The Bookworm Meets the Prince Read online

  Copyright © 2019 by Klarika Nuque

  All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in, or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known, hereinafter invented, without express written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

  Typewriter Pub, an imprint of Blvnp Incorporated

  A Nevada Corporation

  1887 Whitney Mesa DR #2002

  Henderson, NV 89014

  www.typewriterpub.com/[email protected]

  ISBN: 978-1-64434-073-8

  DISCLAIMER

  This book is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogue are drawn from the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. While references might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  THE BOOKWORM MEETS

  THE PRINCE

  KLARIKA NUQUE

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  The Bookworm Meets the Prince

  Chapter 2

  Away from the Crowd

  Chapter 3

  The Boyfriend? Say What?

  Chapter 4

  The Family Heirloom

  Chapter 5

  Reality versus Fiction

  Chapter 6

  My Cousin and a New Friend

  Chapter 7

  Realization

  Chapter 8

  Secrets from Three Years Ago

  Chapter 9

  Choices

  Chapter 10

  Decisions Made

  Chapter 11

  Being Paranoid Leads to a Conflict

  Chapter 12

  He Has Some Big Surprises

  Chapter 13

  I Smell Trouble for the Couple

  Chapter 14

  Not so Perfect Prince Charming

  Chapter 15

  For the Whole World to Know

  Chapter 16

  Support from the Crazy Bunch

  Chapter 17

  The Start of the Chaotic Life

  Chapter 18

  Fears Are Catching Up

  Chapter 19

  Being Sarconian Girlfriends

  Chapter 20

  Is It Worth It?

  Chapter 21

  This Is One Weird Welcoming Dinner

  Chapter 22

  Their Evil Schemes

  Chapter 23

  The Biggest Surprise of All

  Chapter 24

  Please Tell me this Isn’t Happening

  Chapter 25

  Me, My Memories, and My Broken Heart

  Chapter 26

  His Explanation Is Worth Listening To

  Chapter 27

  My Father’s Small Wish

  Chapter 28

  Enjoying the Simple Life

  Chapter 29

  An Ending Fit for Lizzie

  This work is dedicated to my first fans:

  my mom, Marilyn, and my dad, Rudy.

  Without them, I wouldn’t be here…literally.

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  Chapter 1

  The Bookworm Meets the Prince

  “Just remember, my little Lizzie, no reading until you learn your lesson.”

  I knew what you’d probably be thinking, why did my dad ban me from reading? Well, everyone had their vice: mine turned out to be reading.

  “Yes, Dad. I’ll try my best,” I said over the phone.

  I was completely lying, but I just couldn’t help it. Though maybe as a compromise, I could tone it down to four books a week. That was me keeping my end of the bargain. That could work, right?

  Book bans were the worst punishment. I meant zero access to your book collection and zero access to a book store. Could you think of anything crueler? Now I had to add going to the library on my schedule just so I could read books that were already part of my collection.

  The funny thing was when I was a kid, they demanded that I had to read a certain number of books every year and a certain number of chapters every day. But when I got older and addicted to reading books, they were concerned it was all I only did and I was ruining my eyesight.

  So what was the perfect solution? I was banned from buying and reading books until I learned my lesson.

  “Alright, sweetie, I have to go now. My client just arrived, and this deal might mean that I can finally buy that surprise gift for your mom,” he said in an excited manner. “I’ll see you later, and I love you, my little Lizzie.”

  “Love you too, Dad,” I said before ending the call.

  While placing my phone inside my bag, I couldn’t help but laugh a little at Dad’s antics. Fortunately, before my phone went to sleep mode, I saw the time and almost screamed. The library was closing in fifteen minutes, and there were a few books I needed to check out. So I sprinted my way to the library and made it with just ten minutes to spare.

  I said a quick hello to Mel, the school librarian, before I proceeded to collect the books I wanted to read that week. I picked up Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, and Emma because I decided it would be a Jane Austen week. Book bans made me sad, and you could never go wrong with Austen to cheer you up.

  I was on my way to Mel to check the books out when someone suddenly bumped into me, causing my books to fall onto the floor.

  “What the—” I was not able to finish my sentence because I locked eyes with the most captivating blue eyes I had ever seen. The guy was so good-looking, he could be a model. He had black hair, perfectly tanned skin, and let us not forget those captivating blue eyes. For a moment, I forgot that I was in love with Mr. Darcy.

  Time stood still, and I genuinely felt that we were the only two people in the whole world.

  “I’m so sorry,” the blue-eyed guy said. Oh my gosh! Even his voice sounded enchanting.

  He then broke eye contact with me, picked up some of the books that fell, and then gave them to me. After doing such, he went on his way, and for some odd reason, I got the vibe that he was running away from something or someone. Strange vibe? It was, but I guessed he was also in a hurry to pick up a book he needed like me, which reminded me of my books to check out.

