"This is not what I expected," Jen said as the entered the dance room. It was set up as a disco.
"What did you expect?" Josh asked. Once inside the different couples separated to mingle with the crowd.
Jen went to the refreshment table. She shrugged. "I don't know girls in frilly dresses dancing the waltz."
"I think that only happens during spring. I'll call you when there is one," Josh offered.
As if they would still be 'dating' at that time? And she'd be in the States. Jen laughed, taking one of the glasses of punch set on the long table.
Josh stopped her. "Wait. It might be spiked." he drank from her glass and handed it back to her. "No, it's fine."
"Thanks for the warning," Jen said downing the glass.
"Well, sometimes one of the guys want to pull stupid pranks like that." Josh looked at the dark room which was lit only by the flashes of strobe lights. He yawned.
"Are you okay?" Jen asked.
"Yeah, it's just that- Nevermind."
"No, tell me."
"Between studying for school, my part-time job... This is the only time I sleep." Josh admitted. "Once in a while I'll attend but like I said without a date-" he yawned again. "Sorry."
"Don't be. Go to your room and sleep. Don't let me deprive you," Jen insisted.
"But won't you be bored? I'd feel bad thinking I dragged you as my date and-"
"You didn't drag me anywhere. You did this as a favor to me so I can get back at Mr. I-Own-the-Throne. I feel guilty making you lose your sleep," Jen looked at the otherside of the room where William was standing and declining girls offers to dance.
Wills caught her looking at him and smiled.
She smiled back. "I'll think of someway to occupy my time," Jen assured Josh.

Chapter Eleven
"William, " Jen called. "Dance with me."
Wills glanced at Guinevere. He wanted so much to say yes but he had said no to Guinevere . If he said yes now it wouldn't look good. "Maybe later?" he suggested.
"I'll dance with you," a boy accepted.
Jen turned around. She smiled at the attractive Etonian. "Sure."
Wills stepped forward and stuttered. "On second thought-"
Jen laughed. "Forget it, Wills you had your chance." Just because he was a prince he expected her to forgive him just like that?
Wills pulled Jen to the side. "You don't want to dance with this guy. He has wandering hands-"
Jen looked at Brent. He seemed harmless enough. "Josh, would've warned me-"
"Josh isn't here to warn you," Wills said. "Trust me. YOU DON'T WANT TO DANCE WITH THIS GUY."
Jen looked at William's eyes. To believe or not to believe. Why was there that question? She pulled away. "You know, William? Jealousy is unbecoming of you." She went with Brent to the dance floor.

William's hand formed into a fist as he watched Brent dance with Jen in the center of the room. Jealousy was it? No, jealousy when she was with Josh but this was all out protectiveness. "Great," he talked to himself. As Harry pointed out, he had been doing a lot of that since he met Jen. "Josh leaves you with his girl and you let her dance with a guy whose arms have the characteristics of an octopus." Gosh, why did Jen have to be so stubborn?
If only he had been able to change her mind. His eyes focused on Brent. At least the guy had been behaving himself. Wills clenched his fist tighter. So far. He continued to watch.
Brent said something.
Jen's face turned white.
Brent gave her a leering grin.
He should do something. Wills stood up from his chair. But something held him back. There was the risk of facing "disciplinary action" if a fight was to evolve. He looked at Jen who was shouting at Brent but since the music was so loud the conversation couldn't be heard. She was still handling herself pretty well.
Jen shouted something.
Brent yelled something at her.
The last remark must've been too much for Jen. She punched Brent with all her life.
Brent's hand drew back.
That was William's signal.
Like lightning he moved through the crowd.

Jen braced herself for the skull-crushing blow but it never came.
"Is there a problem?" Wills asked, restraining Brent's arm. He looked at Jen. "Did he hurt you?"
Jen was stunned to reply. First at the fact that she wasn't going to get pounded by a guy twice her size and second because Wills had come to her rescue. She shook her head.
"What's it to you, Prince?" Brent growled. "You're not her boyfriend."
"But I am," Josh's voice came from behind William.
With him were the rest of the boys.
"Are you all right?" Josh asked.
Jen looked at Josh. Then at William. She found herself looking at Brent's smug face. The things he said- She ran out of the building.

