Alhana woke up to the sound of children's laughter, she got out of bed and went to the window, in the yard next door, the boy she met 'Taylor?' was outside with four younger kids. Alhana walked over to the mirror, pulled out her brush, and started brushing her hair methodically.
*Taylor*
Tay looked up from his game of "Duck Duck Goose" with Zac, Avie, Jessie, and Mackenzie at the window that he was almost positive was Alhana's, "Alhana." He said the name, quietly to himself.
All last night he had dreamed about her, her face, her hair, he voice. He was sure she was the one for him, he decided then and there he would do anything for her, even die for her.
Tay felt Mackie's hands on his head and he suddenly looked over to hear "Goose" from his little brother, he jumped up and ran playfully after Mack, Tay let him get all the way around the circle and sit in his old seat.
"I guess that makes me it." He said, starting to walk around the circle, but Isaac stuck his head out the backdoor and called "Tay! Phone for you!"
*Karey*
"Hello?" said Taylor, sounding a little to eager to Karey's ears.
"Hey Tay, it's Karey, what's up?" said Karey.
"Oh.. Hi." Said Taylor, sounding disappointed.
"I was wondering if maybe you wanted to go over to LazerQuest with me and hang out for a while?" Karey crossed her fingers as she said this, hoping he'd say yes.
"I guess, considering I think we need to talk," said Tay softly, "what time do you wanna go?"
"How about around one?" Karey said, sounding sort of scared by now.
They planned the rest of it out and hung up the phone, Karey sat down on her bed, and burst into tears. She buried her head in her pillow and sobbed. 'He's going to break up with me, I just know it' she thought to herself.
*Alhana*
"Laurana! Come on! Wake up, its time for breakfast!" said Alhana, as she knocked on Laurana's door.
"Daughter of the stars," came Alexander's cold whisper, startling Alhana. "Laurana can not hear you, I would not want you to ruin our… plans."
Alhana felt her blood turn into ice at his words, "What plan?" she said, trying to sound in control.
Alexander smiled, "Why our marriage plans of course, I'm taking Laurana back to Qualinesti on the next full moon, she has agreed to marry me to 'save her elven tribes,' its pretty funny when you think about it, considering as soon as I am ruler of the elves, I will sell them off as slaves to the highest bidder, which will most probably be the Draconians."
Alhana could barely contain her rage and anger, she almost slapped Alexander, instead she ran out the door and down the path. She turned up to the Hanson's house, and rang the doorbell.
*Zac*
Zac heard the doorbell ring faintly inside the house, he decided it was his duty to answer it, even though he was upstairs and in his room. He bounced off of his bed, tripped over a pile of clothes, and raced downstairs. "I'LL GET IT!" he screamed, running towards the door.
He ran down the stairs, stopping for a moment to catch his breath and brush the hair out of his face, and threw open the door.
"Uh, Hi." Said Zac.
"Hi… is… Taylor? Home?" Asked Alhana shyly, blushing bright pink.
"Yeah, hold on a sec…. TAYLOR!! SOMEONE TO SEE YOU!"
"Zac, keep it down!" said Mrs. Hanson as she walked into the room, "Oh hi dear, you must be one of the new neighbors, I'm Diana.." Diana smiled warmly.
"Thank you ma'am, I'm Alhana."
"Alhana, dear, have you been crying?" asked Mrs. Hanson sympathetically, "Your eyes look positively bloodshot. Are you OK?"
"Yes ma'am, I'm fine."
*Taylor*
Taylor came into the room, and looked at Alhana, she was wearing a pair of jeans, and a green tank top with the words "Grrl meets Boy" on the front. She looked delicious, her hair was down, and it curled slightly around her elbows. Then he noticed her tearstained face.
"Alhana, What's wrong?"
"Nothing Taylor, may I speak with you in private?"
"Sure, let's go up to my room, is that ok?"
*Alhana*
Alhana nodded and followed Taylor up to his room. When they got there, she sat down on the bed, and told him her entire life story…
From growing up as the pampered princess, to being kidnapped at the tender age of 12, to her life as it was now, living in fear of Alexander.
She looked down at her hands, she had never told anyone this… she had never felt more open in her life.