Mirror, Mirror

Chapter 1: The Birthday Party

It was around nine in the morning when I finally got up and showered. I pulled on a comfy sweater and some old, worn-in jeans, knowing that all too soon I would have to change into my expensive party dress and spend the rest of this beautiful day at my fifteenth birthday party with my "friends." Well, some of them were friends, but most were famous millionares' kids. They were invited because I had to invite them. Because I was Cassandra Bern, and my dad was the inventor of the Razor X franchise.

Razor X had bought out Apple about ten years ago and my dad was a multi-billionaire. The company produced millions of six-ounce cell phones and slim, fast desktop computers. And of course that meant that I, the beautiful fifteen-year-old daughter of Ray Bern, was constantly the center of America's attention.

I had been unwillingly nicknamed "America's Princess" by the public. And of course, my parents thought it was an amazing idea to go along with what the public wanted and constantly be stuffing me into ballgowns, forcing me to take dancing lessons, and letting me be interviewed. I wouldn't describe myself as a tomboy, but I definitely hated being a princess.

But still, every day I got up in the morning, perfected my fake, yet glowing smile in front of my bathroom mirror, and went out to try and please everyone to make sure my dad's company looked good. And today was no different.

"Cass!" I heard my mother call from downstairs.

"Coming!" I yelled back. I sighed into the mirror, and then trudged down the stairs.

"Cass, honey, what are you wearing? You need to get prepped for the party!" my mother said worriedly.

"I know, just threw some old clothes on. I'm going to the spa right after," I said patiently. I picked up a bagel and began to spread my favorite honey butter on it.

"Oh, Cassie, do you know how much fat is in that? I bought you low fat spread, dear!"

"Mom, do I always have to be counting calories? I love this honey butter," I complained.

My mother sighed and began tapping away at her shiny phone with her obnoxiously long fingernails. "You know today is extremely important for your father, Cass. It's not only your birthday..."

"...but also the revealing of the new Razor X6, Mom. I know, you only told me about fifty thousand times!"

"Alright, dear. You should head off to the spa; you don't want to keep Janice waiting," she said.

I picked up my bagel and began to walk to the spa...inside our house. I felt really awkward having such a huge house. It was almost annoying. Yesterday I had gotten lost in my own house for the hundredth time. I stopped in front of the spa door and hesitated...I never looked forward to being tugged, yanked, and squeezed before parties.

Janice pulled open the door for me, however, and hugged me. "Hey there, Princess! How are you?"

"Just fine, Janice. And you?"

"Oh, great. Better now that you're here! Let's see...today we're waxing legs, underarms, eyebrows, and upper lip...moisturizing, scrubbing, and most importantly relaxing! Do you need your hair trimmed?"

"No, my hair is fine, thanks," I said.

"Well, why don't we get started then!"

I spent the next two and a half hours getting prepped, and then Savannah came in and did my hair and makeup for 45 minutes, and finally Johan came in and got me in my dress and accessories. It was 12:30 before I even exited the spa, and the party started at one. So I had a half-hour to wander in my uncomfortable dress and heels.

I was interrupted in the art gallery by one of a few friendly faces. "Hey Andi," teased Joven, the president's son. Yes, the President. As in the President of the USA.