"Are you okay?" Josh asked, finding her in the soccer field.
Jen tried to dry her eyes. "Not really," she said truthfully.
"I guess I didn't keep my promise in being there when you were in trouble." Josh apologized. "Lucky that Wills was there."
"Lucky that Wills was there." Jen echoed.
Josh wanted to touch her but didn't. "Don't you worry about Brent. Wills and the rest of the guys are belting him with words right now. And if need be... fists." Josh smiled, amused. "He has a black eye now."
Jen blew into her handkerchief. "William, gave him a black eye?"
"No," Josh grinned. "You did."
Jen managed a laugh.
Josh joined her. "So what did he say that made you so angry?"
Jen frowned, not wanting to relive the moment by telling it. "Well, his hands were where they weren't suppose to be if you know what I mean. Wills warned me. I should've listened. I told Brent I didn't like it. He called me a flirt and a tease. I boxed him. Then Wills intervened. And you guys showed up"
"Hmmm," was all Josh could say.
"I think what made me most angry was: he was right," she thought aloud. "He was right."
"Jen, you're not a flirt. Or a tease." Josh told her.
She lifted her tear stained face so her gaze can meet his. She asked, "Then tell me what am I doing with William."
Before Josh could answer the prince came running towards them. The group behind him.
"Is she okay?" he asked Josh. He turned to Jen. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," she told him. She looked at each of the boys in the eye. "Really, I'm fine."
Josh gave her a kiss on her forehead and placed his arm around her.
"So what did you do?" she was afraid to ask.
"Brent? He's still standing," Wills supplied.
"We can change that if you want," George offered.
Jen laughed as the group was agreeing enthusiastically at the thought. "What did I just stumble on here? Eton's Big Brother Brigade?"
The boys grinned proudly.
"We believe in protecting our own," Seth said.
Was she considered part of "our own" because she was Josh's girlfriend or because she was the girl Wills had a crush on? "You guys better go back to the party." she said "I know how jealous girls can get."
"You sure you're fine?" they wanted to be certain.
Jen nodded. She held Josh's hand as they were left behind.
"Are you ready to go back?" Josh asked her.
"Actually, I want to home. Can you take me home?" Jen requested.
"Dear, I would love to," Josh told her. "But I can't. I'm part of the clean up crew. And clean up must always stay on campus in reachable distance in case a food fight breaks out."
Jen smiled at the joke.
"I'll take you home," William, who had also stayed behind, offered. "That is if you don't mind, Josh."
"Why should I mind?" Josh asked. "I'll see you." he told Jen. He walked away.
Wills called. "Tell, Guinevere, I'll come back for her later!"

"Tired?" Wills asked when Jen's head fell on his shoulder.
Jen immediately sat back up. "Oh, I'm sorry-"
"It's all right." Wills went to one end of the leather seat. "There's one advantage of being in a stretch limo. Put your feet on the other end."
Without protest, Jen accepted his invitation and placed her head in his lap. She wasn't sleepy or tired. She guessed she just wanted to be near Wills to feel safe after what happened earlier to night.
"Jen," Wills whispered, thinking she was asleep.
"Mmmm," Jen answered back.
"Have I told you how pretty you looked tonight?"
Thoughts ran through her head and they weren't even complete...Mr. I-Own-The-Throne-Windsor...I'm not the one in love with you. Wills is...dose of his own medicine... You're a flirt and a tease... Feeling sick to her stomach and hating herself for it, she allowed herself to whisper yearningly in Wills 's hearing, "Josh."

Chapter Twelve
"Hello, Darling."
"Darling!?" Jen laughed, when she heard Josh's voice over the phone. "I can understand when you have to call me that in front of Wills and when we're in front of other people but when it's just us? You don't have to."
"I just like calling you darling," Josh informed.
Jen switched off the TV she had been watching. "What's up?"
"Wills told me he invited your family over for dinner."
"My aunt's still recovering from the shock."
"Do you need a date?"
Jen let her voice turn sweet. "Oh, I'm so sorry... I already have a date."
"Oh," there was disappointment.
Jen smiled. "He's my boyfriend named Josh Anderson."
Josh laughed. "Wills set the dinner up."
"I figured as much."
"Anyway, he asked if me if he could kiss you that night."
"Guys do that?"
"I think he called it: Modern day chivalry. Not trespassing on another guys girlfriend without permission." Josh laughed. "So what are you going to do?"
Jen thought of the dance at Eton. "I don't know. I feel mean. After the way he saved me and all. I've forgotten why I hated him in the first place."
"He told me he was asking my permission because after he shows you around St. James you wouldn't be able to resist him and he just wanted to make sure I didn't mind."
Past memories stirred up. Get out of my chair! "Oh, he said that did he?"
"So are you going to let him?" Josh asked.
Jen's smile could be seen on the other side of the line. "I'd love to see him try."

