Chapter 100
HANNAH
Edward nodded. I started to think he was seriously considering my warning, but he moved closer.
Sinking his voice a little, he said, "I guess we're more alike than I thought. I was never also good at socializing either. It's one of the reasons why my parents are organizing the pageant. They want to expose me to a whole lot of people. They are also hoping I would be interested in a girl."
I laughed.
"Sorry," I said. "I'm not laughing at you... It's just that I find it hard to believe that a prince who has everything could ever struggle with socializing. Why would that even happen?"
Edward’s dark eyes had a faraway look in them. "Ah. When I told you everything else fades away when I'm reading a good book, I wasn't exaggerating. I spend all my time reading. I find it more... relaxing than talking to people. Weird, I know."
I gave him a reassuring smile, hopefully better than Julia's.
It was nice to see his vulnerable side. It made it more relatable and very, very nice.
"Thank you for telling me that," I admitted. "And no, you're not weird. I think if you practiced talking to people some more, it would become much easier. With those girls, you were a natural. If you hadn't told me of your um-"
"Social awkwardness?" he suggested with a grin.
"No. I wouldn't call it that. But if you hadn't told me, I wouldn't ever have guessed. And here we are!"
I threw open the doors to the library. Somehow, the news that the prince was coming to see the library must have gone ahead of us. Mrs. Pierce and the other library staff were on their feet, hands clasped in front of them, waiting. The other students were nowhere to be found.
What a generous display, I couldn’t help but think. Mrs. Pierce was usually annoying and cold toward us. Today, she had a bright smile on her face.
After Edward had assured them that he would only need me to give him the tour of the library, we finally moved on. Edward looked around and took some books off the shelf. I could tell he was impressed.
"Your school's library is well equipped," he said. “It’s truly a remarkable place.”
"I agree. You should tell the principal that. He would explode with happiness."
He chuckled. "I wish you would win the pageant so we could go on a date. You're the most interesting girl I have met in a while. I guess I'll be seeing much more of you now that you're on to the next round."
"Thank you for the compliment..." I figured it was best to tell him the truth now, or as much of it as I could safely tell him. "I entered the competition because of the scholarship to Worchmount, but you won't be seeing me at the next round. I'm withdrawing for personal reasons."
Edward stopped walking. He turned a very confused, very surprised face to me. "Why would you want to do that when you've come this far? What personal reasons are you talking about?"
"I'm sorry, but it's personal. That means I can't tell you why." I sighed. “I really didn’t want to withdraw, but I have no other choice.”
The seconds ticked past. He saw I was not going to give anything away, and he shook his head, looking disappointed.
He sighed, and we resumed walking. "That's disappointing. I hope Julia doesn't win, though. I'll go on a date with anyone but her."
I couldn't hold back the peals of laughter, and Edward joined in.
"Why though?" I asked, wiping tears of laughter from my eyes. "Isn't she pretty enough?"
He rolled his eyes. "Beta's daughter, cheerleader, best she-wolf in school, really? No. I'll pass."
"Okaaay. You may find other girls better then. At least much better than Julia." I told him. “Chloe is also in the book club, and I’m sure you’ll have excellent conversations with her.”
Edward hesitated, his blue eyes watching me for a while. Then he stepped closer. "Actually, I was thinking... since you're withdrawing, it might not be such a bad idea for you and I to go out on a date." He searched my face for some kind of reaction, but I didn’t give him any. We were stuck in the part of the library with high shelves on either side of us. "Just think about it. Dinner at a nice restaurant, music, candles if you're that type of girl, and then we'll get to know each other better. Wouldn't it be just perfect?"
His voice faded to a low murmur. His lips parted and his eyes... they focused on my lips. He leaned close. His hand reached for my face.
I jumped back just before he could close the distance between us.
"Hannah," he exhaled.
To be safe, I took another couple of steps back. "Sorry, but you can't do that. I've already been marked and claimed. Prince or not, they would rip you apart if you kiss me."
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