American Princess

Chapter One

The sun breaks through my curtains and I feel the rays hit my eyes. I don't want to wake up. I don't want to wake up. Waking up is a task for me. Unfortunately it's the only one where I am not bombarded with people in my face telling me what to do. When I put my two feet on the ground that's when the day will start. When I put my feet on the ground my assistant will come in through the door  and inform me of what my day is going to be today down to the last minute. It's not so bad, I get followed everywhere I go everything I say is chopped up and studied down to the tiniest detail. I was born for this. I was breed for this. I yawn and look out at my curtains my clock on the left side of my bed read 7:30. That's my que.

I put my feet down and let the day begin. Immediately after doing so Amber walks in , my assistant. Dressed in her usual fashion, a soft pink long sleeve blouse with black pants and sky high stiletto heels that could kill. She's pretty, most of the women on staff here are pretty, but she is a different breed. Graduated out of Harvard majoring in humanities so she had no chance from the get go, started working her way through P.A's jobs for CEO's all the way to the presidents daughter. She is a modern day Lady in Waiting, with a suit. This is how my day always starts her walking in and giving me my itinerary.
"Juliet you have breakfast in twenty minutes and then promptly at 9 sharp Vanity Fair is going to pop through the doors and have a photoshoot, that will end at 11. Mind you that doesn't mean you don't have a full day." She says while writing down notes on her iPad. "You have an education speaking engagements in Virginia and then dinner with people from a retirement home then off back to the White House." She says sternly.
"Any questions?" She says glancing up at me.

"No." I squeal as she walks out and yells "Ten minutes then I am sending Karfer in!" Karfer is a secret service agent who scares the living hell out of me. Dark, quiet and big enough to lift a building. He is menacing and all around scary dude.
I go into my bathroom and take a shower. I begin to dry my hair and brush it. I look at myself in the mirror and I see a younger version of my mother. My skin is pale, very pale which contrasts with my dark brown hair which reaches just below my shoulder. Just like my mother. Unlike her green eyes I have my fathers gray ones and his nose which is it. Pink flushed cheeks and hollowed cheeks trademarks of my mother.

I go to my bed and sprawled out for me is my clothes for the day. A white skirt that comes to my waist and right above my knee. A lavender shirt with a soft gray cardigan. My out armor for the day. I manage to get it on and walk out the door under ten minutes. I walk out and get ready for the day ahead. Bracing myself for the upcoming duties that I have been breed for. I tell myself that everyday. My life isn't mine, it's theirs. I was never made for myself.

The camera crew walks in and spends the next hour doing my makeup and telling me to pose and smile. I can barely manage a smile with my face being weighed down with the foundation , concealer bronzer and contouring which ironically is supposed to make me look like I am not wearing makeup.

The rest of my day is more of the same. Cameras, smiles and day to greeting with slight pleasant conversation. I go back to bed exhausted and showered. This is my life. I am only supposed to be seen not heard. I am not a person I am an object put out on display. I am the face of the nation.
"You know if you keep looking like you want to kill everyone here people are going to report on it for the next week." A voice says next me. I look over and am taken aback. This boy who was tall as can be with softly tanned skin. His eyes brooding and brown, has a mischievous smile. His dark hair is brushed and his suit is tight around his arms. His brooding muscles make it hard for things to fit I suppose. His mere presence near me is enough to bring my cheeks to blush.

"My name is Mason Lancaster, Ms. Henderson nice to meet you." He says, hand out ready for me to shake.

"My name is Juliet, you can call me Juliet Mr. Lancaster." I say hesitantly. He half smiles and rubs his thumb over my knuckle every so slightly and lets go. My heart skips a beat. That has never happened before.

"If I can call you by your first name then you can call me by mine." He chuckles and takes a step back. " My father is -"

"James Lancaster, runs electricity and oil." I blurt out. Shoot now he is going to think I am a creep.

"Ah so you do know who I am. Study up much?" He says. In actuality his family has been burned into my mind as one of the richest people on the planet and most manipulative. My father warned me they have probably as much power and influence as he does.

"I am well vexed in people who have the money to buy a country." I say sipping my Shirley Temple. His eyes look me up and down and he leans in closer to me. I hold my breath and feel my ears radiating heat.

"I am sure you are." He is near me to the point where Karfer walks up near us. He towers over him and looks him down with is death stare.

"We are fine Agent Karfer." I say and he still stands intimidatingly close. Mason chuckles and looks at me. "It was nice meeting you Juliet." He says with that mischievous smile.

"Yes it was, I hope we can meet again." I say on autopilot. My usual goodbye to people, I didn't want him to think he has made my insides melt, my incessant blushing gave away how timid I am. "Oh I promise I'll see you again." He says and walks away and starts walking toward a crowd of people. The room starts to blur and all I see is a tunnel vision around him. He is the essence of-- why am I being distracted by this I am on duty. I look over at Karfer and say "Let's go home."

He nods and gives a signal to the other agents. I begin to walk with them towards the car wondering what the next day will bring.