"Where's William?" Charles asked as they got ready for the nights affair.
"Combing his hair again," Harry rolled his eyes. "He wants everything to be perfect for tonight."
Charles groaned. "Don't remind me. The cook is threatening to quit from William's nagging."
"Ahhhhh!" a cry was heard throughout the palace.
Harry came running to William's room. "What," he panted. " What is it?"
"Cancel dinner! My life is over!" Wills dramatized. He was lying on the bed, covering his face.
Harry checked his brother with his eyes for any gunshot wounds. There were none. "What are you getting bloody worked up about."
"THIS!" Wills got up and pointed to the tip of his nose.
Harry came over and inspected it. "That, my brother, is a zit." he stated matter-of factly.
"I know what it is!" Wills yelled. "What am I going to do?"
Harry shrugged.
"I look like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer!" Wills wailed. He ran to the mirror.
"So what?" Harry shrugged. "You've had zits before."
Wills whirled to face him. "Not in front of Jen!"
"You could poke it," Harry suggested.
"And there'll be a crater tomorrow!"
Harry arched an eyebrow. "Make-up?"
Wills checked the mirror again. Heaven, had it come down to that?
Harry threw up his hands. "I'm out of ideas."

"Hi, Jen ," Wills greeted, opening the front door. (Where was the butler?)
"Hi William," she did a double take on his face. "Why are you wearing a paperbag over you head?"
"I, uh, have a cold. Shouldn't spread my germs and stuff."
Harry came from behind him. "How are you going to eat?"
Wills elbowed him out of the doorway.
"This is silly," Jen said, rising on tiptoe and yanking the paperbag off.
Wills immediately covered his face. "No, don't look."
"William..." Jen took his hands in hers. "Oh, my."
Wills turned away. "I know. It's awful."
"I'll say," Jen said. "I never noticed how gorgeous you looked."
It was a compliment. Probably the first one she'd ever given him. "What-what about the pimple," he stuttered.
Jen was confused. "What pimple?"
Wills hand reached for his nose. The pimple had pulled a Houdini and disappeared!
"Aren't you going to invite us in?" Josh asked.
"Oh, yeah come in," Wills opened the door wider. The went into the living room where he introduced Charles to Jen's aunt.
Jen looked around. "So this is St. James."
"We have a few minutes till dinner. What would you like to see first?" Wills asked. Aside to Harry he whispered. "I'll give you ten pounds if you can get Josh away from Jen."
"Hey, Josh want to see my new videogame?" Harry asked.
"Sure," Josh said, releasing Jen's hand.
Yes! Wills rejoiced. He knew he could count on him.
"Oh, I'd like to watch," Jen said, following after them.
Darn! "No, Jen-" Wills protested.
"No, Jen- what?" she prompted.
Wills sighed. "Nothing."

The lights were dimmed because videogames are much more fun to play with in the dark (my opinion anyway).
Wills with Jen to her on the couch. He was on one end and she was all the way on the other side. Any distance between them seemed too far for William. Josh and Harry were sitting cross-legged on the floor.
Jen looked at him from the corner of her eye. He was slouching trying to look casual but the tensed look in his eye betrayed him. Jen tried to focus on the boys game but watching William was far more interesting.
Wills slowly made his way closer to Jen. One inch. One inch and a half. Half and inch. A few millimeters. He was soon sitting next to her. He braced his arm on the back of the couch.
"Go Josh!" Jen cheered when Josh entered the next level. She smiled at Wills ."He's really good."
Wills managed a weak smile.
Jen looked back at the TV.
Wills took in a deep breath. He leaned closer to her. Then leaned back. She was Josh's girl. But then again wasn't all fair in love and war? He leaned closer to Jen. Then drew back. Josh was sitting right in front of them! But he had told Josh of his plans and Josh didn't say he objected. He leaned closer to Jen.
Jen watched William's indecision. She herself were struggling with inner demons of her own. Was he going to kiss her or not? she wondered. Did she want him to?
Stop being such a chicken! a voice which sounded like Harry told him. Wills leaned closer. I'm going to do it! I'm going to-
-do it. He's going to do it! Jen's brain told her excitedly. She was fighting for the urge to get up and run or sit there and let him have his way with her.
Suddenly, the lights went on.
A servant stepped in and announced, "Dinner is ready."

