Spotlight

Chapter 22

"Most of what we're doing this break is online. Video calls, prepared speeches, things like this." Keri's voice comes loud and clear from my laptop.

The other people on the call are Kat and Grey, and they look more disinterested than me.

"You scheduled an 8am meeting to say this?" Grey looks tired. "I've barely slept off the term."

Kat scowls. "We got home yesterday. Couldn't you have at least given us the weekend?"

Keri's smile is insincere. "The Queen felt the night was adequate time to refresh."

"Course she did," Kat whispers. "Just get on with this."

"As I was saying, your public appearances will be limited. Kat and Grey, you have a joint video call with a national hospital in Bliten." Keri reads off her phone. "It is at 1 pm. Please, dress accordingly."

"Are you joking?" Grey complains.

"No," Keri clears her throat. "Princess Cassandra, your appointment is at 10 am."

"10? That's in less than 2 hours." I complain.

"Yours is also a live call. You will be making a guest appearance at a veteran's gathering in the Capitol. There are a hundred people attending, mainly mid-range officers. You'll appear for about ten minutes, thank them for their service, say the family appreciates them, all that stuff." She's scrolling through her phone while she says this. "Dent will send over a short speech, you can draw inspiration from that."

"You might as well send one over for us." Kat sighs.

Keri briefly looks up. "What was that?" She groans softly. "You know what, I have another meeting. Please text me your questions. Let me know if you need anything." She leaves the call.

"Did she just?" Grey asks.

Kat leaves the call. Grey rolls his eyes and does the same.

I'm the only one left. I know I should leave, but I can't.

I should leave my desk, take a shower, do my hair and make up, get ready, and walk to the designated crook for my meeting.

I can't bring myself to do any of that.

Soon, it's 9 am and I'm still staring at my screen. It went dark long ago. I don't wake it up, I just stare at the blackness.

It's soon twenty past and I start worrying. Why can't I stand up and move on with my day? Why does it feel ike I'm frozen in time and place?

When it's half 9, Keri sends me a text saying I should take shots by the nook so she can determine which angle is best. I ignore her.

At twenty minutes to 10, she calls me on my laptop.

"I haven't gotten the pict..." She stops when she sees me. "You're not dressed." I don't respond. She struggles to keep her voice down when she asks, "why aren't you dressed yet?"

"I can't stand up." I say in a clear voice.

"Is your leg hurt?"

I shake my head. "I just can't stand up."

She looks concerned for a second. "Okay, Cassandra, this is what's gonna happen. Did you have a shower before bed?"

"What?"

"Did you?" She clasps her hands together.

"I did."

"Good. Now I need you to place your hands on the table, push your chair back, and stand up."

I do as she says, slowly.

"Good, now go the bathroom, brush your teeth and wash your face."

I do that as well.