Dear Journal,

The water circles around me in the evening sun. I stare out into the far reaches of the desert, thinking. It’s quiet. The only sound I can hear is the pounding of the waterfall. I close my eyes and imagine myself floating to the rivers’ end. If I could stay like this forever, I would but I am reminded that my duty lies at home, and it can never be. I quickly jump out and call Sokkar to my side. She comes faithfully and I start my journey home. Before long, I am back at the Giza. The people stop and stare at me, for it is not common to see someone in my position alone in the city. But as quickly as I come, I quickly go, and the people go on with their daily lives. A father buys bread to feed his family with the money he earned with today’s hard work. Children play in the alleyway while their mother does the laundry for the week. An elder, shops at the local apothecary hoping to acquire a remedy to help with her cough. A man buys an emerald necklace for his beloved at home, with the money he has been saving since they met. To have that simplicity of life would be a blessing. I look away and race back home. The palace towers over me as I enter the gates keeping those outside from getting in and those inside from getting out. I quickly make my way to the stables. With Sokkar in place, I head for my room. It’s nice to return to my sanctuary. No one really bothers me here. I am free to think and imagine. There is a knock outside my room and I invite the person in. Of course, it’s the High Priest of my fathers’ court. He tells me that my father and mother request my presence in the throne room. I grimace as I head out of my little heaven to my oncoming hell. The guards allow my passage and fall back into position as I reach my parents. My father asks me where I have been and why I am wet. I respond truthfully for my father is one you do not want to lie to. He sighs and turns to my mother. My mother smiles at me. They worry about me. I dream of getting away but they are determined to keep me here until I receive my inheritance. Then I will truly never be free. I am dismissed and return to my room. Time slowly passes when another knock is heard outside my room. Regretfully I invite the person in, but am surprised to find it to be Amira, my best friend. She prods me for my adventures of the day but I tell her there weren’t any adventures. Amira falls sadly into my chair and checks herself in my mirror. I laugh at her and she starts to laugh when Priest Abdel interrupts us. As his and my eyes lock, I flush bright scarlet in embarrassment. Someone in my position is to behave respectfully and not fool around. He smiles at us and addresses me; he wants to know if I am okay. I smile back in response and tell him I am. Now it was Priest Abdel’s turn to flush scarlet in embarrassment. He looked away and fumbled with the words until goodbye came out. I said goodbye sheepishly, not really wanting him to leave. Abdel started walking away when he almost tripped over his own feet. Amira started laughing as I try to give him help but he tells us he’s okay and walks out of sight. I look at myself in the mirror. Dark brown eyes stare back at me, searching my soul. My brown hair falls around me in waves wrapping me in a sort of veil. I am who I am and I can’t change it. Amira watches me carefully and comes to my side. She grabs me in an embrace and I break down crying. I want to be with him but someone in my position can never marry anyone below my status. We stay like that for a while until there is another knock at my room. Amira invites the person in and Priest Abdel steps back in. He notices me crying and tells Amira to get ready for her magic lessons. Amira obliges and gives me one last hug. Abdel walks over to me and sits by my side. He takes my hand and squeezes it. I look at him and I am met with his honey-brown eyes. He smiles at me. Next thing I know his lips are touching mine. I kiss him back, happy to know that he feels the same way. If I could stay like this forever, I would. He pulls away and we both flush scarlet. Abdel looks at me; a huge smile plastered on his face. I smile in return and I feel like I am floating. He leaves to start Amiras’ magic lessons. I get up and walk out onto my balcony. The wind rustles my dress and I breathe in the smell of Desert Roses. This is my world. This is my reality…

*This is the unpolished version of my work-in-progress story. The Original. Sorry if there are any grammer, spelling, etc mistakes. Hope you liked it! ^-^*