My Prince Charming

Chapter 2: Transition

I haven't seen My Prince Charming since then although I miss him very much. I have talked to Lynn; she understands my feelings and sympathizes with me wholeheartedly. She lets me cry it all out, and after that, she suggests that I avoid contacting him again. She reckons that I'm bound to get hurt otherwise. It will only keep my hopes up.

Yet one Sunday after the new year starts, when I am in my bedroom checking my emails on my laptop, I notice Albert's name in my email inbox. I am so excited that I forget that I should probably delete his email. Instead, I can't wait to click on it. His message is very short though.

'Happy New Year, Candy! I should have written to you sooner, but I've been quite busy with study. How are you? Have you taken ski lessons yet?

Albert'

Apparently he cares about me as a friend. Perhaps I should bury my feelings for him and start treating him as a friend too. He even includes the link to his social network account, so I make up my mind that my new year resolution is to learn to regard him as my friend. Thus, I send him a friend request and minutes later, he accepts me.

I can't stop myself from browsing every one of his photo albums, and my stomach churns when I see that he appears very much in love with his beautiful girlfriend. I even check her name. Chantal… what a special name.

I end up sprawling on my bed, weeping and sulking for who knows how long. After that, I actually feel a lot better, like I have woken up from my prolonged fantasy. I believe I can honestly declare Albert Adams as one of my guy friends from now on.

Therefore, I write him the following message,

'Hi Albert, your girlfriend looks very beautiful, and you both look great together! Are you planning to propose soon?

Candy'

I hit the 'send' button at once, and I feel as though a burden is lifted off my shoulder. Ever since that day, we begin communicating with each other online through messaging, chatting, and even video calling sometimes. But his schedule is very tight, so I don't expect immediate response from him. Even Annie and Lynn are careful not to associate his name with any special meaning again. They are aware that I'm over him now, or so I thought.

In March, my family and Annie's family go to Mexico together for a brief vacation during Spring Break. While my father, Lynn, Annie and her parents are all having fun snorkeling in the blue waters, I sit upon the sands alone, watching them.

"Hey there," a familiar voice says as a hand lands on my shoulder, I literally jump and shriek because all people I know are in the water. I twist around and look up, aghast to see Albert right beside me. Am I dreaming?

He chuckles, squatting down, "Did I scare you?"

"Why are you here?" I yelp in utter disbelief. "In Mexico too!"

"Can't I enjoy myself once in a while too?" Having said that, he points his finger toward the dress-up crowd behind us. Only then I realize that Albert is wearing a light grey tuxedo. He has my pity. How can he endure this hot weather wearing that?

"A wedding party, Albert?" I ask as I pull myself up, dusting the sand off my clothes. He also hoists himself up.

Then he explains that his sister Rosemary and her fiancé have booked this resort for their wedding ceremony. They have just exchanged their vows in front of friends and relatives, and they are taking pictures now. Even from a distance, the bride looks radiantly beautiful.

Albert adds, staring at me intently, "I can recognize you from afar."

"Is that right? Am I this conspicuous?" I ask, feeling more flattered than I can admit.