Chapter 10 (Dance)

That moment when you are at a sleepover and you are the only one left out of the inner circle. Like, yes, I understand that I don't know what you guys are talking about but can't you at least try to participate me? Whatever, gave me more time to write this chapter. Whatever, enjoy! (The song above is not mine.)

This is a short chapter for the holiday's that I'm celebrating so I hope you like it!

Wednesday (Three days before Edward's party)

Jack (POV)

"'Don't stop, believin'!'" My mother cried out, twirling around the living room with my little sister. She giggled as she was picked up. "'Hold on to that feelin'!" she cried out once again. I smiled, watching them with happiness. They had been dancing around the house for almost 20 minutes now and I could see how tired they were becoming. Though, they didn't stop because I could also see that they were having fun. My mother's breath become weary as the song came to an end. It wasn't long before the beat of a ukulele picked up, making my mother's eyes widen. "Jacan!" she cried as it continued to play, turning to me. "Dance with me!" I could feel a protest rise upon my lips but she cut in. "Please?" she asked desperately. My sister knew this and quickly moved around and sat on the couch as the first 'Ooo' started up. I quickly made my way over, giving up on my protests and gathered in my mother's arms. Next thing I know, we are slow dancing as the person starts to sing.

"'Somewhere, over of the rainbow. Way up high.'" My left hand is in her right and my right hand in on her hip. Her left hand is on my shoulder, as we move our hips in a smooth fashion. My mother brings my head down so our foreheads are touching. I can't bring myself to step away, despite it being awkward. She has her eyes closed as she softly sings the song. "'I'll watch them bloom, for me and you. And I'll think to myself; what a wonderful world?'" She keeps singing as I take her out of my arms and I make her twirl. She twirls twice before we slowly move some more. My embarrassment fades as I see my mother thoroughly enjoying herself. She has moment like this, where she just wants to relax. How can I say no to her? She loves dancing and my father doesn't like to. So, she tend to push it on to me, not that I mind. I like to dance as well. Especially when I can just close my eyes and get lost in the soothing rhythm; and that is exactly what I do. I close my eyes and hum to the song as we slowly move across the room. "'I see friends shaking hands singing; 'How do you do?' They're really singing, 'I...I love you.'"

I keep my eyes closed as I can feel my mother start to cry. This was always her favorite song since her sister passed away. I remember asking her why, one day, and she told me that she and her sister had always danced to this song whenever their father was home, causing trouble with their mom. I knew that 'causing trouble' meant that he was beating her before she told me. I could always see it in my mother's eye whenever my father and I were fighting. She would always interfere because she was afraid of a fist fight. Or I could see it when my father and she were having a fight and she would flinch if he raised a hand to push back his hair. After that, I knew the argument was over because my father would always hate the fact that she would always be frightened by him in some sort of way.

I kept my eyes closed out of respect when she leaned her head against my shoulder in defeat as the song slowly came to an end, "'And the dream that you dare to, why, oh why, can't I?'" There was silence throughout the house as the ukulele started to fade out. It was soon replaced with another song and my mother turned it off, wrapping her arms around my waist. I felt her head against my shoulder as she hugged me. A sigh slipped past my lips as my mother squeezed me tightly against my abdomen. I slipped my arms across her shoulders and propped my chin atop her head. I felt her warm tears against my neck as she tried to calm herself down. I knew she was thinking of her sister and what her old family was like, and it only made my heart hurt. Since my mother's sister had died, she had never really stayed on good terms with her mother and father. She definitely didn't keep in contact with her father. They believed that my mother had something to do with it, when it wasn't her fault in the first place. Ever since that night, she hasn't really been close to any of her family members and she tends to try and avoid having arguments with us.

Though, everything in her home mostly stayed the same. Her mother still lived with her husband, despite her husband getting drunk and hitting her on occasion. I think my mother never really liked to keep in touch with her family because it always reminded her of what was happening when she wasn't there. She hardly ever invites them over and she almost never goes over to see them. I know she feels guilty about the whole situation but the one time she told her mother to leave, her mother cried and her father drunkenly kicked her out of the house, literally. She couldn't sit down without wining for almost three days. Though, she never reported him because she knew her mother would leave her, and that seemed worse than knowing that she was being beaten apparently.

My mom finally got to her wits and calmed down. She sniffled and playfully wiped her face against my sleeve, causing me to laugh and nudge at her. She smiled at me as she wiped off her tears.

"I'm sorry," she said laughing awkwardly as if she could erase what had happened. I shrugged at her and grinned.

"No big deal, tears always give me a fresh look." She laughed at my gratefully as Jessy came up and wanted her attention. It had been a whole five minutes and she was already wanting the spotlight to be on her. I shook my head at her before turning him head towards the door as I heard a rattling sound.

"Mail!" Jessy called excitedly and rushed to the door. A frown made its way across my lips as I started towards the door. We almost never, and I mean never, get mail unless it's a letter from one of dad's relatives during the holidays or a bill, though my parents usually don't even get those. It's odd to here that sound. I opened the screen door and shoved my way outside to see Jessy running up the driveway waving a cream colored letter.

"It's from the castle!" she called out a big smile against her lips. My eyes grew big and fear settled in the pit of my stomach along with excitement. I was scared that it was something bad but also excited to know if it was something good, like from Edward. Would he even know where I live? No, that's not possible... right?

I grabbed the letter out of my sister's hand and sat down on the porch steps. I ignored my sisters' calls to try and open it herself as I tore through the stamp on the front of the castle sign. I gulped as I grasped the card and held it up to my face.

"Dear residence(s) on King Scott's land,

Prince Edward James Henry would like to inform you of his latest addition in his new reign. Due to his upcoming Kingly celebration, he would like all people to attend to his party. He wishes for everyone to come and celebrate his coronation. He would like all people to attend, whether you are commoners or not. Here, he will be crowned the newest king and rightful heir to the throne.

His celebration will be on the 21st of September at Castle Henry. Please dress appropriately."

I flipped the card back and forth looking for any sign of it being false, like maybe a 'Got 'cha!' sign on the back. When I couldn't' find one, I handed it off to my mother, despite Jessy's protest of wanting to read it, and watched as she read. Her eyes grew big as she read it twice, then three times. She read it a forth before looking down at me.

"Is this real?" she asked, an excited gleam in her eyes. I held up the letter and showed her the stamp. When she noticed this, she smiled so wipe that I was afraid it would break her face. She finally told Jessy what it was to shut her up and they danced around the porch before running inside to decide what to wear. While I sat there on the porch and tried to figure this out.

This king system has been in place for almost a thousand years and it is very, very, very, rare to have anyone attend a coronation except for nobles and knights; and sometimes they weren't even allowed to attend. To know that Edward wants everyone to attend, it scared me. I would have to ask him what was going on.

Well, there you have it my lovely readers I hope you enjoy this latest chapter. Please don't hesitate to talk to me, give me feed back and what not. I also want to wish everyone Happy Holiday's, I have Christmas tomorrow and I am soooooo excited! If you celebrate Christmas please let me know what you asked for below! I love to read everyone's comments.

Also, another note, if you would like me to explain a little bit, (such as the world they live in or what's going on and such), please comment that below because I do not want to have anyone confused. Other than that, I hope you have a wonderful day! (1152)