2 kids

Boring banquets and Asian bistros.

Ashley.

It's no surprise I still don't fancy banquets.

Though they always take place in fancy buildings in the most luxurious rooms with the biggest chandeliers and furniture and paintings that always make me stare at them for hours, and they serve the most delicious food ever, I have them. They're always boring and long, and I never know anyone. The atmosphere is always so heavy and fake it makes me want to puke.

With a heavy sigh, I steal a quick glance at my father and step into the ballroom. I can't read his facial expression – I can't decide whether he genuinely enjoys attending these horrendous events or whether it's just his professional attitude.

He leads the way to a table we've been assigned. Thankfully no one's occupying the empty chairs, so I take a seat while I look around. I don't recognise a single soul here. It only assures me that this night will be lonely and long.

I intended on bringing someone with me – Mae, Nina, Jonah or Ace. Even Alex crossed my mind when I was begging my dad to allow me to bring company. Just one person, but unfortunately the invitation had unbreakable instructions and the number of people was limited.

As always the interior is truly breathtaking. It's undeniably one of the most luxurious banquets I've ever attended. Even the champagne glasses seem ten times more shiny, and the champagne itself has a beautiful rich gold colour with the bubbles continuing to travel to the surface.

I could be sitting in a castle right now, and I'd still be bored to death. The music is too silent and there's no one to talk to. I sigh in annoyance and watch the room get full with people.

The phone in my pocket vibrates, startling me a bit. Though I know I shouldn't touch my phone at events like this one, there really isn't anything better for me to do. I take it out, ignoring the potential stares of elderly people. And the potential judgement in their eyes,

A message from Jonah has never brought me such happiness. I've been thinking about the last details. No way for you to ditch the banquet?

I spent an entire hour mentally preparing myself for this night. Besides having to carefully plan out my dress and makeup, I needed careful mental preparation as well. Jonah's message now only makes me want to ditch this banquet even more.

I've already told you I can't, but I wish I could. It's too boring here, and I know no one. But send me the video, at least I'll have some entertainment.

A few minutes pass by with no response from Jonah. I'm just about to text him, scold him badly for leaving me on read. I prepared the whole message in my head, from top to bottom, when I get another message from him. This time the promised video.

About those adlibs.... Not sure they fit in there, but I thought I'd share them with you. Just come up with your own if anything.

I watch the video twice, thankful that no one seems to notice me anyway. My dad's too busy talking with some fancy dressed men, probably discussing some future business. No one even seems to acknowledge my existence; I'm perfectly forgotten about. And probably for the first time ever, I don't mind it.

I pay careful attention to the main dance moves, focusing on the small details he perfected. The plan was to do that together yesterday, but he didn't have time yesterday and I'm stuck at this extremely interesting banquet today. We're both used to training every single day, but people around us demanded we'd accompany them for at least one day.

The second time I play the video, I feel someone staring at me. The sixth sense sending the signal to your brain and differentiating whether the look comes from a female or male is working fulltime now. Turning around and trying to find to who those two eyes belong to while being as discreet as I can, I meet the stare belonging to an older woman. She could be in her seventies, perfect grandma material.