In My Possession

Chapter 3 You've got to be kidding me

Edited version of 2/16/13

Today was the day. I had gone through every torture. My face had been rubbed raw the night before with what Nancy called a "facial scrub" and what I called rocks. This morning she had tied me to a chair and curled my hair, burning my neck in three places. She was now doing my makeup, I had protested that I could do my own but she just said. "When you do your makeup you look like a tramp." (Love you too Nancy.) She had then stuffed me into a dress that came to my mid thigh. Luckily I always kept a change of clothes at school. I had nothing against dresses, I wore them on occasion, but I didn't want it to look like I had made an effort for the Son's and I never wore dresses that short.

When I got to school I saw most girls were in their best outfits. There were a couple of girls who looked like porcelain dolls; their makeup was so perfect, I was sure they had got it done at a salon. I quickly ran to my locker, grabbing the pair of cargo Capri’s and t-shirt. I had debated on keeping the heels my mom had forced on me but it would look weird with the rest of my outfit. So I grabbed my gold sandals and hurried to the restroom before any more people could see me. I had a reputation to upkeep and I just felt silly dressing up for some guys that I didn’t know and who would only see me for a minute. Plus I was a bit of a feminist and the idea of being inspected by boys creeped me out and disgusted me.

When I finished changing I stuffed Nancy's outfit in my backpack and headed to the bench. Jean was already there, dressed immaculately in a patterned dress that looked like it was vintage 60’s and brown wedges. Her hair was in beach waves with a smoky eye that kind of contradicted her otherwise innocent and effeminate outfit.

“Took you long enough.” Jean complained. I plopped down next to her slumping against my bag.

Jean looked at me, her back ram rod straight with her legs crossed, disapproving. “Sit up straight they could be anywhere.” She reprimanded.

I slumped over even more like a gargoyle, I got enough of that at home and I really didn’t care if I looked unladylike or shy.

“Better?” She rolled her eyes and raised her hand to smooth back a curl as she looked around to see if anyone was watching her.

“It’s not like they’re gonna care if I have bad posture.” I said, but straightening until I looked a little less sloth like. Jean just sighed.

“Well you look lovely anyways. Happy the-princes-are-coming-to-our-school day. Your hair looks different.” She said, leaning forward and catching one of my curls to inspect it.

“Nancy did it, not that I can’t curl my own hair.” I said in annoyance, “She used a straightener.”

“Well it looks good.” She said with a small smile, looking a little arrogant that I had put effort into my appearance, despite my protests.

“Hey guys, do you have a quarter?” We looked up to see Kate, our friend, standing awkwardly. She looked to be on the verge of tears, her throat working awkwardly.

“Er, yeah. Are you okay?” I asked. She immediately burst into tears and Jean threw me a ‘look what you’ve down’ look.

“N-n-no.” She blubbered, sitting in between us. I patted her back awkwardly, while Kate sobbed into her light, thick hair; her blouse was already covered in tearstain

“I d-don’t want to b-be picked.” She forced out, bringing on a whole new level of tears.

“Kate,” I started, “No offense, but you probably won’t. There’s thousands of girls here Kate.”

“I w-wanted to stay home but my-my-my mom made me come. She said that it would be an honor to be queen.” I looked over at Jean for backup but she just held out her hands in a ‘it’s all yours’ sign.

“It’s okay Kate, but if you really want you can hide in my car when they come.”  I offered with doubt. My car was famously messy and almost no one ever drove with me.

“Really?” She asked, her eyes shining as she lifted her head in hope.

“As long as you don’t mind the mess…” My voice wandered off as she crushed me in a claustrophobic hug.

“Thanks Cammie, that means a lot!” She scrambled out of my lap and started sneaking around the office windows and out into the parking lot.

“Wonder if she wants that quarter still.” I mumbled. Jean snorted and we both begin laughing. The bell interrupted us and we shuffled off to first period. The sons were supposed to visit my group during fourth period so I spent first and second period freaking out girls by screaming “There’s the son’s!” These ensued shrieks of panic as girls scrambled for lip gloss and concealor. This also got me sent to the vice principals office who yelled at me about him having better things to do.

            I counted forty-two girls who weren’t at school out of protest and I saw several boys in the courtyard sporting signs that said “Go Home” and “Keep your hands off our girls!” They were ushered into the office by a very angry female teacher who was jabbing them in the back with a ruler when they walked too slowly. By fourth period I was having a great day, fully amused by the panic and chaos of the staff and students. I almost forgot about the sons until they came in. I didn’t hear the principal announce them or hear them introduce themselves. I couldn’t tell who was the oldest but I could tell who was the youngest. He had a boyish face and looked about seventeen. His scraggly brown hair hung over his forehead almost blocking his warm brown eyes. He looked shy and a little uncomfortable and was dwarfed by the brother standing next to him.

            This brother looked sullen but arrogant, seeming unaware of the people around him. His dark hair was swept to the side and the rough angles of his face made him look wild. His eyes were so black I couldn’t tell were the pupil started. He was an exact opposite of the boy next to him. This boy had white blonde hair, carefully styled and away from his tan face. He was grinning, showing off his perfect white teeth and winking his baby blue eyes at the girls. He came off as very easy going and charismatic.

            I didn’t realize I was staring at them (though I probably wasn’t the only one, it’s not every day you meet royalty) until the middle boy, the one with the dark hair met my gaze. Without breaking gaze he whispered to the brothers beside him and they studied me with interest. The blonde boy looked overjoyed, the youngest hopeful and the dark one was curious. I dropped chin and looked down at the desk in embarrassment, to think they were whispering about the girl who was gaping at them.

“It’s her!” The blonde boy exclaimed gesturing to my frozen form, I quickly looked up with a puzzled look and glanced to see if they perhaps meant someone else.

“Erm, you would like to add her to the list?” The principal asked, clearly uncomfortable and awed to be in the presence of princes.

“No, we don’t need to do this any longer.” The dark boy explained, looking put out and dejected. “She’s the queen. It’s her.”

“You can tell the other girls we won’t need them anymore.” The youngest boy piped in, then reddened and stared at the ground..

“Er are you sure? This has never been done.” The principal whispered, wringing his hands in distress.

“It’s her.” The blonde boy repeated, gazing at me in adoration. I squirmed uncomfortably under his intense look, getting a little creeped out and anxious as their words sank in.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I said