Trying Hard

Chapter 9 - Cocktail

"Krist, we're leaving in five" Maddy yelled from the beginning of the stairs "What on earth are you doing that you're still up there?"

"I'm coming" I yelled back as I headed out of my room

I was dressed in a purple dress, tight, showing my curves, that reached above my knees, strapless. My feet were trapped in purple-matching high heels and my hair was curled, the top half of it pinned with hair pins same color as my hair. I had my silver lucky bracelet on, different things hanging out of it. My cheeks were slightly blushed, my full lips red and my green eyes, well, greener

"What were you— wow" Maddy said when she saw me at the top of the stairs

I smiled and went down

"You look amazing" She whispered as she spun me around

"Thanks" I looked her over "You do, too"

"Yeah, but nobody will look at me while you're there"

I blushed

"What's all the screaming?" Christopher said as he came into the hall from the living room

"Look at her" Maddy said, pointing at me

"Is it you, Krist?" He said, astound

"Come on, let's go" I said, rolling my eyes

"Mum and dad are already there. They left earlier" Maddy was telling me as we left home "And we have Claire here, to explain us how this works" She said as she jumped into the limousine

I noticed a woman sitting in front of me, blond short hair, small, on her thirties

"How it all works?" I looked at Christopher, looking for a better explanation

"Since it's your first time" Claire started talking, making me look at her "I have to explain to you a lot of things. Okay, first, the one and most important rule: act formal. It's the only thing they wanna see. As long as you don't make any rude comments, burp, you know, anything not formal, you'll be fine. Being a cocktail for work, most of the people there will only be talking about work. You surely won't have a clue what they are talking about, so just stand there, smile, and if you get really bored, excuse yourself with as much formality as you can. When you are at the door just say your surnames at the person who will be there and he will let you go in. If there is any problem just call your parents, they'll let you in. And last but not least, smile" And with that, Diego stopped the car "Okay, good luck and enjoy yourself"

We went out of the car one by one, stepping into a red carpet

"She didn't tell us anything we didn't know" I whispered to Maddy

"I know, but dad hired her" She said, shrugging

We said our names at the man who was standing in the door and let us in. It was full. There were lots of people, and, surprisingly, not much noise. Waiters were all around the place, bringing in food and drinks

"Come on, dad will want to present us" Christopher said grabbing my arm

I smiled at everyone who looked at us, politely, until we reached our parents

"Oh, there you are" They said smiling when they saw us "You look beautiful. Here, let me introduce you to James Stewart, Lilly James and Jessica Smith" The lattest reminded me of someone, but I couldn't quite put my finger in it

After we finished with all the greetings, I excused myself to go to the bathroom.

"Kristen?" I heard someone say on my way out

I turned around, face to face with the last person I expected to be here

"Jake?" I asked back "What are you doing here?"