"Too many joy rides in daddy's Jaguar
Too many white lies and white lines
Super rich kids with nothing but loose ends
Super rich kids with nothing but fake friends"
Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean

oOoOo

On my nineteenth birthday, I am woken up by Duke slobbering all over my face.

"How did you get in here?" I ask him, even though he can't reply.

"Happy birthday!" Maeve shouts from the doorway.

"Oh, that's how," I mutter.

"Mom said you need to get up. We have a big, big, big day ahead," she mocks.

Maeve literally drags me out of bed and brings me to the kitchen for breakfast.

I eat rapidly and then get ushered into my bathroom to get ready.

"What's the rush? Chill the fuck out."

"What's the rush? It's already eleven o'clock. We need to do presents before people get here at four."

My birthday party is a formal ball, held in the ballroom at the palace.

Fun, right?

It'll be a night of dancing with members of parliament and entertaining their bitchy kids. Somehow, they tend to be more stuck up than my royal friends.

At every event, I'm amazed by how ignorant some of these girls can be.

The cake is the only thing I'm looking forward to about this party.

"Okay... Your point is?"

"You need to get ready. You don't want to look like a troll at your party."

This bitch-

"Get the fuck out."

"But I'm here to help!" She gets my makeup out of my drawer and washes her hands.

She gets a makeup brush and pokes my face.

"Get. Out."

I push her out the door and lock it.

oOoOo

After curling my hair and doing my makeup, I find my family and Xander waiting in the living room.

"Joyeux anniversaire," my mom says, getting up to hug me. (Translation: Happy Birthday)

"On ne peut pas croire que tu as déjà dix-neuf ans," my dad adds. (Translation: We can't believe you're already nineteen.)

"Je ne peux pas non plus." (Translation: I can't either)

Xander rises to give me a kiss on the cheek.

My mother sighs wistfully from the couch.

I go to open my presents.

I get a bracelet from Xander. It matches the pendant he gave me for Christmas.

Maeve gets me a blanket with her face all over it. As a real present, I get new black Lululemon leggings.

My parents give me a large jewelry collection that has been passed down through our family for generations. I'm instructed to wear the tiara and earrings tonight.

"Thank you, guys."

I clasp one of the bracelets around my wrist.

"You're welcome," my mom responds as she cleans up the bags and ripped wrapping paper.

I get an incoming FaceTime call from Kaden. I quickly decline it and send him a text to let him know I'll call him in a minute.

"My bo-" I shake my head. "My friend is FaceTiming me. May I be excused?"

Maeve gives me a knowing look. 'That was close,' she mouths

"Sure, take your time. Remember, the party starts in an hour," my mom says.

oOoOo

I call Kaden back once I reach my room.

He picks up on the first ring.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart!" He shouts.

I wince and turn my volume down.

"Thank you!"

"How does it feel to be nineteen?"

"It feels the same as eighteen."

There's a pause where neither of us talks. He takes time to look at me, while I stare at him.

"You look beautiful as always. Are you doing anything special today?"

"Just another boring dinner party thing."

"Try not to get drunk and remember to keep the Friends references to yourself," he smirks, remembering the story I told him last month.

"Very funny," I say, unamused.

He laughs at my unimpressed face.

"So what's new with you? We haven't talked much these past few days."

"I've been hanging out with some friends from high school," he says. "I'm sorry for being so distant. I've been helping a friend with a hard time. My mom also dragged me to help at her bakery for a few days."

"That's cool. I didn't know she's a baker."

"Yeah, she owns an Italian bakery in my hometown. It's kinda like Mikes's in the North End."

"Ooh, you'll have to bring me some time."

"Definitely. You're always welcome at my house too. My grandma and mom have been bugging me about meeting you," he groans. "My grandparents want to stay in Mass for a little longer just so they can meet you."

I laugh. "That's cute. Maybe we can do something once the semester starts."

"Just three more days," he sighs. "I can't wait to see you."

"Me too."

We stare at each other in peaceful silence for a moment.

"Since I'm not there for your birthday, I'm going to take you out somewhere fancy next weekend," he pipes up.

"You don't have to do anything."

"I want to spoil you."

"Aww," Maeve says.

I turn my head so fast, I almost get whiplash.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?"

She's leaning on the wall right next to my door.

"Nothing. You're the one who has something wrong."

I throw a pillow at her.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Just a few minutes."

"Do I need to teach you how to knock again?" I groan.

I hear Kaden laughing.

"It's not funny," I tell him with a fake stern look before turning back to Maeve.

"Mom said people are getting here soon. You should probably hang up."

She disappears back to whatever hole she crawled out of.

"Well, I need to go. I'll talk to you later."

I blow him a kiss. He pretends to catch it.

"Bye, sweetheart. Happy birthday!"

I hang up.

I walk to my closet and slip on the midnight blue dress that has been picked out for me.

oOoOo

Thirty minutes later, the guests begin to arrive.

The ballroom is flooded with politicians and the rich.

It's definitely not my ideal birthday, but I'm used to stuffy parties.

"Welcome, everyone. Thank you for celebrating Katherine's nineteenth birthday with us," my father says into a microphone.

He raises his champagne glass. "Please join us in wishing a happy birthday to Kate."

Everyone in the room pauses and raises their glass.

Xander grabs my hand and leads me to the dance floor. We get stopped by people wishing me a happy birthday along the way.

