The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)
Chapter 34

Summer comes quickly.

Not like I noticed, every day felt the same. Yet, somehow worse than the one before.

Kat, Grey, and I converge in the living room in our wing. Lilian and Keri are waiting there.

"Hey, Lilian." I didn't see her all May.

"Cassandra, you're looking sickly." She remarks.

"You should have seen me in March." I sit on an empty sofa.

Kat walks in soon after and the briefing starts.

"This summer, you will continue carrying out your duties." Keri starts. "On the 5th, you will officially begin."

She lists out our functions, but conveniently leaves mine out.

"Am I going out at all this summer? Not like I want to or anything." I quickly add.

"Your first public appearance is July 1st, you can continue as normal then," Keri explains.

I scoff softly.

Keri ignores that and carries on.

"June 12th, Princess Cassandra's 17th birthday." She starts. "Something small, close friends only. We've already compiled a guest list."

I get a notification on my phone. I click it and the list of a hundred people comes on. I scroll through it aggressively. "Who are these people?"

"Your father gave his stamp of approval on the list."

"I know like, five of these people," I'm scrolling through the list. "Arin's not even on it."

Keri tuts. "Yes, we decided that it's best if you're not seen publicly with him."

"Wow."

"With his grandfather's politics, let's just leave it be." She smiles. "But Tristan Oisin's on it."

I look through the list again. Some of my friends from school are here. Axel, Paisley, Michelle, Ryan. "Derek?"

"He is your classmate. And he's in the same club as you." Keri says.

"Sara? She destroyed my life." I shout.

"Saraline Peters is your best friend." Keri reprimands. "That's good considering her background. The public would love that friendship. You don't have to talk to her at the party. We just need one picture."

"She's never gonna come."

"Yes, she will." Lilian intervenes. "I gave her the invitation a few days ago when she submitted her scholarship renewal application. She'll be there."

I heave a big sigh. "Who are the other people on the list?"

"Politicians kids your age, younger celebrities, leading people in their fields. Everyone on the list is 22 or below." Keri continues.

I drop my tablet on the chair beside me and clear my throat. "Yeah, whatever."

"The party will be held in the East event room. It will take place from 5 till 10 pm. Dent and I are handling all the preparations. It will..."

I put my headphones on and stop listening then.

When I open my eyes, I see Keri giving me a mean look. She ignores me and moves on to the next part of the briefing.

I rest my head on the sofa and close my eyes again.

***

I'm wearing a blue floral dress that stops an inch over my knees. It's spaghetti strapped with little bows at the top.

It's snug around my bust and flows from my waist down. I apply minimal makeup, and wear simple earrings and black heels.

"That is not the dress Keri selected," Kat says when she sees me.

I hum in response.

She loops her arm in mine and we walk downstairs together.

I step inside the party and the flashes almost blind me.

The hall has been decorated to look like a club. I'm surprised Freya okayed this.

"Happy Birthday," a collective yell.

Grey steps forward with a drink. "Congratulations, my dear dear sister, you have officially reached Aldean drinking age." He hands me the glass.

I finish the fruity champagne in one gulp and everyone cheers.

That makes me laugh.

"Happy Birthday." Michelle tackles me in a hug. I'm surprised she did that. She detests spotlights.

"Hey," I hug her back. "I have not seen you in months. I missed you so much."

"Cassandra."

I turn to my side and Tristan is making his way to me.

He's wearing a slim black wool sweater with a button-up underneath. Brown pants with black and white sneakers. His hair is styled to perfection, and his blue eyes sparkle under the makeshift club lights.

He steps closer and I get a whiff of his cologne.

I'm instantly drawn back to our relationship last year. All those nights spent lying next to him, kissing him, loving him. I remember when we first met. My instant attraction and obsession with him. That was almost two years ago.

"Hey, Tristan." I hold Michelle in my arms and smile at him.

"You look well." He gives me an appraising look.

Photographers never stop taking pictures.

"Thanks." I turn my smile to Michelle. "Come on, let's get you to a table before you pass out."

She smiles in appreciation. "It's a miracle I'm still standing."

We walk away to a table and guards appear to throw the photographers out.

They'll be back. But for the next thirty minutes, I'm safe.

"Princess Cassandra." A guy shoves his camera phone in my face. "Happy Birthday."

Or not.

I replace a table and Michelle settles next to me.

Axel, Paisley, and Ryan appear next.

"Happy Birthday," Ryan smiles.

"Hey, are you guys enjoying my party?"

"It's better than your cousin's last year," Paisley says.

My smile is forced. "I should make my rounds."

I leave the table and walk around the party. It doesn't take long till I'm accosted.

