My Roommates are Princes! [Complete!]

Chapter 7: Commoner vs. Prince

I arrived at the academy at what was the c***k of dawn, bright and early, before anyone else had arrived in fact. I was escorted to the dormitories by a group of excellent soldiers who were dedicated to the state of peace that was kept on the campus grounds. After thanking them for their efforts, I got to work on unpacking. I pulled out some clothes, attaching them to hangers and then attaching the hangers to the closet hinges.

I pulled out some memories of home: the wooden album that was broken by Felipe I had placed right on my nightstand so I could feel at peace knowing a piece of my grandmother was with me at all times.

It wasn’t until I found my suitcase three quarters of the way unpacked when I heard a knocking at the door. “Chaiya?” I pondered, opening the door. Although I didn’t expect him to arrive so soon at just 8 in the morning.

To my surprise, it was a secretary. Specifically, one from the principal’s office. She was dressed in a suit with a pencil skirt instead of trousers. “Princess Emerald.” She said, bowing to me.

“Yes? What is it that you need?” I asked.

“The principal wants to speak with you.” She told me, her tone grave and crossed.

“Right now?” I asked.

“Yes. Please follow me, your majesty.” She gestured out the hallway.

“Let me get my keys first.” I said.

~~~~~~

The principal seemed like a snapshot right from the 1950’s. He was a middle-aged man, tall and lanky with a large curly mustache under his nose. His black hair was marked with many streaks of white due to the stresses of running such a high maintenance institution.

“You asked to see me, sir.” I closed the door behind me.

In his office, there was a single desk and a single leather chair as well as a large window behind him giving way to a large scenery of a beautiful Swiss winter, complete with a cup of what I assumed to be hot chocolate right next to his books. “I did.” He spoke. “Do have a seat.”

I sat down in the cold leather chair which sent chills up my body.

“I have received some news that I would hope would shake you up somehow and wake you up somewhat….” The Principal turned around, sitting down in his own rolling leather chair. “Over the course of the winter break while you were in Agricola…..we received news that Susie…who had attacked you at the pharmacy is now being institutionalized in Canada, her home country. That news might please you.”

“It makes no difference to me.” I said. “Is that all you wanted to speak to me about?”

The principal shook his head. “There was another tragedy that had befallen your little group of friends.” The Principal added. “Heather…..your other friend who had recently received a rhinoplasty for her nose…..” He was referring to the Brunette amongst the group. “Had attempted suicide and had cited you and many others in her suicide letter. She, herself, is now in a hospital in Germany, receiving treatment that may or may not save her.”

That news had definitely sent a chill down my spine. The one girl that I had thought was so strange because of the way she had laughed….had now committed suicide right before everyone. I may never even see her again…..not ever again in my entire life…..she was gone. I clenched my skirt. Of course, I had known that if my grandmother would have died I would have spent the rest of my life in sorrow over losing the most important person in my life. But now….this girl….the news of her death was also one of the biggest shocks I have ever received from reality.

“I know that you are the cause of all that has happened over the course of the winter break. I don’t think you realize the gravity that our opinion has on those around you. When you speak your mind, others will follow. You impact every life at this school. Starting with Analyn’s life last year whom has cited you for emotional and at one point, physical distress while sharing the same living space…..and now, someone has attempted suicide over things you have said and done. She could be considered the second person if we speak of Solange. Now I ask you, Princess Emerald of Agricola, do you or do you not feel at least a bit of sympathy for what you have done?”

“I do feel sympathy.” I reply.

“So please….I beg you do your best to change in order to prevent another tragedy from happening like this again.” The principal said.

I nod. Princess Emerald….I wonder what she would have done if she had this talk with the principal? Would she have defended herself till the very end like the heartless person I thought she was? Or would she have at least thought about the severity of her actions in silence and repentance like I had began to?

“You are dismissed.” He said.

~~~~~~

I returned to the dorm room just in time to see the rest of the my roommates settling back into the swing of things.

“Luisa!” Chaiya was the first one to exclaim excitedly as I had entered in the room. “I MISSED YOU SO MUCH HOW WAS AGRICOLA?!!!” He leaped forward, pulling me in for a hug. I had hugged him back.

“Agricola was amazing.” I replied. “I missed you all though how is everyone?”

“America was the same as usual.” Duke had sighed, being the last one to arrive. He entered the room with a large backpack and two ginormous suitcases in hand.

“Why didn’t you ask the valet to carry in your bags for you?!” Chaiya exclaimed as he had gone to help his friend.

“That was not necessary. I am a fit young man that can carry things for himself.” Duke replied, coldly.

“I was just asking out of concern…..” Chaiya pouted.

“I….for one.” Eric had stepped forward from where he sat in the living room. “Have gotten a new girlfriend.”

“New girlfriend or new fling?” Chaiya asked.

“Girlfriend.” Eric corrected. “Her name is Mia.” He winked, pulling up his phone to show Chaiya.

“What?! She looks NOTHING like any of the girls from your social media….” Chaiya commented.

