The Forgotten Princess

The Forgotten Duties

duckie

It was that hour after dawn when the sky was still a light hazy purple. Like so many below it, the sun hasn’t fully gotten up for the day.

My room frequently shifts between opaque darkness and beams of light coming from the window. I have a nice view of the main road from my bedroom, and all the vehicles passing by on it.

Half asleep, I lazily move under my weighted comforter.

Alright, alright, I regressed, it's probably time to wake my sleepy ass up.

The back of my palm shuffles out of the covers, and against my long soft lashes; if i was rubbing them any harder, they probably would rip them right off. Shoving the blanket completely off in an my effort to achieve a pleasurable stretch; for a moment, i can imagine how good it must feel for a cat to stretch after curling up for a nap.

Feeling myself get sucked back into sleep, i reluctantly move out of my bed's hollowed body indention and roll onto my side. Slowly my eyes open and stare at the wall across from me. It is covered with photographs from when i was little. Oh how much easier it was back then, i didn't have to wake up so early at least.

My eyes shift from the mismatching picture frames on the wall, to my dusty old black alarm clock beside me. It’s Marium’s old clock actually, but i just couldn’t seem to let her throw it away. She calls me a hoarder, but i like to say economically gifted.. at keeping things out of the landfill.

6:35. Wow! grinning at the thought, I am actually up early this morning! She would be so proud of me.

Just as quickly as the grin appears on my face it starts to slowly dissipate. Glancing at the clock again, my eyes study the time over and over, carving it into my mind.

6:35 the clock blinks in red.

I twist the back of my head onto the pillow and stare straight up. Flickers of light from the oncoming headlights dance across the painted star mural on my ceiling. Mother painted it for me when i was little, as she knew i loved the stars and would stay up all night staring at the moon if i could.

Then, just as quickly as the light left the room, I remember why the stupid alarm clock’s time is so noteworthy.

“s**t!” I mutter under my hot morning breath.

The sheep.

“s**t. s**t. s**t!” i cuss at myself, perching myself up.

I promised her I would do sheep duty this morning.

Flipping my legs over the side of the bed frame, I lean down and grab the same pair of crumpled-up light wash jeans I wore yesterday. Struggling to turn them inside out, I curse not doing this the night before when I was about to crawl into bed.

Like i have time to waste on these stupid pants.

As soon as I’m sucked into my favourite Levi's, my arm begins to roam behind me, searching for yesterday's blouse. Throwing off the extra blankets in the way and the multiple pillows that have migrated during my sleep, I find it at last. It is crumpled between a pillow with the case half off and my headboard. I pull the grey long sleeve over my head, not even giving myself a moment for a quick sniff check.

I don’t bother to look at myself before heading downstairs. All that i care about it getting to the sheep before anyone notices that I was late doing so. I do catch my reflection in the aluminum bedroom door handle, and let’s just say, I am no sleeping beauty.

The one thing she asks of me and I sleep in.. and to think I was soooo proud of myself not just two minutes ago for being up early.

For the purpose of speed, i hop over every other step down the steep staircase. I have been late enough to know that if i grip the wall for stability on way down, i can swing my legs so that i go even faster. I make it down the last two of three steps before my body awkwardly shoves itself forward, causing me to almost trip into the open floorplan kitchen. My hands are still gripped on the walls, I catch my feet under me and regain the little balance i have. Of course, i stumbled on the last step. When I am late too! I lean my head forward past the staircase wall to see no one is by the front door and sigh a loud relief.

“Good morning Duckie”

Gulping my spit, and keeping my head down low, I step into the room, focusing my eyes on the outside door just a few steps away.

“Good morning, Darius” My voice almost sounds as though i am confident this morning, and not rushing to get out of this conversation. Almost. “Have a great morning! Uh.. bye.

I know he is standing at the kitchen island right beside me. I can smell his famous coffee bean mix brewing in the pot.

“Uh hem,” he clears his throat. God why is he so annoying. “You just missed her.”

I shift my eyes to at him to see him chucking hot breath into his coffee mug. The cup is so close to his mouth, it seems that he was in the midst of taking a sip moments ago. His brown eyes dip down as though he is searching the mug’s bottom, refusing to make eye contact with me although we both know he was just watching my attempt at being sneaky with such amusement.

Darius’ lips move to a grin before pausing to speaking, “She left for town about an hour ago to take a letter into town.. or was it a half an hour ago”. One eyebrow raises in a facial shrug as he takes another gulp of coffee and places the mug back on the counter. “Not that it would make much of a difference right?”

F**K, I don’t know how far my eyes rolled back but i am pretty sure i could see the cosmos if i tried, “Don’t chuckle at my misfortune too hard. Wouldn’t want to choke on your coffee.”

“That’s why i just finished it before I spoke. Choosing my words and my moments wisely, young one. Maybe you should learn to do the same?” he let out a small chuckle and turned to the counter to pour himself a cup. “Did you just wish danger on your me? I would think that you would be thanking me by now.”

“For?” I’m really resisting the urge to see the cosmos here Darius.

“Well, you were supposed to be up at 6. It is now 6:40. I’m not great at math but i think i am pretty sure that means you slept in.. by a lot.. So, who do you think checked on the sheep for you this morning?”

Registering what he was saying i burst into relief and sprinted up to him.

Smacking my body into his backside, causing him to stumble back, “Woah Woah there. You almost made me spill my coffee!”

Thank goodness. Darius saves the day again.

“By the way, Stacy is due for a shave soon, so I would appreciate if you contacted the groundskeeper and asked him politely to do it for you” he chuckles, “And don’t make me ask him, I have already saved your behind once today!”

Nodding, i grab the coffee pot from the counter. Swishing it to see how full it is, I smell the aroma. If there is one thing Darius does right, he does make a good pot of coffee. “This fresh? cause you know, i only drink the really fresh stuff” I playfully jest knowing he wouldn't be drinking old coffee himself.

“I’ll be sure to tell Mar that. I’ll be sure to mention a lot of things”.

With my one hand free, i reach behind me and wack him on the shoulder in response.

“Ow Duckie!”

“I’m sorry, was that mean? Something about coffee always makes me nicer. Too bad i haven’t had my first sip yet. Maybe you should try drinking some more, it would atleast keep your mouth busy!”, and with that i slipped around the island with my favorite Little Mermaid Mug in tow.

I had just taken my first step up the stairs when that annoying voice crept from behind me again.

“AHEM”

Turning half a step and leaned my head around the corner. Darius is staring at me as though i forgot something already.

“Duckie”

“Yes?” i groan. I just want to drink my tea in peace.

“Did you forget something?”

Oh yeah..

“Can you please trim Stacy? Thanks!”

And with that i skip up the stairs, much more cautiously this time, almost missing the faint “Thank you!” coming from the kitchen.

As i enter the bedroom , my eyes shift to a worn leather couch in the corner by the window. The tan leather has faded in many spots, and the colour is depleting on both arms. Not cracking or ripping yet but it has clearly been well-loved, my mother told me it was the one thing she made sure to take when she moved here.

A smile creeps my face as I slip into it like a worn glove, my legs hanging over one arm and my head resting again the other. Enjoying the sunshine that is starting to rise, i close my eyes for just a few minutes.