This time by someone I'm obsessed with. "You're Ria Tia," I say to the young woman in front of me. "I love your music."

She smiles and pats her waist-length braids. "I cannot believe that, your Highness."

"I do." I smile. "I swear I listen to you every day. You're my most played artist."

"I have to use that in my next interview."

That makes me laugh.

I leave her and walk around the room, thanking everyone for coming. I don't know who they are, luckily they're more than happy to introduce themselves.

"Miles." I hug him. "It's been a year. Where have you been?"

He's dressed in drawstring pants, a t-shirt, and a big black jacket over that. "Military school. One more year to go."

"You and Kat." I laugh.

"Speaking of Kat, do you know where she is?"

"She's here somewhere. I think she ran off with the guy she's been seeing secretly."

"Aww, I didn't know he was here."

"You know who he is?"

He zips his lips and walks away.

I walk further around and run into a semi-familiar face.

"I thought I saw your name on the list."

Sterling's brown hair is untidy, his brown eyes a little red under his glasses and he looks like he's about to sneeze.

"Are you alright?"

He nods his head.

I take his hand and drag him to the set-up bar.

We sit on stools.

"What happened to you?"

He takes a deep breath. "Some popstars were taking this bright yellow pill in the corner and they asked me if I wanted one."

I can't stifle my laughter. "I think you're on something."

"No shit." He squints his forehead. "I am so sorry for saying that. Please don't get your uncle to kill me."

I ask the bartender for water and give it to him. He empties the glass. "I wish I knew what I took."

I scan the crowd and replace Ria Tia talking to a group not far from here. I wave her over.

She laughs and walks over. "My number one fan."

"Hey, a quick favour. He took a yellow pill from some singers a while ago and he's freaking out."

Ria laughs. "Oh, my... Um, that was probably a Jarbin. We take them before concerts for an energy boost. They are completely safe."

I fish out my phone and look them up. They're concentrated Ghale pods.

Sterling curses under his breath. "I lost my shit over Ghale tea."

Ria places a hand on his shoulder. "It happens to the best of us."

"Really?" He asks.

"No." She laughs and walks off.

Sterling nods. "Great."

He puts his glasses back on. "I think I should go home. I shouldn't have come in the first place."

"Don't leave, the party just started."

"I've made my appearance. I can leave peacefully now. I won't fear the General's wrath on Monday."

"For a party?"

"I think your family just invited me 'cause I..."

"Bugged me?"

He presses his lips in a thin line. "That." He looks away briefly. "Also, I should apologize for that. I'm sorry."

"You were just doing your job."

"Still. I could have given you a signal that they were onto you or something."

"Really, it's fine."

He taps his fingers on the bar. "Another question."

I wait for it.

"Did Ria Tia just call me a wimp?"

I burst out laughing. "Yeah, she did. She definitely did."

He laughs as well. "Great, just great."

"Hey," Tristan appears a few feet from us.

"Tristan, hey." I greet him.

"A bottle of '62 Chrysler please." He says to the bartender. "Sorry, I hadn't had a chance to talk tonight."

"The night is still young."

Tristan looks over at Sterling. "I don't think we've met."

Sterling sighs. "Sterling Howard. I work in Intelligence. Princess Cassandra shadowed the General that day."

Tristan hums. He knows very well what day that was.

"Here you go, sir." The bartender hands Tristan the bottle.

"I should head back to my friends." He smiles at me. "We'll talk later?"

I nod and he leaves.

As soon as he's out of earshot, Sterling says, "did you really date him?"

"Yep."

"You two seem very different."

I consider that. Sterling's only met me twice. And both times, it was after I'd "changed."

Just last year, I was like Tristan. And Kat. And Grey. Now I'm... I don't know who I am.

My facial expression must have changed because Sterling looks worried. "I hope I didn't offend you."

"No, it's not that. It's a lot of things." I stare at his face. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"You're not like some secret spy for the Ryppers or anything?"

He's silent for a second. "I just freaked out about drinking concentrated Ghale tea. I wish I was suave enough to be a spy."

My smile comes back. "That's good."

He looks at me cautiously. "Pearl Hanchez?"

I frown. "She's still Professor Cara to me. Whenever I remember her or dream about her. She's the same sweet thirty-year-old woman. Then I wake up, and I remember the choking, the breathlessness, the pain. It's so raw. It's like it's happening all over again."

He bites his lip. "I'm sorry."

"You see her every day you go in. Is she still... unresponsive?"

He looks uncomfortable. "I'm really not supposed to disclose that."

That hurt. "Okay."

I try to stand up and he holds my hand. "You should talk to your uncle about it. Maybe meet her, she might talk to you."

"I don't think I want to talk to her."

