The Choosing Game

Friends? Friends

Lillian's POV:

I haven't seen Eric in a few days, apparently a polo tournament was taking place, keeping the him and every other royal and noble man occupied. But he and i chat and talk on the phone everyday.

Alex on the other hand, has been sending me flowers, bouquets of lilies and peonies with apology notes everyday but has not come to see me. According to Anna he has been so busy even the choosing is on hold and Emily said that he addressed all the girls about what happened on the beach and the accusations against me. Good for him!

I haven't been to the polo game once, i received all the invitations but i never even bothered to check them, Emily is forcing me to be there for today's game. I wanted to have a lazy day but no, she will not let me. Just on cue she barges into the room.

"For a lady raised to have manners and all, were you ever taught to knock?" She never does, despite all my nagging.

"Yup! I just choose not to" she stuck out her tongue at me. "Ok get up, it's time to get you ready" i looked at her and she was wearing an ivory low back sundress with her black hair was in a fish tail braid brought to the front, she had a matching fascinator that made everything look really elegant. She looked beautiful.

She rummaged through my suitcases looking for something i could wear. She finally brought out a black maxi length dress that has side slits, blue and white prints with black sandal heels. "Alright lets do your hair" i groaned.

My hair was curled and knotted into a low loose bun and my makeup light with red lipstick. I have to admit she is good at this.

"Oh nice. Thank you" i hugged her, showing my appreciation.

"Your welcome" she said grinning like a cheshire cat.

I grabbed a black clutch to go with my shoes. Emily pulled out a black fascinator, it was small and appropriate.

Anna was kind enough to send a car to take us so we wont have to ride with the other girls. We rode and arrived at the polo field in no time and went up to the seats she saved us.

Anna quickly got up as she spotted us. "Oh girls you look h..ho..hot!" She said as she hugged us. She pulled back and i noticed she was wearing an olive green high low dress which complemented her skin tone real nice. "So do you" we said in unison.

Ok i have to come clean, i know nothing about this game but i watched anyway. I spotted Alex, he was on the red team with number three jersey and Eric was number two. Jason and Luke were not playing, they were seating with us cheering and explaining the basic rules to me.

After what seemed like forever of back and forth and halftime the game was over and the red team won. We all cheered. Luke got up and pulled my hand. I looked at him in confusion "come on. We are going down to congratulate them" he clarified

We all went down and went into the locker rooms. Surprisingly it didn't wreak of man stench like i thought it would. We spotted the reds. Alex was with Sasha and co, as usual which made roll my eyes, she kept running her claws all over him and he seemed to be enjoying it.

Anna ran and hugged her brother, seeing them together made me miss Nate even more than i already do, i felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned and saw it was Eric standing there with one of the goofiest smile plastered on his face. I put my arms around his neck and hugged him tight, he reciprocated by wrapping his hands around my waist and pulling me in more.

"You were great out there" i beamed.

"I know" he said smug.

I laughed pulling away "typical" i took a good look at him up close "uhmm i gotta say this uniform looks good on you, you know" i said checking him out playfully, i considered him that kind of friend that i could playfully flirt with and not feel worried he might take it the wrong way.

"I know" he chuckled "i like the little dress, it does my eyes plenty favors" He said checking me out too. I hit him playfully. Someone cleared there throat behind me, i turned and there was Alex, just on cue my heart started beating wildly. He looked hot in his uniform with one hand in his pocket and the other scratching the back of his neck. He smelled even hotter.

"Hey" he said, staring straight at me.

"Hi" i answered meekly. I had forgotten how to talk to him, not that i knew how to talk to him before.

"You look beautiful" he gave me his signature charming smile. I stood there breathless forgetting how to speak in general.

"Erm can i speak to you for a minute" he looked at Eric and added "in private" i was hesitant at first but then i nodded and followed him. He led me into a private lounge and closed the door. I could feel my palms getting sweaty and my heart racing to a billion hearts per minute.

“How have you been?” He asked cautiously.

I looked at him, just plainly and blankly. He ought to know that i wasn’t going to go back to normal with him just like that. With just ‘how have you been?’ Did he really not me that much. I just looked at him and said nothing.

"I was an i***t that day on the beach., I have always been an i***t" i was surprised. I knew he was trying to apologize for that day but it seemed more than that now that he stood in front of me, struggling with his words, humbling himself to apologize to me.

