Chapter Seven; The Climb 

“Hello Jammers. Welcome to our wonderful class, Princess Mariah. You can choose a desk and sit there.” My Ancient Heroes of Jamaa 1 professor explained. 

“Thank you Professor Pakor.” I replied, looking at the schedule to remember her name. She smiled and pulled down a chart of Jamaa History. Andrew sat down at his desk in the back. He was pointing at the empty desk right in front of him. I smiled and walked towards it. 

“Prince Andrew! I assume you’ve helped Princess Mariah feel welcomed?” Pakor asked. Andrew immediately sat up and cleared his throat. 

“Yes Professor. It’s been a pleasure.” He replied. Olivia would probably croak if she heard that. 

“Wonderful to hear! And you signed up for soccer tryouts, correct? You’re a wonderful midfielder!” 

“Thank you, ma’am. I signed up when I arrived, Professor.” A Royal can speak like a human being AND be polite? Never heard of such a thing. 

“Alright! Let’s start where we left off yesterday with the origins of Mira and Zios!” 

“It’s all just theories.” I said quietly. 

“What did you say? We raise our hands when we want to speak, Princess. I’m sure your old schooling had that rule too.” Professor Pakor explained quietly. 

“I was homeschooled. Those rules never applied. But anyways this is all theories, isn’t it? It’s still really out in the open as of how they came to be. A lot of the early stuff is.” 

“You seemed to learn a lot in homeschool.” 

“I did. I focused on this type of stuff.” 

“Well what a lovely class for you to attend. But please remember to raise your hand next time.” Pakor smiled, turning back to her map. 

“Are soccer sign ups still up?” I whispered back to Andrew. 

“Yeah. They end the fifth period. That’s lunch. Why do you ask?” Andrew replied, looking at the professor so he didn’t get caught. 

“I want to try out.” 

“What!?” 

“Prince Andrew! Quiet yourself!” Pakor whipped around. I jumped in my seat. 

“I apologize, Professor Pakor.” Andrew bowed his head in respect. She turned back to the board. 

“You can’t sign up.” Andrew whispered. 

“Why not?” I shot back. 

“Because you’re a girl.” 

“Excuse me!” Pakor glared back at me.

“Princess Mariah! We don’t talk during class either. If you two can’t stop talking, I’m going to split you up.” 

“But I-” I began, but Andrew bumped me and cleared his throat. 

“She means to say she apologizes for the misunderstanding ma’am.” Andrew jumped in, giving me a look. Why would he just not explain his point? 

“We can talk after class.” Andrew replied, going into his notebook. I sighed. Was this ‘royal life’ going to be any better than my normal life? I seem to have so many limitations now-probably more than I did back home. This isn’t much of a happily ever after. 

*** “There’s the bell! Have a fantastic day!” Pakor beamed. Andrew stood up and gathered his things. I put the sheet of paper I was doodling on back into my binder. This is all old news to me. 

“Alright. Now we need to talk about soccer.” Andrew cleared his throat, letting me out the door first. 

“What’s so bad about a girl playing?” 

“It’s not that it’s bad such as-well-” 

“A disgrace? Unheard of? Unlawful? Different?” I pushed. 

“Technically. It’s never been done before.” 

“Are there any rules against girls playing?” 

“Well no but I mean-” Andrew began, but I cut him off. 

“Then it’s settled. I’m signing up.” 

“You’re very persistent. Do you even have a clue how to play?” 

“Not one bit.” I smirked. 

“Well then this’ll be interesting.” Yes it will be. 

“I’m not about to let a stupid stereotype stop me from possibly getting an ounce of freedom back.” I explained, following Andrew to his locker. It was the hall up from mine. 

“Freedom? What makes you say that?” He asked, putting his books away. 

“It’s just I never had this kind of pressure on me before.” 

“Pressure?” 

“To be perfect. To be everything everyone wants me to be. But they don’t understand that I’m not that. I’m not exactly princess material.” I explained. 

