a dark shade of green

public speaking

I swear the whole way to the ceremony Jeffrey was scolding me.

He didn't take too kindly when he saw the rip in my pullover. I'm just glad he didn't take notice of the gash on my palm. That would have been the end of the world. He would have flipped out, cleaned it and dressed the wound. While running it under some water and blowing on it worked just fine.

I put my hand in my pocket to hide it from the peering eyes of my bodyguard, and shift uncomfortably. We were waiting outside the large wood doors of the church that was tucked away behind the school.

All the students had already entered and taken their seats. I was kept hidden inside when everyone arrived. Even though it was already blasted across the media. They wanted to capture the perfect moments on camera. As the an era man said, he wants to see the awe in the students eyes when they view me walking in.

Through the thick wood, I could faintly hear someone talking and explaining extracurricular activities for the year.

"Okay we've cleared the building with security, the prince can enter."

The headmistress tells us when a guy in all black walks up and speaks lowly to her.

"Thank you. On your own time crown prince."

Jeffrey says scanning our surroundings.

Reading the speech that was typed neatly onto the paper, I rolled my eyes. Crumpling it in my hand.

"Saying grateful 4 times is unnecessary."

The headmistress gives me one of her token fake smiles.

"We had our media coordinator and your personal royal media consultant team up to write it, but I tweaked it just a little bit for some pizazz! Now are you ready, Crown Prince?"

She asks, moving her hand to grab the door.

The media personnel that stood with us put up their cameras, ready to capture my entrance.

I turn to Jeffrey.

She's presenting me like some shiny toy.

I knew just how much publicity she was getting and funding for her school having me here. So if we were going to play this game of flaunting the prince around, then it was going to be done by my rules.

"I will give the speech, however not the first half. It makes me seem rather desperate to be here. And we both know... I'm really not. Only the bottom half and-"

"But Prince Nicoli me and the Queen agreed upon—"

I raise my brows. Being old does not give her the right to be a cunt with no manners.

"And I will not accept any questions whilst on stage. They may snap pictures as I am speaking, and one may video for the news. You, Jeffrey, will stand off to the side of the stage as I speak. You do not need to be on stage with me."

He gives me a pointed look. His large, broad shoulders and big muscles are not needed standing in front of some high schoolers, and their decrepit parents.

"Crown Prince. All I do is for your safety."

"I am perfectly safe right now, Jeffrey, and will be safe while expressing my just undying gratitude for my boarding here at Hillston. Now you have etiquette and manner classes here, correct?"

I ask, turning back to the headmistress and straightening my suit.

My eyes take note of the way her jaw ticks in underlying annoyance.

"Yes, we do. We can discuss your class schedule later, Crown Prince for now we should enter the church."

"Oh. No, not for me. For you, I think it would benefit you in the long run to look into sitting in on one of those!"

Without speaking, keeping that smile she had forced on her face, she tries yet again to usher me in. Obviously ticked off by what I said, she looks away from me when I don't move unfazed by her rushing me in.

I play the scenarios while adjusting my watch.

I walk in. EVERYONE gawks.

I sit, I speak, I leave.

Easy.

And I sleep for the whole night for once.

I was tired, and even though that bed didn't seem like it would bring me the relief I needed. Just knowing I was going to be able to sleep without a Jeffrey right outside my door or a mother within the same house made me feel at ease.

I could already feel the nerves creeping up thinking about standing on that stage. My throat felt tight at the thought of having to speak.

"Jeffrey, door."

My dirty blonde hair falling in my eyes. I look up at the sky, the hair falling back.

Taking in a deep breath of air, I slowly exhale.

Jeffrey nods,

pulling open the heavy doors for me.

The headmistress physically pushing me to stand center for all eyes in the church to turn to me.

Every individual voice stopped.

The boys and girls quite matching the man on stage who had just been yammering on about girls football.

All attention on me.

I slowly walk, taking note of each set of eyes.

The sly whispers slipping out of the students as I walked further down the main aisle. The soft thump of my shoes on the carpet was louder than the whole room. But somehow my ears still found bits and pieces of the side conversations my entrance had made.

"Isn't that the prince?"

"My mother said he's a disappointment, or did she say disgrace?'

"He didn't come last year, I was here."

