a dark shade of green

it’s incomparable

Light rain sprinkled against the tinted car window as we neared our destination.

I don't even bother to look at the school upon our arrival. No matter how grand it looked, I knew it would never compare to home.

The satire news articles about my enrollment consumed me.

I needed a distraction from seeing my new home. But the little voice in my head told me I didn't need to keep reading.

(Prince Nicoli passed off to better hands.)

(Can they tame the wild prince?)

The tight feeling in my chest as my head spun, kept me from acknowledging the slowing of the car as we entered the large metal gates.

"We've arrived, Crown Prince."

Jeffrey speaks, pulling my attention from my phone.

Clicking it off my finger hesitates taking one last look. I sigh feeling the weight of my own choices.

"Thank you, Jeffrey."

"You're welcome. Your mother asked we arrive early so you could get settled before the event. Once we are out, we will go over this morning's itinerary."

I nod once.

My eyes heavy from the tiredness that threatens to consume me.

I had barely slept in anticipation.

Taking a quick drink from my flask, I hissed at the bitter liquid.

"Alright."

Jeffrey parks the car, getting out swiftly to open my door.

Instantly I'm greeted by a tall, skinny woman and 3 reporters.

Pictures being snapped as I close the car door.

"No pictures without the prince's consent."

Jeffrey orders putting his hand up in front of me. I glance over at him.

"It's alright, Jeffrey. Of course the media is dying to see me step out of a car."

"Welcome, Prince Nicoli. Please enjoy your stay at Hillston. We are happy to house you. And you must be his body guard. Nice to meet you."

Jeffrey chooses to stand silent next to me. His dark demeanor made him seem scary to anyone who didn't know him. In reality, he was just a big teddy bear.

You couldn't let the muscles fool you.

She reaches out to shake my hand.

Grabbing hers, I shake it twice before dropping it.

"Did you get that important moment? Or shall I shake her hand again?"

I ask sarcastically.

"Greeting the prince upon arrival was negotiated but we agreed upon one camera man."

"Sorry for the confusion! We've been so excited for the princes arrival, we must have gotten ahead of ourselves."

She flicks her finger signaling for them to lower the cameras.

I push the flask deeper into my pocket. Making sure you can't see the outline from a quick glance.

"The press is super excited about your attendance here at Hillston. As we all are... Now may we make our way inside for a tour before other students begin to arrive?

She only seemed partially surprised by my unpleasant demeanor. I'm sure she deals with kids that are handfuls every single day.

I'm going to make my stay here hell for her. Mother had a hard enough time trying to control me. Our banter would run us both in circles, but this lady. Well she looks like I could crack her if we spent 10 minutes in a room alone talking.

I liked that.

Jeffrey steps away to grab my luggage.

The cold morning air had made my hands cold and my nose a shade of red.

This was my favorite time of day when I was left alone.

But here they are ruining what great of a moment this could be.

"Shall we?"

"Okay, so let's get one of the prince walking with her up the steps, and let's have the prince trailing behind about 2 steps from her."

"Please do not order the crown prince. He is very well aware of media training for pictures and videos. This is meant to be a natural interaction."

Jeffrey always stood up for me in these kinds of situations.

It was too early for this. If this is how all day will be, I'd like to go back to bed now.

"Sorry, yes, please proceed how you like, Prince Nioli."

"That's crown prince to you."

He warns the reporter. It was blatant that he didn't know how to talk to royalty.

They chose the route of just not responding, holding up their cameras.

Walking along the gravel I listen to the crunches of the rock rather than the nonsense she is spewing about the school's history.

The corridors with vaulted ceilings were something a normal person would gawk at. I however, didn't even spare the gold detailing or mass amounts of paintings a second look as she over explained their importance.

"This painting here is of the school's founder, Saffar Hillston—"

"My dorm room. Where is that? I'd like to retire and refresh."

Her eyes looked like she wanted to strangle me.

She wanted a prince in her school.

I'll act like a prince.

"Of course crown Prince, right this way."

Jeffrey put his arm in front of me when someone entered the hall.

It was just a boy with glasses. He looked like he couldn't have even snapped a twig with those scrawny hands.