“Never would’ve guessed.” Andrew sarcastically pointed out. 

“Look, on the outside, I’m forced to wear these horrid gowns outside. But in that castle, it’s a tshirt and sweatpants kind of time. And that’s a secret you better take to the grave.” 

“For real?” 

“For real.” Andrew chuckled, shutting his locker. 

“It’s all just-” 

“Too much?” Andrew finished, looking directly into my eyes. I looked away. Eye contact is weird. 

“Yeah. Something like that.” I laughed. 

“I think if it’ll make you feel more at home, then you should do it.” 

“Really?” 

“Yeah. And I can teach you anything you need to know.” Andrew smirked, leading me down the halls. 

“Thanks. Seriously. You’re one of the first people to actually like me for me.” 

“Really? Olivia didn’t absolutely adore you when you appeared on their doorstep?” Andrew chuckled, but my face went blank. 

“I’m sorry I-” Andrew began, but I cut him off. I forced a fake smile. 

“No no it’s just she was the opposite. She made me feel so-” 

“Unwelcomed?” Andrew finished. I nodded. 

“Well, here’s the dining room. I guess you could say it’s a bit much.” Andrew explained as we reached the large hall. I knew this school was huge and all, but this was way too much. 

“I usually sit with the boys over there. You can sit with us, though. Or we can sit somewhere else.” Andrew explained, pointing to a table full of princes. 

“I mean-” I started, looking at the large amount of kids. I felt my heart begin to race. Large crowds weren’t my thing. I preferred to stay in my room and talk to Aura. I’ve never met someone more kind and wise in my entire twelve years of existence. I hope she’s okay. 

“You okay? Come on. Let’s sit over here.” Andrew ushered me over to the corner of the room to an empty table. I nodded, following suit. This is not going to be an easy adjustment. 

***

“Wait so you hate gowns? Like actually?” Andrew asked, eating his sandwich. I ate mine as well. 

“Absolutely. And these tiaras. They poke my head.” I explained, fixing it on my head. 

“I have never heard a princess say that. Ever. But I suppose you weren’t really royal until you moved here. Say, did you know you were royal before all of this?” He asked, finishing his sandwich. I looked down at my half-eaten one.

“No. I never knew my father before all of this.” I explained, touching my necklace.

“Dang. Is that from your mom?” Andrew asked, pointing to my necklace. 

“Yeah. It’s-uh- the last gift she gave me before she-passed.” I explained, trying to think of what to say. It wasn’t like I could tell him the truth. Lucy and Xavier said nobody could know. 

“If it helps, my mother recently passed as well.” Andrew explained, his face turning pale. 

“Really?” I asked, looking at him. 

“Yeah. She passed a few weeks ago. It’s still tough.” He explained. 

“What happens if you don’t mind me asking?” 

“Building collapsed while she was buying my father a birthday present. She insisted she went to Jamaa Outfitters to find my father the perfect gift. I wish I would’ve known some crazy phantom would’ve attacked. I hope whatever phantom it was is deep in the depths of the Jamaa Confinement Phantom Prison. It’s where it belongs.” Andrew ranted, clenching his fists. Mother. 

“I-” I started, but shut my mouth. I couldn’t even tell him his mother died because of my mother-because of me. I could never repay that debt to him or his family. 

“Yeah, but I guess it’s all in the past. I know she’s watching over me. Just like your mom is watching over you.” Andrew explained, putting his paw over mine before getting up to take his and my trash to the trash bin. I sat there with no words. Mother, what have you done? What have I done? I can never repay the debts I owe from what I have done in my past. 

Nobody said this was going to be easy. 

Nobody said the mountain could be climbed. 

But they never said it couldn’t be.

It’s The Climb.

Did anyone else almost shed a tear or two when Andrew revealed what happened to his mom? I know I did writing it!

On a side note, I really love seeing all of your emails and DMs with art, theories, and kind words! It’s so sweet!

Who’s YOUR favorite character so far?

Jam On!