Teen Royalty

Chapter One: Welcome to Royalty

      Most teenagers face a lot of stress. From friendships, to keeping the grades up, to homecoming and prom, many regular, average teenagers all have the same struggles. But for the young princess Lydia Martin, life is a little more complicated than that. Especially when her parents, the king and queen of Beacon Hills Kingdom, have recently gone missing after a deadly plane crash. This has left the seventeen year old in the position of being queen.
      "It'll be okay," her best friend Allison reassures her, "your parents are probably just, looking for some alone time or something. This is all probably a hoax and they'll be back within the week."
      "Just because they're missing doesn't mean they're dead," Malia chimes in.
      "Guys, I don't think any of this is helping Lydia's nerves right now," Kira says, attempting to help the queen feel better.
      "Look, they could be anywhere at this point. I would have to be queen someday, so today is as good as any to start," Lydia tells her ladies in waiting, confidence and a sense of hopefulness in her voice.
      All four girls sit in Lydia's room, styling the queens hair and picking out her outfit for the day. While the three girls saw themselves as Lydia's helpers, she saw them as her best friends.
     "But do you think you can do it on your own? I mean, you have a whole kingdom to rule here," Malia questions, wondering if Lydia thinks she can do this.
      "Well I mean I have to do this on my own, don't I? I can't just marry some random guy off the street," Lydia clarifies, hoping her friends believe in her.
      "We all think you can, Lydia. But there have been many suitors around here that we think could help you. A lot," Kira tells her.
      "I know, but none of them have stood out. Jackson was nice I guess, but overall he had an attitude to everyone that wasn't royalty. Aiden was very handsome, but seemed to have a mean streak. And Jordan, well, it seemed like a lot of secrets went on in his kingdom. Like his family was hiding a secret from him or something. I don't know. They were all nice, if we're being vague, but none of them seemed fit to run a grocery store, much less a country," Lydia explains to the girls. She had seen many men come in and out of the kingdom, hoping for her hand in marriage, but had turned them all done for one reason or another.
      "Well, it is your life Lyds. We just think your life would be easier with the help of a king," Allison states.
      "I know. But let's see how I do on my own first," Lydia responds, her hopefulness shining through.
      Soon, the queen has her hair and makeup done and she is in the most presentable dress. Lydia and the three girls head out, ready for the day. Lydia starts to feel nervous about her day, for she has to tell the people in her town that her parents are missing. The townspeople, oblivious to the fact that they are gone, always loved the king and queen. They would listen to the suggestions and recommendations of the people, and left very big shoes for Lydia to fill.
     "You can do this, Lyds. You've practiced what you're going to say a thousand times," Malia reassures, putting her hand on Lydia's shoulder.
     "I know," Lydia says, "I'm just so sad to have to tell everyone my parents are actually missing. And what if I'm not as good as they were? Everyone loves them."
      "Lydia, your parents were amazing people. And the good news is they raised an amazing daughter. The people will love you, okay? Go out there, say what you've practiced, and we will be right here for you when we get back. You got this," Allison reassures with a smile.
      "Yeah, they basically took all the words out of my mouth. Go and rock it," Kira says with a laugh.
     All four girls walk to the doors that lead to the town square. Confused murmuring is heard throughout the entire crowd. Lydia hugs her three friends, and exchange smiles with them all. As Lydia starts to open the doors, a security guard stops her.
      "Ms. Martin? We need you to come with us right now. A situation has arisen."