Sandonnia Book 1 - The Crowned Prince

CHAPTER 1 - Grey Eyes

Eukatia was THE country to live in. It was fast-paced, had skyscrapers taller than anything you can ever imagine and was ranked first place in the world when it came to technology and medicine. But that didn't mean everyone was rich. And that didn't mean that everything was fair and just.

The August sun was setting now. Its light shining through the window turned everything orange. Amy had only ten minutes until her shift was over. It was the summer holidays after Sixth Form. Amy worked in Riverbank café as a waitress. Her brother, her father and her mother also worked and it was barely enough to go by.

"Heard you were finishing up," said a cheerful, familiar voice.

It was Amy's best friend, Cherry. Amy had not seen her for a few months as she had been on a very long holiday with her family. She looked different. Her green eyes were brighter, her skin was just as pale white as Amy remembered, and her silky red hair looked freshly cut up to her shoulders.

"You're back?" Amy beamed.

"Good Lord, it's been so long!" Cherry exclaimed, hugging her. "I'm finally doing it."

Amy thought for a second. It had been such a hectic day and she was exhausted. For a minute, she had no clue what Cherry was talking about.

"Doing what?" she blinked.

"I am opening my own beauty bar," Cherry squealed.

"Oh!" Amy remembered. "Congratulations! I saw your YouTube channel ... One million subscribers suit you well!"

"Oh stop," Cherry giggled before whispering, "so when do you plan on getting out this crappy place? Girl, you look like you're about to die."

"I am looking for an internship," Amy sighed. "It's not like I can afford university. And yes, today has been busy."

"How many places have you applied to?"

"More than I can count," Amy groaned. "Do you know anyone around that needs an intern?"

"No, honey, if I did, I'd be the first to tell you. Have you tried ECoE? They do college leaver programmes. You know, like two years internships ... and if they like you, you get a job at the end."

"Right, the most prestigious engineering company in Eukatia," Amy shook her head. "I want to be realistic. I'm not going to get through the first set of interviews, let alone three."

"You got straight A*'s," Cherry shot back. "Stop wasting your time in this stupid café."

"I have to finish my shift," Amy sighed. "I'll catch you later. Meet up at the shopping centre later? Not that I have money to spend but we can always look at stuff."

"Yay!" Cherry bounced up and down like a child, making Amy laugh.

************************

Cherry was telling Amy about her adventures as a beauty entrepreneur as they walked through the shopping centre, looking through shop windows.

"I have a decent brand sponsorship," Cherry was saying, "so now I need to buy as diverse of a range of their products as I can find."

"'Let's try here," Amy suggested.

"So anyone on the dating scene yet?" Cherry asked as they walked in.

"No," Amy said. "I don't have the time to date. I'm constantly doing back-to-back shifts. At the end of the day, I'm so tired."

"Amy!" Cherry exclaimed. "That is not healthy!"

"How is your boyfriend?" Amy asked, trying to change the topic from her.