"Where are you going dressed like that, Annalise?" Henry asked. The day of try outs for the annual Targle event had arrived. I brought clothes to change into so I wouldn't look suspicious, I couldn't let mother or Damien find out.

1. Damien would tell me it was too unsafe, for we weren't just playing against women, but men too. The teams were for both genders, and Damien wouldn't want anybody like Isabelle hurting me again. He also didn't like other guys around me, a.k.a. other guys flirting with me.

2. My mother wouldn't want me to because I wouldn't look like a perfect daughter to wed. Bachelors and nobles look for a proper lady, one whom would remain docile and take care of the husbands "needs".

I had been playing football ever since I was born, there was no way I was going to miss the chance to compete, on top of that against other kingdoms!

Yet by being in the Annual Targles competition, I would anger two, very important people in my life.

Was I going to do it anyway?

Yes.

"Henry, if I tell you... you can't tell anybody!" I whispered.

"Your trying out for a Targle team." He rolled his eyes.

"How did you know?" I teased, pulling on my cleats.

"Jack just left wearing the exact same outfit as you. When I asked him why he thought knee high socks were back in, he scoffed and said I had never seen a Targle in my life."

"Wait- this exact outfit?" I ask incredulously.

"The socks and everything! Whatever Targle you're trying out for, he is too!" Henry had a great laugh.

Just amazing.

"Thank you for the information Henry, but I've got to go! I'm going to be late." I threw my hair up in a ponytail and grabbed a hat from his shelf.

"You better not loose that! It was made from Javori Gabachi!"

"No promises!" And I ran out the door.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

I bursted through the doors to the field, noticing a large group of people surrounded by an announcer. I slowly walked up, hiding in the crowd and keeping my head down.

If Damien saw me here, I would be dead.

"Everybody is going to find a partner for warm-ups, then we will team up and compete! The teams who win will do one-on-one with eachother. After that, we will evaluate and choose who will be on the Annual Targle team this year!" Cheers sounded from around me as I tried to keep my head down, not wanting to attract attention.

"So find a partner and let's warm up!" He announced. I ducked behind a tall figure, making my way to the balls.

Until he came along.

"Woods!" Jack slapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to his side,"How great to see you here!"

I slowly pulled his arm off my shoulders, keeping my head down,"Jack, for once in your life, please be quiet!"

"I will be anything you want me to be, but only if you team up with me."

"Alright, then I guess we are partners." I sighed out, knowing this was going to be a long day.

"So explain Henry's Gabachi hat you are styling." Jack grabbed a ball. We started to pass back and forth, and I noticed he had great footwork immediately.

"I don't want anybody knowing I'm trying out."

"I wonder what the prince would think if he found out that you tried out, and were partners with me!" Jack winked.

"You wouldn't dare." I halted the ball.

"Nah, I wouldn't. I owe you one for saving me from Isabelle. Also, what's that on your neck?" He curiously tried to squint his eyes to get a better view.

I abruptly pulled my hair down, realizing my 'love bites' were still fading,"It's just a birthmark." And resumed passing the ball.

If Damien saw this scene, he would be grinning in delight for about a week.

"I've never seen it there before."

"Well I hide it with makeup because I get self-conscious."

"I don't think foundation could cover that."

"I'm ending this interrogation, Jack." I stated, my face flushed with embarrassment. He knew exactly what they were, and he was giving me a hard time for no reason.

"Was it the prince, or Cole?" Jack smiled at me. I glared at him with everything I had, and halted the ball again.

"Woah, Woods! Don't get all fiery on me now." He placed his hands up,"That doesn't mean I'm going to stop making moves on you though. I still think I have a fighting chance."

I ignored his speech,"Cole? Why would Cole ever come in the picture?"

"Before break, I heard him talking about making a move on you at the Annual Targle event," he shrugged,"I wonder how he would do it. Your a hard girl to impress, Annalise."

Shudders ran down my spine as I remembered Cole trapping me in the music room. He was trying to ask me out, and wouldn't let me leave until I said yes. Thankfully somebody told him to leave me alone, yet I never found out who.

"I consider you as a friend, Jack. So as a friend, please don't let Cole come near me at the event." I knew Cole was dangerous, and even though Jack was a flirtatious bastard I knew deep down he was a good guy.

"So it's a date then!" He smiled largely.

"No Jack, not a date." I giggled. He knew he would get turned down every time, yet he kept coming back for more.

He sighed,"I swear Woods, you're going to be that one girl that got away."

"What does that mean?"

"Your the type of girl who needs a guy who will put her first, Annalise. You deserve that type of attention, because you are pure and beautiful. How do you think Damien will choose you first over his kingdom or duties? I hate to say it, but he's going to have to marry a Princess, Annalise. He can try to treat you like one, but he won't be able to fully put you first because of his kingdom. I think you should look at others whom aren't limited to whom they put first." Jack smiled warmly.

He truly meant well.

I couldn't help but take Jack's words in.

Would Damien ever be able to put me first?

The royals of Deltora had never married citizens, though they were able to. There is no law about not being able to, but it seemed as if it could be written as one. Deltora has prospered in the recent years more than ever, and not unifying with another Kingdom would be ridiculous.

Marrying a citizen would never be advised, the idea is absurd.

But would Damien ever choose me over his duties? Would he defy them, because his love for me was too strong? Isn't love all about selflessness, putting ones happiness above your own?

"I understand you're thinking right now. Just remember: if things don't work out with Damien, I'll always be here, ready to put you first." His words were very kind.

I smiled back warmly,"Thank you Jack, but for right now I think my heart lies elsewhere."

*~*~*~*~*~*

"Look Woods, we made it!" Jack pointed to the board, our names written down for the new football Targle team. The tryouts lasted two hours, with intense games between many players. I stole the position of striker, the one scoring most of the goals. Jack was a great defender, one of the best I had ever seen. During tryouts we surprisingly worked very well together. Our passes, communication, and plays were phenomenal.

I shrugged his hand off with a scowl,"Thank you for the teamwork, but I've got to go."

"Off to see the prince?"

"Him seeing me in this outfit? No, I told Henry and Hazalen I would eat with them tonight."

"So your eating with the royal family?"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*