SWNOVELS Chapter 20
Sara clears her throat. “Cassandra, Jason told us that you left school today with Tristan.” She says. “He didn’t think much of it at first because you’re not allowed to leave. But then you didn’t come back and it was clear you left.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you guys. The issue got resolved, recently though.” I tell them with jazz hands.
“So, you’re free to leave school whenever you want?” Michelle asks.
“Well no, not exactly. Only with....”
“People who aren’t us.” Sara finishes for me.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Feels like that’s what you meant.” She insists.
I sigh. “Tristan saw that I was feeling bad and decided to get me out of school. I somehow managed to convince director Lilian that I needed to go.”
“So you could convince her today but you couldn’t two weeks ago for my birthday,” Michelle adds and that’s when I know how serious this is. Michelle’s the nice one, the one who always supports me. Now even she’s angry. “Guess it wasn’t that important to you.”
“It was and I’m sorry I made you guys all stay back with me.” That’s how much of a good friend she is. She said she doesn’t want a party outside if I’m not there.
“Don’t bother, Michelle. Cass only cares about her new more important friends.” Paisley adds. “Yeah, Jason also told us that you went to talk with Prince Greyson and Princess Katya. What was that about?”
I bite my upper lip. “I still have this gnawing feeling that you’re lying to us. What are you hiding?” Sara demands. “Because whatever it is, it’s eating you up.”
I fold my arms across my chest. “I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. I want to, it will be so much easier if I do. But I can’t.”
Sara nods. “Axel told us what happened during the break, with his parents.” The traitor has been strangely quiet since I walked in. “All of this feels like drama, drama I don’t think I can or want to handle. So it’s best if we just keep our distance for a while.”
“What,” I ask her. “Are you being serious right now? You guys are dumping me because of this.”
“That’s the thing, I don’t know what ‘this’ is because you won’t tell me.” She argues. “We’re friends, roommates. I have a right to know if you’re keeping something from me. And if Axel’s parents know about it, it must be big. And I can't handle something that big.”
I look at Paisley. “I’m sorry, I’m with Sara on this one. You haven’t been the best friend this past month.”
Michelle doesn’t look at me. “I deserve better, Cass. I want a friend who’s there for me or at least gives me an explanation when they can’t be. I felt so stupid when you left, like I’m the problem. Like you just don’t want to be friends with me or something. It’s just...sorry.”
My ringtone goes off and I check the caller ID, it’s Seb. I ignore it. “Aren’t you going to answer that?” Sara asks.
“I’ll get it later, it’s not important,” I decline the call and put the phone in my pocket.
“Who is it?” She asks, I don’t answer. She nods. “Exactly, come on guys. I want to get to dinner before all the good stuff is gone.” She jumps off her bed and walks to the door, she doesn’t spare me another glance. Michelle does the same, Paisley at least looks apologetic.
They leave the room and I slump on my bed, this is just great. My phone rings again and I answer it. “Hey, Seb, what’s up?” I ask in a dry voice.
“Cass, I heard you left school with Tristan today. Grey also told me about your talk.” He says. “How are you, how are you feeling?”
“My friends just disowned me,” I ignore everything he just said. “They hate me, I lied to them, didn’t leave school with them and I’ve been distant lately.”
He sighs over the phone. “Sorry about that. This family has a tendency to lose friends.” Then he adds after a second. “Not to death. We just stop talking to them. We either cut them off or they cut us off.”
“I can only imagine why. Does it get easier? Royal life, I mean.”
“Sometimes yes, sometimes no. You lose friends, you make friends. It’s unpredictable.” He tells me. “You’ll get used to it. If that’s your choice.”
“I’m just so tired, I can’t wait for exams to be over. I need a break.”
“I do too. Are you coming to the Blue Rose event on Sunday?”
“I am. You?” I ask.
“Not this year, this weekend I’m going to Malone. I have some matters to discuss with Max.” He says. “Lilian will be there though.”
