Welcome to Westwood

CHAPTER TWO: FICTION IMITATES LIFE

Chapter Two

Beck couldn’t believe what she was hearing right now. After living in other people’s worlds through the stories she reads, it turns out, she is part of a story in someone else’s universe. She has always believed in fantasies and the impossible, but seeing things first hand come to life like this, she was starting to question if she’s going crazy or that everything she’s ever believed in life is just the tip of the iceberg. There’s more to life than what every human being knows and that is there are other worlds out there. This character was just able to cross through dimensions out of his free will.

“You know my story?” Beck asked, wondering how much the guy knows about.

The Prince nodded at her, wondering if she thought about it as a good thing or a bad thing. “And I’m assuming…you know what happens to me?”

“Happened.” She replied, still in a state of shock, trying to move her feet in place to get some sort of grasp of the reality she knows of.

“Happened. Correct. I…I died. The sorceress…killed me…the night of my wedding. But that only brought me here, to your world. So that means…I still have a chance to save my Kingdom. I just…need to figure out how to go back.” The Prince suddenly realized that he has a chance to undo what has been done. Smiling, he moved closer to her and held onto both of her arms. “And you…you’re the answer.”

“Me? How am I supposed to help you? I didn’t even know you existed until five minutes ago!” Beck said, feeling like she was ultimately going crazy about this. If this happened in her dream, she would’ve immediately agreed to it but this was real. She was sure it was real, feeling the nerves move from her stomach to her brain but then, the good conscience in her was moving her nerves towards her heart and soul. She couldn’t let a man go through this alone in a world he clearly knows none of. "Why me? Can't we like...just go to the cops or something?"

"Why not you? You're brave, you're smart — you got into Harvard even if you didn't want to." He revealed and Beck felt her heart stop for a moment there. The Prince knew things she doesn't and Martin Fitzpatrick realized he just dropped an information about the girl's life that probably hasn't happened yet.

"Are you saying...you know the future? I'm getting into Harvard?" She asked for clarification and Martin bit his lip, unsure if he should say more. "Uhm...yeah. Has that...not happened yet?"

Beck shook her head, conflicted about the situation as her eyes started watering. Eventually, she would be making her parents proud but would she be just as happy in the end? Turning around, she finally got to wipe her eyes to avoid crying more but Martin already knew what was happening, even if it wasn't written in the book. "I'm...I'm sorry. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to say...anything more than that."

Beck turned back to him to stop him from spilling any further. "No, no. It's fine. Its—" She let out a forceful smile, trying to be positive about this.

"There it is. That brave smile I read so much about. It really does...bring out the kindness of your heart." The Prince remembered.

"It's fine. I'm fine. Look, just...don't say anything more about me or my life that you've read because...I don't want to change my perspective or my actions just because someone knows what would happen to me. It would disrupt...whatever timeline we're in and...I don't wanna risk it. I just want to...go on and live my life...on my terms. Got it?" She asked and the Prince nodded at her.

"So...are you gonna help me?" He asked, grinning wide, hoping that would convince the girl.

Sighing, Beck nodded at her, still sporting that brave smile the prince was talking about. It's mostly the smile she uses after all.

"You're a delight, Rebbeca Harris. It is an honor and privilege." He added gratefully, bowing to her like a princess.

"Okay. First, call me Beck. Isn't that what they call me in the books?" She asked and Martin chuckled, shaking his head. "What's so funny?" She questioned.

"I thought you said I can't spill anything from the books!" He responded, chuckling.

"Rule change: if I asked about it, fine. You can tell me." She explained, waiting for a response. The Prince was quiet so she decided to ask again. "What do they call me in the books?"

The Prince pressed his lips together, holding a laugh before finally speaking up. "You're called...Becky."

Both of them suddenly burst out laughing at the name. Beck couldn't believe it and The Prince was just finding it amusing how she thought it was funny.

"The only person who calls me Becky was my grandmother, when I was 4." She revealed but The Prince had that knowing smile.

"I know. You loved it whenever she calls you Becky." Beck was surprised to hear that. She didn't think it was important information that would've been highlighted in a book. "I'm...assuming I could say that? It was past event, right? Nothing would change with your action and perspective."

