Chapter 10:
I did the President's daughter
Mac was sitting in her office, lost in her thoughts. She was worried because Lily had an interview with Teen People Magazine and she was afraid of what could happenOf course, even when Mac didn't like it when her kids talked to the press, she knew that they had to learn how to deal with reporters. Given her special situation, Lily needed to learn how to handle the press properly. It was the best for her.
The President was also very worried about her middle daughter.
A few days ago, Rebecca had gone to a party at Mike's house. Then, Horace told Rod that Becca was having sex with Mike, which left Rod devastated. However, when Mac talked to Becca about it, she learned the truth: Becca never had sex with Mike, but now he was telling everybody, just to gain popularity, that she had given him her virginity. Rebecca was completely heartbroken.
This also got Mac thinking about Lily and Connor. Maybe, just maybe, dating an older man wasn't so bad for Lily. Connor was a nice-mature man, while boys of Lily's age were silly and very immature. Was Connor the lesser evil?
The cold reality was that Lily was just as likely to get hurt if she dated someone of her own age.
There was a knock at the door to the Oval Office that took Mac away from her thoughts. Then Kelly came in.
Kelly: Madame President, you wanted to see me?
Mac: yes, Kelly, I wanted to ask you a favour
Kelly: of course, ma'am, anything
Mac: as you already know, Lily has an interview tomorrow with the Teen People Magazine, and I was wondering, if you could give her a last minuet coaching session. I just want to make sure she is well prepared
Kelly: ma'am, if you are not comfortable with it, we can cancel that interview
Mac: No, I want it to go ahead. I wont always be able to protect her from the press and It's important that she learns how to deal with it
Kelly: Of course, ma'am. I'll prepare her. Don't worry about it
Mac- thank you
A few hours later….
It was now time for Kelly to coach Lily and the Press Secretary entered the room Mac had set aside in the residence for that purpose.
Lily was very disappointed when she saw Kelly, and she didn't hide it.
Lily: Kelly? But… where is Connor?
Kelly: he's not going to come, your Mom asked me to talk to you instead
Lily: but he's been coaching me for weeks now! I need him. He's the only one who knows about what the magazine will ask and the way I'll have to answer
Kelly: Lily, I outrank Connor, I'm older than him and I have more experience dealing with reporters… don't you think I can also prepare you properly for the interview?
Lily: of course, Kelly. I'm sorry. You are great at your job. But I wanted to see Connor because I miss him very much. I just wanted to make sure he is ok. I haven't seen or heard from him because I'm grounded and my dad took my cellphone away
Even when she didn't show it, Kelly did fell sorry for the kid. No matter what she thought about the situation, she couldn't deny that Lily was hurting. The teenager was crazy about Connor. And Kelly knew that he had been in the worst possible mood because he couldn't see Lily right now.
Kelly: Connor is fine. Don't worry about him. I bet you can see him soon. Now, please, can we start working on the interview?
Lily: ok
The two of them spoke for a little while. Kelly gave Lily lots of advice. Now the she felt a lot more comfortable about the interview tomorrow. But Kelly still had one more thing to discuss with her.
Kelly: and, of course, they will ask you if you have a boyfriend… no doubt about that
Lily: so what? I'll just say yes
Kelly: and when they ask who your boyfriend is? What are you going to say then?
Lily: that it's none of their business
That definitely wasn't the answer she was planning to give, but Lily just said that purely to keep Kelly happy.
The press Secretary, however, was getting increasingly worried.
Kelly: Lily, you shouldn't say you have a boyfriend. I think it would be best if you said: "there is someone I like, but I don't know how he feels about me. So, I don't want to say anything yet. I don't want to jinks it"
Lily: but I have a boyfriend, and I do know how he feels about me
Kelly: I know. But it's not a good idea for you to publicly discuss Connor right now. Many people are against teenagers having sex. It will look bad for your mom that her daughter is sleeping with an older black man, member of her staff
Lily frowned. She liked Kelly, but why did she have to be so judgemental?
