Three: Fiona Fallon
1097 Words
Three
Fiona Fallon
The first week of school, that was when the whispers started. Kenna and I woke up late because we stayed up drinking champagne, she’d snuck in from her parent’s house straight from the bottle. We were both hungover, and miserable, and it took us forever to get dressed. We woke to the sound of the alarm clock, dressed hurriedly in our uniforms, and ran to the dining hall with barely 20 minutes to get breakfast before class.
The minute I entered, I felt everyone’s eyes on me.
“That’s the girl,” a fifteen-year-old hissed, “the one the Prince has a crush on.”
“That’s not what I heard,” said her friend, “I heard they’re f*****g. There was a fight between the Prince and Evander about something at the welcome back party. Evander left, and then the Prince dragged Fiona up to his room. When they came out again, she was wearing his necklace and her hair totally looked like he poked her.”
I could feel my cheeks heating up. “Oh god. Oh god. No.”
Kenna made a face. “Are you alright?”
“I’m goin’ ta kill him, Kenna. I---”
Kenna gripped my hand. “Fiona, careful.”
I sighed. “I don’t care if he’s the Prince. This isn’t right. I’m not his, nothin’ happened and the only reason he’s doin’ this is ta make me miserable.”
“Fallon!” this came Declan, who was sitting at a table full of beautiful boys and girls that were all upperclassman. Oliver was amongst them, sitting right at his side. “Come on. Come sit with me.”
Again, the whole of the dining hall was staring at me. I glanced at Kenna.
All Kenna could do was shrug.
I walked over to the table, sitting in an empty space next to Declan.
“You look well rested,” he said, “did you enjoy last night?”
My cheeks colored. I saw everyone around us exchange glances. There were three girls, and three boys aside from Oliver and Kenna. Two of the boys were twins, tall, with red hair, and broad shoulders, and looked like elegant lumberjacks. The third boy had brown hair, wore glasses, and was quietly reading. One of the girls was small, with brown hair. And next to her was a tall, skinny, blond girl who looked like a model.
I was vaguely aware of who they were as they’d all been to the palace before. The two, redheaded twins were part of the Cartwright family. They were the heirs to a place that made scotch. Jack and James Cartwright. The boy with the glasses was Dixon Donnell.
“Hello, Help,” this came from Jack Cartwright, who grinned at me like an i***t. “Have a good night?”
“Hi, Jack,” I said, “yes. I slept in my bed in my dorm room alone.” I looked pointedly at Declan, who only smirked.
“Come on,” said Declan, sidling up closer to me, “there’s no need to be coy. I made certain that everyone knew exactly where we stood. You won’t have anyone botherin’ ya anymore.”
“That’s right,” said Jack Cartwright, “Declan let us know all about your secret serving sessions together. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone. Wouldn’t want to ruin any of your fun.”
“It’s funny,” said the dark-haired girl, whose name was Davina Donnell, Dixon’s sister, “I never would have pegged the two of you together. You are so quiet, Fiona, and I rather thought that you ignored him unless you were working.”
“That’s just part of bein’ at the palace,” I said, “I just do my job and keep out of the way.”
“Well, clearly you’re doin’ more than your job,” this came from the blond girl, whose name was Paisley Crawford. Her family was one of the richest in Scotland, and she was also a teen model. “You’re wearin’ the family symbol.”
From behind me, Kenna scowled. “Oh, shut it, Paisley. Declan’s been in love with you for ages and you constantly ignore him because you don’t want to be Queen. Fiona didn’t do anythin’ wrong, so don’t even try ta act slighted.”
Paisley huffed. “She doesn’t belong here. She’s a servant.”
Declan wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “She’s mine,” he said, “so you’ll do as you’re told. She’s one of us now. If anyone hurts her, you’re hurtin’ me. Remember that. It doesn’t just go for the boys, Paise.”
She shook her head, then glanced at Davina and the third girl who was Declan’s cousin, Sorcha. “Come on, girls, let’s leave.”
Davina followed, but Sorcha rolled her eyes.
“Oh please, Paisley, Kenna’s right. You’ve been playin’ mind games with Declan for years. Let him be happy with Fiona.”
“Fine, Sorcha, stay loyal to your servant.”
Paisley and Davina left the table, and Declan shook his head.
“Ignore her,” Declan whispered into my ear, “you want breakfast? I’ll get you something.”
“I can get it myself.”
“I’ll get you somethin’,” he said, then before I could stop him he got up from the table went to the food line. A few minutes later, he came back with a tray that had a buttered Rowie on there, complete with jam. Blueberry. And a cup of tea.
I stared at him in surprise. “I….how did you know that was what I was goin’ ta get?”
“Because that’s what you always have,” he said.
“Hey, where’s my breakfast, yer highness?” Kenna said, a gleeful look on her expression.
“Get it yerself, Berkshire,” he said as he sat down next to me.
“Right,” said Kenna, “well, as strange as this has been, Fiona we’ve got class.”
I glanced down at my watch. “Shite. Um. Okay. I’ve got to----”
“Come over,” Declan blurted.
Everyone stared at him.
“I….what?”
“After classes today, come over to the apartment. We’ll study.”
“I…I mean….”
Do as the royals tell you. Nan’s voice echoed through my head.
“Okay,” I said, “I’ll come.”
“I bet you will,” Jack whispered to James, and I found myself blushing.
“Um. I’ll see you later. Kenna, ready for class?” I said.
“Yeah. Of course.”
I grabbed the Rowie that Declan had gotten me, gobbled it down quickly, and downed it with a giant gulp of the tea he’d gotten me. “Thanks,” I said, and before I could stop myself, I reached out and squeezed his shoulder.
Declan looked up at me, his eyes widened. As did everyone else.
“Um,” I said, “class. Kenna, ready for class?”
“Er….yes, Fi. I’m ready for class. Let’s go.”
I let go of Declan, and the two of us skirted from the dining room hall. Completely at a loss from what had just happened.
- Writer