"Has he kissed you yet?" Josh whispered to Jen as they walked behind William.
"I think he was about to before the servant cam in. Weren't you watching?"
"I was too busy saving the galaxy from Harry's evil army," Josh reminded.
They were passing by a washroom.
"I'll join you later. I have to... well, you know."
The three rounded a corner.
Harry stopped abruptly. "There's something I have to do." He went back down the hall.

Josh washed his hands. He looked around at the room. The faucets. The printed bath curtain. And he thought of his own closet sized bathroom his father and he shared in their flat. Wills had a lot of things he wanted. Money, class, social standing... But he had something Wills wanted. Jen.
A click was heard.
Josh turned around to see who was there. But he was alone in the room. He heard the sound of running feet. He went to the door and turned the knob.
It was locked.

Harry sat took his place at the dinner table.
"Where's Josh?" Jen asked.
Harry shrugged. He whispered to Wills who was beside him. "Set your clock. And the ten pounds? Pay me in cash. I don't take checks."

Josh pounded on the door. "Harry?! I know it's you! You open this door right now."

"Hmmm," Jen murmured. "I wonder what's taking Josh so long."
"He probably... got stuck doing something," Harry suggested.
Jen gave a side glance at William. He looked miserable. She sighed. This is all going to blow over when I go back to the States she comforted herself. I'm going back in three days and then it won't matter who was playing who.

Josh wanted to kick down the door but decided against it. what if Charles was going to press charges for destruction of private property? Jen was with Wills now. They were probably in his room and he was probably whispering something in her ear to make her blush prettily. and she'll say something like "I've been a fool. You're a prince. I'm yours. Who's Josh?"
Josh leaned against the door and groaned.
The door opened and he came tumbling out.
He looked up from the floor to the surprised look of three servants. He immediately got up. He had to get to Jen. Sure, he had told Wills he wouldn't mind him kissing her. But it wasn't as if he meant it!

Jen saw Wills lean towards her. She could smell his cologne. She pretended to be tuned into Charles' and her aunt's conversation. C'mon, Kiss me, Mr. I -Own-The-Throne and get it over with, she thought with impatience.

"I'm here!" Josh announced just in time to see Wills about to kiss Jen.
Wills drew back.
Josh sat down next to her. "Perfect timing, huh?"
Jen looked at Wills slightly disappointed. She wasn't so sure.
"Good now we can eat." Charles smiled. "I hope you'll enjoy chef's specialty. Smoked salmon."
"Uh, Jen is allergic to fish." Aunt Eulalie informed.
"She is?" Wills stood up. He made a mental note not to touch fish for the rest of his life.
"William, where are you going?" Charles asked.
"To the kitchen. I have to tell cook about the fish-"
"She can eat the lambchops, William."
Jen nodded at the suggestion. "I can."
"Oh. The lambchops. Right." Wills sat back down.
"And you can have my share," Josh told her. "I'll take your fish."
Jen smiled at Josh. "Thanks."
Behind her Wills made a sound between a groan and a cry.
Harry, on the other end rolled his eyes.

Jen tried to focus on dinner but she couldn't. Wills was sulking, Josh seemed to demand every single ounce of her attention and she couldn't understand why but Harry acted as if he hated her. She wasn't even listening to Charles talk with her aunt till she hear her name be mentioned. "Excuse me?"
"Yes, dear?" her aunt said.
"You said something about me." Jen reminded.
"Yes. I was just telling His Royal Highness that you're going to St. Mary's next term."
"I'm what?"
Aunt Eulalie repeated what she just said.
"And - and when was I going to be informed about this?" Jen asked. She noticed the boys were looking at her.
"Your parents wrote you a letter."
Jen's mind turned to the white envelope still unopened on her dresser.
"Is everything all right?" Josh asked her. "You're a little pale."
She was going to St. Mary's? She looked at William. She turned to Josh. "I'm fine." she lied.
And dinner resumed.

First: Chapters 12-end