My body shivered when I woke up, my covers everywhere but on me. They piled on the floor next to my bed. I sat up, rubbing my eyes and I was overcome with dizziness. Every part of me wanted to lay back down.

But I forced it to sit up. I looked around my room, the sun barely trickling in. Already, a sleepiness overcame me. I wanted to go back to sleep. Dream of something else. Something better than past memories and trauma. 

~~~~~~

Despite my restless nights, I still have a job to do. I walk down the palace halls wearing my usual clothes and mask. I made my way to Margo’s room. Hopefully, she had a better night’s rest than me. 

But someone beat me to it.

There by her door stood Harold. Already ready for the day ahead. He held a bouquet of pink rosas. I frowned recognizing them. The ones I spent so long planting and caring for. The ones I bought with my own money.

He looked over at me and a smile grew on his lips. He took a step forward.

“Ah, Suki. Good morning,” he said with a bow, “I am just waiting for Margo to awaken. I’m assuming she hasn’t?”

“No. She hasn’t.”

He nodded, “Yes. I suppose so. I just wanted to surprise her with these. Pretty aren’t they?”

He inspected the flowers in his hand and plucked a leaf off from one. 

“We aren’t allowed to leave here, but I wanted to get her something. I hope you don’t mind I took them from the garden?”

I bit my lip. His smile seemed to grow when he saw this.

“Did I pick a nerve,” he said with a laugh, “I do apologize, I was just trying to be nice.” He sighed.

“It is such a shame Margo isn’t ready yet. We all would have imagined that she would be. But, I guess it can’t be helped,” he added as he walked away from me. He turned around and smiled once more and bowed, 

“I’ll see her in a few then. Please go ahead and get her ready. She can’t be even more tardy.”

He walked down the halls, the heels of his boots tapped on the floor. The roses over his shoulder. A petal fell to the floor.

Never in my life, have I wanted to punch someone so badly. 

~~~~~

Margo let out a long yawn, “He kept me busy all night,” she managed to say. I was brushing her hair. Margo’s head fell forward every now and then.

“Do you want to stand? You keep falling asleep,” I asked.

Margo shook her head, “Nah, I probably will fall asleep standing.”

She looked at me from the mirror, “But Prince Harold was nice. Very sweet. We held hands.”

I kept brushing her hair.

“He told me he loved my eyes. But I think that was just him being nice. But, when I slipped and we thought I sprained my ankle he offered to carry me to the health clinic.”

She turned to me, forcing me to stop brushing.

“He asked first! He asked me first before touching me!”

She laughed, “It’s sweet. Right?”

Everything in me wanted to tell her what happened with Harold this morning. His sly remarks that seemed polite had an undertone of hate under them. We didn’t need to like each other. We just needed to tolerate one another. 

I closed my eyes, attempting to push the thoughts to the back of my mind. It doesn’t matter. What matters is what would make Margo happy. If she is happiest with Harold then I should accept that.

“Is everything okay,” Margo asked turning around in her chair. Her eyes looked up at me like an innocent cat’s. If hearts cold stop momentarily, which they can, mine would then. Despite her not being ready for the day she still was beautiful.

I smiled and went to nod, but before I could even do so the alarms went off. Margo jumped and covered her ears. I grabbed her arm. The alarms weren’t meant for testing today.

Something must have happened for us to go into lockdown. I ran with Margo in tow to a mirror. I pulled at the mirror until it opened to show a hidden closet. I went to push Margo inside, but she stopped me and grabbed my wrist. She looked at me with stern eyes and pulled me inside with her.

The closet was never meant for more than one person. She closed the mirror, leaving us in darkness. Her heartbeat was fast and loud.

Thump, thump, thump.

We were so close, we were touching each other. Belly to belly. She grabbed my hand and clenched it. I could feel her fingers caressing my knuckles. My eyes finally started to adjust to the dark, and I could see Margo looking into my eyes.

It’s just the closeness, that’s all. She is looking at me because of how close we are.

My heart starts to beat faster. Possibly nerves.

Margo brought her hand to my face and pushed a stray hair out of it. She let out a soft breath. I can feel it on my face and the tenderness of her fingers as if she is touching something that could break easily. She gets even closer, our lips nearly touching. I want to move back, but my body is frozen.

My heart beats even faster and I want to lean forward. I want to lean forward just enough so our lips barely touch. I want to touch her and move the hair out of her face. I want her to keep holding my hand and caressing my knuckles, the movements are soothing.

“I. I have to tell you something,” I mumbled. Margo tilts her head. The words came out on their own. My body isn’t in control. My brain is and it doesn’t feel like mine. She brings my hand to her lips and takes in a deep breath like she is smelling me.  

We get even closer. Her lips are so close to mine.