  “Shit.” I quickly gathered my stuff, ran to Mel’s desk, and checked out my books before they close.

  “Let me guess, Lizzie. Are you banned from reading again?” Mel asked while she was encoding my books on her computer.

  Melissa Daniels was not the typical scary librarian who’d shout at every person when they’d hear a noise. She was cooler than that. She actually became my friend the first time my father banned me from reading three years ago, back when I was a freshman here in Midview High.

  “Yeah. Though this time, they didn’t mention an end date to the punishment. This means you’ll be seeing more of me in the next few weeks—hopefully not months. I already miss my babies,” I said while pouting.

  Today, while watching her check my books out, I was given the time to see her outfit properly. She was wearing a white blouse tucked by a black pencil skirt and a slim red belt around her waist; a typical librarian outfit, but she accessorized it with bangles and a four-inch red stiletto.

  It never
ceased to amaze me that she could walk and keep the library as orderly as it was in such high heels. Meanwhile, I still couldn’t walk in a straight line in my flats. Every time I told her that, Mel would simply laugh and say, “It takes years of practice, Lizzie.”

  “Well, good luck with that, Lizzie. But if I know one thing, this is for the best. I haven’t seen someone as addicted to reading as you. This might be a good opportunity for you to look beyond your books and start living in reality,” she suggested while giving me the check-out receipt. I guess she had a point; I’d try and tone it down.

  I waved goodbye to Mel and walked by the parking lot. I got into my Montero when I noticed something different in the parking lot: a black Lamborghini. The kids who went to Midview were well-off but were not rich enough to afford a luxury sports car. But what shocked me even more was the fact that the same blue-eyed guy who bumped into me in the library got into the expensive car. What was weirder was, he was looking around whether someone saw him going inside the car.

  I wondered what he was doing here. There was no talk about a transfer student this year; that would have made the rumor mill go wild if ever. Oh well, whatever he was doing in school, he must have a purpose. It was something that shouldn’t involve me because I had Austen to read when I got home.

  Well, that was the plan until my phone rang. It was at times like this when I found myself thankful for Bluetooth technology.

  “Hello,” I greeted while I was backing up the car.

  “Lizzie, I’m picking you up in exactly forty-five minutes so we can go to that party I was telling you guys about last week. So get pretty and sexy for the night, and I mean wearing contacts, not glasses,” Rissa said on the other line.

  I totally forgot about that. Rissa, my best friend on the entire planet, would always invite me to parties.

  I pouted my lips while contemplating on whether I would give her the parents-can’t-let-me-go or the I-have-homework excuse.

  “Uh, Rissa. The thing is—”

  She cut in before I could tell her any excuse.

  “There are no buts on this one, Lizzie. I talked to your parents, and they gave me the go signal, saying that you have nothing better to do because you were banned from reading again. Plus I have the same classes as you, except for gym, and I very well know that we do not have any homework or quiz in the next few days. So yeah, I have basically ruined all your excuses. You’re going to this party, and that is final. See you in forty-three minutes, and you better be dressed. See yah, beotch.” She then hanged up.

  My best friend really knew me well.

  After ten minutes, I got home, had a quick shower, wore one of my black dresses, curled my hair a bit, and put some lip gloss on. If you hadn’t figured out that I was hopeless in the makeup department, then yes, I was hopeless in the makeup department. It was an art I never really mastered.

  I decided to wait for Rissa in the living room where I saw my mom approaching.

  “Hey, Rissa told us you were going to a party tonight. Have fun, darling. It makes me so happy there is something to keep your nose out of a book tonight,” my mom said while hugging me.

  “You know, Mom. Some parents would die just to see their kids read a book and not go out.” I pointed out while hugging her too.

  “Yes, but those parents do not have a kid who spends more time reading than socializing with people. We want you to love reading, Lizzie, but we also want you to have a life. Balance is very important, and that’s what we are teaching you now,” my mom answered back while looking directly into my eyes.

  We then heard a honking sound. Rissa just arrived. Mom accompanied me outside to say a quick hello to Rissa.

  When I got into Rissa’s Camry, I noticed that she already picked up Lisa and Carrie, her other friends.

  “Anyone would like to tell me what this party is all about?” I asked.

  “Chad wanted people to come and celebrate their football season win in his house. So that’s where we’re going,” Rissa answered.

  “You mean to say you dragged me from home to attend some high school party thrown by your quarterback boyfriend?” I asked in an irritated voice.

  Rissa and Chad had been dating since sophomore year—the typical quarterback and head cheerleader drama. Well, yeah. That was them.

  Rissa and I had been best friends since we were three years old, and as we grew up, we never let go of that bond even if I became a nerd and she became a cheerleader. She tried her best to keep me in her world, especially after she became the captain. Her following had to do what she said, so they tried their best to be nice or, at least, civil towards me. But the fact was, they would never accept a nerd like me to their popular clique.

