Spotlight

Chapter 34

Summer comes quickly.

Not like I noticed, every day felt the same. Yet, somehow worse than the one before.

Kat, Grey, and I converge in the living room in our wing. Lilian and Keri are waiting there.

"Hey, Lilian." I didn't see her all May.

"Cassandra, you're looking sickly." She remarks.

"You should have seen me in March." I sit on an empty sofa.

Kat walks in soon after and the briefing starts.

"This summer, you will continue carrying out your duties." Keri starts. "On the 5th, you will officially begin."

She lists out our functions, but conveniently leaves mine out.

"Am I going out at all this summer? Not like I want to or anything." I quickly add.

"Your first public appearance is July 1st, you can continue as normal then," Keri explains.

I scoff softly.

Keri ignores that and carries on.

"June 12th, Princess Cassandra's 17th birthday." She starts. "Something small, close friends only. We've already compiled a guest list."

I get a notification on my phone. I click it and the list of a hundred people comes on. I scroll through it aggressively. "Who are these people?"

"Your father gave his stamp of approval on the list."

"I know like, five of these people," I'm scrolling through the list. "Arin's not even on it."

Keri tuts. "Yes, we decided that it's best if you're not seen publicly with him."

"Wow."

"With his grandfather's politics, let's just leave it be." She smiles. "But Tristan Oisin's on it."

I look through the list again. Some of my friends from school are here. Axel, Paisley, Michelle, Ryan. "Derek?"

"He is your classmate. And he's in the same club as you." Keri says.

"Sara? She destroyed my life." I shout.

"Saraline Peters is your best friend." Keri reprimands. "That's good considering her background. The public would love that friendship. You don't have to talk to her at the party. We just need one picture."

"She's never gonna come."

"Yes, she will." Lilian intervenes. "I gave her the invitation a few days ago when she submitted her scholarship renewal application. She'll be there."

I heave a big sigh. "Who are the other people on the list?"

"Politicians kids your age, younger celebrities, leading people in their fields. Everyone on the list is 22 or below." Keri continues.

I drop my tablet on the chair beside me and clear my throat. "Yeah, whatever."

"The party will be held in the East event room. It will take place from 5 till 10 pm. Dent and I are handling all the preparations. It will..."

I put my headphones on and stop listening then.

When I open my eyes, I see Keri giving me a mean look. She ignores me and moves on to the next part of the briefing.

I rest my head on the sofa and close my eyes again.

***

I'm wearing a blue floral dress that stops an inch over my knees. It's spaghetti strapped with little bows at the top.