After my shock wore off, I opened the window a tiny bit; the sheer lace panels fluttered in the cool evening breeze, wafting out from behind the heavy velvet curtains. It seemed impossible to get my knight in shining armor out of my mind. I sighed like one of those girly girls in those romance movies and tried to switch on my brain again, but all I felt was some mushy, hazy feeling that reminded me of roses and heart-shaped boxes of candy. It was an amazing feeling, but it also complicated my life a little, as no guy had ever made my heart race like that. Why is love so confusing? I wondered, but I didn’t have the answer.
I glanced around at my lush, lavish room, a suite fit for a queen. I sat in my velvet wingback chair and stared out the window, smiling. The view was magical, mystical, and serene as September moonlight shimmered on the landscape below. Oh, how I loved the moonlight. I could have stared at it for hours on end without growing bored. After a while, when I caught myself in a yawn, I shut the window and sighed. After all those years of living with myself, I was quite surprised to find that I was such a romantic at heart.
I pondered everything that happened that day, but none of it made any sense. I couldn’t even begin to guess how I’d ended up with that ancient princess’s necklace, and again I decided it must have just been a replica. It was absolutely, bafflingly bizarre. I grabbed my phone and retrieved the picture I’d taken in the attic, reminding myself of the uncanny resemblance between me and Princess Isabella. She had the same thin frame, the same eyes and face, and the same hair color, though her long locks flowed down to her waist.
I stared at the tiara on her head. It was hard to believe she was a very real person at one time, someone who’d walked the very same halls I’d walked just that day. It was clear from the beautiful gown she wore that she lived in luxury and probably had little want of anything, but I wondered what her day-to-day life was like in those castle walls. The one thing I did know was that Isabella was trying to get my attention, though I had no idea why. “Too bad I can’t just text you,” I said to the picture, then clicked my phone off and put it away.
A knock on the door jolted me from my thoughts, and I hurried over to answer it.
“Zoey?”
“Pam? What are you doing here at this—”
Before I could finish my question Pam pushed past me and raced in with her laptop, still dressed in her pink pajamas and big, fluffy pink slippers. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and she had a green mud mask spread all over her face. She took a quick glance around, having never been in my room before, since I’d only met her a few days earlier, when she was put on dishwashing duty with Hunter and me.
I could tell immediately that Pam was cool, and we clicked right away. She also clicked with Hunter’s friend, Eric. She and Eric bonded immediately and had even begun holding hands. Hunter and I were still getting to know each other, and in spite of some of the flirty things he said, I wasn’t sure if he even liked me in a romantic way. For all I knew, he was just a nice guy. Pam offered to do a little digging, but I adamantly refused; the last thing I needed was her poking around in my supposed love life. I told her I’d figure Hunter’s intentions out on my own, and she agreed, albeit reluctantly.
“Your room is way too cool,” she said, gawking at all the fine furnishings and deluxe décor. “Dark and gothic, but elegant and chic. I love it!”
“What’s with the green goop all over your face? You look hideous,” I said, laughing as I reached for her laptop.
“Yeah, yeah, but it pays to have great skin.” She arched an eyebrow at me in curiosity. “I saw Hunter walk you to your room,” she teased.
I was giggly and excited, and I had no idea why. I shot her the biggest smile.
“You’re absolutely beaming!” she said. “Did he lay a kiss on you or something? Was it nice and slow or hot and passionate? Oh my gosh! Did he slip you the—”
I blushed. “No kiss, but I think he wanted to. He moved in for the kill, but I got nervous.”
She shook her head. “You got nervous? What’s that supposed to mean? Girl, when a Hunter like that wants you for his prey, you shouldn’t get scared!”
“Well, I just looked down at the ground and fidgeted with my hands. Then I felt this warm, fuzzy feeling from head to toe.”
“Girl, you’ve got it bad for this one. ”
I let out a long sigh. “I know.”
“Hmm. Well, I suppose it’s best for somebody like you to take things slow,” she said.
