelia, though dancing was the last thing I wanted to do at the moment.

Just a few minutes. Then it will be over.

"Levi, you're not okay," Amelia said in concern as we waltzed to the music.

I humphed. "Tell me about it."

"No, seriously. You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm fine."

I wasn't fine. I was lightheaded, my legs felt weak. I was having trouble focusing my eyesight. Charles's words had affected me more than I would care to admit to anyone, including myself. My sister didn't argue, giving my hand a comforting squeeze.

The dance felt like it lasted an hour, when in reality it was only four or five minutes. It was the processes of leaving the ballroom that really seemed to last an eternity. Hundreds of bodies attempted to exit through the ginormous marble doors at once. After at least a solid half hour, with Amelia holding my hand for comfort the entire way, we made it to our white limousine where our parents were waiting. Once they saw that we'd arrived, they entered the limo through the door nearest to the front. Amelia and I entered through the door at the back, into a completely different room than our parents.

Fancy, I know.

As soon as I sat down, I turned up the AC. My body relaxed slightly at the cool breeze.

"Alright, talk," Amelia demanded.

I explained everything to her, from the moment I saw him to the moment he shoved me away. The hurt that I'd been pushing away had taken over by the time I was done. Hurt that he'd said what he said, hurt that I'd ruined it for myself, hurt that I'd lost my chance. Most of all, hurt that I'd somehow allowed myself to fall so quickly.