Lily: I'm not sleeping with Connor!
Kelly: I know that. But many people will think you are. Trust me, it won't look good if you say you are dating someone ten years older than you
Kelly felt very uncomfortable discussing that topic with the First Daughter. But she wanted to make absolutely sure that everything would be fine during the interview. The last thing Kelly wanted was Lily to ruin her own reputation. And, of course, the press secretary had to do anything she could to protect the President's public image.
Lily: I'll just say I'm still a virgin…which is the truth. Don't you believe me?
Kelly: of course I believe you. I know you are telling the truth. But not everybody will believe you. Please, Lily, trust me on this
Lily: ok…
Kelly: please, promise me you won't mention Connor in the interview
Lily: fine
Kelly: promise it
Lily: ok, I promise
"But some promises are meant to be broken" Lily thought to herself.
The following day…
The moment of the interview came soon. When the lady from the magazine got to the White House, she went to the Mural Room, where Kelly and Lily were waiting for her. Kelly introduced Lily to Wendy, the interviewer. Then the Press Secretary stepped aside to quietly watch the interview from a corner.
Wendy: So, Lily, first of all, thank you for agreeing to this interview
Lily: it's my pleasure
Wendy: I know this is the first time you give an interview, but don't worry…this will be a lot like any informal conversation. I'll just ask you a few questions, and I'll put a little recorder on the table between us
Lily smiled with excitement.
Lily: Ok… let's begin
Wendy: So, how does it feel to be the daughter of the first female President?
Lily: Well, my life isn't too different than it was before. Now I get a lot of public attention, and many photographers and reporters follow me around. But I'm still the same person I was before. I haven't changed at all. I have the same friends as before, go to the same school
Wendy: So, your friends, they don't treat you any differently?
Lily: At first, they did. They thought I would get very spoiled. But that's never gonna happen. My parents won't allow it
Wendy: really? And what do your parents do to make sure you don't get spoiled?
Lily: well… they have lots of really annoying rules. For example, we have to keep our own rooms tidy, the maids aren't allowed to clean them. And, on contrary of what people thing, I can't just get anything I want
Wendy: that means you don't have thousands of clothes in your closet?
Lily: Well, I wouldn't go that far. I tend to spend all my allowance on clothes. My brother spends all of his on CDs and video games, while Rebecca spends most of hers on clothes like me. But Amy saves everything. She never wants to spend any money. She just wants to keep it all! If I want to buy something but I don't have enough money, I know I can go to her. She lends me, but I always get charged some sort of interest… it can be letting her use my stuff, or giving her more money back later
Wendy: it sounds like she's very good little banker!
Lily: yes, she is
Wendy: now, tell me, do you enjoy going to a public school?
Lily: I like learning. But, honestly, I hate high school. I can't wait to start college next year…
Wendy: do you already know what you going to do? Will you become a lawyer like your parents?
Lily: No, I want to be a journalist…and I want to go to Georgetown
Wendy: Really?
Lily: yeah… law it's just not my thing
Wendy: ok. Now, let's talk about a different topic… our magazine is all for abstinence amongst teenagers, but what are your views on that subject?
Lily: well, I think it is very important to wait until you are older to have sex, or at least wait until both parties are absolutely sure that they are ready for a physical relationship. That's why I am so lucky with my boyfriend.
"Oh my God" Kelly thought, as she got ready for a real disaster. She felt like a person who was witnessing a car accident, powerless to stop the catastrophe and unable to look away.
Lily- He would never, ever, force me to do anything I don't want to do. He has said numerous times that we will do it only when I'm ready. And I know I won't be for a long time
Wendy: So, are you saying you are a virgin?
Lily: yes
Wendy: and you said you have a boyfriend, is he a guy from your school?
Kelly immediately jumped in to stop the interview.
Kelly: I'm sorry, Wendy, but Lily can't take any more questions…
Lily: actually, I can take two more questions…Kelly shot Lily a furious look.
