| 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 | 

Cheeks a fleshy red color, gaps of sunlight floated passed the leaves upon singular branches. Chubby fingers played with a strand that came off the hem of my dress. She was so perfect, she should be princess not me. I watched her closely from behind a singular tree in the courtyard, sure enough not to get spotted by her just in case.

I looked constantly at the bark of the tree before looking towards the girl yet she was two feet in front of me glaring at me like I was the enemy.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"I-uhm, I- j-ust- friends?"

We were children back then, and I guess my childish thoughts of her being perfect was just an early tell-tale sign of me having a crush on her. She grew up so pretty, I'm so proud of her being a knight and all, she's so strong and powerful and everytime I think about her I can't help but turn into a blushing mess.

"Princess a visitor." I squatted my hand to let the butler let them in,

I fixed my gloves and plucked the now empty basket up; holding it both hands. It was important as a royal to keep communication with your people as they were your kingdom and myself, their voice. Plus the small markets always had great sweets.

"Who let the princess carry her own basket?!"

I knew that voice anywhere and in the moment I took to think about it she had pulled the basket out of my hand and held it in hers. My face grew pink and even more so where her lips met the top of the silky smooth fabric of my glove before our eyes met.

"I'm fine," i said partially in a trance,

I wondered why she was here, yet I guess due to the things circulating around the kingdom I needed a few more magic knights around. I watched her squabble with a servant, as my thoughts traveled fast; I shouldn't romanticize my best friend.

I took her to the markets, yet she held my hand all the way there. My face was bright the whole time wondering why she'd let someone like me touch her. I picked out a few things and though the merchants tried to sell it for free I still gave them money.

"Aww don't you two look so beautiful, friends since childhood!" a lady swooned,

Noelle just stood there glaring at the woman, before pulling me to continue on. We wandered in silence before she asked an off guarding question.

"Why haven't you held hands in marriage yet?"

I wanted to choke, I swilved my head to her as I stopped in my tracks.

"Wha-" she repeated herself,

"I-" I stumbled over words before I answered, "Well it's not that simple-"

She turned her head and wandered to stand in front of me. "What do you mean?"

I stared at the ground, it wasn't really something that I wanted to say but I said it anyway.

"Well- I don't really find men attractive."

I watched her lips part as the realization struck her, I quickly wandered passed her to find something to distract my pink face and the embarrassment that began to sting.

"Wait so you like girls?!"

Why does she have to be so damn loud, I new no one was listening in but still. There was nothing wrong with it, I don't know what she was going on about. I gave her a small nodd. Playing with my fingers to distract myself I hadn't noticed her hand against my shoulder before it was too late.

She yanked me away from the crowds and into a small alleyway near by. My back against the wall and her face inches apart from my own. Did she not understand or something?

"Noe-" Her lips were pressed against mine.

Her lips were smooth and soft, plump almost like marshmallows and as I took in a shallow breath her lavender perfume consumed my nose. I had never noticed how sweet it was; I kept my arms awkwardly beside me and when it was finished I was a blob of red putty in her hand.

I slid down the wall staring up at her as I tried to string a sentence together. "W-why did you kiss me?"

She held her lips with a small blush as she turned away, "I don't know, always wanted to kiss a girl."

I could tell by the tone of her voice she was lying yet could it be- did my own crush return the feelings I had for her or was it just a cowidence, yet one thing was for sure I had received my first kiss from Noelle.