14 - Whenever Is Fine

Gradually, her body did loosen and she was able to dance more with ease. Anemone laughed as she was twirled. Dancing with him was fun! "Dancing here is so much better than in the ballroom! Do you dance every night?" she asked.

"Depending on my mood, I suppose," he replied arrogantly and then laughed also. "Consider yourself honored."

She raised a hand and pinched his cheeks. He exclaimed in pain on the strength she put in. "Now I see why you like doing this!" She wiggled his cheeks back and forth.

"Ow! Anemone!" He grabbed her cheeks and pinched. She cried out in pain too and squeezed harder.

"Okay! Let go and I will let go!"

"You let go!" he responded.

They both glared at each other. "Okay, we'll both let go at same time. One... two... Three!" Their hands stayed put. "Fairy Prince!"

"Anemone!" He smiled cheekily, baring his pearly teeth. Or she thought he did as his face was still stretched. He lifted his shoulder trapping her hand and moved to bite her thumb. She immediately let go.

"Oww!!" she cried as she held her thumb. His hands move to massage his cheeks. "Why did you bite me?"

"You didn't let go," he replied as he watched her wiping her hands on her skirt.

"Ugh! You're so annoying!" she vented as she looked at her thumb. She hoped she didn't get infected by anything cuz the next time... there would be no next time. Again, she felt hot tears fall down her cheeks.

"Anemone! I didn't bite that hard!" he exclaimed when he saw her crying. "Don't cry!"

"I'm not crying," she retorted through gritted teeth. His hands raised and wiped her tears. She pushed them away and took her handkerchief out. "I'm still wet from the rain, that's all!" She wiped her damp eyes.

They stood there, not speaking while she finished wiping her eyes. She felt awkward from the silence and could tell he was waiting for her. "Okay," she relented. " I will miss you and playing with you."

She waited for him to say something but the silence stretched between them. Anemone looked up and realized it was hard to see his expression except for his blue eyes. They were dark yet vivid under the night sky. He leaned down and she felt his arms go around her in a hug, his chin resting on her shoulder.

"I'll miss you too Anemone..."

Anemone could feel her cheeks burning. "But it's not like forever! I'll come when I have time and I will try to finish quickly!"

"No, Anemone," he whispered softly in her ear. "This is really goodbye. I don't know when I'll be coming back again also.." Hearing his words, she hugged him tight and cried into his shoulder. "I wanted to tell you but it was painful for me too."

"Fairy Prince! Thank you! Thank you for being there for me! And helping me with my problems!" She'll remember everything they did together. "Thank you for being my friend!"