I'm Not a Princess

Thirteen girls. Megan Thompson. Mikenzie Adams. Hannah Frend. Lili Winders. Miki Shu. Marguerita Cortez. Georgia Lucile. Bailey Halls. Wendy Humidon. Andy Moors. Leila Hoorzen. Deana Bryon.

And Avery Waters.

"I'm going to miss you sooo much!" Dani cries at the airport, purposely making a show just for the fun of it. "You're never coming back, are you, my love?"

Avery laughs embarassedly. No matter how long one could live with her, there was no way to get used to her every-day antics. And once in a while antics, obviously. "Of course! Just... in a few months. Like five months."

"But you won't be my roomie," Dani pouts, looking up at her on her knees.

"I have a cell phone," Avery reminds her. "And rent out my room to a friend for company."

"I already did."

"Oh, gee, thanks," she rolls her eyes and tugs her best friend up. "Anyways, I'm not too happy about it myself," she admits.

"Eep!" Danielle covers her mouth dramatically. "Nu-uh, of course you are! Why aren't you?!" She demands, crossing her arms as if upset.

Her best friend gives her a tired look. "I just want to live here and dance. It's all I've got, it's all I want."

"But is it all you need?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Avery looks at her unsurely. "I mean, yeah..."

"Nu-uh! I don't believe that!"

"Yeah, well, you still believe in the tooth fairy."

"So? That doesn't mean anything!" She throws her hands in the air as if exasperated at her friend, as if Avery's the wild child and so unreasonable. "You're so crazy!"

"Have you looked in a mirror?" Avery laughs. "But they're calling my flight, and I have to stick with the girls, okay? I'll call when I land or something."

"And lots of pictures, like, every day, or I'll kill you!" Dani says with a serious expression.

"You can't even kill bugs," Avery reminds her, giving her one last hug. "See you."

"Love you, babe!" Dani blows a kiss when they're some yards off, receiving some looks. But Avery manages not to blush for once, and shaking her head in disbelief, steps onto the plane a short minute later.

"Muy bonita."

Avery's eyes look up from her book, pause as she recognizes the voice, and turns to see Gabriel Saporta watching her. She glances around awkwardly and clears her throat. "Um, hello, Gabriel?"

"It's Gabe," he says automatically. "Easier said when drunk," he chuckles, plopping in the seat next to her.

"I'm sure," she says tartly. "I thought you were heading out next week, though?"

"Nah," he shrugs. "Thought I might check out San Francisco for a few days. Supposed to be so bella. ¿Usted piensa?

"I... don't speak Spanish, Gabriel. I already told you that," she gives the heavy hint and tries to turn back to her book and not get annoyed at thiscute, handsome singer.

"But I wasn't just speaking Spanish, querida. I was speaking love." He pulls a strand of hair from her face, fiddles with it and pulls it behind her ear, all the while with a little absent smile with his eyes on hers.

Swallowing hard, she barely manages to turn away and looks down, her heart thumping. The blood rushing through her crashes like a wave and she can't even think. Sure, guys like to flirt with her, and she doesn't mind going to a party now and then, but usually upon finding her uninterested, they leave her alone.

But somehow, this Gabriel, is so much.... so much more different.