Royally Jacked (Romantic Comedies, The) by Burnham Niki

Author:Burnham, Niki [Burnham, Niki]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: 2010-05-07T22:00:00+00:00

Six

“Thanks.” I try not to look taken off guard, but it’s kind of cool, being called a friend by a freakin’ prince. Especially since I can tell he actually means it. At least, I hope he does, because otherwise, I’m pretty much friendless here. It’s a pretty safe assumption that if Georg decides he doesn’t like me, I’m basically screwed at school. No one’s going to want to be buddy-buddy with the girl the prince says is a total reject. And I wouldn’t blame them either. I’d even ignore me.

“I would guess you have other friends besides me, though,” I tell him, mostly to cover my own stupid smiley face reaction to what he said. I don’t want Georg to think I’m desperate, because I’m not. Being an only child makes me tough that way, or so I tell myself. “Unless you’re, like, a known ax murderer or something, and you’re just being nice to lull me into a false sense of security.”

He holds his hands over his head, out-law-style, then leans back in his chair, kicking his long legs closer to me. “You’ve caught me. I admit it. I’m sure the police will have my …” He fumbles for the right phrase for a second before saying, “My mug shot stapled to all the telephone poles soon.”

He glances over his shoulder, toward the door, then shoots a casual look at my notebook. “You still have that drawing from yesterday?”

Does he not want his family to know I’m drawing him? Instead of asking him about it, I make a quick resolution to shut the notebook if his parents—or anyone—shows up, just in case.

“Oh, now I get it,” I say as I turn to the correct notebook page. “You only want me around long enough to draw a flattering wanted poster for you.” Why not tease him like I would a normal friend, I figure, since he doesn’t know I know who he really is? “I assume you’re asking because you want me to finish?”

“I’d like that a lot. But don’t make my head too big.”

“I’ll draw it like I see it,” I retort. He grins, and for the next few minutes, we’re quiet. I take my time with shading and getting the angle of his jaw just so. Since this one’s on request, as opposed to my usual killing-time-in-homeroom job, I want it to be really good.

And I have to admit, I’m getting a Zen feeling sitting with him, not saying anything and just drawing. I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be so comfortable with anyone who thinks in German, no matter how good his English might be. It’s relaxing, like when I’m with Christie, Jules, or Natalie. They’re the only people who seem to get that it’s okay to hang out and not talk sometimes. To just be.

At least until I told them I was moving to Schwerinborg.

When I finish and hold up the picture, I can’t believe how happy Georg looks. Not goofy happy. Touched happy.

“That’s awesome, Valerie.” His accent nearly cracks me up.

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