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behind the only life I’ve ever known.
    “Shanice.” Knocking at the door pulls me from my pity fest. “It’s time, honey.” I nod, aware she can’t see me. I wrap a towel around me as I step out of the shower. Slowly I brush the tangles from my hair and braid it back once again. I dress and leave the bathroom, knowing it’s the last time I’ll ever use it.
    I go to my room and begin digging through my belongings. I start with my closet, flinging all my clothes on the bed. All my shoes are pushed into the middle of the room. I dump every drawer out and rummage through every paper and book.
    I grab my journal, only a single entry inside it. I set it on the floor away from everything else. With it, I put the embroidered napkin and the jewelry box with my birthday present. I throw my favorite riding boots beside those. I go back to my closet and riffle through all my camping gear, grabbing the first aid kit and a lighter which I slip into my pocket.
    “You can’t take much. Once there, you will wear the clothes they give you, you will be trained to live as they do, taught to act as they do, and they will not want anything from this life lingering to keep you stuck in the past.” Valentino stands in my doorway, still looking sad.
    “Some things I’m not leaving without. If they have a fit about it, too bad for them.” I don’t mean to take out my frustration on him. I just want to make it clear I’m not leaving everything behind. Not everything.
    I grab the family photo from my desk, still in its wood frame. They want me to forget but they better realize that I will never allow that to happen. I can’t and I won’t. These two people have taken care of me since day one, and I won’t allow this new life to destroy all my good memories.
    “Can I ask you a question?” I turn back to Valentino. I am so afraid to ask this but if I don’t know, I may never get another chance.
    “Of course.” He takes a step closer.
    “In the past, you have gone to ask me things and then changed your mind. Were any of those times due to the fact that I am a princess?”
    “Sometimes. More because we can’t date—not in the traditional sense, anyway—and my task is to be your friend. If I mess with the plans awaiting you, they could have me killed.” I didn’t know it possible but he seems to grow sadder.
    “So you’re saying that if things weren’t like this, you would’ve asked me out?” My heart skips a beat, and I know it’s silly but I’ve been in love with him for a long time. And once we return home, I don’t know that I’ll see him again. I hope so but I just don’t know what to expect.
    “Only every day.” He smirks. I hold back for two seconds before I make the craziest move of my life. I kiss him. Eyes closed, hands in his hair, my lips to his. And he doesn’t push me away. He kisses me back.
    But the growl from behind Valentino has us two steps away from each other like it never happened. I look up to find the man I’ve always called Dad watching Valentino like a hawk. I may be leaving but I’m still his little girl, I suppose.
    “May I have a minute with my daughter?”
    Valentino nods and steps into the hall. Dad closes my bedroom door and sits on my chair. “Whatever happens, know that we will always care about you. We will always love you. And if you ever find your way here again, know our door is open to you.”
    My lip quivers. I can’t speak. I can’t keep from crying.
    “Thank you, Dad.” I wrap my arms around him and lean my head on his shoulder. This may be my last chance to call him that. To ever call anyone that, if I think about it. How do I address my royal parents? Father? Mother? Your Majesty? I try not to worry about it for now.
    “Shanice? Be safe. Take care of yourself. Your mother and I made sure you knew everything you would need to know where you’re going. None of it was silly or something you won’t use. We wanted to know you were as prepared as possible before