Princess of Illéa

Chapter 28 - Girls Day

The Elite girls all seem to be getting closer to each other, especially America and Celeste. I don't know if it's because America now knows the truth about the two of us or if they've become closer lately. Celeste even has the idea of all of us (the Selected and me) taking our maids to the Women's Room to spend the day giving each other makeovers.

That's a great idea to bring us closer together, not to mention the fact that Clarkson isn't allowed in the Women's Room, and ever since I slapped him the other day, I've been avoiding him as much as possible.

As there are five of us, we split up as to who would do whose makeup. Elise would do Kriss's makeup, Kriss would do America's, America would do my makeup, I would do Celeste's, and Celeste would do Elise's.

I have to stop myself from kissing Celeste's lips as I apply her makeup. I feel America's and my mother's eyes on me when it's my turn to do Celeste's makeup.

While America does my makeup and the other girls stand around us, chatting and observing America's work, I vent, "It's so much fun having girls around my age in the palace." I say. "You have no idea how much I've been waiting for the Elite to start so that I could get closer to you. It's like having sisters." I smile, looking at them.

"Is it very lonely living here in the palace, Kat?" Kriss asks curiously, and I see her looking at me almost with pity.

I take a deep breath. "Sometimes yes. I've always been home-schooled, I've never had the opportunity to study at a real school, to make friends. The people I can consider friends the most are my maids, my cousins, whom I see rarely, and the princess of France, Daphne."

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Celeste looking jealous when I mention Daphne.

"What about Maxon?" Elise asks.

I chuckle. "Well, Maxon and I are very close, I couldn't have a better brother, but it's definitely not the same as having friends or sisters."

"I bet you don't spend afternoons with your brother doing your makeup or him doing yours like we're doing here." says Celeste, joking.

I laugh. I even hear Mom chuckling, who is further away from us. "Definitely not."

"Have you ever wanted sisters?" asks America.

My smile fades a little, knowing that Mom always wanted to have more children, but because of her condition she ended up having only Maxon and me. I sigh before answering, "I think this desire must be common for girls, just as I imagine Maxon must have wanted to have brothers." I feel Mom's eyes on me.

America finishes my makeup and then it's Kriss's turn to do it.

"Have you ever considered getting bangs?" asks Kriss, when she's doing America's makeup.

"A couple of times," answers America. "But my sister usually ends up annoyed with hers, so I change my mind."

"I think you'd look cute," says Kriss. "I cut some for my cousin once. I could do yours if you want."

"Yeah," Celeste butts in. "Let her near your face with scissors, America. Great idea."

We all burst out laughing. I hear my mother's giggle in the background. I turn around and see Mom pressing her lips together to keep from laughing, trying to concentrate on reading a document. It's been a while since I've seen her so happy.

"We should take pictures!" Elise suggests.

"Anyone got a camera?" asks Celeste. "I'm a pro at this."

"Maxon does." I answer. "Come here for a minute," I call Leah.

"Hold on," says America, picking up a piece of paper. "Okay, okay. 'Your Highest of Highnesses, the ladies of the Elite and Princess Katherine require, immediately, the least fancy of your cameras for..."

We laugh.

"Oh! A study in feminine diplomacy," adds Elise.

"Is that a real thing?" asks Kriss.

"Who cares?" says Celeste, tossing her wonderful hair.

About half an hour later Maxon knocks on the door of the Women's Room, opening it a crack.

"Can I come in?" he asks.

I run to the door, snatching the camera from his hand.

"No. We just want the camera." I say, slamming the door in his face.

Celeste falls to the floor laughing.

"What are you doing in there?" asks Maxon from the other side of the door.

No one can answer because we laugh so much.

Celeste shows us different poses and teaches us to 'find the right light' while taking pictures. As I sit on the sofa between Kriss and Elise, Celeste taking pictures of us, I see Mom smile. America seems to notice this too, as she picks up a hairbrush and approaches my mother.

"Hello, Lady America," Mom greets her.

"Could I brush your hair?" asks America.

Several emotions flash across her face until she says, "Of course."

Celeste keeps taking pictures of us while I discreetly watch the two of them, who are looking at us while America brushes my mother's hair. I can see them exchanging a few words, and I really wish I knew what they are saying. All I know is that at some point I see my mother's eyes water, which makes me pay even more attention to them.

Celeste stops taking pictures of us for a moment and approaches America and my mother.

 "You're so cute! Smile."

It's my turn to get tearful when I see America wrapping her arms around Mom's neck and Mom touching her hands. Celeste pulls me off the sofa and drags me over to take a picture with America and Mom. The maids have taken some pictures of us so that we can all appear together.

That was certainly one of the happiest days I've had in a long time.