"Yeah. It's fine. I just...missed her more." She revealed, looking around as it was getting crowded outside and she didn't want the attention so she decided to invite the Prince inside. "Come on. There's...so much we need to discuss." She said, leading the guy to the front door.

Going inside the house, Beck had him sit on the couch as she went upstairs to her bedroom. If this is the same prince Beck met from those chapters, this was a noble man and she trusted that he'll stay in place while she was gone.

She got her laptop and brought it downstairs so she could show him about the story she was telling him.

"Is that the laptop they talk about?" He asked and Beck nodded, surprised that he read about it.

"Yes. It's a laptop and...it basically gives you everything you need to know. It gives you access to every students' best friend: Google." She introduced, figuring he'd need that if he's gonna be staying in her world a little longer.

"Who is...who is this Google, you say?" He asked more, curious what she meant about that.

"Oh, it's not a person but...well, it's like a place you go to when you need answers about things." She explained.

"Are we to take a horse going to Google, then?"

Beck giggled, shaking his head a bit. This is a lot harder to explain than she thought. Sitting beside him, Beck opened the laptop and showed him what she meant about Google. "This. This is the Google I was talking about. This, right here, is called a search bar. You will type here what you need to know. Try it, what do you wish to know?" She asked and Martin Fitzpatrick didn't hesitate to ask.

"How will I, Prince Martin Fitzpatrick, go back to the Kingdom of Truston and save it?" He said proudly.

"Uhm...well, you don't...belong to this world so...I don't think...Google has an answer for that." She admitted. "Try asking questions about my world. What's something you've been curious about?"

"Oh! I know. What is a booty call?" He asked genuinely and Beck immediately had to stop him. "No, no, no. Not that." She said, refusing to check out articles or even images that refer to the slang term. "I'll give you a word. You asked earlier if we were to ride a horse, right? So that means you haven't heard of the word car." She assumed.

"I have no idea." He answered honestly so Beck started typing cars, clicking enter to show him the results. Immediately, he got what she meant. "It's the carriage you use, without the horse!"

"Exactly! But we use gas and machine instead." Beck agreed, glad that he immediately understood that.

"I got hit by that today! Twice!" He added proudly and it shocked Beck.

"Oh my God. Are you okay?" She asked, extremely concerned.

"I'm fine. They said sorry so I forgave them!" He added, chuckling proudly. "This town is full of kind people! I love Westwood!" He added with a big grin.

"No, dude. They should've brought you to a hospital. You could've been killed!" She said angrily but the Prince looked hella unbothered.

"I'm already dead, remember? There's no way they could've killed me twice in a day." He added proudly, still laughing. Beck was just confused with how weird he is but if he's feeling confident like this, then she's just gonna let him. "Let me try, let me try." He insisted, looking down at the letters as he started typing slowly. Cheeseburger.

Beck watched as he typed it one by one, confused at first before smiling as she realized what he was searching for. "Why cheeseburger?" She asked.

"I just...read that you eat this a lot. With your friends, August and Penelope. I'm quite curious what this is and what it tastes like." He said, looking so focused as he read through the words and looked at the pictures. Beck stared at him, finding it amusing that someone looked this invested in reading about cheeseburgers. “So it’s bread…with cheese and vegetables. And what is that in the middle?” He asked and so Beck gladly explained it was ground beef.

“Impressive. I’d love to try it.” He said excitedly.

“We’ll have time for cheeseburgers next time. For now, I wanted to show you something.” She said, bringing them back to their initial concerns. Getting the laptop from him, Beck opened the link to the story of the prince’s life. “This is called Magic Beyond Worlds. It’s a story mostly about…your life. It talked about you, growing up, your relationship with your parents and how you met your wife, Princess Katherine.”

Martin looked at the words, scanning quickly with his eyes. There were details that gave him flashbacks as it perfectly described how he felt in those moments. “Then…maybe this is the answer to our problem. How does it end?” He asked.

“Unfortunately, it ended when…you died.” She revealed and Beck was sure she saw all hope in his eyes crumble into pieces. He thought he could find his way out of here but it looks like there’s no way to find out. “So…I’m stuck here. This is my afterlife.” He spoke bluntly, his eyes watering on the side a bit.

