Battle of Fear and Trust

An Invitation She Could Not Refuse part2

I spend the next two hours getting ready. After all, I do want to look my best, even if the event I'm going to is one hosted by people who've done nothing but lie to me for many years. It usually bothers me to think about what they've done, but now I just want to get over it and show them that I have what it takes to be the queen I'm meant to be.

"Of course, you'll have to make sure you don't fall for any of their traps as you almost did the traitor's." Jadis reminds me as I leave my room.

There's nothing they can do to make me second guess my decisions; I tell her.

"Oh, Nancy, it looks so lovely!" I hear Lucy say from inside her room. I creep to the closed door a little curious about what she is complimenting her on.

"Thanks Lucy, I couldn't have made this without your help. Although I think one sleeve is a little shorter than the other." Nancy tells her.

"It's not that noticeable and I'm sure everyone will love it. Especially Peter."

"Yes, tonight is going to be wonderful. You know being an only child it always felt a little lonely during the holidays, especially during the war, but your family and the Friends of Narnia has made me feel so welcome. So, thank you for making me feel like I'm part of your family."

"Of course, you'll always be a sister to me," My cold heart sinking further into my chest at Lucy's words, and I take a deep breath in an effort to contain my tears. I don't know why it hurt me; I don't even like Lucy, she's nothing to me. I feel the tears start to form in my eyes. But she isn't Nancy's sister.

"Your family has long rejected you and that impostor has shown that she wants to be a part of your family. This is her way of doing that and they're now using her to get you to fall for another one of their traps, which I'm sure they won't succeed at. You'll make sure of that," Jadis tells me as I feel my heart ache. But no, I'm not going to let them get to me.

"Oh, I must've left it downstairs, I'll be right back," I hear Lucy say as I quickly move back to my room. "Susan." I stop and face her, luckily no tears are showing. "I'm glad you're still here, are you going to stay for the Christmas banquet?" she asks.

"A banquet? I thought it was a small gathering for our family,"

" Yes, I guess you could call it that, I only had this idea a couple of weeks ago. I thought it'd be great if we could hold a Christmas banquet like the ones, we..."

"Lucy, I'm sure your intentions are sound in wanting to have this event. However, I'll only stay if you don't bother me with that silly game," I state firmly before heading downstairs to greet everyone; after all I'm the one people want to see at any event.

As I enter the family room, I see the furniture arranged to make room for the event with all the decorations up. Guests have already started to arrive; I see the professor speaking to Ms. Plummer and my father. From the kitchen, I can hear my aunt asking my mother if she'd prepared any vegetarian dishes. In another corner of the room, I spot Edmund, Eustace and his friend looking at a nativity scene. The last thing I want is to know what they're talking about. I turn away to notice Peter talking to another young man, who I must say, is quite handsome. I smile and make my way over to them.

"Hey Su, it's good to see you," Peter greets me. "Mark this is my other sister Susan, and Su, this is Mark Pole he's Jill's older brother. He just graduated from the police academy." I give Mark the same sweet smile I give to all men I've charmed, and he shyly smiles back at me.

"It's nice to meet you Susan," Mark says, and I find myself staring into his hazel eyes. Sure, he's probably as wealthy as my family, but he is nice to look at.