Chapter 61: Chapter XXVIII Feelings-2

"No... it's no problem at all," I smiled at his response. "Is Caleb home?" he nodded and took a step to the side, allowing me to enter. "He should be in his room," I nodded my head in thanks as I entered the house more. It was then that Caleb's mother spotted me from the kitchen, nearly dropping her pan. "Y-your Highness! Hello!" she said in a heightened voice, stepping over to me quickly. "Misses Adams, you look well," I commented, remembering her nerves from weeks ago. "Oh! Thank you so much," she seemed a bit flustered. "You came to see Caleb?" I nodded my head at her question. "I think it's been enough time for wounds to heal," she nodded her head in understanding. "Are you staying for lunch?" I shrugged my shoulders. "If all goes well," was all I said before I ascended up the stairs, heading through the house on autopilot. I heard music coming Caleb's open door, music I didn't particularly enjoy or understand until Sarina showed me some other genres. I wouldn't admit it really, but I was starting to get used to the idea of loud music and bright colours. Caleb was sitting at his desk, typing away at his computer with his glasses on the brim of his nose. I had seen him so much with contact lenses that I nearly forgotten he wore glasses. He didn't see me enter, his back towards me. I headed into the room as quietly as I could muster, although I didn't know why. I was here to confront him, yet I didn't want him to see me. I guess I still possessed some shame. I sat on his bed, the slight squeaking action having him whip around his head to look at me. His eyes widened immediately, his jaw slacking in surprise. "Melanie! You're here!" he sounded bewildered, spinning around his chair to face me. I nodded, looking around his room until I found myself looking at the broken trophy. "I'm sorry about that," he followed my vision and began shaking his head, dismissing with his head. "It's... in the past. Why are you here?" I turned to him and suddenly the awkwardness of the situation came crashing down on me. I sighed. "I wanted to thank you for the lovely gift. And... I wanted to apologize for everything I've put you through," he nodded his head only slightly, but his eyes revealed that he didn't want any apologises. "Just... don't. I deserved it," we were off to a great start. "They were beautiful pictures," I told him with a complementing nod. "I can't believe you had all those photos still," "I started that book when we were younger. I planned on giving it to you after it was completely full but..." I nodded, understanding. "It is very thoughtful. Thank you," he nodded, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "I especially loved being reminded about my hair had been chewed by a duck," he laughed, remembering the scene from years ago when my head was violated by a duck. "Speaking of which..." I looked up at him in question. "You seem very unhappy," I was confused for a second before I realized the colour of my locks in front of my eyes. I nodded slightly, a grimace taking over my features. "I hate it," I admitted to him. "I hate it so much," I took a few strands into my fingers, rubbing them together. They didn't feel as chalky anymore, but that didn't make me feel any better. Caleb only nodded, knowing that any commentary would be directed at my parents and he wasn't in the mood to insult royalty again. "But you still look beautiful anyway," I only nodded at him, taking it as an unemotional comment. I didn't feel anything for the man who sat in front of me, but I couldn't go on knowing that I had an arch nemesis. It just didn't set well with me. "Yeah... hey, are you and Anna still going out?" I asked curiously, trying not to appear distasteful because I wasn't. I was over it, and I wanted it to stay that way. It took so long to accept reality and move on. Caleb suddenly seemed uncomfortable. "Uhm... no. She said she didn't want to be involved with someone like me," I bit my lip and looked down, nodding my head slightly. "She said that she'd want to apologize to you," I breathed deeply and nodded again. I rose my head quickly. "It's not needed. It's been a month. I'm over it. I moved on," I told him honestly and something flashed over his eyes. It was disappointment. "Oh... I see. It's the Prince isn't it?" he asked, as if he solved the world's greatest mystery. "What about him?" "You two are going out, right? I mean you seemed really comfortable in the broadcasts," I could only chuckle at this, shaking my head. Sarina, Matilda and now Caleb... why did everyone think I have a thing for Alejandro? "No, definitely not. I wouldn't go out with him," "Why not?" "He's... too Spanish my liking, quite frank," he laughed at my honest opinion. "Ah, so you aren't going out with anyone?" I shrugged my head to the side, biting my lip. "I never said that," Caleb's eyes widened. "What, really? Who is it?" I could see that mystery swivelled in him, as if he wanted to know what this person had that he didn't. Well, a sense of morality for one. "It's... you won't tell?" Caleb looked at me with a deadpan stare, as if I asked him the stupidest question in the world. "The last thing I want to do is go spreading rumour about the Princess. I don't want to be in the spotlight again, gracious me, I'd be eaten alive," I laughed at his ridiculous words and shook my head. "Sorry, but I don't think I'm going to tell you," he looked disappointed but nodded, understanding. "That's fine. I don't even deserve to talk to you right now. I should feel honoured," I shrugged my shoulders. "I came here to thank you and apologize, because I don't like having enemies," "I know right? Such a drag," I chuckled and suddenly, I remembered why I liked him in the first place. "Like... I don't like you anymore. I don't love you. I don't think we'll be able to be friends again, I'm sorry. But I didn't want to go on knowing that each time I see you then I have to keep myself from talking to you. I want to be on a speaking basis," I revealed to him the reason I came. He nodded in understanding. "Alright. Yeah. I appreciate it. And... I'm sorry, I really am," I nodded, knowing he was being honest. A knock came at the door and Misses Adams stood there with a smile. "There's pancakes and strawberries," my eyes widened with excitement. "Now that sounds like a wonderful idea!"