Royals Rise

by K. Manna

  Well, it looks like I won’t be getting any alone time with the Zyon tonight. I might as well go to bed. I’m tired anyway.

  “Well, I’m ready for bed. It’s been such a long, crazy day,” Sasha yawned.

  “I could use some beauty sleep,” Bree mumbled while fixing her hair in her compact mirror.

  “What do you say, Lottie? Are you ready to head up and get some Z’s?” I asked.

  Lottie nodded and yawned.

  We stood up, calling out our good-nights to everyone in the room, except for one undeserving female. Many of the guys were too busy talking about video games and didn’t care to respond, but one very important man decided to take the time to come over and open the door for us.

  “Have a good night, ladies.” The Zyon smiled.

  “You, too,” we said as we stepped through the door.

  I purposely lingered in the back so that I could stare at the Zyon for a few moments longer. In the end, it paid off because I received one last wink and a tiny brush of his hand against my own.

  Ah! Please, please do it again! Oh, I love you!

  The girls were walking ahead not noticing a thing, but I sure as hell did, and such a breathtaking and wonderful thing it was.

  Will this be the last night that I will ever sleep here? Oh, I really hope not. I don’t want to leave this amazing place. Nothing could ever compare.

  As badly as I missed my family and friends, I wanted this so much more. To live in this awesome palace, on this beautiful island, without any worries, would be the best future that I could ever imagine. And to be a royal. Seriously, a freaking royal! Who wouldn’t want all this?

  Only a crazy person, that’s for sure. Damn, my mom was right.

  “Hey, Go-Go, are you still up?” Lottie whispered in the darkness.

  “Yeah.”

  Lottie sighed. “I can’t fall asleep. I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow and the Royals Rise. And even more, I can’t stop thinking about Cole.”

  At that moment, I felt guilty for not telling Lottie about all that had happened with the Zyon. We were good friends now, almost like sisters, in the short time that we had known each other.

  Will this be our last night together? Will I ever see Lottie again after tomorrow?

  “Lottie, I want to tell you something,” I whispered back.

  “Okay, spit it out.”

  I smiled in the darkness. “I do have a crush; actually, a really big crush.”

  “Yeah and …” Lottie said.

  I bit the inside of my lip before my secret leaked out in a whisper. “On the Zyon.”

  The next thing I knew, Lottie jumped onto my bed and me, going totally spastic. “I knew it, you brat. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I don’t know,” I whispered. “I have always kept my crushes to myself. I don’t want people talking.”

  “Tell me more,” Lottie begged excitedly.

  So I did, every little detail. I told her about each scan session and how he watched my dreams and how I even got to watch one of his. I told her about how the zyness in his dream was me. Lottie listened closely to all the juicy information that spilled out: the little winks, the light touches, the nice comments he had made to me. Lastly, I made the mistake of telling her about the gifts that he had given me: the flower and the necklace.

  “Are you serious, dude? I want to see them.”

  I crawled out from beneath the covers and turned on the lamp. Unzipping my bag, I pulled out the stone book and the little silver box. Lottie crawled to the edge of the bed to have a better look.

  The book flopped open to where the flower laid dry and brittle. “See?”

  Wide eyed, Lottie smiled.

  Then I handed her the box to open. Lottie pulled the top off and sunk back on her heels in astonishment. Staring at the sparkly necklace, she said, “OMFG, this is totally for reals. Go-Go, this is crazy.”

  “I know, right?”

  “You might end up being the future zyla after all,” Lottie sang out.

  I rolled my eyes. “Oh, stop.” I took the boxed necklace from her and put it safely back in the bag. “Anyway, I think that he will have to marry another royal, don’t you think?”

  “Yeah, I think that’s what usually happens. But who knows,” Lottie said. “Things could miraculously change.”

  “Oh, shush. Go back to your own bed, crazo,” I teased.

  Lottie stuck her tongue out at me and went back to bed. I went to put my book back into my bag. As I did, some photographs I had brought from home fell out from between the pages. Picking them up, I looked at the first picture of my mom, my dad, Gage, and me.