Lily: and, Wendy, actually, my boyfriend is my mother's deputy press secretary: Connor Fitzpatrick
Wendy: Really? So, how long have you two been dating?
Lily: About a month now, he's such a nice guy, he treats me so great
Kelly: ok, I'm serious…the time's up. Lily can't take more questions
Now Lily was completely satisfied, so she didn't argue.
Wendy: Well, Lily, thank you very much for your time
Next, Kelly and Lily met the magazine's photographer for a small photo op in the Rose Garden.
When that was over, Kelly went to the Oval Office to talk to the President about what happened during the interview.
After Kelly explained everything, Mac was furious at Lily.
Mac: how could she do that? How could she? After you specifically told her NOT to mention Connor!
Kelly: I'm sorry, Madam President. I should have stopped the interview sooner
Mac: it's not your fault. Lily knew what she was doing! I bet she was planning to talk about Connor from the get-go
Kelly: it seems that way
Mac: was Connor in on this? Did he tell her to say it?
Kelly: I don't think so, ma'am. It's not in Connor's interest for Lily to say that
Mac: when does the interview get published?
Kelly: in two weeks
Mac immediately called for Vince, who quickly entered the Oval Office.Vince: yes, ma'am?
Mac: can you tell my oldest daughter I want to see her at her earliest possible convenience?
Vince: Yes, ma'am
Vince started to walk back to the door
Mac: Vince, screw her convenience. Tell her to get her ass in here right now!
In less than five minutes, Lily walked into the Oval Office.
Lily: mom, before you start, let me tell you something… I did nothing wrong
Mac couldn't believe the nerve of her daughter.
Mac: oh, really?
Lily: I just told the truth. You can't punish me for not lying
Mac: I don't know, why don't I just give it a try?
Lily: but, mom…
Mac was having none of it.
Mac: seriously, Lily… what were you thinking? Why did you tell everyone about Connor after Kelly told you not to?
Lily: because I love him and want the whole world to know
Mac: ok, I understand that…
Lily: good
Mac: it was my fault then. I thought you were ready to handle a simple interview, but you are so not… you still have plenty of growing up to do
Lily was completely taken aback by that.
Lily: I can't believe you are mad at me because I was honest
Mac: oh, please…give me a break! You weren't honest in that interview because you suddenly hate lying… you only told the truth to get more attention, and to hurt me and your father
Lily: oh, that's right, I forgot that everything I do is because I want to hurt you. Could you make everything even more about you?
Mac: that's enough, Lillian! Go to your room…and forget about seeing Connor for a long while… you'll be grounded for the next two weeks
Lily: I hate you!
But before storming out the Oval Office with tears in her eyes, Lily turned around and yelled…
Lily: I know everybody hates that I'm dating Connor but he's much better than the jerk Becca dated!
Two weeks later…
Connor had gone to have lunch with some of his friends, Mark and Peter. He hadn't seen Lily yet, but he knew all about the magazine and what Lily had said during the interview. And now his friends knew about his relationship with Lily too.
Mark: wow… you and the president's daughter! Who would have guessed?They had a copy of the magazine over the table. The article was titled: "I'm a virgin with a 28-years-old boyfriend". Connor was completely mortified.
Peter: I can't believe you haven't got into her pants yet
Mark: that's what you get for dating a kid
Connor: she's not a kid, okay?
Peter: hay, don't get mad at us… it's not our fault that you are not getting anything
Mark and Peter kept teasing Connor, who now felt less and less of a man. He couldn't stand it anymore…
Connor: that interview is full of crap!
Mike: what? You are not dating Lily Calloway?
Connor: yes, but she's not a virgin… I FUCK HER ALL NIGHT LONG!
His friends looked at him stunned. They weren't saying a word.
Connor just smiled proudly.
Connor: I bet you are jealous now, aren't you? Because I do the President's oldest daughter
Mark and Paul looked down and remained in silence.
It was then when Connor noticed that Rebecca Calloway was right behind him.
To be continued…