Chapter 1 (A New Friend)

"Mommy! Look!" Edward exclaimed pointed down to his shoes. He had tied them himself and was proud of his accomplishment. His mother glanced up from the paper she was writing on; and she smiled politely at her son for a moment before turning back to the document.

"That's nice, Edward. Now, why don't go play with your friends in the garden, yes? Mommy's got some things to finish." She murmured her hand already finishing the letter she was producing. Little Edward huffed and stomped off in search of his father.

"Father!" Prince Edward shouted, romping throughout the house. He wanders over to his father's door and knocks his little fist against it a few times; ignoring the guards who are trying to make him leave. The guards standing outside the door are about to grab Edward when the door swings open and the angry look of his father is met.

"I had wished to not be disturbed, guards," he growls towards them. The two men at the door nod politely in an apology before turning back to their posts. Then his father's angry glance was turned towards his son, who is too happy to notice it. He is too happy to notice the little purple spots along his father's neck or the fact that all his father is in is a thin pair a briefs. He is even too happy to care about the woman that dashes across his father's room, in an attempt to stay hidden; only covered by a blanket against her chest.

"Look father! I tied them myself!" he said pointing down to his shoes and bouncing on the balls of his feet. His father's glare is more poignant as he crosses his arms over his chest.

"Is that all?" his father ground out to his son through clenched teeth. Edward is confused by this. He has finally done something on his own! They had been nagging at him, since he had turned 10 that he should learn to do more things on his own. Why weren't his parents happy with him?

Before Edward could say anything, the king straightens up and puts a hand on the door and gestures to someone behind Edward. "Run along now Edward, go tell your friends and don't come back here understood?" Edward is still confused so he nods slowly and the door is slammed shut. A growl and giggle is the only sounds that escape from that room. Tears pool in his eyes as a hand lands on top of his head and rubs it soothingly. It is his older brother Alexios, who sighs down at Edward. Despite Alexios only being a two years older than his sibling, he has already realized that his parents don't seem to want anything to do with them. He pats Edward on the back a few times which angers Edward. He doesn't understand what Alexios or his parents are doing and it frustrates him. Edward shoves away Alexios and heads off to the garden. He plops down in the dirt and immediately his 'friends' flock around him like a swarm of bees to their hive.

Prince Edward is a simply boy. Really! He is. He is just a curious little boy that wants to play with someone new. Despite Edwards's young age, he knew that all of his friends tend to obey his every rule. Now, if he were the king, he may have been pleased by this thought. However, since he was a 10 year old boy, he hates that all his friends want to do is say 'yes'. So, he wanders off. Of course, there are guards surrounding the garden that he has been shoved into, but none of them quite know how to keep the youngest king's son at bay. He seems to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants.

As soon as Edward's foot hit the forest lines he darts off. He tries his best to weave around the dead trees and fallen leaves in his path and to stay silent. Though, his attempts are futile as he soon here's a shout from behind him. "Prince Edward! Stop!" One of the guards yell, annoyance noticeably in his voice.

"Shoot!" Edward 'curses'. His tiny feet kick off even faster. This was the best part of the day; or any day he gets to escape his home really. Edward loves the adrenaline running through his blood at the thought of being caught. Though he never does, it still makes him giddy.

Prince Edward darts to the right quickly and jumps over a small creek. He hasn't been to this part of the woods before but that doesn't frighten him. He usually gets lost and sooner or later the guards find him. Though, that part is always the worst. He still remembers what it is like to be found and it isn't all that fun. Edward also remembers the time his father had been the one to find him and that was no fun at all. Though, he tries not to think of that day.

Edward doesn't want to be found or caught today. He is angry that his parents seem to not care for him. He's angry that his older brother is wiser and smarted and knows what to do in these situations. His brother is the future king after all. He is upset with his parents today and wants them to worry. He wants them to suffer and make them think they have lost him, so he could come back and make them love him again. That is how it work's right?

Edward darts off and spots a large rock in a small clearing. It is a light grey color and about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Edward hadn't heard the guards in a while and he hop's on the rock to look around. He doesn't hear any shouting or hear footsteps so he thinks he's safe. Edward flops down onto the large rock, his breath is uneven as he shifts so he's more comfortable. His dress pants are catching dirt on them but he doesn't care. Not in the slightest. He sighs again and waits for his breath to even out. He wants to explore his new territory, he likes it here.

After he can properly breathe again, he hop's down from the rock and looks around it. He freezes at a part where someone's initials are engraved into the surface. J.D. They read. Edward frowns. How come J.D. is allowed to write his initials and Edward cannot? Edward looks around for a sharp rock to use and finds one. Underneath the other initials, he writes his own. E.H. Edward Henry. He knows his full name is Edward James Henry-Monica the 3rd, but he wishes to not write that down.

Before Edward can admire his work, a small yelp is resounded behind him. Edward swings around to spot a young boy about his age. He had curly blond-brownish hair with eyes that looked like a mix between purple and dark blue. He had tattered jeans and an old t-shirt that didn't seem to fit him. His purple-blue eyes were wide in fear before he saw Edward and he relaxed.