  Ah, our odd, dorky little family.

  This picture made me smile. The next picture was of Eli and me laughing hysterically at my cat, Juicy Lucy. She had licked hot sauce off of Eli’s finger and totally freaked out.

  That was too funny.

  Looking through the photos brought back tons of memories.

  These were such good times. Can I really leave all of my family and friends behind?

  Truly, I didn’t want to.

  Ugh, I wish I could have both worlds. Why does this have to be so dang difficult? But yes, yes, it will be worth it. It will have to be to have all of this.

  I had to believe that. I crawled under the warm covers, letting the raindrops falling outside sing me to sleep.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  ROYALS RISE

  Go-Go! Go-Go!” a scared voice called out.

  Eli rushed through the door with something in his hands.

  OMG, Juicy Lucy!

  The cat laid eerily still, blood seeping from what looked like a large bite on the side of her belly.

  “What the hell happened?” I screamed, running toward her.

  Eli shook his head. “I heard the neighbor dog barking and growling, and then a loud, horrible cry. By the time I got out there to check what was going on, she was like this. That damn dog had her blood all over its muzzle, and Juicy Lucy was just lying there.” Eli placed her gently on the kitchen table. “She’s not dead, not yet. Her eyes moved a little bit just a second ago.”

  Tears streamed down my face. “My poor baby. It will be okay, honey. Just hang in there,” I whispered softly.

  My mom came charging into the room. “Oh my goodness! What in the world?”

  “That damn dog two doors down bit the hell out of her!” I yelled.

  “That’s a pretty big bite. I don’t think she will make it,” my mom said sadly.

  In a determined voice, I said, “She will be fine.”

  My mom threw her hands up and walked out of the kitchen. I could hear her calling the vet.

  Eli put his hand on my shoulder. “Go-Go, your mom might be right. It’s pretty serious.”

  Ignoring his words, I kissed Juicy Lucy on the head and gently rubbed her back. Tears continued to stream down my face, dripping onto her still body. Only the slightest movement came from her stomach with each straining breath that she took.

  “Hang in there, baby girl,” I whispered.

  This is when I took my hands, raising them above the nasty bite, above the pinkish bits of flesh glistening with blood.

  Oh, gross. Her poor little insides.

  I squeezed my eyes shut to block out this horrible vision, trying to focus on the special energy that I somehow knew I had. A faint glow of purple that only my eyes could see began to appear, growing intensely bolder. Deep down, I knew this light would heal her terrible wound back together. Suddenly, a warm sensation started growing and building within my hands.

  “What are you doing?” Eli asked.

  With closed eyes, I said, “Shh.”

  Focus, imagine, believe. Heal her pain away. Don’t let her die. Save her. Your love and energy will heal her. Juicy Lucy will be okay. Believe in
yourself, Margo.

  It felt like forever had passed when Eli whispered, “This cannot be real. Sh-she’s healing.”

  Moments later, I opened my eyes to a purring, loveable cat. She was completely unharmed.

  Scooping her up into my arms, I squeezed her. “That’s my Juicy Lucy. You’re all better now, aren’t you, girl?” I held her in front of me so that we saw eye to eye. “Don’t you ever sneak out again, bad girl, or I will start locking you in my room.”

  Eli looked dazed. “I still can’t believe it.”

  “Well, you better because it just happened.” I smiled.

  My mom rushed back into the kitchen. “Pet emergency should be here any min—” She stopped at the sight of me holding a healthy and cuddly cat. “What in the name of …”

  And then she went down, fainting in shock.

  Gray clouds filled the sky again, but thankfully the hard rain had stopped. From the window, I could tell the ground was soaked with rain.

  Oh great, it’s gonna be all muddy out there. Ugh, I wish the Royals Rise could be inside the palace, but nooo, it has to be outside like it always has been. Of all days, why does it have to be crappy out today? Quit complaining, Margo. Today will be amazing no matter what, especially if I win! But what if I don’t win? Then what? Well, I saved Juicy Lucy in my dream, so maybe that means something.