“Somebody like me?” I asked, slightly offended.
She laughed and waved her hand in the air dismissively. “Oh, I didn’t mean that as an insult—only that you clearly haven’t…well, that you don’t have as much mileage as some chicks. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen, no matter what life throws at you or what obstacles stand in your way.”
“He’s just so hot though. I get all nervous just being around him, like some silly schoolgirl with a puppy-love crush. I even get butterflies, and I feel like a complete idiot. I should just stick to my no-boys-allowed policy. I’m here to escape, heal, and try to get a good education—not to meet Mr. Potentially Right.”
“Don’t let it stress you out, Zoey. Just relax and be yourself.”
“I tried, but I can’t think straight around him, and I get that feeling in the pit of my stomach, like I swallowed a hornet’s nest. As much as I like him already, I don’t know how I’ll ever go through with kissing him. I’m afraid I’ll puke or pass out—maybe both.”
“Wouldn’t that be interesting?” Pam laughed again and shook her head. “Just imagine how good it will feel when he looks deep into your eyes and tells you he loves you.”
I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah, I just know I’ll faint in his arms, swooning and all like some petticoat-clad woman in an old Western. Besides, I think I’m just getting ahead of myself. I don’t even wanna think about the L word just yet. I’m not ready for anything that serious. I just want him to notice me, that’s all.”
“If he tried to kiss you, he’s already noticed you. What’s wrong with you anyway? Tell me Hunter’s not the first guy who’s played a little cat-and-mouse with you.”
“No, but he’s the first hot one.”
Pam smiled. “Guys like a girl who’s nervous, so don’t worry about it. It lets them know you’re really interested in them. I’m sure he’s flattered, and after a while, you’ll feel at ease with him.”
“Yeah, I’m sure it will pass. But tell me, why does love make one feel like a bumbling idiot?”
Pam laughed. “I don’t know. There’s some kind of short in the wiring between the head and the heart, I guess. But anyway, don’t take yourself so seriously. Just think of it all as one big adventure, like a road trip.”
“Throw in the map, and I’m game.”
“There are no maps for that, Zoey, but why would you want one? The whole point of a road trip is to brave all those twists and turns without really knowing where you’ll end up, right? Just open the windows, let the wind blow in your hair, and fly down the highway. Let life take you wherever it leads. That’s the thrill of it all.”
“I’m horrible with guys and even worse with relationships. I just…suck.”
“Meh, so you’ve had a few bad experiences,” she said, shrugging. “So what if a couple breakups have knocked you on your butt? Get up and try again, girl! Clearly, there’s some kind of attraction between you and Hunter, and I’m sure it’s more than chemical. Why not give love another try?”
“Because love hates me.”
“Right. Look, I’ve got the perfect example for you. I can’t dance for crap. I’m a horrible, horrible dancer.” She smiled and continued, “I don’t even have two left feet. I’m so bad it’s like I’ve got no feet at all, and everyone makes fun of me out their flopping around like that. But do I let that stop me from doing something I enjoy? No way! I get out there and shake my tush anyway.”
I laughed. “Okay, I get the point. Just get up and dance.”
&nb
sp; “Exactly.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Gosh, Zoey, it’s practically arctic in here. Did you leave a window open or something?”
“It was open earlier, but I shut it.”
She walked to the window, shook her head, and pushed on it. “Uh…no you didn’t, Einstein.”
“Oh, sorry. I thought I did.”
“Yeah, I get it. You’re distracted…and his name is Hunter. You gotta tell that boy how you feel before it drives you crazier than you already are.”
“Like you said, Pam, it will happen naturally if it’s meant to be.”
“I know, and I’ll keep my promise to butt out.” She laughed, then motioned toward the computer. “Well, what’re waiting for? Read, read, read.”
“What is it?”
“Just a little article I found. Thought you might find it interesting.”
