Mr. Americana and The Heartbreak Princess

4

Juliette stood in front of the mirror in her room, her fingers brushing over the hem of her black sundress. It was simple but sleek, hitting just above the knee and leaving her shoulders bare. Her hair was pinned up in a way that looked effortless, though it had taken more time than she wanted to admit. She tugged at the strap of her sandal, adjusting it before slipping the wooden horse into her small bag. She wasn't sure why she brought it, but it felt like an anchor in the chaos of these events.

"Juliette, we're leaving!" Caroline's voice carried through the house, sharp and impatient.

"I'm coming!" Juliette snapped, grabbing her bag and heading downstairs. Caroline stood near the door in a pale blue dress that practically screamed perfection, her blonde hair smooth and immaculate. Rose Cameron was beside her, chatting animatedly about some charity event, while Sarah stood to the side, looking as bored as Juliette felt.

"Nice of you to join us," Caroline said, giving Juliette a once-over. "At least you dressed appropriately."

"Don't sound so surprised," Juliette said, brushing past her mother. She caught Sarah's eye, and the two shared a fleeting smirk. If anyone understood the suffocating expectations of being a Kook, it was Sarah Cameron.

The Cameron estate was buzzing with activity when they arrived. Guests milled about the perfectly manicured gardens, sipping champagne and exchanging compliments that didn't sound sincere. Lanterns hung from the trees, casting a warm glow over the crowd as soft music played in the background. Rose greeted them at the entrance, her polished smile faltering slightly when she saw Juliette.

"Juliette," Rose said, her tone teetering between polite and wary. "Lovely to see you."

Juliette returned the smile with equal insincerity. "Rose. Always a pleasure."

Caroline gave her a subtle nudge, a silent warning to behave. Juliette sighed and drifted further into the garden, letting her mother and Rose fall into conversation. She passed groups of familiar faces—Topper and Kelce laughing too loudly, Wheezie darting around with a group of younger girls, and Sarah leaning against a table, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else.

Juliette joined Sarah without a word, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. "You look thrilled to be here," Juliette said, raising her glass.

Sarah smirked. "And you don't?" She glanced at Juliette's dress. "You clean up well, though. I'll give you that."

"Don't get used to it," Juliette replied, taking a sip. "Where's your brother?"

Sarah rolled her eyes. "Probably sulking somewhere or pretending he owns the place."

As if on cue, Rafe appeared across the garden, his usual swagger intact. He was dressed sharply, but the faint scowl on his face gave him away. He spotted Juliette almost immediately, his blue eyes narrowing slightly before he started walking toward her.

"Speak of the devil," Sarah muttered before slipping away.

Rafe stopped a few feet from Juliette, his hands in his pockets and his smirk firmly in place. "Durand. Didn't think you'd actually show."

"Cameron," she replied, her tone flat. "Didn't think you'd care."

"I don't," he said, though his smirk said otherwise. He looked her over, his gaze lingering just a moment too long. "Nice dress."

Juliette tilted her head, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Careful, Rafe. That almost sounded like a compliment."

"Don't get used to it," he shot back, his smirk sharpening.

Juliette stepped closer, closing the gap between them just enough to make him tense. She reached out, brushing her fingers lightly along the edge of his collar, as if adjusting it. "You know," she said softly, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, "if you spent half as much time trying to be charming as you do trying to intimidate people, you might actually be tolerable."

Rafe's jaw tightened, his smirk faltering for just a second. "And if you spent less time pretending you're above all this, you might actually have some fun."

Juliette leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But where's the fun in that?"

She pulled back, her eyes locking on his with a glint of amusement. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her hips swaying slightly as she disappeared into the crowd. Rafe didn't move, his hands still in his pockets, but his expression had shifted—his usual confidence cracked, just enough to show the frustration she always managed to provoke.

Sarah reappeared at his side, raising an eyebrow as she watched Juliette vanish. "She got you good, didn't she?"

"Shut up, Sarah," Rafe muttered, draining the rest of his drink.

Juliette slipped further into the garden after leaving Rafe behind, the distant hum of music and laughter fading as she found solace near the trellis-covered alcove at the far end of the estate. The party was still visible, a sea of lights and perfectly curated chaos, but she needed space from it—and from him.

She wasn't alone for long.

"Let me guess," a voice called behind her. "Rafe got under your skin again?"

Juliette turned to see Sarah Cameron stepping out of the shadows, her wine glass catching the soft glow of the lanterns. Her golden hair was loosely tied back, her dress elegant but relaxed, as if she didn't care much for the effort but still managed to look stunning. She was every bit the Kook princess, but there was something in her eyes—tired, exasperated—that made Juliette pause.

"Under my skin?" Juliette replied smoothly. "Please. He's too predictable for that."

Sarah smirked, walking closer. "Really? Because he looked like someone had just sucker-punched him."

Juliette shrugged, leaning back against the vine-covered wall. "Not my fault he can't handle a little reality."

Sarah chuckled softly, standing a few feet away. "What did you even say to him?"

Juliette raised an eyebrow. "You didn't hear? You must not have been paying attention."

Sarah crossed her arms, her smirk widening. "You're good at dodging questions, aren't you?"

Juliette let out a low laugh, brushing her hair over her shoulder. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just more fun to keep you guessing."

Sarah studied her for a moment, her expression shifting from playful to curious. "You're different," she said finally, her voice softer now. "Not like the rest of them."

Juliette tilted her head, a hint of challenge in her eyes. "And what are you, Sarah? Just another Cameron?"

Sarah hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Not by choice," she said finally. "Rose made sure of that."

The mention of Rose caught Juliette's attention. She had always found Sarah's stepmother insufferable, the perfect combination of fake charm and passive-aggressive judgment. She hadn't realized Sarah felt the same way.

"Let me guess," Juliette said, her tone light but sharp. "She's the reason you're stuck at this circus."

Sarah smirked faintly, swirling the wine in her glass. "One of many reasons. You?"

"My mom," Juliette admitted, her voice tinged with annoyance. "Apparently, I'm still her little project."

"That explains the dress," Sarah said, gesturing toward Juliette's outfit. "Though, I have to say, you wear it better than most of them."

Juliette couldn't help but laugh. "Is that your way of trying to get on my good side?"

"Is it working?" Sarah shot back, her smirk returning.

"Maybe," Juliette said, pushing off the wall and stepping closer. "But don't get ahead of yourself. I don't make friends easily."

"Good," Sarah said, raising her glass in a mock toast. "Neither do I."

For a moment, the two of them just stood there, the distant noise of the party blending with the rustle of leaves in the breeze. It wasn't exactly the start of a friendship, but it was something—an understanding, perhaps, or the beginning of a truce.

"See you around, Durand," Sarah said finally, turning and walking back toward the party.

Juliette watched her go, a small smile tugging at her lips. Maybe Sarah Cameron wasn't as unbearable as she'd thought.