“No, no. This can’t be the afterlife. Afterlife should represent peace and…comfort. This isn’t peace and comfort for you. Which means…you could either go back or…this is a new life for you to live in.” Beck explained, hoping she was making sense. She wanted to give him hope. “Look, we’re gonna figure this out, okay? I was planning on sending a message to the author to ask about the next book so we can do that. For now…I guess, you’ll just have to get used to this first.” She added, hoping he didn’t mind that.

The Prince nodded, giving her a hopeful smile. “Not everyone can say they get a chance to personally meet their heroes, right?” He said, chuckling lightly and Beck gave him the same smile before nodding. “I know. It’s nice to meet you, Prince.” She said, extending a hand to him and the Prince held it, except he didn’t shake her hand. He brought it up to his lips to kiss her knuckles quickly. “You, as well, Becky. But you can call me Fitz. I’m guessing they don’t call me that in the books either.”

Beck smiled and shook her head, glad that they’re getting to know each other on a more personal level, instead of what is said in the books.

Later that night, Beck's parents finally arrived. Hearing the car approach their front, Beck was nervous to tell her parents about this. They already thought she was obsessed about stupid internet stories and now, she's going to introduce that one character the story in person. If they call her delusional, she wouldn't blame them at all.

The door opened and both of them got up the couch but only one of them felt her heart beating out of her chest.

"We're home, sweetheart." Maureen spoke, surprised that her daughter wasn't alone. "Hello…" She added, a little confused. "I see you have a friend over. I didn't know…"

Fitz went up to her with a courageous smile. "Maureen, I assume?" He asked, bowing to the lady in front. "So glad to finally meet the sweet mother." He added but Beck had to intervene. "Mom, there's something I need to tell you." She said but her father soon came inside the house.

"Robert!" Fitz said out loud, as if he has known the man before. "The very strict and uptight father."

"Excuse me?" Robert asked, a bit offended by the stranger talking to him in his own house. "Who are you? Rebecca, who is this?"

"And he only calls you Rebecca when he's angry. I'm going to shut my mouth now." Fitz added and Beck was glad he finally did.

"Mom, dad...can you guys like...sit down for a while? There's just something I need to tell you." The daughter asked before turning to Fitz. "And you…zip it. Zip it until I tell you to unzip it." She warned and Fitz nodded, pretending to zip his mouth and sitting back down on the couch like an obedient puppy.

The parents were kind enough to listen to their daughter and take a seat on the couch, opposite their daughter and this stranger in their living room.

Letting out a breath, Beck started speaking. "Do you guys remember the story I was telling you about? The one I read online, Magic Beyond Worlds." She started and both adults nodded at her. "Well...you see...I'm not sure how it happened too but...the Prince in the story...well, he's the prince from the story."

"You mean...the prince was based off of him?" Maureen asked.

"Kinda...like that. He is the actual Prince Martin Fitzpatrick. He died in the story and...after he died, he woke up...here in Westwood." She explained, seeing the look of confusion in her parents' face. It didn't change even after she tried to expound on it.

"We're not sure how it happened but I'm trying to help him go back to his world. And...he came up to me because... apparently, I'm the main character of the book he reads in his world." She shared, afraid of what her parents might think.

They were just staring back at her, if they're head moved, it was to look at the guy beside their daughter before turning their eyes back to her.

"Darling, call Doctor Stowe. I think he has contact with the best psychiatrist in town." Maureen suddenly said, to which Robert immediately agreed. "Doctor Perry. I know him. I spoke with him two weeks ago. I'll give him a call tonight."

"Wait, what? I'm not...it's not like that!" Beck immediately spoke up, refusing her parents' assumption of her brain. "I'm not going crazy, okay? He knows about my life. That's how he knows about you guys." She added, hoping they would understand her. "I need you guys to believe me. I know it sounds crazy but...life as I know it changed when he got here. Impossible doesn't exist anymore."

Her parents were quiet, still rejecting the idea of this to be true. "If this is your way of convincing us to take your New York route post-high school…" Robert said, having a feeling she's acting out because of their college plans for her.

