June Summerfield

Chapter 18

June tried on dress after dress, but none of them seemed to fit right or the color didn’t go well with her skin tone.

“This is stupid, I’m just not going to go to the party. I don’t like parties anyway.” June groaned after the tenth dress.

“Nonsense!” Payton thought for a moment. “I have one last idea.” She said as she disappeared through the curtains of the large dressing room.

June waited, sighing to herself. This was all fun, but it wasn’t her. The sparkling dresses and crowns just weren’t for her.

Payton returned, interrupting June’s thoughts.

She held up a beautiful periwinkle dress with more layers than June could even begin to count.

“Here, try this one on,” Payton said excitedly as she helped June out of the current one and into the new one. “I didn’t expect this to fit you as well as it does. I can make all the changes in just a few hours. What do you think?” She smiled at June as she looked in the mirror.

For the dress to be as big as it was and full of volume, it was surprisingly light. It bounced and flowed with each movement June made, the light dusting of glitter sparkling against the overhead light. It didn’t have sleeves, but Payton reassured her that she could attach some loose ones before the party.

“I like it.” June undermined her excitement. This life may not be for her, but she couldn’t deny the dress was stunning.

“Great! I’ll let King Maslin know.” Payton ran off, leaving June to do a couple of spins in the dress, making it fluff up and flow in the breeze.

Hunter met up with June after he got the news that she had picked a dress.

“How’d it go?” He asked as they walked back to her room.

“Fine, I guess.”

“Well, the dress will be brought up to you in a few hours. I suggest bathing now if you plan to. I have servants coming in soon to fix your hair and makeup and help you in the dress.” He informed her, opening the door and letting her inside.

“And I assume you will also be getting ready?” She raised her eyebrows at him, already knowing the answer but she couldn’t help but try and get under his skin any chance she got.

“Of course.” He smiled back at her. She failed, once again.

The two parted ways and June decided to take a nice long bath before the party.

She made sure the water was as hot as she could handle and then began soaking. June even decided to wash her hair, despite washing it just the other day.

Just as the shampoo was rinsed from her hair, she heard a knock on her bedroom door, causing her to freeze. The servants shouldn’t be here for at least another hour. Maybe they’re just early? She thought to herself as she finished up and wrapped a towel around her, letting her wet hair hang loose around her shoulders.

“Come in.” She called as she opened the bathroom door.

As soon as she saw who it was, she immediately shut the door in a panic. What the f**k is he doing here? She screamed internally. June rushed to the closet to throw something on, anything. She couldn’t let Hunter see her in just a towel.

“The servants were all busy preparing the ballroom, so I figured I’d come in and help.” He announced, stifling a laugh at her reaction.

After June had thrown a robe on, she walked out of the bathroom. She saw Hunter standing there in a suit that fit him perfectly in all the right areas. He was holding her dress.

“What if I don’t need your help?” She crossed her arms, knowing she’d never be able to figure the dress out on her own.

“Well, then I guess I can leave?” Hunter asked as she laid the dress on the bed and slowly turned back to the door and took a few steps.

“Wait,” June demanded. “You can stay. Just give me a minute. And a warning next time would be nice.” She turned and went to put something on so he wouldn’t see her just bare naked. Once she had on a nice bra and underwear set and a slip over it, she wrapped her hair in a towel so it wouldn’t get the dress wet.

“Let’s get this over with.” She sighed as she exited the bathroom and saw Hunter patiently sitting on the bed, waiting. Looking at him closer now, she didn’t miss that his tie matched the color of her dress.

“Great.” He smiled as he unwrapped the dress and helped her in it. Payton had come through with the sleeves, making them loose and with sheer fabric. Hunter stood back in awe.

“You look amazing, my love.” He said without thinking. He noticed June didn’t rush to correct him and shut him down, so he kept it as it was. “Do you need help with your hair?”

“Depends. What do I do with it?” She unwrapped it from the towel, her damp hair laying flat on her head.

“Let me figure that out.” He brought her to her vanity and sat her down, grabbing a blow dryer and brush. After what felt like hours, he was finished.

He had only given her some light curls, but they complimented her dress and face shape wonderfully.

“Now for makeup.”

“I can do that.” She didn’t want Hunter anywhere near her with eyeliner or lipstick.

“I figured as much.” He chuckled. “Do you mind if I sit here and wait for you to finish? It’s about time for the party to start, and I’d love for us to walk in together.”

“I don’t care.” Her voice was lighter than usual. Hunter watched as she carefully applied the makeup, doing a complicated-looking eyeshadow and liner look that stood out almost as much as her dress, without being overpowering.

“You’re pretty good at makeup.” He complimented her talents as he walked over.

“Thanks. I used to do it a lot before my world… ya know.” She shrugged.

“Well, we better get going.” He held out his arm, which June stood up and took her heart racing.

She felt confident, but that didn’t help ease her anxiety. She was about to walk out in front of everyone in the castle and perform a dance with the king as if she were his queen.

As the doors began to open, June felt as if she might have a heart attack. Hunter must have sensed it, because he raised his other hand to meet her arm, holding it firmly, trying to bring her a sense of comfort.

The two walked in and before the party could officially start, they had to have their dance.

This is like some weird wedding. June thought, but she went with it anyway.

The two began their routine while the song played, June having fun with the twists and turns and spins with the dress flowing every which way.

Once they were finished, it was time for everyone to help themselves to the large banquet of food that had been displayed and dance their way to the chosen playlist. June noticed that most of the songs that were playing were ones she listened to a lot before the dead took over her world.

