| �Randy, darling,� Rei stroked his hair and cleared her throat, a sure sign that she was going to say something he wasn't going to like, �This is a very formal ball, and Rini is going to be your date. You dance together, dine together and sit together at all times. This is quite a formal occasion, and as crown prince, Randy, I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed by not carrying on the tradition of not having a date. Randy froze. He now had to date Rini? He had just gotten used to the idea of escorting her and now he had to date her? Rini looked quite calm, and with a start, he realized she had known about this all along. This didn't at all bother her. Randy panicked and he knew he would regret his next words, but he couldn't stop them. �Embarrass me? You think escorting Rini wouldn't embarrass me? I'll tell you, escorting Rini would very much embarrass me. She's loudmouthed, she's a plain old carrot top wannabe who's not a bit pretty and she's got the world's ugliest face!� Randy knew he was going to be in big trouble but he went on anyway. �I can see why everyone at school thinks she's a little runt, because she is! She follows me around everywhere and annoys me until I want to slap her in her ugly face! I can't believe I've wasted so many years of my life playing with this little brat, just to humor you! You don't think escorting ol� big mouthed loony toons here wouldn't embarrass me, well, then you're loony toons yourself!� For a split second, everything was totally quiet. Then Rei exploded. �Randy! That is a awful thing to say!� Randy gulped, not believing what had just come out of his mouth. He turned towards Rini. �Rini, I'm sor-� Suddenly, he felt a strong blow on his shoulder. Just before he fell, he caught sight of Rini's tearstained face as she pushed past him. Randy hit the floor hard, but pushed himself back up in a second. He saw Rini's feet thunder up the last few steps and then the back of her dress and purse whip around the corner. Far away, he heard the loud slam of a door. �Randy! I'm horrified!� Rei's hand flew to her mouth. �Yeah, so am I, she pushes really hard. That really hurt!� Randy said, wincing as he got to his feet. Randy cringed as he mentally shook himself, wondering why he was saying all of these stupid things today. Rei was furious. �It's a wonder why she didn't push you harder, Randy Kino! I'm ashamed of you! This is not how I brought you up! You said some very harsh things to her. You minus well have punched her. Those kinds of wounds never heal, Randy. You go apologize to her. Explain why you did this. Go, now, Randy! I mean it, GO!� Randy stared at his feet. He knew he had really hurt her, but he didn't know how he could find it in himself to apologize to her. He was so ashamed of himself. Ben came forward and gently nudged Randy. �Go, Randy. It won't kill you to apologize to her. I'll bet she'll feel better knowing you really didn't mean that.� Ben said softly. Inwardly, Ben was horrified that Randy could be so mean to anyone. Ryan felt the same way. Ryan, Rini and Randy had played together as children. He found it astonishing that Randy could even think of saying that to Rini. Randy closed his eyes briefly, and letting out a deep breath, climbed slowly up the grand staircase. He found the door to one of the more elaborate guest rooms locked. He heard movement inside and a sob. He knocked gently and all of the sounds ceased. �Rini?� He called softly. �I'm really sorry. But I rather say it face to face than to a door.� Silence. �Rini, please answer me. Or else I'm going to have to call Mom and ask her for her hairpin so I can break in.� Randy said, tapping his fingernails against the door. �Go away! I never want to speak to you ever again! I'm going back to the castle and I never want to see you again as long as I live!� Rini yelled. �I hate you! I hate you! I'd hated you forever and I always, always will!� Randy was taken aback. �I- I'm sorry, Rini.� He said softly. �I'm so sorry.� The door opened abruptly. �Sorry?� Rini snapped. Her purse was flung on the floor, her jewelry lay strewn all over a table, her shoes kicked off in a corner. Her hair was messy and clung to her sticky, tear stained face. �Sorry isn't enough. Sorry is saying, like, My mom made me come up here and humiliate me more. I never, ever want to see you again as long as I live, Randy Nicholas Kino!� Rini slammed the door in his face. Randy stepped back. �I'll just go then.� He said softly. �And don't come back.� Randy started down the stairs when he heard Rini again. �Ever.� |
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