I sit down at the very front in the only open pew. The man in a tracksuit stepped away from the microphone as the headmistress whispered in his ear to wrap up the sports talk.

"Thank you, new and old students. You know where to find my office if you have any questions. And uh, go Lions!"

Scattered claps are heard as he walks offstage, his eyes drifting to me. I could tell he was curious. But he snaps them away when he can see I've noticed. I glance to the side and see Jeffrey standing next to a pillar. Those large arms of his crossed, and his eyes never leaving my body.

"Thank you, Director Collins. We are all ecstatic for the upcoming sports this year."

No one says anything. All students still focused on me. I lean back, wanting this to be over with already. I bounce my left leg slightly impatient.

"I'm sure you've all noticed we have a new student this year. The crown prince of our country Nicoli Micheal Stroffs! Let's all treat him with kindness and respect, like you would any fellow student, and welcome him with open arms."

The feedback of the microphone rings.

"Starting a new year is exciting. An academic career is important in life. I thank all students who have chosen to attend Hillston this year, including the extra special ones who have come on scholarships. We have also made an exception this year and allowed one local attendee to the school as a sign of respect to the land we run on. With support of the locals."

A local?

I've never heard of such a thing. This school costs thousands upon thousands of dollars. There's no way anyone locally living in this town could afford such lavish schooling.

"Now everyone please give a round of applause for our crown prince."

I finally unlock my gaze, allowing it to roam amongst the students as I stand.

Going to the side of the stage, looking at Jeffrey. I wait for his nod of approval, stepping up onto the stage once I see it.

Approaching the mic, I can feel my head get lighter. And my hands began to shake.

Public speaking wasn't my forte since Jackson passed last year.

Every time I would speak in front of a large crowd. Each individual sound became painfully loud making my head scream, and every light was so bright I was blinded. Then the panic would set in.

The video of my first panic attack in public, at a charity gala circled the media for months. My therapist taught me breathing techniques to help, but mother would never admit there was something actually wrong with me.

Im royal I have to be perfect.

"Yes, thank you, Headmistress."

I try to project my voice when I realize it was only coming out as a mumble.

Pulling out the paper again , I skim it swiftly.

Hmm, thank you, grateful, wonderful school, got it.

Folding it back up. I look out at the crowd the curious eyes of the gossiping girls and dark ones of the boys whom I'm sure felt threatened by my presence.

Each camera shutter made my skin crawl. I gripped the paper tightly.

I've got to speak.

"I am overjoyed to, uh, be able to further my high school career amongst my fellow peers here at Hillston... I hope we can all live happily for the next 2 years within these walls. I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and thrive under the name of this prestigious school. Of course I am not coming empty-handed; I will be contributing a large sum of money towards both the sports and arts programs."

My stomach flipped with each word. The nonexistent breakfast I had was about to kick my ass. Right here, right now.

I need it to focus on something, anything.

My mouth goes dry as I try to find the words.

Seeing a girl whisper to another girl.

I squeeze my right hand so hard I could feel my nails digging into my palm.

"I do apologize for any inconveniences brought upon everyone by my stay, but the heightened security and rules are necessary."

Pulling my gaze back, I notice someone familiar. I pause, my eyes landing on a particular face that watched me with wide eyes and confusion.

Alex.

Within all the people I had placed in front of me, he was the one my vision caught.

My rapidly growing heart bet slowing in the slightest.

If I wasn't trying to get this over with, I might have spared a second to stare longer.

"To be able to contribute and help is a blessing we, the royal family, didn't know we needed. And I, as Crown Prince of your country warmly thank you."

I could see him lean over to a boy that sat next to him, questioning just what was happening.

Giving a slight head bow. The applause filled the room.

But Alex didn't clap. Instead he still just sat there dazed.

I hated giving that speech, but the look I saw on that dark brown-eyed boy's face made the whole thing more than worth my time.

Returning back to my seat. The murmurs of voices growing louder as the headmistress made her way back to the mic.

Running my hands down my thighs as I sit. I couldn't help myself glancing over my shoulder, wanting to catch another look at Alex. I could barely see him around the other people separating us, but I just knew by the coil of those black curls I could see around a girl's head that it was him.

The headmistress's voice drowned out and sounded garbled in my ears as all my thoughts were about the peculiar boy.

He was a puzzle I was determined to solve.