We The Pretty Stars (Court High 4)

“You all right, Em?”

“Totally cool,” I lied, squeezing his hand hard, which made him chuckle. The asshole found all this funny, and I shook my head, watching as Addison took us above the sea of trees and landscape. The sun had barely risen at this point, a wash of sunshine over the hills, and it was so pretty I did relax a little in my seat. This was just in time for Royal to let go of my hand and man the controls.

“Ease on into it, R,” Addison coached, a smile in his voice. “Second nature.”

And it was for him, nice and smooth. He cruised us from over the woods toward a city which now appeared miniaturized. The capitol and even the school could be seen from our vantage point, and I pressed hands to the glass.

“You’re actually flying this, Royal?”

A deep chuckle sounded in my ear. “Yeah. All me, princess. You can see your house if you look close. We’re coming up on it.”

I sat back, way too giddy about spotting the colonial-style house amongst a thousand replicas. Dad lived in a cul-de-sac, a nice one but not terribly unique.

“Wow.” I reached a hand over the seat, placing a hand on Royal’s chest. “This is so cool.”

“Right?” Royal leaned back into my touch. “I just love it. Love being up here.”

Hearing that in his voice, I smiled, true joy in it. How could his dad not see how much he loved this? He’d literally struck Royal down for even the thought of allowing him to pursue a career of flying over general education. I supposed he just didn’t care, the man truly fucked up. It all made me sad, and I tried not to think about him as we flew, as Royal flew. Our flight time didn’t end up being much, but Addison did give us what he could. He had to work that day, some admin stuff at the office. He really seemed like a nice guy, and I thanked him for what he’d done and still did for Hershey. She still had daycare with him from time to time to visit other dogs. Usually, Rosanna came to take her over there since I was at school Monday through Friday. After we landed, Royal and his uncle did one of those handshake-hug combos guys do, and once I got my own handshake, Addison ended up peeling off in his own luxury car parked on the hill. He sped off in a souped-up Mercedes and his hand in mine, Royal waved him goodbye.

“I guess the men in my family love our toys,” Royal said, pulling me close.

“I guess so.” I wrapped my arms around his waist and he let me, walking us over to the now, stationary chopper. In the air, Addison had said the bird was his but allowed Royal to navigate it often.

Royal placed a firm hand on the red paint. “I feel like I’ve been flying forever.” His voice held an air of memory, a smile to his lips. “My mom used to fly. Did I ever tell you that?”

He never talked about his mom, or his family really ever. I had a feeling it brought a lot of pain for him.

That didn’t appear to be the case now, his arm pulling around my shoulders. He squeezed. “She just loved it. Grace too.”

“Tell me about them,” I said, gazing up. “I’d love to hear everything.”

Some of that happy expelled a little, his expression tense. Especially around his green eyes. His jaw moved. “My mom was gorgeous. My sister… so alive.” He shook his head. “It’s starting to fade. What happened was so long ago.”

I could imagine. He probably only had murky images of them now. The accident happened when he was seven from what I understood. I felt like I was in the same place a bit since I’d lost my mom so young too.

Lacing arms around his neck, I studied his face. “It’s okay. And you won’t forget. Not really. Things like today… it always brings them back.”

Despite what I said to assure him, he grabbed my hand, his sigh deep and heavy.

“Why do you want to be with me?” he asked, truly asking. His lips turned down. “I’m so fucked up, Em. Might be forever.”

Maybe, possibly. But then again, I might be too. We’d both had terrible things happen to us. I shrugged. “Why do you want to be with me? I’m just as fucked.”

“Maybe, but you’re gorgeous,” he stated, his voice serious as he pinched my chin. “And I’m not talking about how you look.”

I could say the same thing, this beautifully dark boy who needed something, needed love, and I needed that too. We needed each other.

He touched my necklace, well, his necklace, he gave to me. He thumbed the metal. “I’ve decided to stay here,” he said, shocking me. “I got into a good flight school I can commute to, and I want to fly like my mom used to

. I haven’t decided what career track yet. I just know I need to be up there and here… Here has you.”

He wanted to stay. He wanted to be and do that with me. He did know I was staying here. I told him my thoughts about wanting to stay behind. I wasn’t ready to leave yet, something keeping me here. I think we both knew that had something to do with Paige, but that was okay.

“I want you to stay, to be with me too,” I admitted and not hard. He’s the only thing… the only thing I dared to let myself have. I’d lost so much, so opening myself to anything was hard, but he was something I was willing to take a chance on.

I frowned at a thought. “What about your dad?” He might give him resistance about this decision.

Royal’s green eyes darkened. “I won’t let him run me out of this town.” He smoothed hands over my hips. “I’m going to be here. I’m going to be with you and Paige. He’s bound to slip up, expose something.”