William was tired of it all. He felt trapped going from table to table and talking to boring, uptight people who only wanted to speak with him since he was a prince. Pretty rich girls dressed in beautiful designer dresses gathered around him giggling and batting their eyelashes trying to catch his attention. It wasn't unusual for him to be around classy rich people day after day. Although he appreciated his luxurious lifestyle, he wished he could runaway for just one day, to where someone might not know him and appreciate him for him, not because he's a prince.

The night was dark and foggy, he could tell from looking out the huge window that overlooked the bay. Running his fingers through his blonde hair he took a deep breath before excusing himself from a group of prestige people. He pretended to go to the bathroom, but instead made a run for it. He ran fast until he was finally outside. Finally being able to breathe, he felt relived walking down the misty streets.

He passed several people out on the streets and they ogled him knowing who he was. He walked fast and finally he was alone, and away from the entire crowd. He realized where he was. Looking around his saw homeless people. Many of them smoking, some holding "will work for food" signs and some just sleeping on the hard concrete.

William realized and remembered how his mother used to take him and his brother out to see the less fortunate people, so that way he will appreciate what he has and know that there are other people out there besides the rich. He stared hard at the poor people as they ignored him completely. In a strange way it felt good to be ignored for once. He felt that he belonged here, he could be himself here.

Suddenly William felt himself get pushed hard. He turned to see a man; he didn't look homeless, but rather just mean. He was very tall, had a strong built. The man held a switch knife and his dark brown eyes glared at William.

"Give me all your money right now!" The man demanded.

William looked around to see if anyone would help him. There was no one in sight except an old man who looked fragile and he was fast asleep. "Please I do not want any trouble. Here, just take my wallet and leave me alone," William said nervously taking out his wallet and realized he didn't have it with him!

The man's eyes searched William's hands. "Where is the money? You're the prince you better have money or I'll slice your throat!" The man yelled.

William felt his heart racing. Is this the way I will die? He thought to himself.

"I'm sorry I don't have money but you can take my watch, it's very expensive," William said struggling to take off his watch.

The man lost his patience. He grabbed his knife as just as he was about to cause Prince William harm, the man fell to the floor. William had closed his eyes but then realized he was ok. He slowly opened his eyes and saw a girl standing there with a bat in her hand. She was small, 5'3" at the most. Very petite with long dark brown hair and soft brown eyes. She held the bat in her shaky hands.

"A-are you ok?" She asked him.

William nodded. He couldn't take his eyes off this beautiful girl. She wore baggy blue jeans a an old dark green t-shirt with white slip on sneakers. Was she homeless? She must have been.

"Y-yes I'm f-fine," William stammered.

The girl slowly put the bat down and looked at the man that lay on the floor. He was completely knocked out. She'd hit him hard.

"Thank you. You saved my life!" William said softly moving closer to the girl.

She smiled, not just any normal smile, but a smile that could make a man's heart melt. "You're welcome. What are you doing in this side of town anyway? Shouldn't you be at your castle drinking expensive wine or something?"

William laughed. "I guess but I'd rather not. I was at a party earlier but I had to get away."

The girl stared at him and her eyes danced as she looked at him. "Well you better get back to your party before something worse happens."

The girl began to walk away but William grabbed her arm and stopped her. She turned to look at him. "No, please can I speak with you some more?"

The girl shrugged. "Why would you want to talk to me? I'm a nobody."

William slowly took his hand off her arm. Her skin had felt so soft. "You are somebody. You just saved my life for crying out loud!"

"It's not big deal. I have to save my own life from time to time. It was the right thing to do."

"Yes but I want to thank you one way or another."

"I don't need your money if that's what you mean."

William narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure? You are homeless right?"

The girl nodded. "Yes, so? If you think I saved you because I wanted something from you, you are wrong. I saved you because you are a human being. I would have done that for anyone."

The girl began to walk away again and William couldn't resist following her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so blunt in asking if you were homeless. I apologize."

The girl stopped walking and turned to face him. "I'm not ashamed of being homeless. Yes I don't have my own house, my own bed or nice clothes, but I am happy. I'm very happy."

William smiled and couldn't help reaching out to touch her angelic face. "What's your name?" He asked.

"Why do you want my name? What if I don't want to give you my name?"

William laughed softly. "Ok you don't have to. I'm sorry but I need to repay you one way or another."

"I already told you that there is no need. Now I have to get going."

The girl walked away from him and William waited but then began to follow her once again. "Can I stay a few minutes with you? I don't want to return to the party."

The girl nodded. "You don't give you up do you sweet prince?"

William chuckled. "I guess not."

"Ok come on now. Just follow me and I will lead you to the place I stay."

William followed the girl. She walked fast and her long brown hair blew in the wind. William walked behind her until she finally came to a stop at a park near an oak tree. There was a large cardboard box with a few blankets and a small backpack. She set her bat down, which she probably used to protect herself.

"Well here is my little home, for tonight that is."

William gulped. "You mean you live here?"

The girl laughed. "Well for tonight I do. The homeless shelters were full tonight, so I'm stuck out here."

William was speechless.

"You can go if you want. I know it's not a very fun place to be."

"No I will not go. I said I wanted to spend some time with you and that's what I want."

The girl blushed. She turned to grab one blanket and spread it on the grass. "There you may have seat."

William slowly sat down on the floor and looked up at the beautiful girl. The girl eased her way down slowly and smiled at the prince. "Not exactly a castle is it?" She asked.

"No it's not. Do you mind if I ask you how you became homeless?"

"Well my parents died a long time ago. My grandmother took care of me but then she too died and I was left alone. I lived in her home but then I couldn't keep up with the bills, so I got a small apartment. Then, I lost my job and looked for another and then another and I couldn't get a job, at least not one that would pay the bills, so I became homeless. I work at a bakery downtown but it pays very little. I'm trying to save up some money to put down for a payment on an apartment but it's so hard you know."

"Yes I can understand," William said slowly.

"So I'm here."

William reached out and put his hand over hers. "You are very brave. I admire that about you."

"Thank you."

"It's a beautiful night don't you think?" William asked the beautiful girl.

She sighed and looked up at the sky. "Yes it is. I think I will enjoy sleeping out here tonight."

William stared at her pretty face. "I don't want you to stay out here. Why don't you come back to my place and you can sleep there?"

The girl shook her head. "No, I couldn't do that. Besides, what will your family say if you bring home a homeless girl?"

"I don't care what they say. Please?"

The girl laughed sweetly. "Really it's ok sweet prince. I'm happy out here. And you are here with me so why not let us just enjoy this moment?"

William chuckled. "Ok you win. I will stay out here with you tonight. I'll try to sleep."

"Here lie down on my lap," the girl ordered.

William hesitated at first but couldn't resist. He put his head on her lap and gazed up at her. She smiled and began to stroke his hair. Her touch was so amazing. Just one touch and he already felt relaxed and at ease. She began to hum a beautiful tune and William couldn't take his eyes off her. The sky was filled with millions of silver stars that night and the breeze was nice and cool. It felt as if nothing bad had ever happened, as if he was never attacked.

"You're hair is so soft. I like running my fingers through it," she whispered.

"I like the way your hand feels."

The girl continued to hum and then began to laugh. William had a puzzled look on his face. He looked up at her. "What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing. I was just remembering when I was a child and my mother used to read me these fairytales about a girl kissing a frog and the frog becoming a prince. I can't picture you as a frog."

William laughed. "I hope not!"

She looked into his eyes. The moonlight outlined her pretty face. "I can't believe I have you here with me, like this. It's almost like a dream come true."