"Sorry," The kid murmured and looked down, his bare feet brushing against the ground and a slight blush across his cheek bones. Edward also noticed that he had a lisp as if he doesn't talk on a regular basis. His 'S' had more of a 'Th' sound to it. "I thought you were a grown up and I usually come here to be, um -by myself." Edward smiled and stood up; bouncing up and down. Edward couldn't help but feel happy towards the young boy his age. And no, it wasn't because he may have been able to help him get home or tell him where he was. It was because they have been in each other's presents for almost 2 minutes now and he hadn't bowed down to Edward as if he were some god. He treated him like another 10 year old boy.

"I'm sorry," Edward said, his tone indicating him being anything but, "I didn't know this was your place. Are those your initials?" Edward asked pointing to the rock behind him. The kid nodded and smiled a little at Edward.

"Yeah. I read it in a book once, but I can't remember which one, and I thought it was cool. I usually come out here to read when I don't want to talk with momma or papa." The boy said and it was the first time Edward saw the book in his hand. "I'm Jack Davis." He said. "My real name is Jacan but momma says that can be a mouthful sometimes," Jack said, his lisp caught again making it a mouf-ful.

"I'm Pr -Edward. I'm Edward." He said to Jack. If Jack noticed the way Edward was going to say 'Prince' before his name, he didn't let on as he walked over to the rock. "But you can call me Ed if you want," Jack nodded and smiled before turning back to the rock. He bent down to inspect it; his fingers lightly tracing over Edwards initials.

"Since you put your name down here," Jack said standing straight and smiling at Edward. "That means were friends!" Jack didn't miss the way that Edward's green eyes glowed with happiness or the freckles across his cheeks dancing as he smiled. He also didn't miss the way his obsidian hair twinkled in the sun as he hopped up and down on the balls of his feet. Though, none of those things mattered to him at the moment. All he cared about was pleasing his new friend so he had someone to talk to and not be trapped in his own world for the day.

"Yeah! I love new friends!" Edward cheered and Jack giggled. He hopped onto a rock and waited as Edward did the same. Edward hopped up beside him and they both sat side-by-side, their feet bouncing off the rock as they kicked. "So... um..." Jack started. "What -what do friends do?" Edward looked at him with curiosity.

"Haven't you ever had a friend?" Edward asked. Jack shrugged.

"Momma doesn't like it when I run off without her. She says I's all she got." He shrugged again at Edwards's expression. Edward didn't know what it was like to be all his mother had. So, he didn't understand the consequences. He decided to ignore it... and his aching heart.

"So... you wanna play a game?" Jack's eyebrows went up and he smiled cheekily, his head bobbing up and down eagerly. Edward shifted in his spot to where he could watch his new friend. "It's called tag. Do you know how to play?" Jack nodded.

"I love tag! But I really don't play it anymore cause momma or papa doesn't wanna play with me anymore." A small frown appeared before he shook it off. A smile replaced his features as he hopped off the rock. He reached up to place his book atop it before hopping backwards towards the woods. "You're it!" he exclaimed before spinning on his heel and taking off, his bare feet moving quickly. Edward grinned before taking off to chase his new friend.

***

"Do you wanna come home with me?" Jack asked. Edward couldn't help but smile softly at Jack when he said 'wif' instead of 'with' as he and Edward sat atop their giant rock. They had their small feet off on the side, bouncing off the rock, and their hands behind their heads, staring up at the sky. They had played tag for a few hours before noticing the rapidly fading sky, (it also didn't help that Edward felt like the guards would catch him at any fleeing moment).

"Why would you want me to come home with you?" Edward asked his new friend. Jack didn't spare him a glance.

"Cause we get to spend more time together! You can meet my momma and papa and -"

"This way!" They heard from far away. Edward shot up as did Jack. Jack looked confused and he opened his mouth to speak but Edward shut it.

"You have to go!" Edward whisper-yelled, jumping down from their rock. Jack hopped down too, his face still filled with confusion.

"Why?" He asked facing towards where he would to go home. This wouldn't be the first time Jack had to travel in the dark back home to his mom. Though, he didn't like the idea of leaving his new friend, especially when he looked so scared.

"You just -please Jack?" Edward begged as he heard the guards coming closer. He only knew it was them because the Captains voice rang through the trees. He turned to his new friend and was filled with regret. He didn't want to leave him. "Come back here in two weeks today ok? I'll be here." Jack nodded, his relief at being able to see his friend again was promising. "Now go! Before they catch you!" Jack smiled and nodded, then he bounded off towards his home. Edward sighed before turning back to the rising voice of the guards. He knew they were growing farther way and could hear their faint voices. He bounded off after them.

How was this so far guys? How do you like Edward and Jack? This is my very first book on Wattpad so feel free to leave any criticizing comments! If you find any errors please comment on them and I will be sure to fix them! Thanks so much! (BTW this was pretty long. 2217 words!)