Whatever After #4: Dream On Read Online Free PDF Page B

know any princes?”
    “Do I? No. But Bri must know a couple.” I glance back at Bri. “Don’t you have prince-and-princess mixer dances or something?”
    She shakes her head. “I have friends who are dukes and duchesses. My parents think I’m going to marry one of the dukes, but I’m so not. Oh, and I have one friend who’s a commoner. Tom. We’ve been friends since we were babies. He’s really great. Very smart. And sweet. And funny.”
    “But he’s not a prince?” I ask.
    “No.”
    I sigh. “Then he can’t help us.”
    Bri rubs her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Are we sure wearing a sleep mask won’t help me? Or maybe throwing cold water on your friend will do the trick?”
    Jonah licks his lips. “Speaking of water, I’m thirsty. Do you have any soda?”
    “Jonah, can you please focus?!” I say. I turn to Bri. “I’m sorry. Little brothers are so annoying. Plus, Jonah knows he’s not allowed to have pop.” Or soda as Jonah now calls it since we moved to Smithville. I’m sticking to calling it pop , thank you very much.
    “Little brothers are annoying,” Bri says. “Felix is such a thorn in my side.”
    “Who’s Felix?” Jonah asks.
    “My little brother,” Bri says.
    “I wish I had a little brother,” Jonah says wistfully. “At least he wouldn’t boss me around.”
    “I didn’t know you had a little brother,” I say to Bri. “I thought your parents had a hard time having kids.”
    “They did. He was a surprise baby. He’s much younger than me — only three.”
    “Aw,” I say. “That’s so cute.”
    “Did he have a magical gift party when he was born, too?” Jonah asks.
    “Are you kidding me?” Bri asks incredulously. “No way. My parents wouldn’t let any fairies near him after what happened with me.”
    Just then a loud trumpet noise blares.
    I check to see if it woke Robin up.
    It didn’t.
    “That trumpet blast means my parents and brother are back at court,” Bri says. “They’ll be serving tea now if you’re still thirsty, Jonah.”
    “He doesn’t drink tea,” I say. “But he can have some milk.” I look up at the skylight. The sky still looks gray, but the click-click-click noises have stopped. “At least it’s not raining anymore.”
    “For now,” Bri says. “April is a rainy month in our kingdom. We should move while it’s dry.”
    “It’s April here? It’s only November in Smithville!” I guess it’s not only the time that’s different here — the months are different, too. “What’s the name of this kingdom?” I ask.
    “Is it Ketchup?” Jonah pipes up hopefully.
    Bri looks puzzled and shakes her head. “No. It’s the Kingdom of Rose.”
    “Like the flower?” I ask.
    She nods.
    “Roses are my favorite flower,” I tell her. I can draw them well. All you need to do is make small half circles going outward. They’re one of my best doodles. Well, roses and judge gavels.
    Oh, I wish this were a criminal court.
    “Do you guys have a lot of roses?” Jonah asks.
    Brianna nods. “They’re everywhere.”
    “ That’s the sweet smell!” I exclaim. I take a big sniff. “It’s delicious.”
    Bri shrugs. “I don’t notice it anymore. I’m used to it. C’mon, let’s go get Jonah something to drink at Rose Abbey. That’s the name of the castle.”
    Rose Abbey? The castle has my name! Kind of! Cool!
    “Before we go can we move Robin back to the bed?” I ask. “I don’t want to just leave her on the floor.”
    The three of us heave Robin back to the bed. She keeps on sleeping, of course. Then Bri, Jonah, and I walk back down the stairs. Walking down is easier than walking up, but the view is scarier. Since the tower is all open space I can see how far the drop is to the bottom.
    “Where were your parents?” I ask Bri as we make our way down.
    “At a yard sale.”
    “Why would a royal family want to shop at a yard sale?” I ask, frowning. “Don’t people sell used stuff?”
    “Yes,” Bri says. “My parents