1 Lessons and dreams

David POV

I stared out the window of my room. The summer breeze was warm on my face as I looked towards the woods like always. It still looked as mysterious as always.

Ever since I was a kid I wanted to just go and explore, walk in and only turn back when my body was screaming at me to go and eat something. But because of my strict mother i never even had the chance to leave the street.

I never cared when i was little, I still had my brother to play with. But even since he reached the age of 15 he didn't care for me like he used to. And because he was the second-born, he was allowed out however long he wanted. My mother didn't even care where he went, or with who.

Not me. My mother had plans for me.

It's not like I want allowed to go out at all. Just not far, she had to be able to call me back whenever she needed to.

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Growing up in a poor family isn't easy for anyone, of course you would want to do something about it, not only for yourself, but also for the people you care about. But the way my mother was trying to change was just ridiculous.

A couple years ago, there was a very wealthy family that moved in the town. a castle was quickly build on the far side of town. Everyone dreamed of living in it. Having a nice, easy life was all of us ever wanted.

well everyone except me. But that definitely included my mother. And last year that chance came for her, unfortunately, that was bad news for me.

Word started spreading that the family had a daughter, and they needed a partner for her. A soon as my mother heard about it she freaked out, cause of course, that would be me.

she didn't care about the fact that they wanted it to be royalty as well, and we were far from justb that. but no, she believed that if she trained me riight, taught me all i need to know, she could convince them I was good enough, or even better. BUt i'm not. I wish i was- wait no, i really don't care.

BUt that didn't stop her. every day, she would start teaching me all sorts of stuff, in preparation for the upcoming party. there the ´princess´ would pick out a bunch of guys to be her potential new partner. And I had to be one of them.

At first I just ignored her as much as i could, i thought she might catch up on the fact that I absolutely didn't want this, but it did nothing. I figured it might be easier for the both of us if i just played along. I could always just pretend i forgot everything at the party so i would just not get picked. Problem solved.

So for the last month i have just been going along with it. It's not that bad. And it's not like i have anything better to do.

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"You know you could always just leave when shes not looking" I turned around to look at the voice. My brother looked at me, leaning on the door frame.

"Yeah, if i did that the whole town would be out looking for me in less than an hour." I got up from the window ad took a seat on my bed.

"maybe, maybe not" he smirked as he took a seat next to me.

"It's easy for you" I laughed, "You can go wherever you want"

"I'm allowed to… burn just because she said no, doesn't mean you can't sneak out" he smirked at me. I chuckled at his comment.

"I think she'll kill me if i ever manage to get myself back home" i said wrong my arm around my brother. " I'm just go8ng to accept this is my life now."

¨Are you sure?'' he look up at me, worried. I pulled him a little bit closer as i smiled down at him. "I am"

He hesitantly changed his expression to a smile. He sighed before he got up again and started walking towards the door, he stopped just before leaving completely.

"That's good.." he smiled "because mom asked me to come get you" he smirked before quickly walking towards the stairs

i groaned as i let myself fall onto the bed behind me "Tell her i'll be down in a second" i yelled after him.

Here we go again, another lesson taught by my non other than my own mother. Its worse enough when it's strangers… but hey, I told my brother I was fine with it, I should stay true to that statement.

I can't let him know I was lying..

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I hesitantly made my way down the stairs, I could already hear my mother put down the things needed to start the lesson.

The entire house was silent except for the rustling of papers and the sound of my mother frantically walking around the living room in order to make sure she prepared everything.

I walked around the corner to see her pacing back and forth behind the little home-made desk she had made with dad ever since she decided to teach me.

But to be honest, I'm not sure there is much left to teach me, as this was the 5th time when started this lesson to me.

Her expression changed when she saw me, finally, make my way towards her.

"David! finally, There You are, I send your brother to come get you like and hour ago" she started yelling as I slowly took a seat at my desk.

Ïm sorry, i had… things to do" i smiled hoping she either believe me or just let it go. she lifted an eyebrow as she continued to stare at me. It was it obvious she didn't believe me.

after a couple of seconds that felt like they would never stop she sighed and just let it go. That was new.