“Sounds like it’s going to be a fun night. Can’t wait.”
“Can you sound more unenthusiastic?” He jokes. “It will be a nice night.”
“I’m sure it will be,” I say. “I’m too tired to care.”
He laughs. “So what are your plans for your break?” He’s been avoiding asking me this question. “It’s an entire month, are you planning on spending time in Aldean? Maybe fix up your room.”
“Yeah, yeah. I don’t know how long I’ll stay here or back home though. I’ll figure that out later.”
“That’s good, no rush.” He says and exhales. “I should get back to dinner, I’m meeting some council members. I'll leave you.”
“Good luck with your meeting. Bye.” He says goodbye then hangs up. I take a deep breath. Under my bed are boxes from famous brands.
Sprawled on one of the boxes in gold italics is Kelena, the name of Lena’s brand. I like her designs and the clothes she picks out for me. I haven’t gotten the chance to wear them because I didn’t want to draw suspicion to myself. Now all I can think is, why not?
I chicken out the next day and wear my usual shirt and jeans. I try to pay more attention during class and manage to learn some things. I don’t bother going to the dining hall for lunch, I don’t have anyone to sit with. I take a detour to the nearest vending machine to buy some snacks, I then go to the library and have lunch by myself. This is my life now.
I catch up on my reading. This half-semester we’re focusing more on Calais history and it’s even more complicated than Aldean’s. I get a text from Tristan, saying he didn’t see me at my usual table with my friends.
Me: Are you stalking me?
Tristan: Just checking to see if you were alright. Why aren’t you here?
Me: Got disowned, keeping secrets, lying, etc
Tristan: Sounds harsh, where are you? I can come have lunch with you
My heart swells at the possibility, but it also knows that it’s best to decline his offer. I don’t trust myself to not do or say something that can mess up our friendship.
Me: Thanks, but I’m fine
Tristan: Okay. Hope you make up with your friends
Me: That seems unlikely, our break was pre intended
Tristan: You’ll be alright, we always are
I hope he’s right. On Friday, my dress for the party arrives. It’s the first dress I’ve had that was specifically designed for me. It feels exciting, I try it on in Kat’s room.
“You look amazing,” Mika says.
I twirl. It’s a floor-length dress with an A-line neck and sleeves stopping just above my elbows. It’s grey and has tiny, sparkly sequins dazzling the top, they disappear around the waist. The skirt is tulle and puffy, but not puffy enough that it’s drawing attention.
“How are you going to wear your hair?” Kat asks me. “You know what, don’t answer, I’m sure it’s already a bad idea. I’m inviting my make-up artist here, I’ll ask her to bring someone for you.”
Mika gasps. “I just had a stroke of genius.” She exclaims. “Let’s go there, to the hotel. We’ll stay there Saturday night, get ready in a room and leave after the party.”
Kat thinks about it. “That’s a good idea. Plus, I’ll be there so they’ll have no excuse for screwing up the decorations.” Mika isn’t listening, she’s already calling the hotel.
“Hi, Mr. Simmons.” She says. “This is Mika Rosedale from Brimstone. I’m calling to see if you have any available rooms for Princess Katya and me. Do you have anything with three rooms?” She smiles at us. “Your presidential suite is already booked, that’s too bad. I don’t know, will we?” She turns to us and asks in a low voice. “Do any of you mind this suite, it only has two rooms but everything else is there. Even has a great view.”
“I don’t mind, we’ll sort sleeping arrangement when we get there,” Kat says. I nod, I'm already picturing myself sleeping on the couch.
“Thank you, Mr. Simmons, we’ll take it. And please, keep our stay a secret...the extra security is getting there the night before, perfect ...yes that’s fine. We will be there tomorrow. See you then.” She drops her phone on her bed.
“It's settled then, we’re going to the hotel early.” Kat clasps her hands together. “What time are we leaving tomorrow?”