“THOSE were flings. She is my current girlfriend, a native of Switzerland, just a train ride away.” Eric said. “Easy convenience.”

“Where’s Felipe?” I asked, my eyes darting around to see that he was no where to be found.

The room had gone silent.

I turned around to find that all of them refused to make eye contact with me as if they had something to hide.

“Well where is he?!” I asked. “You all seem to know.”

“Luisa….he…..” Chaiya began.

“He what?” I stepped forward.

“He bloody relapsed….”

“Relapsed?! Back to alcohol?!” I exclaimed, my heart falling into the pit of my stomach, an impermeable sadness making its way into my psych.

“He’s in the bathroom.” Duke said. “Throwing up.”

I ran up to the bathroom, banging on the door. “FELIPE! FELIPE!” I exclaimed.

I placed my ear to the door, hearing retching from the other side. A series of it actually, before he flushed the toilet, standing up with groans and pain.

“I’m sorry…..” The door opened, pushing me out of the way. He said, wiping some spittle from the side of his mouth. “I’m sorry Luisa…I just couldn’t do it.”

“What?” I asked, getting closer to the worn out mess whom I once knew as Felipe. His expression was pale, depressed. He had lost quite a bit of weight over the break. His hair was a mess, longer even. His appearance was unkept and it seemed as if it had been like this for quite some time.

“I just couldn’t…..I saw things…hallucinations…illusions……I couldn’t I was just irritable…I was just a mess without alcohol, Luisa. I can’t I was insane……” He explained to me, clutching his head as if the pain had come from within.

I ran to his side. “Felipe, it’s ok….” I wrapped my arms around him, pulling his head into my chest. “It’s ok…”

Chaiya also sat down by his side as well as Duke.

“Let’s get him some water.” Chaiya said.

“He needs it.” Duke agreed, going to get him a glass of water.

“Look Felipe, it’s ok to admit to your mistakes. Nobody’s perfect.” Chaiya said, patting his back. “But we’re here for you ok? We’re here for you as your friends and as your roommates.”

Duke handed him the glass of water which he had gulped down, parched as a desert.

“Felipe, we should give rehabilitation a try.” I suggested. “They know how to help more than we do and more effectively too.”

“I agree with Luisa.” Chaiya added.

“Me too.” Duke agreed. “I can ask the school to make an appointment for you to see a psychiatrist. You can go with Luisa after class tomorrow.”

“A-alright.” Felipe agreed, before running back to the bathroom to throw up the final contents of the alcohol. I felt a pain in my stomach as I watched him retch out his guts. It was an uncomfortable feeling as if instead of butterflies in my stomach, it had been a large unexplainable weight.

~~~~~

In order to get to the psychiatrist, we had to take the train out of the school and into the city. Although it was easy for me, it wasn’t easy for Felipe who hadn’t been sobered up in a while. He had to drag his tall frame into the cart of the train, plopping down on a random seat. I was sure that if he had stood to hold the railing above, he would have fallen over.

If it wasn’t hard enough already, walking to the rehabilitation center had also been quite the hike out in the freezing cold. I had to keep a close eye on the Spaniard Prince who was currently running on some bread and crackers.

I was relieved to find that after we had arrived at the psychiatrist’s office, that she was a nice woman who seemed wise with old age. She had a single receptionist, a young man at the very front of the office to check in Felipe. The receptionist seemed understanding and didn’t judge Felipe, even if he was the Prince of Spain.

After the receptionist had allowed us inside, we met face to face with the psychiatrist for the first time. She had looked up at us with a large pair of bifocals that seemed a tad too large for her face.

“Ah. Prince Felipe of Asturias.”

“Yes ma’am.” Felipe said, sitting down right next to me.

“And you must be his friend, Luisa Cardona am I correct?” The psychiatrist looked at me expectantly.

I nodded. “Yes.”

“Yes, your friend Duke has informed me about the entire situation. Don’t worry your secret is safe with me.” She agreed. I closed the door behind me, taking a seat next to Felipe right in front of her.

“I heard this was an alcoholism problem, a problem that is becoming common in the youth of today.” She commented. “And you wanted to stop it is that correct?”

“Yes.” Felipe nodded.

“How old were you when you started drinking?” She asked him.

“Started? Well I had my first sip when I was 14, but I didn’t really like it back then.”

“When was the first time you had gotten drunk?”

“Over the summer. I was sixteen. Same age as I am now.” He said.

“Ah I see…..and you have been addicted to alcohol ever since?”

“Yes.” He nodded.

“Why did you drink it if you didn’t like it before?” She asked.

“I liked the feeling that being drunk gave me.” Felipe responded. “It took me away from how horrible reality was…it took me away from everything.”

“As a 16 year old what horrible reality do you have to escape from? Are you afraid of becoming the king one day as the Crown Prince?” The psychiatrist asked.

“The only reason I drank was because I lost the only woman I ever loved in this world……whenever I was sober whenever I was alone, everything and anything I could ever think about was of her. She was everywhere, surrounding me, asking me what was wrong….she was just there……” Felipe leaned forward, clutching his head.

“I see…..” The psychiatrist said, jotting down some things on a piece of paper.

“I thought drinking would make it go away forever…but every time I didn’t have any near me the pain would only augment itself.” Felipe explained.

The psychiatrist watched Felipe for a moment in pensive thought. “Have you been suffering from hallucinations and headaches recently?”

Felipe nodded. “I had my first seizure over the winter break.” He explained.

“When you say that the woman you loved most in the world was lost….did you mean she had broken up with you?” She asked.

“She has gone missing…she is most likely dead.” Felipe answered as tears began to stream down his face. I patted his back.

“I can guarantee you for one thing….that the woman you love wouldn’t want to see you like this either. The first step to recovery is to admitting that there is something wrong.” She had agreed. “I’m glad you came to see me today, Prince Felipe of Asturias.” The psychiatrist had written down something. “It seems as though you are suffering from alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. I see you tried to quit cold turkey before the break but relapsed.” The psychiatrist explained.

Felipe nodded.

“Now…the problem with alcoholism that I find…is that….even if I do prescribe you the medication….it is up to you to take it…and it is up to you and your will to get better. And I am sure that institutionalization is not an option for you as the Crown Prince of Spain and as a student. I want to avoid scandal for you as much as possible.” The psychiatrist said, full of understanding.

“He has a whole group of friends that will help him.” I said.

“Yes, I am aware. But…what concerns me is that it is his own personal will that won’t allow him to get better.” She explained. “I hope that you will be able to serve as his motivation for getting better.” She said.

I hope so too…

“Now…in addition to his medication…I recommend that he comes to see me at least twice a week to follow up and make sure that the medication is working.” She added.

“That will be no problem for us.” I assured her. “We’ll make sure everything goes well.” Although I, myself, knew that I was much too optimistic in this bleak situation.

