Y/n prepared like every year for the midsummer but this year her family had been chosen to organize the party. The Lindseys were a family that had settled on the island for a few generations, but they had managed to create a colossal fortune for themselves in a very short period of time. So she quickly became one of the most important families. Y/n therefore had to do honor to her family. Her parents bought her a green satin dress and silver pumps. They had brought in a hairdresser from New York who had tied her hair in a sophisticated bun held in place by a wreath of flowers. They had also paid for posture and dancing lessons, to make sure everything would be okay.
Once ready, Y/n joined her parents and sister in the living room. They weren't alone. Topper Thornton, her boyfriend, was there too. He placed a light kiss on her forehead and smiled at her. Her mother, Shirley, took her by the shoulders and pulled her aside.
"You are beautiful my dear," she said with a smile. "And don't forget to stand up straight."
"Yes mother." Y/n replied in the same tone.
Her mother let go and went to the kitchen with her father to sort out the final details. No sooner had they left than Y/n threw himself into Topper's arms. He pressed his lips to hers and smiled. Y/n pulled back and stroked his face with his fingertips.
"I swear I'm sick of this." whispered Topper.
"Me too Top." she said with a small smile. "But we don't have much choice."
"From when can we quit?"
"According to my parents? When we get married.
They pulled away when they heard Y/n's parents return. Shirley motioned for Y/n and Topper to get ready to leave. Y/n took her ceremonial face and positioned herselfto the right of his father, followed by Topper. The butler opened the door and the Lindsey family stepped out onto the front steps. The garden was filled with people, from close friends to people they had never spoken to. Y/n stepped forward and took a deep breath.
"I welcome you all," she began with a loud voice, "to this area created by my great-grandparents. I am glad to welcome you this evening and hope you have a good time. Drinks are on your right and food is on your left. For your convenience, waiters will pass between you with towels. For any inquiries, please turn to our Butler Tom. Have a good evening !
His mother then stepped forward and took his place.
"My dearest daughter has told you everything we think about it." she finished. "But we want to add something. This evening is a very important event for our daughter! Indeed it is her first evening as Topper Thornton's fiancée!
Applause echoed throughout the area. Y/n turned in surprise to Topper who shrugged his shoulders, shocked. The music started as soon as her mother finished her sentence. Y/n walked over to her and tried to say something.
"This engagement allows us to strike a deal with Topper's parents. " cut her off her mother while shaking hands. "I have to welcome some people. Enjoy the evening sweetheart. "
Y/n found herself alone, taken aback. She then felt someone drag her onto the dance floor and put a hand on her waist. She looked up and met the gaze of Rafe, her best friend.
"Congratulations on your engagement," he said with a smile.
"I'm not getting engaged." she replied. "Out of the question. I am much too young. And then Topper and me, it's not going very well at the moment so... "
"Shit. I am sorry."
"It's not serious. This engagement is just a new way to make deals. "
Rafe stopped dancing for a few seconds and looked at Y/n before restarting. He stopped again when he felt someone take his arm. He turned and faced Topper. The latter held out his hand to Y/n who, after greeting Rafe, took his arm. They began to dance.
"I think we need to talk Top." Y/n said in a low voice, so that the other dancing people couldn't hear them. "About the engagement."
"Sure." he replied in the same tone. "I promise you I didn't know any of this."
"I think we should talk to our parents. I don't think that's a good idea, we're too young for that. And I'm not even sure I want to. "
"How so?"
"Well, can you see that for the past few weeks, things haven't been going very well between us? Especially since Sarah came back. "
"Seriously? Y/n... "
"I know you still have feelings for her. I understand. She is awesome. I was just lucky enough to be there when she left. Otherwise you would have dated me Top? "
"Yes of course! What's the matter with you?"
"What takes hold of me is you never told me I love you! We've been together for over one year Topper! One year!"
"I can say the same for you! A year of being together and we've never gone beyond a kiss! You always heat me up and then you retract! "
"Because I don't feel ready!"
"Me niether!"
When they realized they had raised their voices and everyone was looking at them, they immediately lowered their voice.
"Did you ever tell Sarah?" Y/n said, whispering, "No bullshit!"
"Yes." Topper said, looking down. "But it was different."
"There it is clear."
She pulled away from him and went up to her room. She took off her dress, put on shorts and a t-shirt, put on her sneakers, and walked out of her bedroom window. She got on her bike and rushed to the Chateau. All the pogues were there, in JJ's pool. As soon as they saw Y/n, they let out an exclamation of surprise.
"What is the kook princess doing here?" JJ asked mockingly. "And without his prince charming too."
"Rather badly washed toad." Y/n retorted, smiling. "Can I come ?"
"Sure!" Kiara said, making room for her.
Y/n took out her things and slipped into the pool. She relaxed and enjoyed the evening. The pogues were his escape from reality. Far from the codes of her family and Topper, she could finally be herself. She might hide it, she hated her life. She hated living surrounded by servants ready to answer your requests before you had time to express them, she hated frilly dresses that cost more than a monthly salary of pogue, jewelry so showy it became unbearable, the hypocritical manners of all the weirdos and even her room, much too big for her. The only thing she put up with in this world of wealth and hypocrisy was Rafe. It took a while for the pogues to accept her because of it, especially Kiara, but after several weeks she had succeeded. Rafe hadn't liked it at all, but there was nothing he could do about it. So he had adapted.
Y/n stayed all evening with the pogues and didn't get home until around 2:00 a.m. She went up discreetly to her room, put on her pajamas and went to bed. She heard her parents come up and the doors close. Y / n could finally fall asleep in peace.