We sway to the music for a few songs. I would much rather be dancing with Kaden right now. But, beggars can't be choosers.

"Want to go out on the balcony, sweetheart?"

It takes every cell in my body to not visibly cringe.

Sweetheart is for Kaden and Kaden only to say.

It sounds weird coming from Xander.

I nod and he leads me to the balcony. I stand near the edge and overlook the gardens.

I can sense Xander observing me.

I'm uncomfortable and deliberately avoiding looking in his direction. I'm practically a pro at avoiding eye contact.

"So, how are you liking the party?" He says after a moment of silence.

"It's alright. It could be better, but it could also be a lot worse. I'm not complaining." I shrug. I continue looking at the rise bushes and illuminated fountain.

More awkward silence.

It makes me wish Kaden were here.

Just sixty-three more hours until I can see his face. It's sixty-three hours too many in my opinion.

Just as I'm about to make an excuse to go back inside, I hear the door open.

Turning around, I see the Prime Minster's snotty daughter, Brittany. She's dressed in an atrocious pastel dress.

Kill me now.

"Kate, it's so great to see you," she squeals as she gives me a hug.

I grimace as I smell her over-the-top perfume. She smells like an Abercrombie store.

"It's great to see you too."

Xander crinkles his nose and slowly backs away, leaving me alone with her. Dick.

"I love your dress. The color looks amazing with your skin tone," she gushes.

Wish I could say the same about yours; pastel pink does not suit her.

"I like yours too. The pastel looks beautiful on you."

"Thank you. Daddy used his connections to get it custom made."

I flash her a fake grin.

"I haven't seen you in so long! How have you been, girl? We used to be so close," she says.

No, we weren't friends.

You were the one who sold me out to the press to be on Good Morning Amaria as 'Princess Katherine's best friend.'

"College has been fun. I've enjoyed living in the States and meeting people there. My friends don't even care about my title," I respond, unable to resist the subtle dig.

She nods before switching the subject. "Our days at Stonewall Academy were the best. I was just thinking about the time we partied with the rugby team at the pool."

I'm genuinely surprised it's taken her this long to bring up high school. Since she peaked in high school, it's her favorite thing to talk about.

"Yeah that was fun," I respond, not taking the bait. She merely wants the opportunity to talk about hooking up with the captain of the rugby team.

I've already heard countless stories of that night. All of them make her out to be an idiot.

"Anyway, being in University is fun too. Daddy got me a luxurious apartment. It's been great for parties and drinking if you know what I mean." She winks dramatically. "It also has made me the go-to girl at school for alcohol and fun!"

I smile at her.

I swear she's just in school to party and spend daddy's money.

"Brittany, it was great talking to you, but I should really get back to my party," I say to end this painful conversation.

The only thing faker than this girl is her boobs.

"Okay. Happy birthday. I'll come find you later with some of our other friends."

Our friends? We didn't even hang out together...

She looks around and leans in to whisper, "Well, everyone but Jessica. We don't like her since she got that ugly nose job."

I remember Brittany used to be a two-sided bitch at Stonewall.

Looks like nothing has changed.

Well, her face has changed from the plastic surgery, but that doesn't count.

I politely smile and go back inside.

oOoOo

As soon as I get back inside, I run into Juliet.

"There you are!" She exclaims, throwing her hands up in the air.

"Here I am," I echo.

"We've been looking for you. It's time to cut the cake."

Before I can say anything, she grabs my arm and whisks me to the front of the room.

I am told to stand behind an empty table. My father gets everyone's attention as a chef rolls out a three-tiered cake. It's elegant and simple, with a few frosted roses and a white paisley design on the sides.

Everyone sings happy birthday to me and I blow out the candle.

A knife is placed in my hand and I cut a slice.

People get in line for their own slices.

After the cake is served, my father comes to where I am sitting.

"You and Xander are going to have a dance in a few minutes."

What is this, a wedding reception?

"Um, why?" We've already danced.

"For pictures. You're the guest of honor, and people want to see you dance with your date."

He gives me a stern look, warning me against arguing.

I sigh. He takes it as acquiescence and walks away.

Xander reappears and offers me his hand.

We make our way to the dance floor.

The remaining dancers go to sit down, leaving us alone on the floor.

We begin to dance.

"Loosen up," he whispers in my ear.

I scoff lightly. "How? There are hundreds of people watching us."

"Just ignore them."

Easier said than done...

"Sorry, but I just can't stop thinking about how much this resembles a wedding," I whisper furiously, maintaining my smile.

He processes this for a second.

"You're right." He breathes out a laugh.

"It's not funny!" I protest. I subtly smack his chest.

"Think of it as practice for our wedding."

Nope. We are never ever getting married.

Luckily, the song ends before I can say something to embarrass myself.

I take the opportunity to lead him off the dance floor, effectively concluding this conversation.

I quickly ditch him and spend the rest of the night with Maeve and Elle.

oOoOo

Thanks for reading chapter 23! As always, leave a vote and comment if you liked it!

Next chapter, Kate will be back in Boston!

I finished outlining this book. This chapter is about halfway through the book. I'm planning on having 46 ish parts total (prologue, 44 chapters, and epilogue). There might be a sequel coming, but I'm not sure yet. Lmk if you are interested in one

I wrote this chapter on 11/20. I can't believe I've written over 65k words in less than a month 😂