The Lethal Princess (Completed) Wattys2015 Winner

The Thing

Song: Jason Mraz - I Won't Give Up

"Avril," Ike called as I walked along through the gray corridor going to my office. Yes everyone, I had my very own office. Like a boss. But I really didn't do much, I just acted like I did looking really engrossed and concentrated on something whenever someone walked in. However, once they left I changed my Internet screen back to the Spongebob episode I was watching or the game I was playing. Harmony had given me this stack of papers that she wanted me to read through about being a Golden Princess, being the next in line to the throne, and rules and etiquette of the kingdom but I took one look at that encyclopedia in the form of a huge stack of papers and mentally told myself never would I read that.

So far everyone thought I was half way there...if only they knew.

"What?" I back tracked my footsteps stopping in his doorway and peering into his office. Oh and I had split our offices. We originally had an office that was together but I refused to share an office with Ike. I just wanted to stay away from him.

"Can I talk to you real fast?" I was about to sharply reply with a 'no', but I decided against it when I saw how nervous he looked. He wasn't looking at me, instead rubbing the back of his neck and his moist rosy lips pulled down into a slight frown as he avoided eye contact. He kind of looked cute--urgh get it together Avril!

Sighing, I leaned against the door frame crossing my arms. "What is it?" My tone was dull and annoyed, by the way his frown grew deeper I could tell he heard.

"Um I know this is sorta out of the blue...but I was w-wondering if, maybe, by chance...if you were free...would you, I don't know, maybe-uh, wanna hang with...me, you know if-if you're cool with it...and it wouldn't..cause you any problems...bu-but if you don't want to...that's ok-okay with me..."

I just stared at him, hands still crossed and posted against my chest. That was the longest sentence I have ever heard, I thought watching Ike. He looked so vulnerable at that very moment, the most vulnerable I ever seen him. I just wanted to break him.

I opened my mouth about to decline his offer when suddenly I was bombarded with an overwhelming sense of guilt and grief. Briefly my mind ran over all the times I had rejected him since I became princess and how he still asked me out. I couldn't even count it on my fingers how many times I rejected him because he had ask so many times. Well, he was a determined piece of work, I could give him that.

Crossing my arms against my chest, I sighed warily. "Sure, Ike." I replied reluctantly. The widest smile that I ever saw Ike have lit his entire face. His dimple appeared, his perfect smile transformed his face from handsome to breathtaking and I knew I was a goner. "Just don't get your hopes up." I added sharply, trying to get rid of that smile that took my breath away and made me weak in the knees, but still the smile didn't drop or even falter.

He shrugged grinning broadly. "A date, that's all I'm asking for." He sounded so sure of himself now.

"Good." I said curtly.

"Good." He repeated. Without another word, I left the room wondering if I would regret my decision.

I began to walk feeling angry at myself for saying yes to him, but stopped realization hitting me.

One moment Ike had been acting like a discouraged puppy looking like he was ready to be kicked again by the foot of rejection, and the next minute, he looked like a man who had won a world record and knew the accomplishment was all because of him. Weak to strong, scared and reluctant to arrogant and charming. That bastard had acted all nervous on purpose! He knew how I felt about underdogs, and he knew how I would react if he looked exactly like an underdog. I would want to take him under my wing and stop his worries.