Casey Anderson isn't expecting much from her Mark - but when her soulmate turns out to be Prince August, the boy next in line for the throne, everything changes.
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In a world much like our own, Casey Anderson is trying to navigate her senior...
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The day after my whole world falls apart, the day I thought was my birthday, I'm once again seated with my parents - and Leah - at the breakfast table.
Gloomily, I wonder how long mealtimes are going to be unbearably awkward, or if it's just going to be like this forever now.
There's a small chance I've jumped feet first into the whole sulking phase of things. It's really not my fault - I had plans for today. Kinsey and Leah and I were going to meet up, hang out - just be kids for a while. It would've been just like old times, minus Sophie.
Instead, I've had to message Kinsey - I firmly ignored any and all notifications on my phone - and let them know that I have to cancel with no real idea of when I'll ever have any free time ever again.
They told me that they'd be willing to pull a prison break if needed, which, though a nice sentiment, isn't particularly helpful at this moment.
The last thing I need is Kinsey in prison for trying to break into Buckingham Palace.
My father is talking, but so far I've been tuning most of it out. It's a lot of nothing, really, vague sentences on responsibility and moving forward and how good we're all going to have to be to get past it, because god forbid the country knows I'm an actual human being with feelings and a Mark.
And a soulmate, which is probably the real problem.
I nod my way through increased security and monitoring of all activity on my phone - which isn't much different, in terms of the phone at least. Maybe someone can help me deal with... everything there -
At least, until, the monitoring of my phone turns into:
"I think we can all agree it would be best if you... stayed close, for the next while, August. That means nowhere without a bodyguard. Going to your scheduled appearances and then coming straight home. No more hanging out with... your friend."
My friend is Kinsey, whom my parents have never approved of. Which isn't much of a shocker to anyone, but still hurts, because Kinsey is my best friend.
My only friend, really.
But try telling that to my parents, who can't see past Kinsey's pronouns. Past their otherness. Or Leah's, for that matter - a lot of the way my parents have treated her over the past year make a lot more sense now.
Which just makes me angrier.
"How the bloody hell is that fair?" I say, plowing through my fathers attempt to speak. "I understand the increased security. The guards. I'll even appreciate the help with social media. But Kinsey? My only friend? Are you saying I can't even have them over here?"
"It just seems safer -" My mother tries to speak this time.
"I won't go over to their house. I won't sneak out to meet them. I just -" I take a breath. "They're my only friend. Okay?"
