The Converse Princess

13- Almost Christmas

      There's a week and a half until Christmas, and I haven't heard anything from my friends. I didn't even know if they were coming anymore, and if they were why hadn't they called?

The castle, whatever it's actually called, was being decorated today, and grandmother had put me in charge of half the things. I stared at the list she gave me, frowning as my maids picked my clothes for me, seeing as how stressed I was. My phone beebed, but it was only mum asking how things were.

Clothes were thrown at me ruffly, and I scowled at Derek. "Stop scowling and mopping and get ready. You're in charge of a lot and if you want to make a good first-impression then get up. Lets go! We're running out of time here," Derek was shaking his head at my tired state.

The past few days- weeks- had been tiring. Between dance lessons, paper work, looking over one to many things, stressing over my friends and little to no sleep meant I was ready for a coma nap. Derek left the closet, and I had changed quickly. The maids, or whoever picked out my clothes did a good job; a white shirt and blue jeans with black ballet flats, relitivaley me. I tied my hair up, and quickly moved down the many levels to start setting things up.

      Maids and workers were already spread around, some carrying platters and boxes and decorations and lights, and others walking around with their own lists and mumbling about food. I smiled, standing on the sixth last gold stair and clapped my hands a few times, gaining everyone's attention.

      "Alrighty! Listen up everyone! We've got only a few days to get everything set up before our guests start arriving. So, lets get the lights up, garlands strung and the tree up too!" I yelled, laughing as some guys mock-saluted me.

      People were buzzing around, listening to the orders I threw left and right. Soon I was distracted by some workers calling my outside to see how I wanted things done. A maid handed me a coat, smiling softly until I left to go outside. Everything was covered in a thick layer of snow, and some past gardeners were already shovelling. Things weren't all to different from Canada here in England.

      I was pointing up and down, telling them where things needed to go and how lights should be strung. Derek had decided to help, and was on a ladder now helping pin the lights up. It was slippery, and when he fell I couldn't not hold back a laugh. Derek stood, wiping the snow from his hair and shoulders before making a snow ball and chucking it at me. I scowl, balling up my own fist of snow and throwing it at him.

        Soon it's a full on war; him and I leading a bunch of maids and workers in a full on fight. Harry had stepped out of the building at one point when a ball of ice and snow hit a window, and got a ball right in his face. Everyone was laughing and I shrugged sheepishly, inside screaming 'boo-ha!'

      But soon the fun ended, everyone going back to what they were doing. I stood next to Derek, wondering how the Rose was doing in such extreme weather. "How's the rose holding up?"

      He looks down at me, before looking back up at the lights. "Good, under all the vines there's this glass cage surrounding it, to keep it safe from the weather. The vines kinda just grew around, and it looks better than the glass ever did." He cupped his hands around his mouth. "Alright! Come on down, lets light it up!"

      Someone ran over to the plug in, held up a thumb, and pressed a button, lighting the whole outer castle up. I smiled, sighing in relief that not even one bulb was broken. Derek swung an arm around my shoulders, smiling widely. "You did good. Get some rest, it's been a busy day and you still have tomorrow."

      I nod, moving away and walking back to my rooms- ordering food and sending a smile at Derek.

---

      The next morning was cold, like really cold for some reason. And my bed felt heavy, like someone was sitting on it. My sleep-suspicions were real, considering someone jumped onto me and started laughing as I started wheezing.

      My eyes snap open, glaring at the familiar faces that I haven't seen in what? Two months possibly? Maya's face appeared over mine, along with Adrian's as they were smiling widely.

      "Morning sunshine!" They shout.

      I groan, turning back over and shoving my face into my green Slytherin pillow. "Haven't you heard that a Princess needs beauty sleep? Jeez." I mutter. They all laugh, and only then do I realize my male friends are here as well.

      I jump up, looking around, eyes wide. Josh, Aaron, and Isaac are all looking at me like I'm some funny joke. Boys. And then Demi taps my shoulder, whispering in my ear, "You're barely wearing anything, y'know."

      She was right. All I had in was a sports bra, a think tank top and some grey sweat pants with the Harry Potter snitch on the side. "Oh god," I mutter, flinging myself up and to my closet, yelling at them to stay where they are.

      I hear their laughs as I change in one of the many dresses in my closet; a pale, pasty blue colour, and some white flats. As I'm brushing my hair the laughing stops, and it's very, very silent. "Guys...?" I question, walking back into the room.

      Derek and all of my friends were staring back at each other, the boys glaring at Derek. I laugh awkwardly. "Kaylin who are these people?" Derek almost sneers, glaring at them.

      "No, Kaylin who is he?" Isaac actually sneered. I rolled my eyes at their behaviour.

      "Isaac, this is Derek; my advisor. Derek this is Isaac, my- uh, I don't know what we are." I said, very blunt like. "Anyways, these are my friends from home. Is there something you needed Derek?"

"Yes, actually," he turned to me slowly, pulling another sheet of paper from his pocket. "You have food tasting today, desert tasting, dress fittings, tree decorating and dance lessons. You start in the dining room in ten minutes. I recommend we go now."

I sigh, turning to my friends with a small smile. "Sorry guys, we'll have to hang out later. My grandmother left me in charge of a lot and I can't dismiss it. I'll see you later though! Bye!"

I felt bad for not hanging with them. They came all the way across the world to see me and I can't even talk with them. Derek nudges me. "Hey it's fine. They're here for more than a week. And this is important, we can't put it off."

Derek was right. I had duties now that came first, and as sad as I was to say it; my friends came second.