  As she parked her car, I noticed something on the driveway. It was the same black Lamborghini sports car I saw earlier. I wondered why it was here.

  “Wow, I never knew Chad had a new car, Rissa,” Lisa said.

  “No, that’s not Chad’s car. I don’t know who owns it. Maybe one of the guests does,” Rissa said, who just shrugged it off.

  “Well, whoever owns it must be totally loaded if he can buy a Lambo,” Carrie said.

  I was about to comment that I knew—no— that I saw the guy who owned the car, but Chad saw us and immediately went to greet us, especially his girlfriend.

  “Hey, guys. Well, I hope you enjoy the party, but I will now snatch my girlfriend. Bye,” he said after giving Rissa a kiss, and then they disappeared.

  “I guess I’ll see you guys later. I will go find Marco,” Lisa said.

  “Do you think Matt is with him? I’ll go look for him too. See yah later, Liz,” Carrie said.

  You know now why I hated going to parties. Ever since Rissa had a boyfriend, she somewhat started ditching me during parties. She apparently wanted me to socialize with people and possibly hook up with someone who’d be too drunk to remember my name in the morning. Oh well, since I couldn’t go home yet and I am here, I decided to look for a quiet spot in this mansion called Chad’s home.

  I went to the garden and found a lighted gazebo. It was still early, and all the guests were still inside. I went inside the gazebo and sat on one of the benches. I wished I brought a book with me, but I guess technology would keep me sane until that friend of mine decided to go home. I got my phone out from my bag and started reading stories on Wattpad.

  I was halfway done with the sixth chapter of the book when someone cleared his throat. I looked up and saw the same captivating blue eyes I saw in the library. He was smiling at me but seemed confused, like he was wondering what I was doing here away from the crowd.

  Well, whatever that look was, one thing was for sure, he looked like he wasn’t in a hurry to leave this time.

  Chapter 2

  Away from the Crowd

  “Hi, umm—what are you doing here?” the blue-eyed guy asked. He genuinely looked confused seeing someone inside the gazebo.

  It took me a few seconds to gather my thoughts and come up with a solid reply.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. It was just that I wanted a quiet place to read.” I then motioned to show him my phone. I had every intention of leaving, but for some reason, I stood frozen in my spot.

  “Oh, I think I am the one intruding. I just want to know why you are here instead of the party inside.” This time, he said it with a smiling face. I didn’t know why, but he looked like he was assessing every move I made.

  “Well, my friend went and ditched me with her boyfriend, and I wanted a quiet place so I could read until she’d be ready to go home. I’ll be on my way now then,” I answered, finally having the guts to move.

  He smiled wider like he found my answer and gestures amusing. He then blocked the way out and stared at me intently.

  I looked at him; he was wearing a black button-down shirt, jeans, sneakers, and messy hair. I could truly say goodbye to my dear Mr. Darcy. I was finally admitting that I was not the right Elizabeth for him.

  “You don’t need to l
eave. I know the feeling. My cousin ditched me to hang out with his girlfriend as well, and the crowd was getting too wild for my taste. I just wanted to get away. You wouldn’t mind me hanging around here, would you? I promise to be really quiet while you read.” He even raised his right hand up, making the promise gesture.

  I laughed at this, and we sat beside each other, leaving enough space as we were not yet familiar with each other.

  “Anyway, my name is Andrew, but you can call me Drew,” he said, extending his hand for me to take.

  “Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Lizzie,” I said while shaking his hand.

  He took a good look at me and smiled again.

  “You’re the girl from the library, right? The one who had so many books?” he asked, and I nodded. What he said next was quite funny, “You look better in contacts.”

  I laughed when he said that. I chose to wear my glasses because I didn’t really like to be noticed that much. It was all about embracing the nerd part of me rather than the girly one.

  Yes, I admit I am weird, I thought.

  “Uhh, thanks, I guess,” I said, still finding this whole conversation amusing.

  When Rissa first saw my glasses, she was shocked, but after a while, she simply shrugged it off and accepted I was different from her other friends. In reality, this was why we were friends in the first place: we love our differences.

  My mom would love for me to wear contact lenses all the time. She even brought up LASIK surgery so I wouldn’t wear glasses anymore, but wearing glasses had always been my dream. So I told her we should just save the money for other things—like books.

  “You should take it as a compliment. You’re really pretty when you don’t wear your glasses. I’m not saying that you’re not pretty with them on because you totally are. Especially the way you’re dressed right now, you’re really pretty. And yeah, I’m blabbing. I am going to stop now, but before I do that, I’d say I’m way smoother than this—usually,” he said while looking at anything but me. With this, I laughed again.