A young teenage boy leaned against the satin covered wall. A pair of unfriendly eyes wachted.

"James how many times do I have to tell you?" A motherly voice scolded. "You're a prince now, and Princes stand up straight." The lavendered hair boy sighed and stop leaning. 'Rules for everthing.' he thought.

His mother and father were talking to yet even more guests. It seemed that was all they did now. There was no time for him. Ever. But that was okay for him, he didn't have much to talk about anyway.

James left his parents to talk to their company. Instead he went out in his backyard. His favorite place in the world. Where he could be himself. And not some old, snooty, stuck up, rude rich person.

He set by a small pound and watched the Magickarp. A small reddish dog joined. James patted his silky fur and smiled.

He looked at the small servants house. This thought made him sad. 'Why should they be treated lower than me? I am certainly not any better' he thought.

His thoughts blew away by the feel of a hand on his shoulder. "Would you like anything, Master?" Master? He hated that more than anything. It was like they were pets of some sort.

He looked up at which servant had ask him. He had never seen this one before. It was a fairly short, skinny girl. She had sapphire eyes and red hair. I guess you could call this love at first sight. Her voice rang like the morning bells. It was so cheerful and sweet. And she smelt of strawberry.

Before he could contine thinking she blew away the thought again. "Well?" she asked again. James shook his head. "OK then.." Her voice trailed of a bit "What are you doing out here all alone?"

"Thinking," he answered, "About how horrible my life is, but ahhhhh you dont care about that do you? Right thought so....I haven't seen you around, what's your name?"

"My name is Jessica" she answered.

"Nice to meet you Jessie." Nobody had very called her that. Jessie smiled a bit.

"So why is your life so horrible?"

James sighed again. "You wouldn't understand, I would rather not tell you."

Jessie smiled "Okay then, I will see you around." Jessie left.

James pondered again. For that one moment of his life when she sat right next to him he had been happy.

At dinner James' parents made an annoucment.

"James," His father began, "We are hosting a ball, to find your wife." James just nodded. He didn't want to start a fight not now. He had already found his love. And she just happened to be serving dinner that night.

Jessie had overheard the conversation. After she finshed serving she ran over to the servants house to tell her friend, Josie about the ball.

"Are you sure about this..I mean you just met him. You can't like him like him not yet anyway," the brunette inplied.

"Sure I can..I loved him the moment I sat eyes on him, but I wish I could go to the ball."

"You can..just dress up as some..prom queen."

"Look at me Josie, I am definetly No Cinderalla." Jessie showed Josie that old torn dirty skirt she had on.

"Sure you are and I am your fairy god mother and I have a plan even I can't blow, to get you that guy........"

After Josie had said that, something tugged in Jessie's stomach. This was a feeling of nervousness. What if James didn't like her and wouldn't waste any of his time on some servant. What if something went wrong like she got caught? I mean Josie did have attendance to mess things up. A lot.

"Okay, but we're in this together, I get caught you get caught, deal?" Jessie looked her friend straight in the eye.

"Deal," Josie answered.

That night I had trouble sleeping. I couldn't believe we were actually gonna do this. I tossed over to my other side. Josie was fast asleep. Unlike me. So I decided to go take a walk by the pond.

I found James sitting there. Staring at his reflection. He didn't see me. I walk up behind him.

"What are you doing?" I asked. He looked startled to see me.

"Thinking again," he replied.

I really wanted to know why his life was so horrible. I mean he is royalty, he gets fed a full course meal, he has a family, a bed, clothes, everthing! Unlike myself.

"About what?"I asked again. He sighed.

"I told you before." Once again the same old same old.

"Could you tell me this time?"

"I guess so."

I sat down next to him. I saw both of our reflections in the water. The water was like a mirror of everthing, the moon, us, and the stars. They looked like little dimonds sparkling in the water.

"My life is so horrible because," he paused, "I am not who I want to be. I want to be able to do things my way. I mean I hate servants....no offense, not you, but they way they treat me. Like royalty."

I had almost laughed. How was royalty bad?

"Why is royalty bad?" I asked.

"Because....they do everything for you, you never get to taste the challenges of life that way, I mean you and the other servants," James cringed at the word. "Bring us everthing, I mean I could get a glass of water myself, or open the door to greet a guest." He looked back at his reflection. "I wish I could just be who I am."

He sent chills up my back. I felt sorry for him. I needed to tell him somthing, hug him and kiss him, comfort him and tell him it would be alright. But I resisted myself. Instead I just put my hand on his shoulder.