~~~~~~~~

Once we had arrived back at the dorms, I began to take measures myself as Felipe passed out on the couch. Duke and Chaiya were away and only Eric was in his room with the new girlfriend he had gotten with.

I dug through Felipe’s room to find several empty flasks and many more full ones. I also found some more beer and wine in the kitchen, unaware of its origins although I didn’t question it. I opened as many as I could with my bare hands, pouring it down the sink, my heart becoming lighter and lighter with each can or flask that was emptied. It wasn’t until I began shuffling around the kitchen, searching for a cork opener, that. I felt a hand grab my wrist.

“What the bloody hell are you doing?”

I whipped around to find Eric with only a loose pair of joggers on. His chest had been covered in scars, probably from previous fights. “Dumping out all the alcohol…Felipe doesn’t need any temptation.” I replied.

“Are you stupid? Nothing you can do will work, he’s long gone.”

“He’s not.” I pulled my wrist back in an attempts to open the next bottle of wine, in defense of Felipe.

He grabbed my arm again, accidentally knocking over the bottle of wine, the red contents spewing all over the ground as it shattered on the marble floor. “LEAVE HIM ALONE!” Although the glass shattered with a loud sound, the only thing that had shocked me was Eric’s bellowing voice.

“I SAID I WONT!” I turned around, yelling back at him. “I’m not going to let him down like you did! I’m not going to let him die like you want him to! For all I know the reason he’s drinking again is because of you!”

“So what if it’s me? Sure, I may have said a couple bloody hurtful words, but that doesn’t change the fact that his mentality isn’t strong. He’s bloody dead, Luisa. Get that through your f*****g brain!” He pushed his forefinger into my forehead. “He’s suffering from alcoholism and he’ll get liver failure within a couple of years and die. End of story. It doesn’t even matter. His little brother can take the throne.”

“Is that really what you think?” I asked.

“Yes it bloody well is!” Eric replied.

“Well then you’re just as horrible and low as the girls you sleep with!” I shouted, practically blinded by my own anger.

“What the hell did you just say?!” Eric snapped, spitting in my face.

“I don’t think Solange would be happy seeing you like this either! In fact, if she were alive she would agree with me one thousand percent!” I repeated, clearer this time.

Eric walked over to the dining table, flipping it over in a fit of rage. “EXACTLY WHAT THE f**k DO YOU KNOW ABOUT SOLANGE?!” He screamed, his face turning as red as the furious fire in his heart.

From behind him, I saw the girl he was with scrambling past our fight, scared for her life knowing that she had just slept with a madman. She snuck out, shivering like a leaf in the wind. Eric hadn’t batted an eye.

“I obviously know more about her than you would ever know! You know I’m right! The only reason you’re sleeping with other girls is to cope with losing Solange and Felipe is doing no different!”

“DON’T COMPARE ME TO HIM!” Eric grabbed the collar of my dress. “I’M NOT THE ONE DRINKING MYSELF TO DEATH!”

“You’ll die from a fight or infection sooner than expected then! You’re JUST as reckless as Felipe!” I shouted back.

“SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP RIGHT NOW!” He shook me. “OR I’LL MAKE YOU REGRET IT!"

“You can threaten me all you want but I know what I’m saying!” I shouted.

In that moment, Eric had raised a fist, I looked away, bracing for the worst.

~To be continued~