"Since you came here i never once considered how you felt being kept against your will like a prisoner. Just because you hurt my ego. But i promise you it only started as that and i guess that day at the beach i was trying to prove a point and i let things get out of hand" he was staring dead into my eyes, it was so intense and so sincere at the same time.

"What are you saying?" i asked, obviously confused by it all.

"I like you." I swear my heart skipped two thousand beats all at once.

"And i only kept you here because i hate to think of the idea of you not being here" he confessed, looking bashful.

"You have a really nice way of showing your feelings you know" i said sarcastically finally finding the courage to respond, i was terrified by his confession but i did not want to let him know that.

"I have never felt like this about any girl before and it scares the hell out of me. When we were on the beach i wanted to hide my feelings so badly that i ended up hurting you" he moved closer to me and out of impulse i moved back away from him. He looked slightly disappointed but he quickly masked it.

"I guess what i'm trying to say is, i want to start afresh, clean slate" he took my hands in his, waiting for me to respond. My mind was blocked yet so many things ran through it, i did not know how to respond to that.

"I know you don't reciprocate my feelings. But can we be friends for now? Get to know each other at least?" He added lightly stroking the palm of my hand sending shock waves through my whole body.

I looked down at our intertwined hand and the nodded shyly.

"Is that a yes" he knew it was a yes but he was just trying to get me to talk.

"Yes" i squeaked. He let my hands go and before i could register what was happening he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to his rock hard chest. I took a whiff of his intoxicating scent for a bit then i wrapped my hands around his neck, relaxing into the hug.

I started to moved and he unwrapped his arms from my waist smiling ear to ear, his beautiful dimples showing " we are going to this stake house to celebrate our fourth win.. Do you want to come?"

"Yeah, i would love to" i smiled back. He put his hand out to me, i carefully placed my palm in his and he led me out. I'm trying to get used to this new arrangement but i am still in shock. We walked hand in hand to where everyone was.

They were standing by the field chatting and suddenly they all stopped and turned to us. I was wondering what they were all looking at, i remembered we were holding hands. Oh my God! I pulled my hand but Alex held on to it tight not letting go. I was mortified. My face was burning with embarrassment.

Luke, Anna, Jason and emily had surprise looks painted on there faces. Ruby, Amy, Sasha and their little lap dog Leah, also to my surprise Eric were all glaring at us. Before i could react Eric turned on his heel and started walking towards the exit "lets go" he mumbled. Nobody said anything, we just walked behind him to the cars. I finally managed to pry my hand out of Alex's and quickly called shot gun in Luke's car with Jason and Michael who was with jersey number one on the team. Anna, Emily and Ben the number four on the polo team rode with Eric who was in a mood apparently. Alex drove the girls as usual.

We got to the place, it was a lovely restaurant with beautiful interiors. We got in and were shown to the table, before we could sit emily pulled me to the powder room to fix her braid "spill" she ordered with a grin.

"There is really nothing to spill" i said defensively.

"Oh come on Lilly! That wasn't nothing" she urged impatiently.

"Ok fine it wasn't but it still isn't what you think it is" i told her.

"Well what is it then?" She asked, grabbing my upper arms and shaking me.

I pulled out of her grip then replied "we are friends"

She rolled her eyes at me "friends?! Who are you kidding?"

"Yes friends, as in we will from now henceforth be civil towards each other" i said rolling my eyes at her too.

"I don't really believe you" she said, folding her arms to her chest.

I shrugged not caring about what she said "let's get back, shall we?"

She said and walked out with me. when we got back the only two seats left were either in between Ruby and Ben or Alex and Eric.. Emily walked in front and took the first option and i was stuck with the best friends that seem to be at each others throat for no apparent reason.

I took the seat carefully and gave a small smile to Alex. Turning to Eric who was clenching on to his cup like he was about to break it. I put my hand on his trying to calm him down "hey are you alright?" I asked worriedly, he wasn't like this earlier.

"I'm fine" he gritted through his clenched teeth.

"No, you are not. Come on please tell me" i whispered softly.

His eyes softened as he looked at me "its nothing really". I nodded and smiled.

The waiter came and we ordered, i ordered a large meal on purpose and i noticed Ruby biting her tongue trying not to comment on my order. I smiled to myself knowing i've won this round.