Foreign Affairs

Chapter One: First Term Jitters

Six weeks earlier...

"We are now beginning our descent. If you look out the window, you'll see your first glimpse of the Vancross Institute..." Pilot.

I look outside to see the campus of the elite school pass by below me. "Vancross Institute for International Diplomacy, where the next generation of world leaders go to study politics, diplomacy... and how to avoid scandal... It's bigger than I thought it'd be!" Ness

"You doing okay over there?" Winston. I sit up straighter and give my mother's chief of staff a reassuring smile. "I'm fine. Just daydreaming about my nonexistent political career again." Ness

"As long as you're more alert during your classes. The President isn't sending you across the continent to slack you off" Winston

"Wait, this isn't a beach vacation? Turn the plane around." Ness

"Very funny, but I know you won't waste such a golden opportunity to build relationship with future international leaders--" Winston is interrupted by one of my bodyguards making his way down the aisle and strapping in to the seat next to mine.

"Mr. Moon, have you been briefed on our arrival yet?" Agent Demarco

"Yup, Agent Diaz talked to me half an hour ago." Ness

The agent nods, but remains seated. I lean forward to continue my conversation. "I've heard the stump speech, Winston. But if this master's degree program is so important to Mom, them why isn't she dropping me off?" Ness

"She wanted to be here, but you know how it is... a last-minute meeting with an ambassador came up, and she couldn't say no" Winston

"Got it. It's only me she says no to." Ness

"Ness..." Winston

"It's okay, it's just... sometimes I wish she'd put me first for a change. She know I would've been perfectly happy with a low-level position on her reelection campaign." Ness

"For what it's worth, I think Vancross will be good for you. The people want to see you more involved, and I know your mom's hoping you can help gain support for the Peace Summit in a few months." Winston

"Sorry to interupt, but we have those updated projections you asked for, Mr. Torres." Political Analyst

"Excellent. Looks like the press release about Vancross is already working it's magic. Your mom's approval rating is trending up." Winston

I nod, looking out the window as the plane taxis toward the private airport.

"What's wrong?" Winston

"Nothing, it's just... all this fuss seems like a waste when I don't even know if I want to go into politics. Think about it... There are so many other careers out there. I'm twenty-two years old, and I've never had a chance to even consider something else. Is this really what I want to spend my life doing? As much as I want to help Mom win this election, I'm still confused about the rest of it." Ness

"Then maybe Vancross can be a place for you to get some clarity. An opportunity to figure out if you actually want this life... or not." Winston

The plane finally stops taxiing, and Winston stands to collect his briefcase. "I'll let you freshen up before we leave. I had our stylist pull an outfit for you set the tone for your semester." He motions for a young woman to step forward from the back of the plane.

"I have just the thing for you to make a big first impression on all those future foreign dignitaries." I look down at my travel clothes, wrinkled from the flight. "I guess I am a little underdressed..."