"It's not, okay? I already told mom I'll give your precious Harvard a try and he...he knows what will happen...that I'm gonna get in." She finally revealed, hoping that would convince her parents to believe her. Immediately, their faces lit up.

"You're gonna get into Harvard?" Robert asked with the proudest smile and Beck wished he looked at her like that whenever she talked about something she wrote. Fitz noticed that this revelation made the parents happy but the look on Beck's face says otherwise.

The parents suddenly celebrated quietly, hugging upon hearing the news that their daughter is going to an Ivy league school.

Fitz removed the imaginary zip of his mouth as he looked up at Beck. "Are you alright, Becky?" He asked and Beck nodded at him before turning to her parents again. "Do you believe me now?" She asked.

Robert calmed down a bit but Maureen still had that big smile on her face. "It's still...a complicated thing to grasp but... we're gonna listen. If he knows things we don't know, it's gonna be dangerous for all of us. A lot could go wrong." Robert insinuated.

"I know, dad. Which is why...I thought of a plan. Let me and Fitz figure this out but...no one can know about him. If anyone finds out about him, he's gonna be in danger too, as much as we are."

"I agree. Try to keep a low profile." Maureen concurred.

"I'll help him blend in town but...for now, is it okay if he stays here? Just until we figure it all out." Beck asked and both parents nodded to agree. It's best to keep a close eye on this guy to make sure he's safe because the closer he gets to danger, the closer it will get to Beck.

"Thank you. I assure you parents that once we find my way back home, the Kingdom of Truston will reward your family with the shiniest gold." Fitz assured them. Robert nodded, figuring he'd ask one more thing. "Do you know if the Celtics are gonna make it to the finals?"

"Dad, that's enough." Beck told him and the father raised both hands in surrender, chuckling as he agreed to stop asking any more future predictions.

Fitz was gladly welcomed at home with Maureen helping him get settled with dinner and Robert offering to lend him some old clothes.

Beck stayed in her room, going through her phone as she missed a few texts from earlier.

"Are you going to the game tomorrow?" Tom asked.

"Hey, Becks! Hope to see you at the game tomorrow." John said, Tom's teammate.

"We'd really love your support tomorrow. See you tomorrow, B!" Eric texted as well, Tom's teammate too.

"What's our plan tomorrow?" Gus asked in the group chat he shares with both Beck and Penny.

Suddenly, her attention was caught when she heard a knock on the door. Looking up, Beck saw Fitz wearing her father's vintage shirt that's too big for him. Laughing it loud, she got up from the bed to get a better look at the guy. "Looks...perfect on you." She teased and Fitz had to laugh. "You think so? I think it's...a little too small." He added jokingly.

Sighing, he leaned by the door frame as he thought about what's to come after this. "What's our plan after tonight?"

"I...don't know yet. But...tomorrow, we'll meet up with Gus and Penny. If there's anyone else I trust, it's them so...I'm sure they'll help us." Beck said, trying to be hopeful about this. "I know it doesn't seem like there's...a lot we can do but try to get some rest tonight. I bet it was exhausting to die." She joked and Fitz chuckled along.

"It wasn't. It was painful and...I would not recommend it." He added, chuckling more. "Yes. I will try to sleep tonight. I hear the bed in this world is as soft as marshmallow. What is a marshmallow, by the way?"

Beck giggled, shaking her head as she knew there's more for him to learn. "It's a soft treat. I'll get you some tomorrow. But go try out the bed in the guest room so you'll know how soft a marshmallow is." She was about to turn away but Fitz has more to say.

"Are you...going to be able to sleep well tonight? You didn't look...pleased earlier during the conversation with your mother and father."

Beck paused, pressing her lips together as she looked down. Nodding soon after, she gave him another one of her brave smiles. "I'll be fine. I've gotten sort of used to it but...don't worry about me."

Fitz smiled, hoping she wouldn't dwell on earlier tonight. Her kind heart was still glowing despite everything.

"Goodnight, Prince. Uhm...I mean...Fitz."

Fitz nodded at her as he stepped back. "Sweetest of dreams, Becky." He said, going to the bedroom that was assigned to him so he could get some rest.