Princess Charming

“And Alina Koval strikes again. Another poor, innocent girls' heart...broken.”

My roommate, Victoria, spoke from the bed across from me.

“Please, I knew Erin for three weeks. I’m sure she is fine. And she was certainly not innocent.” I said back.

I put my phone down on my bed. After an intense texting conversation of telling Erin that I didn’t want to continue the little fling we had going- I needed a break from my phone.

“She seemed to like you, though. And she was cute.” Victoria said.

“So why don’t you date her? She’s single.” I retorted.

Victoria barked a laugh. “If I was into girls, maybe I would. She deserves someone who will treat her right.”

“She does. And that can’t be me right now. So, she will find someone, and she will be okay.” I said.

“Do you think it’s ever going to be you, Alina?” Victoria sat up and looked at me, her long, wavy dark hair spilling down her shoulders and onto her chest.

I sat up as well and faced her.

“I don’t know the answer to that question, Victoria.” I said, “I’ll let you know if I ever do.”

We sat there for a moment in silence. Then Victoria got up and said, “Did you finish packing your overnight bag? If you forget something I am sure I will have it at my house- or we can run to a CVS.”

“Yes, my overnight bag is packed. I can’t believe we’ve been roommates for over 6 months now and this is the first time I’m visiting your house and meeting your family.” I said.

“Well, I did invite you over winter break.” Victoria chuckled, “But you were occupied.”

I got up from my bed. “Don’t mention that again, please.”

“I won’t. Unless you piss me off.” Victoria smiled at me, “Will you be ready to go in ten minutes?”

“Definitely.” I said, “Just let me know when.”

Victoria Anderson become my roommate unexpectedly at the beginning of this year- and it’s been the biggest blessing- as she has become my closest friend as well. She has an interview tomorrow morning at a company that she can potentially work at after graduation- and she asked me if I wanted to get a break from campus and spend the night at her family’s house. I agreed, happily.

For the third time, Victoria asked me what shirt she should wear to the interview.

“Are you sure about the blazer?” she asked me, looking at her closet.

“Positive. Now before you can change your mind- let’s go.” I said to her.

We walked out of our apartment, and got into her car. The drive to Victoria’s was about an hour away from campus.

“My mom set up the guest bedroom all nice for you.” Victoria said, “She’s excited to see you.”

“Your mother is a doll.” I said, “That’s very nice of her. Who else will be there, just your dad and sisters?”

“Yes, my dad will be. Leah will most likely be at her boyfriends, my mom told me she spends almost every night there. Hallie will most likely be in her woman cave in the basement.” Victoria rolled her eyes slightly.

“What, does she spend most of her time there?” I asked Victoria. She had mentioned her younger sister, Hallie, a few times to me. Her 24 year old sister, Leah, was who she seemed to be more fond of.

“Yeah. She’s always playing video games or something. And not going to school. It’s like she doesn’t want to grow the fuck up.” Victoria said, “She has this whole gaming set up down there, my parents pretty much just ignore it at this point.”

“Does she have a girlfriend, at least?” I asked Victoria.

She had told me before that her sister was a lesbian.

“No.” Victoria glanced at me, “And don’t even think about it. On both sides. Hallie is a loser, and you would play her like a fucking fiddle.”

“Hallie can’t be that bad.” I said, “Maybe you misunderstand her.”

“No.” Victoria shook her head, “She probably won’t even come up and say hello to us.”

Victoria’s house was a large, single home that was white with blue shutters. There was a large porch our front, and her fathers Ford truck was parked in the driveway.

Her mother, Courtney, greeted us at the door with a hug.

“Hi, honey.” she gave Victoria a kiss on the cheek. She then wrapped me into a hug.

“Alina, so good to see you. Are you girls hungry? We already ate but I made sure to save leftovers.”

“I’m starving, actually.” Victoria said, “What did you make?”

“Some chicken parm. Alina, don’t worry, I made eggplant parm too- I know you’re a pescatarian. Courtney said, and Victoria and I followed her into the kitchen.

Victoria’s house was bright and modern. It looked like her mother had spent a lot of time as well carefully considering the furniture that was in each room as well.

“Mrs. Anderson, who did not have to make eggplant parm just for me.” I said.

“Well, truth be told- Hallie is a vegan now. So I technically made it for her- but with you in mind.” Courtney smiled at me as Victoria, and I sat down at the kitchen counter.

“Ah, when did she decide this?” Victoria asked.

“A couple of weeks ago.” Courtney said, “She didn’t even come up and eat dinner with your father and I though.”

“Of course not.” Victoria shook her head.

Her mother made us each a plate, and we started eating.

“So, are you excited for your interview tomorrow?” Courtney asked Victoria, drinking a glass of red wine.

“Nervous, actually.” Victoria said, “I just hope it goes well.”

“You’re going to do great.” I smiled at my friend.

Victoria is an Economics major- and she has an interview with a Financial firm- a very successful one.

“Alina has it right.” Courtney nodded toward me, “You’re going to do wonderful, honey.” Courtney then turned to me, “Alina, remind me of your major again?”

“Biology. And no, I don’t know what I want to do with it.” I said, “I’m just good at science.”

Courtney laughed, “You’ll figure it out. You can go to graduate school, get a higher education. You transferred to the University a year ago, right?”

I felt myself tense up.

“Yes. I did two years at a community college, and then I transferred to where I’m at now my junior year.” I responded.

“Honestly, going to community college for the first two years is smart. Saves money.” Courtney said.

Victoria glanced at me, and she knew what I was thinking-

I don’t want to get into it.

“Mom, is Hallie going to even come up and say hello?” she asked, changing the subject.

“I’ll text her that you’re here.” Courtney grabbed her iPhone, “She can’t hear anything over those headphones she has.”

I had seen one picture of Hallie, from about 4 years ago. So I didn’t really know what she looked like.

A few moments later, footsteps made their way into the kitchen.

In walked, who I assumed- was Hallie.

She had slightly wavy hair that was pulled back into a ponytail- and I could tell it wasn’t very long. One half of it was black, and the other half was cherry red. She had on a large black hoodie and gray leggings. In terms of her facial features- she didn’t look a lot like Victoria. Victoria is tan, with big hazel eyes. Hallie was quite pale, and had light green eyes. The only makeup she had on was heavy winged liner.

I felt my heart start to beat slightly faster when she walked in.

“How nice of you to come say hello, sister.” Victoria said.

As Victoria spoke, Hallie’s eyes were on me. She looked at me in a way that made my heartbeat even faster. Like she was studying me.

But then her eyes reverted back to Victoria. “Sorry. I couldn’t hear you come in.”

“I figured.” Victoria said, “Hallie, this is Alina- my roommate.”

Hallie glanced back at me, and said softly, “Nice to meet you, Alina.”

I swallowed before I spoke, “Nice to meet you as well.”

What is happening. Why is my body reacting like this.

I don’t get nervous around girls.

“Hal, Alina doesn’t eat meat either. She likes eggplant I made. Take a plate down with you.” Courtney said to her.

Hallie glanced at me again and then said, “Okay. I’ll try it.”

Courtney made up a plate for Hallie, and then she hesitated before she spoke.

“I’ll be downstairs.”

I swore I saw her glance at me one more time before she walked off.

Victoria looked at me. “So that’s Hallie.”

I smiled back at Victoria, but my mind was racing.

Why was she much cuter than I was expecting? Why could I somehow feel her sadness radiating off her as she walked in the room, and I just wanted to do something about it? Why am I so intrigued by her?

I need to find a way to talk to her.

Somehow.