I sat on my bed and cradled the computer on my lap as I skimmed the article about a crown worn by Princess Isabella centuries ago. After her death, anyone who wore it mysteriously died, earning the headwear the grim title of “The Crown of Death”. Blood relatives of the victim were also cursed until the crown was returned to the castle where Isabella had resided. The crown in the picture looked identical to the one I’d placed on my head earlier, and that gave me the creeps all over again. I was sure it—like my necklace—had to be a replica, because the real one had allegedly been stolen in a jewel heist the previous year.
“That crown wasn’t real, or else you’d be dead. Heck, the real one’s probably on eBay right this minute, or sitting on some dusty pawn shop shelf.”
“Did you find anything out about my necklace?” I touched the teardrop crystal pendant.
Pam plopped down on the bed and hesitated for a moment, then answered, “I Googled and Binged, and Yahooed all afternoon and couldn’t find a thing. I have no idea how your family got the heirloom.”
“We don’t even know if it’s the exact same one,” I said.
“Yeah. I suppose they could have made hundreds. It’s beautiful, but it’s a pretty simple design.”
I shut the laptop and handed it back to Pam. “I think Isabella is trying to…contact me.”
“What makes you say that?” she asked, moving to sit in the fancy, red, velvet armchair. “Did something else happen?” She gripped my hand. “Ooh! Tell me every single spooky detail!”
“Well, when Hunter and I were in the library, someone threw a book about Cinderella at us. I mean, it just flew right off the bookshelf and across the library.”
She clutched her heart. “That is so freaky! Are you sure it was her? It could’ve been a coincidence or some of those modern-day witches from Snobbery 101.”
“No, I’m positive no one else was in the library but Hunter and me—at least no one living.”
“According to what I’ve found out so far, she’s been trapped in this old stuffy castle for centuries. Maybe she’s connecting with you because you look so much like her.” Pam tapped a finger against her lips and took a deep breath. “You even have the same taste in jewelry.”
I laughed uneasily; it sure beat thinking about Pam’s implication.
Our conversation was interrupted by the ringtone of my phone, and I picked it up and smiled. “It’s a text from Hunter. He says, ‘Enjoyed our study date in the library.’”
I texted back, “I did too. Can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
Pam laughed and shook her head. “You two are just too cute.”
I blushed and asked, “So…speaking of cute couples, what’s going on between you and Eric?”
“Meh, it’s still too early to tell.” She smiled widely. “But don’t worry about little ol’ me. I don’t play games I can’t win.”
I loved her confidence and was just about to tell her so, but before I could respond, Miss Duball walked in.
“I thought I heard talking in here. Pamela, get to your room this very instant. Lights out in five minutes!”
“See you tomorrow,” Pam whispered before she jumped up and headed out the door.
“’Bye.”
Miss Duball met my gaze. “It’s bedtime, missy.”
I fell fast asleep almost as soon as my head hit the pillow, but I woke up a few hours later, absolutely freezing. When I fluttered my eyes open, I noticed that the lights were back on; I was certain I’d shut them off before I fell asleep, just as Miss Duball had told me to. Confused, I slipped my feet into my slippers and walked to the window, which was open again, even though I knew Pam had closed it. I was completely baffled. Maybe I went to the bathroom half-asleep, and simply forgot to turn off the lights. It’s no big deal, right? With those uneasy thoughts on my mind, I curled up into my covers and fell asleep once again.
Chapter 2
School was over for the day, and I hurriedly changed into a pair of comfortable jeans with a blue, short-sleeved shirt. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail and reached for my cell phone, but it wasn’t on the dresser where I’d left it. I was sure I was just so excited to meet Hunter that I was losing my mind. I was 100 percent positive I’d left the phone there, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. After searching the entire room, I turned around and saw it lying on the dresser again, right where I’d left it—and right where it hadn’t been just a moment before. I hurried over and slid it in my pocket, shaking my head in disbelief. I must be going insane! I thought. I need to calm down. He’s just a guy—a gorgeous, delicious-looking, wonderful, strong, funny, perfect guy.
Again, a knock on the door jolted me out of my thoughts about Hunter.
