Credit to winterprincess for Emory Clutch.
"Ladies, here is your first assignment," Silvia announces. "This Saturday is King Maxon's birthday. Your job is to plan the whole party. The music, arrangements, invitations, decorations and so on. It is up to you on who will do what." Silvia picks up a stack of papers. "I am handing out papers on things that might help you. I wish you the best of luck." With that, she leaves the room.
The seven of us gather in the Women's Room. Ashley Zoney was eliminated yesterday after Michael found out that she isn't a virgin. I don't see how someone could hide that from the creepy man who interrogated us. She was gone before breakfast.
Queen America is sitting in a chair by the corner reading a book. We all make sure to keep our voices quiet.
"I think we should start by assigning things," Perris proposes. We all mumble in agreement.
"We should all say what we did for a living to see who would be best to do what," Sierra says.
"Ooh!" squeals Evelyn. "I'll go first. Well, my father's the head chef of a five-star restaurant. So I think I should be in charge of the food." That makes sense.
We go around the circle saying our talents and skills. Aislinn is an artist, so we all agree she should be in charge of the decor. Annabel and Perris are both actresses so they suggest there should be a performance for the king. Both of them are going to be in it. Perris is also a singer and she says that she knows Lucy Leone. I drop my jaw at that one. Lucy Leone has the best voice in all of Illea! Sierra is apparently obsessive compulsive, so she says she'll know how best to arrange the Great Room where the party will be held. Emory Clutch has family ties down south so she thinks she'd be fit to arrange the guest list. I say that I have family ties in Italy. Emory starts arguing that she is the only one who can do it. Wow, this girl is one antagonistic debater! I patiently say that we can work together to see who to invite and where they will sit. I also suggest that Emory and I should write out all the invitations. After that, we get to work. We all agree that since we are working together, we should do our best to help each other. Aislinn goes to the queen after a while, asking what color King Maxon likes and such.
I am in the middle of talking to Emory about important people in Europe when I see Michael outside. He's looking expectantly around, like he's waiting for something. I quickly jump up. Crap, he's waiting for me! I excuse myself and ask Emory to keep our stuff in her folder. She nods with a curious look on her face. I curtsy to the queen and try to get out of there as quickly as possible without running. I see the guards standing on either side of the door and say I have a date with the prince. They obediently open the door and I toss my hair over my shoulder.
"Hi, Michael!" I say, feeling chipper.
"Hey, Tess." He holds out his hand and I take it. We walk to the archery range in the back. It's been a while since I've held a bow. The last bow I held was for a violin. I pick one up right next to a quiver. The bow is made of ebony; I can't help but spend a second feeling the smooth black wood.
I turn around to Michael and say, "May I?" He nods with a smile and I take off my shoes. I love feeling the grass under my feet. I'm glad I wore a blue strapless dress today. I bring the bow up and close my left eye. I aim the arrow to the middle. The arrow flies as I let go of the string. It lands right in the middle... of the left side. It's a few inches off-center and I have to say, I'm not as disappointed as I should be. It's pretty good for someone who hasn't shot in six years.
I smile sadly and hold out the bow to Michael. "Your turn," I say.
Before he takes the bow, he removes his suit coat, showing off his blue button down. He folds up his sleeves and then plucks the bow from my hands. As he takes his stance, I look at his arms in awe. When does the prince have time to work out? Michael takes a deep breath then releases. The arrow flies true to the center. Bull's eye.
I shake my head in disbelief. "How did you do that?" I ask. He turns around with a silly grin on his face. He beckons me over.
"Come here. I'll show you." I take the bow and hold it up like I usually do. "Ah, I see your problem. Lower your elbow a little more." He puts a hand on my right elbow and gently pushes it down. "Straighten your left arm a bit." He encases my left hand in his, prompting me to hold the bow straighter. "Make sure that when you release it, your body is straight and that you don't move an inch." I turn my head to him; he's so close. He prods my chin with his finger and I try to concentrate. He puts his hand to my waist and says, "Be still." I try to stop shaking. "Go."
I let go of the arrow and it whizzes through the air. I smile when it hits the exact center. "That was awesome!" I say.
"See? Just have faith in yourself," Michael encourages.
"Well, I had plenty of help from you." I put the bow back where I found it. "I bet I couldn't do it again."
"I bet you could."
I smirk and get the bow to prove him wrong. I do everything he told me to. When I release, the arrow lands an inch from my previous one. I hear a clap behind me and smile, feeling grateful that Michael is kind.
When I turn around, my face tries to remain calm. Matt stands next to my date clapping almost condescendingly. "Not bad, Tess. Where'd you learn that from?"
"Your brother," I say proudly.
There's a look that passes over Matt's face, some emotion I can't distinguish. It's gone almost as soon as it came. "Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone now," he says mockingly.
"Bye, Matt," Michael says. As soon as Matt walks back in the palace, I turn to the target. I let go and it flies to the bull's eye. How I almost wish it hit Matthew instead.