"well, you're here now" she sighed "let's just start" she turned around and started her lesson for the 6th time this week, i sighed quietly and sunk down lower in my chair.

One of the few good things about all this is that after a year she stopped asking me questions and just talked to me , she knew the things i remembered, and if she thought I didn't she asked, and i answered. by now I know everything by heart, even if I don't like to admit it.

the lessons also got shorter the more she gave, and luckily by now the duration had lowered from an hour to just under 30 minutes.

Afterwards, I was finally released from her talking, I somehow managed to convince her to let me go out. I still have no idea how i did it. But I didn't stick around long enough for her to tell me, or for her to change her mind.

I walked down the street, looking around at all the people doing their thing, some people were walking themselves, kids were playing, that must be nice, and some other were just sitting around enjoying the warm weather.

And that was exactly what i was going to do. Enjoying the weather, for as long a possibly could before someone who knew my mom would spot me and send me back home.

So I slowly made my way towards the forest. I made it to the entrance without getting spotted, that's first.I hesitantly went in, not too far, Haven't been in here in a very long time.

Last time I went I was about 4 years ago. Adam brought me there after he excitedly got home saying he had found a 'secret base' I thought is was cute so I followed him there, and honestly, It wasn't that bad. It was actually kind of cool.

I finally found it after a couple of minutes looking. from a distance it wasn't that easy to find, but once you spotted it, it was hard to miss. I walked inside the walls we had build out of old branches. Which we build higher and made stronger over time.

I'd say the 'base was about double the size as when we first found it. I sat down on one of the old benches we made, well i say bench but it's just a plank we found somewhere and put it inside.

It used to be comfortable to sit in, but now that i'm older, not so much. I sat down and my knees were too close to my face to be comfortable. I stretched my legs so they would not be so close to me and let out a sigh.

This was probably going to be one of the last times i get to be in here. The 'party' was tomorrow night, and i doubt that my mother will let me go out much, she had to make sure i knew everything before the big night.

But I'm pretty sure Ill be fine.

Soon I saw the sky getting darker. And, assuming it would be dark soon, i decided to start making my way home. If I stay away any longer mom will send out a search team to go look after me. And with search team i mean my dad, mom and a bunch of my mother's old lady friends.

There Is nothing i hate more than a bunch of old ladies walking through to forest screaming my name. I felt a chill at the thought and quickly got up.

Luckily I didn't go to far into the forest. It only took about 10 minutes to make my way back to town square. But i wasn't sure what time it was. I looked around the sky looking for a part of the clock tower.

When I spotted the rooftop I started walking around to see the time, it might be a better idea to just go home, But I was determined and didn't stop looking. And ofcourse, because i was looking where i was going, my eyes glued on the tower, I almost got knocked over when i bumped into someone.

"Oh I'm so sorry i wasn't- " i turned around, already apologizing when i spotted my brother standing behind me. "oh it's just you"

"so I don't get an apology "he smiled at me. "well yeah, it's just-"i stopped when i noticed him breathing heavily. I smirked as i looked him in the eye. "so.. what's the hurry?"

his eyes got wider as he looked away from my gaze "nothing, i was just on my way home."he said as he started walking past me "you should probably do the same" he walked away as i followed him home. my expression not changing. I don't know what my brother was doing but im sure its an interesting story. One i'll get out of him later.

We got home, just when it got dark. As soon as i walked into the kitchen I saw my dad sitting at the table, my mother looked up from putting dinner on the table, i could see in her eyes she was worried, but relieved i was finally home. I knew she wanted to say something about it, But she let it go before she even said anything.

I sat down in my seat next to my dad, he simply smiled at me. He probably had a tough day at work, wherever that is now. I honestly don't know anymore. he had to change it so much in the last couple of months.

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After dinner I excused myself to my room, I threw the shoulder bag i brought with me onto the chair in the corner of the room before dropping on my bed face first. This day was actually much more exciting than i have had in a while. And I had to admit, even though I wasn't looking forward to the whole 'party' that was happening tomorrow. As much as I wished I didn't have to go. I didn't want to let my mother down. So i was actually kind of nervous.

It took a little convincing for my body to fall asleep. But I eventually got there.