Page 101 of Beyond the Fame

My outfit isn’t as extravagant. It’s a black tunic with purple trim, puffy sleeves, black pants, and boots. I’ve got a black cape too, which is pretty freaking awesome.

Our crowns match. Rebecca’s is decked out with light purple gems rimmed with gold spikes. Mine has a dark purple velvet top inside a gold circle of spikes with light purple gems.

We stand in front of a tall mirror. Rebecca’s back straightens, and she stands with a regality about her.

“I feel…” Rebecca begins.

“Silly?” I tease.

She turns to me, reaching out to grab my cape and pull me close.

“Like myself again.”

When she kisses me this time, it’s slow and soft and thankful.

“My Ami,” I whisper against her lips. “Come on. Let’s go be models.”

Her eyes light up with anticipation.

We find Willa and she escorts us to the Cuxa Cloisters, though Rebecca clearly knew the way since she’s been here many times.

The gardens are immaculate, full of rare medieval plants, flowers, herbs, and trees. I don’t know a thing about plants, flowers, herbs, or trees, but I spot some lilies and roses in the mix. A covered passageway with connected arches overlooking the courtyard surrounds the gardens. There’s a fountain in the middle and stone pathways throughout.

Rey waits, standing next to a black stallion. He’s wielding a sword and a lance, dressed in a black warrior tunic with black pants and black laced-up boots. A silver belt to sheath his sword wraps around his waist. Matching silver armor rests on his shoulders. He looks badass, as if he’s about to enter battle.

“Holy shit,” Rebecca whispers as we approach. She immediately goes to the horse and starts petting it.

Rebecca scans the area. “I can’t believe you did all this.”

“Believe me, I had a lot of help. I called Rey, and he called his actor friends here in New York. Many of whom take part in the annual Renaissance festival, so they already had the costumes. All I needed was permission from the museum.”

She bites her lip. “I’ve never been to the Renaissance faire they have up here. I'm always either out of town or have no one to come with me.”

I take her hand and squeeze it. “I’ll go to every single one with you if you want.”

Rebecca stands on her tiptoes to give me a kiss, which is interrupted by the shutter of Eloise’s camera taking a candid of us.

“Alright everyone, I think we’re ready,” Eloise says.

She starts positioning us. Rey jumps onto the horse with such grace, as if he does that every day of his life. He's at the end, holding his shield to his body and the lance up straight towards the sky. The female knight, in her warrior faux leathers, stands beside Rebecca. On the opposite end are the two other knights. One holds a flag with a crest on it. A lion and a snake face to face, about to battle. The other man stands at attention with his sword and shield close to his body.

I stand next to Rebecca in the middle.

Eloise has us pose with serious, regal expressions. Then she has Rebecca and me embrace.

“Act like you’re in love.”

Which isn’t hard to do since we are in love.

I’m in love with someone. I never thought I could love like this. It's overwhelming and exciting.

And terrifying.

Trusting others isn’t easy, but I’ve been living in this lonely world where I didn’t let anyone close. Now with Rebecca, Mylan, Lana, Ginger, Bruno, Eloise, and even Rey, who I hope to have in my life more... This dark world of mine is just a little brighter now.

Eloise takes dozens of photos, then she separates Rebecca and me from the group. We walk around the Cloisters and pose next to all the plants, flowers, and trees. I hand Rebecca a rose and Eloise clicks away. Then we sit next to the fountain, Rebecca running her fingertips over the water while I watch her with adoration.

After at least an hour, we’re done.

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