“Oh, I didn’t know there were going to be drinks.” She said, looking over at the bar.

“Yeah, there always is. You’re free to have some, but please, keep it light.” Hunter warned. “The stuff here is much stronger than the stuff in your world. So take it slow.” He led her over and ordered them both a drink.

The more she drank, the more relaxed she felt, so she kept drinking despite Hunter’s warnings.

“Okay, my love, I think you’ve had enough.” He laughed as he walked over and took her out of a conversation about mickey mouse. They were all so interested in the idea of a talking mouse cartoon.

“What? No.” She took her hand from his and stared him down; the best she could with her double vision.

“Yes. Come on, it’s getting late. I’ll help you get ready for bed.” He gently grabbed her arm and led her out of the ballroom where she jerked her arm away from him. “Calm down. I told you not to drink too much.” Hunter was understanding but firm.

“I didn’t drink too much.” She insisted, but the slur in her words said otherwise.

“Come on, let’s go to bed.” He grabbed her arm a little bit firmer and tried to lead her to her room.

“I don’t want to. I’m just now starting to feel good. Let me drink a bit more and then I’ll go to bed.” She demanded, pulling her arm back. Hunter straightened himself and looked down at her.

“You’re not going to drink anymore.” He said matter of factly and once again, tried to lead her up the stairs.

“I don’t need your f*****g guidance. I’ll take myself to our room, thank you.” She stormed off and toward Hunter’s room, with Hunter following close behind. She tripped on the stairs but he managed to catch her just before she fell to the ground.

Once they were back in the room, Hunter turned to face her, but before he could say anything, she started the conversation for him.

“Why won’t you let me drink more?” She demanded, her voice raising.

“Calm down.” He took a deep breath. “Why do you want to drink so much anyway?”

“Because when I drink I feel good.” Her words were getting more slurred, meaning the alcohol was only kicking in more. “I just want to f*****g relax.” She sat down in one of the chairs, throwing her head back. “I’m tired.”

“Tired of what, exactly?” His tone was laced with annoyance as he sat down in the chair next to her.

“Tired of everything. Like first I get kidn*pped, then my boyfriend gets killed, and now I’m being treated like a queen for god knows what reason and I just feel..” she sighed.

“Feel what?”

“I don’t know what I feel. But I know guilt is one of them.” She leaned forward, placing her head in her hands.

“Why guilty?” He leaned back in the chair, happy to have a deeper conversation with her, even if she was drunk off her ass.

“Because. Montana f*****g died and here I am getting drunk and liking someone else already. It’s pathetic.” She groaned.

“What do you mean liking someone else?” any bit of annoyance left his body.

“Oh don’t give me that.” She shot him a look with tears forming in her eyes. “Tell me, Hunter, why do you think I hate you so much?”

“I don’t know, I’ve been hoping you’d explain it yourself.”

“First it was because you kidn*pped me and then killed my boyfriend,” Hunter sat forward, ready to argue that Montana’s death was not his fault, but June kept going. “But now I’m just trying to get away from you.”

“Why?”

“Oh my god, I f*****g like you.” She almost yelled as she turned to face away from him. “And I hate every second of it because I should be with Montana.” She did yell this time as she jumped up and walked over to the bed, Hunter following closely.

“June, in case it wasn’t obvious, I like you as well. I love you.” He finally confessed. “I have for a long time.”

“You can’t love someone you don’t know.” She started undoing the back of her dress, grudgingly accepting Hunter’s help.

“I do know you. And when you’re sober, I’ll explain it.”

“You’re so vague about everything.” She whined. Now that she was out of the dress and heels, she had calmed down a bit, her face still red from the alcohol and emotions.

“Trust me, dear, I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Just please, get some rest.” He pulled the blankets back a little for her to get under them.

“I should have said this sooner, but you look really good tonight. You looked good before I was drunk, but I wasn’t going to say it.”

Hunter smiled and glanced down at the ground. “Thank you.”

“I don’t want to go to bed alone.” She whined again.

“Alright, then I’ll join you. It’s getting late anyway.” He began unbuttoning his coat and laid it across one of the chairs.

“I don’t want to sleep in this slip, they’re uncomfortable to sleep in.”

“Let me see if I have a shirt for you to wear instead.” He walked into the bathroom and his closet, picking out a nice casual shirt and a pair of adjustable shorts.

She had already taken the slip off and was standing there waiting in her bra and underwear. Hunter immediately felt blood rush to his face as he forced himself to look down.

“Here, put these on.” He stumbled over his words but tried his best to stay respectful. He felt her take the clothing from him and after a few moments, he looked up. With a sigh of relief, he could finally get her into bed.

They both got into bed, and it wasn’t long before June started crying.

“What’s the matter?” Hunter asked, concerned. He hated it when she cried, especially when he couldn’t help.

“I’m alone.” She simply stated, tears rushing down her cheeks.

For the first time, he moved closer to June and brought her against him. He wrapped his arm around her waist and held her close, cuddling her and kissing her hair.

“I know you’re scared about everything right now,” he kissed her ear. “But please know that I will always protect you.”

It took a few moments, but she eventually melted into his embrace, thankful for the affection. Her brain kept telling her that it was wrong and she should hate him, but when she lay with him like this, it felt right.

“I don’t belong in a place like this.” June’s tone was plain and simple. The tears may have stopped, but the thoughts didn’t.

“Yes, you do.” Hunter tried his best to bring her reassurance and comfort.

“Says who?”

“Says me.”