Royally Normal

1

There's something magical about New York City in the winter.

I love the Christmas lights, the holiday decorations, and the endless seasonal food specials. But walking to school in the freezing cold? That I could do without.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Gosh, I really didn't feel like doing school today. But there were only two more days until Christmas break. Everyone was in coast-mode—except Mr. Young, who thought it'd be fun to assign a project instead of a regular midterm. A project Sam and I hadn't even started. And, naturally, it was due tomorrow.

I sighed. Yeah, I had to go to school.

Dragging myself out of bed, I shuffled to the bathroom. I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and took my hair out of the bonnet. One thing I actually liked about December was getting a silk press and not having to worry about humidity ruining it. Small wins, I guess.

As I grabbed my slippers, I realized something: the usual chaos from my thirteen-year-old sister scrambling to get ready was oddly absent. She was definitely oversleeping, and if Mom had already tried to wake her, she was toast.

I headed to her door, which had a sparkly "A" and a sign reading I'm probably sleeping. Accurate.

Flipping on the light, I said, "Ariella, it's way past time to get up."

She rose dramatically, like a vampire, and glared at me. "I'm not going to school today."

Leaning against the doorframe, I crossed my arms. "Why?"

She coughed—badly faked. "I'm sick."

"You're so full of it." I raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Hot rag trick? Tossed it in the hamper before Mom could check, leaving her to feel your warm forehead?"

Ari smirked. "I learned from the best. But seriously, what's the point? No tests, and I couldn't care less about the Christmas play. Netflix and bed sound way better. You know she won't make me go this close to break."

I shrugged. "Fair. But wait till next year. You'll be swamped with tests in high school."

"Future Ari's problem," she said, flopping back down. "Have a good day, Bean."

Bean. The nickname had stuck for my entire life because I was a tiny "bean" at birth. It could've been worse—Ari's nicknames were Goose or Goober, thanks to her childhood obsession with geese.

I headed back to my room to get dressed. White button-down, plaid skirt, stockings, school-approved sweatshirt, and my Docs. Standard uniform.

Downstairs, I greeted everyone at the kitchen island. "Morning. Where's Dad?"

"He's taking the day off to bring Ari to the doctor," Mom said, placing a plate of eggs and toast in front of me. "And then we're off to see Ace in her Christmas play."

Angelina, the youngest Winston and resident second-grade star, beamed. "Gracie Holmer got the flu, so now I'm Mary."

"Look at you, main character," I teased. "Miss Thang herself as the mother of Jesus."

Mom smiled. "How are you getting to school? Metro, taxi, or the Fitzgeralds?"

"Fitzgeralds," I said, glancing at my watch. "They should be here soon."

I scrolled through social media until Sammy texted me: We're outside.

Grabbing my bag, I called out, "Bye, Mary! Perform like you're on Broadway!"

Outside, a black Cadillac Escalade waited. The window rolled down, revealing Cole Fitzgerald's smirking face.

"Took you long enough," he said.