“Come in!” Act natural, I thought, trying to make good on Pam’s advice. Stay cool, calm, and collected and just tell him… I was quite taken aback when I noticed it wasn’t Hunter on the other side of the door. “Pam?” I said, trying to mask my disappointment.
“Wow. Don’t look so happy to see me.”
“Oh, uh…sorry. I just thought you were—”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Not the Boy Wonder you were expecting, huh?”
I laughed, embarrassed. “You look really nice without all that goop smeared all over your face.” Her bright blonde hair was in a neat French braid, and her sapphire eyes glistened against the brown eye shadow she wore. Her blue and black swirled shirt sparkled and screamed style, and her long necklace with a heart-shaped pendant finished off the romantically styled ensemble.
She chuckled. “Thanks, and it’s lucky for you I’m not Hunter.”
I cocked a brow. “Why? What’s up?”
She lifted up a silky black bag and some clothes she’d brought with her. “Girlfriend, you are not going to meet Hunter in that, are you?” Looking me over, she gently tugged on my hair. “You’re in a ponytail rut, and you’re in serious need of a fashion overhaul. We’re about to take you style to the next level.”
“I think I look fine,” I argued, looking down at myself, though I had to admit my outfit was rather plain compared to hers.
She began digging through her bag. “You’re so lucky I’m here to save your butt.”
“C’mon, Pam! There’s no time. He’ll be here any minute.”
She smirked. “No he won’t.”
“How do you know?”
“Uh, because I made up some bogus excuse. Call it a delay of game. And trust me, you’ll thank me for it later.”
“Pam!” Just as I was about to chew her out for intruding on my personal business, my phone alerted me that I had a text message.
Hunter texted, “Gonna stop by a friend’s room. C U soon.”
I shook my head. “What am I going to do with you?”
“Now, now, calm down. I was just doing a much-needed favor for a frumpy friend. If you’re gonna go out with the second hottest guy in school, least you can do is fit the part.”
“Second hottest?”
She grinned widely. “We all know my man is number one.”
I let out a soft laugh.
“Hunter is definitely at the top of the Ten Most Wanted list around here thou
gh,” she continued. “If you wanna snag him, you’re gonna have to accentuate what you’ve got. You’re a pretty girl, Zoey, but you hide it too much. I’m about to fix that.” She smiled, opened the closet, and began digging through my lackluster wardrobe. “No way,” she said, shaking her head in defeat. “You really need a closet upgrade. Lucky for you, I brought some backups. We’re about the same size so I know they’ll fit. When was the last time you went shopping anyway?”
“A few years.”
“A few years? I swear I saw Jan Brady wearing this exact same shirt on a sixties rerun the other day,” she said, pulling out the sleeve of my shirt with her fingertips, like she was afraid she might catch something from touching it. She plugged the curling iron into the wall and continued shaking her head.
“You have no idea what I’ve been through. Shopping was the last thing on my mind.”
“Pretty miserable, huh?”
“Yeah.”
“I can tell, but don’t worry. Pammy’s gonna make it all better. You came here for a change, to get away, so why not give you a whole new image as well?”
I knew she meant well and was just trying to cheer me up, but I was in no mood for a makeover and was just anxious to get to Hunter as quickly as possible. “What’s wrong with what I have on?”
“It doesn’t speak to me, and it’s sure as heck not going to speak to Hunter.” She pointed to the red velvet chair. “Sit,” she ordered.
I grinned sheepishly and did as she asked.
She roughly yanked the rubber band out of my hair and began running her fingers through my disheveled mop. “Hmm…what to do, what to do? Oh! That’s it!” she said, sounding inspired and waving the curling iron around, which kind of scared me.
“I’m sure you do,” I said, laughing a bit nervously.
“Don’t worry, Zoey. I’m going to have you looking like the queen of this castle in no time.” She pulled out a pair of scissors from her bag of tricks. “How about a few bangs for your buck?”
My Haunted Fairytale - Book 2 (The Enchanted Castle Series) Page 2