  Lottie handed me my bracelet. “Here, don’t forget to wear this for good luck. I already have mine on.”

  “Thanks.” I grabbed it from her and slipped it around my upper arm.

  “Aren’t you forgetting something else?” Lottie asked.

  “Oh, yeah, my stone. Thanks for reminding me.” I reached for the stone underneath my pillow.

  Lottie shook her head a little. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  I gave her a clueless look. “Then what?”

  “The necklace, you dork. Put it on for good luck.”

  I thought about it for a minute. “Um, I don’t know. What if Gage happens to see it and asks about it? Plus, I would feel kind of funny wearing it.”

  “Oh, come on, Go-Go. You can hide it under your shirt where nobody will see it.”

  “Fine.” And just like that, I let her talk me into wearing the necklace that the Zyon had given me.

  Lottie helped me put on the necklace, then I tucked it safely underneath my shirt, protected from all eyes. Only the two of us knew that I wore the special necklace, and only the two of us would know whom it came from. This wasn’t just my little secret anymore, but ours.

  “Now, are you ready to go win this thang?” Lottie asked, walking toward the door.

  “For sure, but aren’t you forgetting something now?”

  Lottie looked around the room. “I don’t think so.”

  “Oh, really? Nothing at all, huh?”

  “Well, apparently there’s something, or else you wouldn’t be bugging me. But seriously, I can’t think of anything,” Lottie said.

  I shook my head with disappointment. “What am I going to do with you? Your head is so full of Cole that you forgot our sister saying.”

  Lottie laughed. “Ah, you’re right! I totally forgot. See what boys do? ‘They’re nothing but trouble,’ as my grandma used to say.”

  I laughed, too. “Who’s the dork now?”

  “Me. I will admit it this time.”

  I grabbed Lottie’s hand, both of us closing our eyes and slowly saying together three times, “We are strong. We are brave. We will win the Royals Rise no matter what it takes.”

  Next, we opened our eyes, bumping our sister bracelets together. We both said, “Sisters for life.”

  I smiled. “That’s more like it, lil’ sis. Now let’s go kick some major ass.”

  “That’s right, girlfriend.” Lottie laughed.

  I really do hope so. Could such a dream really come true for me? For us?

  Lottie gave me a huge hug before we walked out the door to stuff our faces with breakfast and face the biggest challenge of our lives. “You’re the bestest, Go-Go. You better believe it.”

  Oh, that’s what I always used to say to Eli.

  Smiling, I gave her a little squeeze. “Thanks, Lottie. So are you.”

  She squeezed me back. “I know I am.”

  Even though I couldn’t see Lottie’s face, I knew she was wearing a giant grin as she said that. We both did.

  Even after drinking a glass of Enertion daily, it still tasted nasty, but at least it went down without making my gag reflex act up. I set my empty orange-smeared glass down.

  Will today be the last day that I ever drink this junk? I hate it. But if I win today and have to drink it for the rest of my life, I would gladly do so—anything to stay here.

  Then the thought of Jeremiah drinking himself into a sickened sleep with this stuff swarmed inside of my head.

  Jeez, he poisoned himself.

  Shivers ran down my spine with the reality of it all.

  Okay, stop thinking about it. What is done is done. There is no point thinking about it. Today is a wonderful day. It could be a life changer, so think positive. Think only happy thoughts.

  I lectured myself silently over and over again.

  “Why are you so quiet?” Lottie asked.

  I turned toward her. “Oh, just thinking.”

  “About what?”

  I sighed. “Everything: the Royals Rise, life, the future, and what happened to Jeremiah.”

  “Stop thinking so much and live for today, Go-Go,” Lottie reminded me.

  “I know, but my mind just does its own thing sometimes, running on overdrive and in all directions,” I explained.