I pushed his hand off, glowering at him when the boy went into another room without even a word.

"Calm down. I am safe."

I remind him.

"New settings are filled with improbable outcomes."

He argues running his hand across one of the deceptive desks. Tipping an empty vase and looking in it.

"We can assure you we know who and exactly when is on our property. We've upped all security by twofold for his secure and safe stay."

"See, I'm secure AND safe. Even better."

Jeffrey doesn't look amused at my joke. Still watching our surroundings, looking in every window on each door we pass.

I was going to get sick and tired of this faster than I thought.

I'm glad I bargained. Or else I don't know how I would have survived the next two years.

It was hard enough having we gone at home breathing down my neck. Including mother.

The long walk it took to arrive at the dorm rooms was exactly what I expected.

The long and massive school taking up more room than it needed. They didn't hesitate to splurge on every amenity. Tennis courts, an Olympic sized pool. And more you could never even dream of.

When we do make it to my door the headmistress laughs awkwardly. Reaching with a key she had and unlocking the door.

"Your room is the only one with a lock on the door. They are against regulations, but we've made an exception for the crown prince."

"Thank you."

I grab the key from her hand.

"My neighbors they are well behaved right? I'm such a light sleeper I swear one peep and I'm wide awake. "

"Actually, you do not have neighbors. For the sake of your privacy. The Queen requested it."

"Good, we would hate for me to be irritable. That would be no fun for anyone."

I walk in, leaving her outside the door with the one reporter who had followed us.

Jeffrey following me. She begins to walk in.

I put my hand up, stopping her.

"Thank you. We've got it from here."

Jeffrey stands in front of the doorway of the small room.

Not allowing her entrance.

She smiles before it fades to a look of disgust.

"Jeffrey, the door."

I say as I look around.

It was nothing like my normal bedroom. I could fit properly 10 of these rooms into just our kitchen.

Pitiful.

It had one large window with floor-to-ceiling curtains. A full-sized bed was tucked away in the left corner.

And another on the right.

I run my hand down the fabric of the curtain.

Walking over, I open the tiny closet.

They are joking, right? They could've at least removed the extra bed.

I turn to Jeffrey, who had opened my suitcase for me and begun taking my items out.

"This is it?"

"Yes, Crown Prince, this is your room. We had them install proper privacy curtains and add in the mini fridge under the desk for your convenience."

I lean down, looking under the desk at the tiny fridge.

Pathetic.

"Wow. Jeffrey I've really been damned to hell, haven't I, and you shipped off with me."

He shakes his head, folding my clothing nice and neat.

"I came willingly, Crown Prince. It brings me comfort to know you're safe."

I roll my eyes sitting on the bed.

Sad.

The squeaking of bed springs instantly made me stand.

I'm running out of words to describe this wretched place.

Awe wait, horrendous. I found another.

"And mother purposely sent me here? What have I done to make her hate me so?"

I throw my hands up.

Jeffrey doesn't respond.

"And you, you've gotten proper living arrangements?"

I ask. If he was going to be forced to be here with me, he best be comfortable while doing so.

"Yes, crown prince. Your mother prepared a suit for you to wear to the ceremony. Shall I fetch it from the car?"

An outfit change? They sure are pulling out all the stops. I pick at my fingernails.

Pulling open the curtains, I sigh loudly.

"Do as you wish. I'm going to take a walk."

Jeffrey stops mid-fold.

Looking at me with worry.

"It's alright."

I console as I turn around, crossing my arms.

"The gates have yet to be opened, so right now, within the terms and conditions, I'm still allowed to be alone."

I can tell he really was thinking about it.

"I'll be right out along the path in the trees. I want to look at the grounds."

I need fresh air, an escape is what I want. But fresh air will suffice for now.

If I attempted to flee, I know Jeffrey would hunt me down and have me back within the hour with me carried over his shoulder.

"Go on."

I shoo him out when he hesitates.

"But crown prince please reconsider."

I shove his large shoulders.

Him barely moving.

"Come on big guy let's go."

"Crown prince id rather not-"

Heading off his sentence I close the door behind me.

Waiting until I heard him walk away. I slip out of my door quietly.

Not a single soul was in sight. Good, just the way I like it.