Frog Tale by JT Schultz

would get on his nerves.
    A heavy sigh escaped him to the point his whole body moved from the weight. “You really don’t believe me do you, that I’m a prince?” He sounded sad and frustrated and she wasn’t sure as to why. Her mind again shifted to her thoughts moments earlier.
    Chloe sighed and , though excited over going out with the very cute football player, felt the exhaustion of her busy day work over her muscles. “It doesn’t matter what I believe Luc. The point of the matter is you’re here with me now, no matter how that came to be.”
    Her eyes closed and she sighed, part of her wished she knew what Luc had looked like as a huma n―providing, what he said was true. Something deep inside her wanted to believe. The question was why? She chalked the answer up to the many childhood stories and fantasies of princes and kingdoms far away.
    Her lashes grew heavy and her mind cleared. Only then she realized she better take her contacts out. She sat up on the bed and glanced at Luc. “I’m glad you came into my life.”
    His body shivered and an unreadable expression crossed his froggy features. “I’m glad I did too and want you to know just how much I cherish you.” Something she couldn’t identify hid itself in his tone. He wasn’t sad or upset…the emotion was something else.
    “Are you okay?” Concern for the friend whom she adored and loved etched over her as the image of Stella so near to hurting him flashed through her mind. The picture of what Chloe had walked in on would stay with her forever.
    Luc’s gaze studied her and he took in every detail. “You look beautiful, don’t let anyone―especially, your sisters ever tell you anything different.”
    Her ey es stared into his and a strange sensation, one she didn’t recognize or could name, ran over her body and she trembled. “I sometimes wish you had your old life again.”
    And be a handsome prince like you proclaim.
    “Part of me wishes to be that way again as well. Only it’s not that easy Chloe.” This time, his words carried sadness. “Everything will change.”
    “Right.” She debated her next words. “If you were a human would you ask me out?”
    His eyes slammed shut and grief washed over his face. He opened his eyes and she regretted asking the question. She didn’t want to be rejected.
    “Never mind, don’t answer that.” She slid off the bed. “I have to take the contacts out and change for bed.” She turned away wondering if the dye from the salon had affected her brain because tonight everything seemed different. Her feelings about Luc and about how she perceived herself flitted around her mind. Both sets of feelings were for the better, but where Luc was concerned it was yet another step further from lucid.
    “ Chloe―”
    “ It really doesn’t matter.” She turned and silently blamed the sudden sting of her eyes on the contacts. Hurrying into the bathroom, she convinced herself there was no way Luc could be a prince. There was no such thing as frog princes outside of fairy tales and fables.
    Then again, talking frogs don’t come along everyday either.
     
    I’m jealous. Completely jealous and I have no right to be. Yet I am.
    Luciano sighed from where he sat on the pillow in the dark of Chloe’s bedroom. The moonlight peered in through the decorative sheers and cast a light pink glow on the young woman sleeping soundly beside him. She sighed lightly; her dark hair with the blond streaks tossed and turned on the pillow. His heart tightened and understood it was a crazy notion to be jealous over men, well boys, noticing her. Men and boys noticed beautiful women and somehow overnight Chloe had slipped into those ranks before his eyes.
    He thought of her earlier question and had so desperately wanted to answer her. Yes, he would have noticed her but would have kept his distance since she was not only underage but there were several laws that would look down on his feelings for her. However, in his current