Chapter 4
Mia paced back and forth in her bedroom while Lilly and Asana sat on Mia's bed.
"Mia," Lilly said. "If you pace any longer, you're going to break the floor."
"I have a half brother!" Mia shouted. "How could my grandmother keep something like that from me?"
"Maybe she forgot?" Asana said. "I mean, isn't she like 80?"
"My grandma did not forget!" Mia shouted. "She knew!"
"Knowing your family, I'm sure it has something to do with a family secret," Lilly said.
"Why must my family be so strange?" Mia asked, plopping down between her two best friends.
"Look on the bright side," Lilly said. "You hardly get to see Trevor."
"Lilly's right," Asana said. "Alex is going to live here with you."
"You've always wanted a sibling," Lilly said. "Now you've got one."
"You're right," Mia said. "But Grandma still lied to me."
"After all these years," Lilly said, "I know your grandmother does stuff for a reason."
"Yeah," Mia said. "You're right. I wonder when my brother arrives."
At that moment, they heard a fanfare.
"Presenting!" a voice shouted. "Prince Alex of Genovia!"
"I'm guessing right now," Lilly said.
Mia, Anna, and Asana hurried down the hall, and down the stairs to the grand entrance where Clarisse and Alex stood at the doorway with Nicholas. Alex and Nicholas shook hands.
"I'm Nicholas Devereaux," Nicholas said. "King of Genovia, husband of Queen Mia, and your brother-in-law."
"Nice to meet you," Alex said bowing.
"You don't have to bow," Clarisse said.
"Oh," Alex said.
Mia nervously walked up to Alex.
"Hello, Alex," Mia said nervously. "I'm Queen Amelia Thermopolis Renaldi Devereaux, your sister. But you can call me Mia."
"Nice to meet you, Mia," Alex said.
Mia and Alex found themselves sharing a hug.
"Oh," Lilly said. "The sweetness of this moment, combined with my pregnancy hormones, makes me want to cry."
"So heartwarming," Asana said.
After their hug, Mia introduced Alex to Lilly and Asana.
"This is my best friend Lilly," Mia said.
"Nice to meet you, Lilly," Alex said.
"Thanks," Lilly said. "I'm not usually fat. I'm just six months pregnant."
"Congratulations," Alex said.
"And this is my other best friend, Princess Asana," Mia said.
"Nice to meet you," Asana said.
"You as well," Alex said.
"Okay, Alexander," Clarisse said. "I shall show you to your room."
"No, Grandma," Mia said. "Allow me."
"Okay," Clarisse said. "I shall you both of you at the ball."
Mia led Alex upstairs and down a hallway to a large room. Alex looked around in amazement.
"Wow!" Alex exclaimed. "This is bigger than my loft in New York!"
"Your closet is to the right and your bathroom is to the left," Mia informed him. "Your personal belongings have already been delivered. I'll leave you alone to get ready for the ball tonight. It begins at 8:30. You'll find some clothing in your closet."
"Thank you," Alex said.
Mia exited the room, closing the door behind her. Alex then entered his huge closet.
"Wow," Alex said. "This is amazing!"
Alex looked to see his trunk sitting against the wall. He then opened it and Jack quickly stood up. Alex let out a scream.
"Jack?" Alex asked.
"Hi, Alex," Jack said, climbing out of the trunk.
"You almost gave me a heart attack!" Alex shouted.
"Sorry," Jack said.
"What are you doing here?" Alex asked.
"You didn't think I'd let you go on an adventure by yourself, did you?" Jack asked.
"You are insane," Alex laughed.
"Tell me everything," Jack said. "But first, where's the bathroom?"
"The doors directly across from the closet," Alex replied.
"Thank you!" Jack exclaimed before running off.
