Fake Princess
CHAPTER 26
Most of the warmth that Jose gave me had evaporated, but there was a small part that remained attached.
“ Just because someone is from City V, does not mean they are causing trouble,”.
Aunt Vania sighed in a loud voice, then exhaled out loud.
“ I didn't say that. But feeling great often results so. & Jose Wiliam felt himself great long ago.”
He thinks of me that way, I realize. Think of me as someone who “ is too great.” A commoner girl with the attitude of a princess. Well, I'm trying to get rid of it, learn to be a regular person. I try my best, but it's hard to dispel the sixteen-year-old assumption that you're someone.
“ It makes him restless,” continued my aunt, “ & it leads to...”.
Suddenly I felt angry, tired of hearing his words, and I swung my hand..
“ Enough,” snapped me
“ He wants to be friends with me. He was the only person in Treb who would even try to get to know me instead of whispering behind my back or telling me that I wasn't good enough
Aunt Vania opened her mouth, the line between her eyes looked long and deep, but I just said,
I left the room, full of pride. Is this just another way to show how much he doesn't like me? A way to make sure my life here is as boring and cold as his? I flung my body over my narrow bed, which was tucked between my aunt's window and bed.
For some reason, I felt an overwhelming urge to approach my coffin and pull out one of my dresses. I haven't opened that chest in weeks, since I got here I've only worn Alvi's little girl clothes. But now I want to, half dead, hold something that comes from a time when I was happy, when I had a friend, when I knew myself.
The urge was stirring inside me, but I gritted my jaw and closed my eyes tightly until my eyelids hurt. There is no point in keeping the past. Devan's face flashed before my closed eyes, but I purposely replaced it with Jose's face. I gripped the blanket on my bed lying down, and pinned it between my fingers. This is what I have now. Only these. I must be content.
After that Aunt Vania didn't say anything about my friendship with Jose. He allowed me to go out with him, allowed us to sit in the garden, even on rainy nights, allowed Jose to come in and set up a chessboard for us to play. My aunt was polite to Jose, but from the position of her mouth I knew my aunt still disliked this situation as much as the first start of her visit.
Instead, I have felt happier since my arrival in Treb. It might not be comparable, given the loneliness I feel, but at least it's progress.
One week went by, then the next two weeks I met Jose almost every day. I quickly finished my task so that at the end of the day I could face Aunt Vania, the woolen thread was dyed, the clothes were repaired as best I could, the garden weeded, and allowed to go to see my friend.
The activities we do vary. Sometimes just sitting in front of Aunt Vania's house or in the back garden of Jose's parents' house and chatting. Jose tells about his relatives in the city, and the various plays and musical performances he attended while visiting them.
I used to love watching the art group that Jose was referring to, and despite feeling a bit of longing when Jose mentioned it, it turns out that now I can talk about it without feeling too sad.