“The security doesn’t get there till evening. But I don’t mind being there without them, maybe we can go by two.” Mika suggests. “Maybe I’ll order a massage, some room service. It will be fun, a little girl’s night out.”
I bag my dress and head over to my room. Sara is there when I get back, I don’t talk to her. I just hang the dress in my wardrobe. I see more sets of boxes on my bed. In the bigger one is a pair of open toe, black, suede pumps from Lena. The smaller box houses a pretty diamond and sapphire jewelry set. Complete with earrings, a necklace and a bracelet. Surprisingly, it’s from aunt Freya, she put a little note in the box that reads. ‘You will be meeting council members for the first time. It’s important to look your best.’ She signed it F.
Dimitri was ecstatic when he found out the Queen will be attending. He kept thanking Kat for persuading her mother to come when he should have been thanking me. Aunt Freya wanted to be there when I met a significant portion of the council. She didn’t want me saying something stupid and she knew I didn’t have any adult guidance. To cut it short, she reluctantly agreed to attend.
I decide to pack my stuff in my smallest suitcase. I place shoes and jewelry inside along with two sets of underwear and a nightgown. I also pack jeans and a shirt. I take my books with me, I still have exams in a week. That evening, I’m prepared to get vending machine snacks when I get a text from Grey asking me to meet him outside my building.
“You need to eat something.” He hands me a carefully wrapped bag. “And also, you need to stop avoiding the dining hall.”
I take the bag from him. “Thanks. And I'm not avoiding the dining hall. I sometimes sneak food out.”
“You’ve skipped most of your meals, it isn’t healthy. At least when I do, it’s because I’m eating out.” He points at the bag.
“Thank you again, I really appreciate this.” I clutch the food to my chest.
“It’s no problem, Kat mentioned that you were spending tomorrow night at the hotel.” He chuckles. “That’s a strong move, will my mum even let you?”
If I’m being honest, that hasn’t crossed my mind. “She’ll understand. And by that, I mean Kat will ask her.”
“Smart.” He comments. “Well I should go, I have things I need to do before Sunday and I’m behind on all of them.” He shoves his hands in his pocket. “You’re welcome for the food.”
I go back to my room and open the bag. I was expecting some fancy dish from an upscale restaurant. Instead, I find fast food.
I finish eating and go to bed before Sara gets back. The next morning, I’m up early to meet Tristan. At the end of our session, he asks me how I’m getting to the party.
“Kat, Mika and I are spending the night at the hotel. We’ve already booked a room and everything.” I tell him proudly.
He nods. “Classy. So are you ready for the party tomorrow?”
“Yeah, it’s going to be fun,” I say, and for the first time, I mean it.
He laughs. “You seem strangely well adjusted, I thought you’ll be freaking out.”
I laugh. “Why would I? It’s just a party.”
He nods. “Yes, with some of the most powerful people in Aldean including a lot of council members.” I shake my head to let him know that I’m still not getting it. “Council members who’ll be very interested in meeting you. And judging your every word and move. They’ll be getting their first impressions of you. If they don’t like what they see, they’ll make it their mission to oppose you at every turn.”
Then it sinks in. “Oh no,” I whisper, the wind just got knocked out of me. “No, nope I’m not doing it. I’m calling in sick and staying back. It’s not happening.”
He scoffs. “It’s cute you think you can do that. Queen Freya is specifically coming because of you. I doubt she’ll appreciate your absence.”
I bury my face in my hands. “How am I just figuring this out? But will they want to talk to me in public though?”
“It’s a social event, everyone will be talking to each other. It’ll be weird if you don't, they’re expected to get to know you better.”
I take a seat on the grass. “I can’t do this, please tell me there’s a way I can get out of this.”
He sits down next to me and smiles. “Sorry Cass, believe it or nothing, it’s out of my hands.” Great, tomorrow just got a billion times worse.