"No matter who you want to be, to me I will still think you are an amazing person." I slowly got up and headed back to my room. 'I would never forget this night,' I thought, 'not if I lived to be 100.'

Jessie's POV

That morning I woke up to a silent room. So for that once in a lifetime opportunity I decided to read. I am quite a book worm.

After I finished reading I went outside to find Josie. I fell in love with the day. The sky was fresh blotting paper blue. It was probably the most beautiful day I would ever see.

I found Josie sitting by the pond reading a book. It was tit ed 'How to Make the Perfect Prom Dress, Within 24 hours'. One half of me wanted to laugh, and the otherside didn't. Partly because she was making a big deal out of this, and I didn't want to laugh because she was my friend and she was trying to help.

I went over and sat by her. "Good morning," I said to her.

She just nodded and smiled. I could tell she was into the book. Before I could think anymore I heard a bell. That meant they wanted the 'servants' to do something. I sighed and got up.

I went over to the large man who rang the bell. "Yes?" I asked.

He looked me eye to eye. He sent chills up my back. "The master needs help setting up for his ball tonight, send the servants." I nodded and went off to tell the others.

Apparently they all had an excuse. They all said they were sick (except Josie). And unfortunately being how brainless the master were, they believed them. And I had to do all the work by myself. Don't ask me why Josie didn't have to because I can't answer that.

"Josie," I cried, "How will I ever be ready to get ready for the ball if I have to do all that work?!?!"

"Dont worry," Josie comforted me, "That's why I took the day off so I could make your dress and etc."

"Oh Josie!" I wrapped my arms around her, "What would I do without you? You're the best friend in the whole world."

"I know and so are you." I looked at her and smiled.

Friendship is what I think is the most wonderful things in the world. It's funny how you can look at a true friend and know almost everthing about them. And yet you don't tell anyone else.

James' POV

There I was, staring at my parents trying to make this the best night ever for me. But it wasn't going to be. EVER. I already new who I loved. Jessie. I didn't need princesses or ducthes or anything like that when I have Jessie.

After that it was all just a coincidence then. I saw her. The love of my life. The person I could kneel down to any moment and say 'I do'. Her beautiful red hair and gorgeous eyes. The pair you can get lost in.

She was setting up this so called 'Ball'. Why did she even bother? She was my ball. She was my everything.

I decided to walk over to her. "Hi." was all I could get out.

"Hi James...." She hestitated, "Your ahhh-er probably excited about tonight right?"

"Yeah, I guess." I shrugged my shoulders. My mother scolded me for doing that. I wasn't going to listen. I was to busy wishing and praying that Jessie would come tonight. That would make my day-life.

Before I knew it my Mother budded in. "Oh James," she sang, "Tonight we'll find you the perfect fiancee."

Jessie blushed a little and faked a smile.

'I'm not going to get out of this one,' I thought.

James' POV

I knew I wasn't anyway. I mean not with my mom and dad around. I will never marry for real love. Not with them around. Then I had a great Idea. I would run away! It was that perfect! And simple! I wouldn't have to go through anything.

"Uhhhh, mom? I have to go to the bathroom I'll be right back," I faked.

"Sure honey," My mom answered.

I ran through the huge hallway. It's funny how one hallway can make a guy seem so small. I went into the bathroom and opened the window. I slowly climbed out. After I got out, I headed for anywhere my heart told me. It felt great. Me? Making my OWN decisions. I never felt better.

Jessie's POV

I knew he was faking it. It was a cheep little voice. It was only an excuse to get a rain check for his so called 'miserable' life.

"Okay darling," His mother said, "You may go now we are all finished, but ahhh tell Master chief Alexander the 5th to make five dozen cookies."

"Sure," I grinned. And went to go tell the chief. When I walk into the Kitchen, the chief was cooking a grand smelling posta.

"Five dozen cookies," I yelled to him over the bubbling water. He just grunted, and I went to go find Josie.

When I found her she was sewing. She was so concentrated I doubt she even noticed me."So is it coming along okay?" I asked. She nodded. The dress was so beautiful. She was so good at sewing and making things. The dress was orange with a feather collar. There were long orange socks to go with and a fluffy orange hair piece for my hair. I loved it.

"You better wash up," She annouced, "It starts in two hours." I nodded and headed for the showers. I loved the way the warm water felt dancing around my body.

After I finished that Josie had already finished the dress. She slipped on me. There was nothing wrong with it at all. My hair looked great too, all bunned up with a feathery outline.