  Lottie started to respond. “I know what you mean, but …”

  Standing up, Gage cut in loudly from the other side of the table. “Okay, Anton here thinks that pancakes would squash cinna toast in a fight, but I disagree big time. Cinna toast is the ultimate bomb and would totally kick the crap out of pancakes! I’m asking all of you: Who do you think would win between the two in a brawl?”

  Anton yelled out, “Pick pancakes!”

  “Nah. If you pick pancakes, you’re frickin’ crazy!” Gage yelled back.

  Everyone at the table started to yell out their choice at the same time. The room became loud, almost making it impossible for anyone to hear the votes. Gage and Anton sat at the end of the table, laughing it up.

  Gage yelled above all of the noise. “Quiet! My bad. My bad.” After everyone quieted down, he continued, “We can’t understand your answers, so I have a better idea. When Keendra and Bridgeet come out to take our orders, each of you will order whichever one you think would win. Got it?”

  All heads nodded in agreement, or I should say most. By the flick of her hair and roll of her eyes, it was pretty obvious that Onnika wasn’t going to play along.

  Ha, clearly she is still miffed at what Gage said about her last night. Oh well, she deserves it. A person that mean and rude is bound to have it come back to her sooner or later. What goes around comes around. Maybe her mama forgot to tell her that.

  When Keendra and Bridgeet came to take our orders, everyone quieted down.

  Keendra looked around the table with curiosity. “Why is everybody so quiet this morning?”

  “A battle between pancakes and cinna toast. Whichever one is ordered most will determine the winner,” Anton explained.

  Keendra smiled. “Oh, I see.”

  “Which one would you choose if you had to pick?” Anton asked, tapping his fingertips on the table.

  Keendra thought for a moment. “Hmm, I think I would have to choose cinna toast.”

  “Ba-bing!” Gage howled. “One for me.”

  Anton shook his head. “That doesn’t count. We’re only counting those ordering at the table.”

  “Then you shouldn’t ha
ve asked her. Too dang bad for you, sucker,” Gage said with a laugh.

  Anton rolled his eyes. “Whatever, dude.”

  Bridgeet stood off to the side, letting Keendra handle this battle.

  Keendra stepped beside Ricky with her touchscreen in hand. “What will your choice be, sir?”

  “Pancakes, all the way.” Ricky smiled, turning to Anton beside him and bumping fists.

  Next came Preston. “C-c-cinn …”

  Ricky impatiently blurted out, “Dude wants cinna toast.”

  Keendra had a look of surprise on her face at the way Ricky rudely interrupted. Preston nodded in agreement to Ricky’s answer for him, sitting quietly.

  Ugh, Ricky is so freakin’ rude. I feel bad for poor Preston. He rarely talks as it is, and now I know why, because of rude people like Ricky. A good slap to the face would do Ricky some good right about now. Maybe Sasha should teach him another lesson.

  Keendra came to Onnika’s side. Onnika looked right at Gage when answering. “Not cinna toast, that’s for sure. I will have waffles.”

  “That’s not a choice, woman,” Anton said with irritation.

  Onnika rolled her eyes again. “Whatever. Waffles would beat all in the end.”

  Gage shook his head with annoyance written all over his face.

  Don’t respond to her, Gage. Don’t play her stupid little game.

  Thankfully, he didn’t. Keendra continued on, taking orders from everyone seated at the table. Elise chose cinna toast. Cole also chose cinna toast. Lottie answered, “Pancakes,” but she added that they would have to be banana chocolate chip pancakes.

  My turn came. “Definitely cinna toast.”

  “That’s my girl.” Gage smiled, adding, “At least we have that in common.”

  Both Indee and Sasha chose cinna toast, following Bree, Alex, and Max who went with pancakes. Keendra added up the totals. Including her answer, cinna toast totaled eight and pancakes six. Waffles came in at only one.

  Shaking his head, Anton stood up and looked at Onnika. “No way, dude. Hey, Onnika, if you had to choose between pancakes or cinna toast, which one would you choose?”