Dating isn't easy. Finding love is harder. But being a Delaney makes it all a thousand times worse because let's face it, with parents like theirs, the NextGen never stood a chance.
11 short stories following the disastrous love lives of:
Seraphina...
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The house is buzzing. At every turn, there's someone who has made it their life's mission today to get in my way, and as yet another body cuts across my path, I fight the urge to scream in frustration.
I'm currently at my parent's home, preparing for the big night. As with all the previous years, as many of the family gather in one place to get ready, with an army of stylists, hairdressers and makeup artists on hand to help get us camera ready. Unfortunately for me, that means having to put myself through this torture. The only thing that makes this semi bearable is the fact that there is champagne and other various alcohol on hand to help see me through this shitshow.
The only person who hates this more than I do is Éliane Whitaker. The second she walked through the door, she put her earphones in and has been living in her own world ever since, blocking out the chaos around her. Fortunately for her, everyone knew that as an athlete, Éliane needs to have as much peace as possible. I, however, am not so lucky. I enviously stare at my cousin as she sits in the makeup artist's chair, her eyes closed as she sits perfectly still while makeup is plastered on her face.
Sitting next to Éliane is my youngest brother's long-term girlfriend, Rebecca Scott. She and Levi have been together since they were fourteen but this is her first time at the ball, and she's a sack of nervous energy. Completing the trio is my youngest cousin, Hero Delaney, the daughter of my uncle, Lucas. At eighteen, the minimum age that you have to be to attend the ball, this is her first time. Unlike Rebecca, Hero is taking everything in her stride, watching, listening and learning the ropes of being part of this crazy family. I feel like I should encourage her to run, get away while you still can, but I remember my first ball and how in awe of everything I was. It's almost a rite of passage.
In the next room, a merry band of hairdressers wielding various tools are chatting loudly as my aunts Sophie and Emma, along with Lucas's long-term partner, Milli Abbott, give instructions on how their hair should look. I hold my breath as I rush past, the fumes of hairspray burning the back of my throat, and head down to the lower floor of the house. Entering the kitchen, I see my mother and her best friend, Lyanna Taylor, sipping wine and laughing like teenagers. I vaguely hear Lyanna talk about 'bedroom antics' but I don't want to think about what Mick gets up to in the bedroom. Announcing my presence with a loud gagging noise, both women turn to smile in my direction.
"Darling, grab yourself a glass of something," my mum says, pointing towards the countless bottle of wines, spirits and bubbly on the kitchen counter. "But drink slowly. God knows this is a marathon, not a sprint. By the way, have you seen your cousin yet?"
Pouring myself a shot of vodka and topping it up with some zero-sugar cola, I take a gulp and shrug. "Which cousin?"
"Léa," mum replies. When I shake my head, she looks over at Lyanna and both women share an amused smile. "Well, might I suggest that you go up to your old bedroom, and you can see for yourself what she looks like? Her dress is quite unique."