I took out a picture of a princess. She looked stunning. Beautiful and stunning. I didn't look anything like her. Never in a million years would I. I sighed.

"I look awful," I told Josie. Josie plucked the picture and of my hand. She sighed too.

"Oh Jessie, Love yourself for what you are, don't hate yourself for what you aren't. Jessie your beautiful, and I love you like a sister. Don't ever ever change. Your beautiful inside and out. And that's what I love you for."

That was the most touching thing anyone ever said to me. And you know what? I cried.

"Josie?" I sobbed, "I don't know what to say. You beutifuller than me. I love you to. Just promise me this. If our lives change, from whatever, you and me will always be friends?"

"Forever"She whispered. I had another great moment of friendship. I hugged her. I owed her so much. But all I had to give her right now is love.

I let go of Josie. "Thank you" I quietly said. I couldn't say anything else. My mouth couldn't form anymore words. I felt like I was a character in a book, and no one was reading it. I couldn't say anything.

"There now," She said, "You look wonderful. Go to that ball, and have the time of your life. Don't let anything or anyone stop you. If they bother you, just let me know. I'll take care of them. Okay?" I smiled and nodded. After that she shooed me out the door.

I walked in a small door. As soon as I heard music my heart stop. I couldn't pull this of. Surely someone was to recognize me. My palms started to sweat.

I entered the ball room. There were tons of princess. None of them looked like me. They were all so dressed up. I couldn't spot James, but I would find him.

James' POV

I was so far away from home now. So far, I didn't know where I was. Somewhere dark, and dusty. Somewhere like an alley.

In the corner a saw l tall and scarey shadows. Their bodies hunched over as they talk among themselves.

Somewhere in my nose I felt an inch. I huffed and the itch came out (in other words....I sneezed). The tall shadows turned towards me.

As they came closer I could make out their faces. They were punk boys. One pick me up my the collar of my shirt. "Why you' on our turf?" He asked in a deep voice.

"I-I was just...ummmm...er-passing by". I swallowed. Loudly. He gave me an evil eye.

"Nobody passes on our turf," He grumbled.

I thought my heart skip a beat. I was so nervous. I didn't know what to do. They were all so much bigger than me.

"Sorry-sorry," I studerred, "I did-didn't m-mean to."

They boy was just about to say something when another boy tapped him on the shoulder he spoke,

"You know," He said, "You look an awful lot, like prince James." He looked at me again.

"Your right G.C, maybe we should punch him out. Considering his parents raise taxes, that our families' can't afford."

"I say we give him old 78."

Another guy spoke, "That'll teach 'em."

The man that was holding me buy my shirt collar smirked. "Yeah great idea." He started"Say your prayers. Long live the king."

My heart stop beating. This was the end for me. Which meant no more Jessie. My life was 100% over.

The man raised his hand and hit my face. Pain struck my body like a lighting bolt. As he hit more and more pain struck me, the weaker I became.

Soon it stopped. I laid motionless on the ground. The voices laughed and left. I soon began to feel dizzy, and before I knew my eyes closed.

Jessie' POV

The whole party was a disater. No James. I couldn't find him anywhere. I decided to leave.

When I left I felt hungry. 'Maybe I should pick up some chips for me and Josie' I thought. But first I had to sign an out list. This way if I never returned back from the palace they would send the police looking for me.

I walked for a while, but all the stores seemed to be out of them. So I had to walk to the end of town.

I had to pass an alley to get to the next local store. In the alley I saw someone laying on the ground. I couldn't make out who it was, but I decided to help.

What I saw broke my heart. It was James. I put my ears on his chest. At least he was still breathing. I shooked him a little.

"James?" I asked, "Wake up James!"

I kept on trying. Once his eyes fluttered open, but closed again.

He had a lot of bruises, plus in some places he was bleeding. I decided to take him back to the servant's house.

When I got there, I rushed in the door. "Josie!" I cried.

She came right away. I didn't even have to say anything else. We just took him and put him on our bed.

We cleaned and bandaged his wounds. I also put a clean wet towel over his forhead. After that we just waited.

After two hours or so, he woke up. I ran over to him.

"Are you okay?" I asked. He nodded. I think he was confused.

"Thank you," He said.

I couldn't hold it in any longer. I hugged him. And ya know what? He hugged me to! We never even had to say anything.

At that moment I was happy. I really was. Just with everthing. I was in love with life. 'And they lived happily ever after'I said to myself. Even if I knew I wasn't going to be happy everyday, I was know. Because I had my Prince Charming.

The End