He's silent for a few seconds. "I wish I knew what to say." He whispers.

"It's fine, thank you."

He removes his hand from mine and gets up. "That's enough party for me. I'm heading off."

I stand up as well. "I still have a few more hours of this."

He sucks in a breath. "Good luck to you."

The smile doesn't reach my eyes. "Goodbye."

He walks a few steps and I call his name.

"Wait." He turns back. "If anything happens, will you tell me?"

"I'm really not allowed to."

My shoulders slump.

"But then again, I'm pretty sure it's illegal to withhold information from a Harrington."

That makes me laugh.

"No, I'm serious," he insists. "It's punishable by death."

I hold my hand out. "Give it." He hands me his phone and I put my phone number in. "Thanks."

He nods his head. "Goodnight." He gives me another smile and heads for the door.

I ask the bartender for a drink and walk towards the tables.

Grey sees me and abandons the actress he was talking to. "Where have you been?"

"I was by the bar talking to Sterling."

"Who?"

I shake my head. "Doesn't matter."

Grey and I stop at the food table.

Sara is standing there, staring at her phone.

"I'm surprised you're here," I say to her.

She looks up from her phone. "I'm not losing my scholarship."

My smile disappears. "Sorry, it wasn't fair Lilian did that."

She sighs. "It's fine. At least now I can see your palace."

I shake my head. "Forget it."

I leave Grey, Sara, and the food.

"Cass." Tristan stands up from his table.

"Hey." I wrap my arms around myself.

"Are you cold?"

"No. Just tired. And hungry."

"Do you want to get something?"

I shake my head. "Maybe later."

We walk to the corner and stop at the furthermost table.

There aren't many speakers around and it's quiet.

We sit down next to each other and he pulls something out of his pocket.

"Happy Birthday." He opens the box and there's a tiny gold necklace inside. The pendant has the tiniest emerald on it.

"It's gorgeous," I say.

"Can I?"

I slowly turn around. He takes my hair in both of his hands and slowly sweeps it to one side. His fingers gently graze my neck and I shiver. He takes the necklace out of its white satin and unhooks it.

His hands go over my shoulders and he places them on my chest. Slowly, he takes his arms back and does the clip. The cold metal of the necklace falls on my skin.

"There you go." He whispers in my ear and brings my hair back.

I look down at the necklace on my chest. It really is beautiful.

"Thank you." I turn back to him.

He smiles and leans closer to me.

I turn away and smile. "Food. I should get some."

He stands up. "You said you were tired, I'll get some for you."

When he's gone, I fish out my phone.

There are texts from Arin.

"Happy Birthday."

"Sorry I can't be at your party."

"Wasn't invited."

I text him back. "What's important is you sent my gift." I joke.

"I'm already your best friend. A better gift hasn't been invented."

Best friend. That takes me out. Arin is my best friend. Just my best friend?

It's been a while since I responded, so he sends another text.

"Or whatever you call someone who faced Ryppers with you. And committed espionage with."

That brings a warm smile to my face.

I text back, "Forget best friends, I want new headphones."

He sends back, "my grandad gave it to your dad's assistant. It should be in your giant present pile."

The warmness spreads to my heart. How did he even know I wanted one?

I don't have a chance to ask because Tristan comes back with a plate of snacks and a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne.

"Thanks," I smile at him and eat.

He stares at me intently. "How have you been? With not being allowed to leave and all."

"As miserable as you'd expect."

He nods. "You never got back to me. After the incident with your dad and uncle. I sent you a text, asked how you were, and you never responded."

I train my eyes on my food. "It was a...weird time."

"Yeah?"

We sit in silence for a while.

"Do you hate me?" He finally asks.

"No," I say immediately. "Of course not."

"I was going to kiss you just now." He doesn't take his eyes off me. "You pulled away."

"I just..." I sigh.

"Why didn't you kiss me back?"

"It didn't feel like a smart decision."

"Why didn't it?"

"Tristan, we broke up in January. And since then, a lot of things have happened. And I'm scared, I'm scared if I get back together with you, I'll be the person I was last year."

He thinks about my answer. "I'm not the person I was last year either."

"You look the same."

He smiles and the dimple on his left cheek deepens. "You don't."

"No?"

"You're more confident now."

"And it makes me look different?"

"In a good way."

My smile doesn't reach my eyes. "Everything feels different now."

He leans back in his chair. "Yeah. Look at me, I have one more year of Brimstone, then it's out into the real world."

"I think you'll be a magnificent lawyer."

"Thanks."

He stands up. "Happy Birthday, Cassie." He leans down and plants a soft kiss on my cheek.

When he's gone, I take a deep breath and try to forget the feel of his lips on my skin.