IMPORTANT AUTHORS NOTE:
Torii: Hey everyone! For those who recognize the summary, it's not stolen content or anything like that. This story has been written before on my old account I made when I was in high school (ToriiPheniox). It's so old my younger self couldn't spell phoenix right haha. Anyways flash forward 6 or so years, I've definitely changed and gotten better at writing (at least I hope IDK honestly) and stumbled on this story, previously titled Princesses to Rock Stars. I still felt the charm in the story and decided to crack it back open. A lot has changed in my writing style and how I perceive the world, so since I've changed so much, this story will too. Ex. definitely not as much violence. Well, I hope you like it and have fun with it as much as I am! Enjoy!
Jenna: After however many years, we're still best friends! So I'm back too! And if you're wondering who I am and what significance I have to the story, it's all a mystery. I'm just here for support, honestly. So thanks for reading and comment at the end of this chapter, please!
Slowly, the doors behind Leaf Green slammed shut, silencing the hustle and bustle from this evening party. The lobby of the Intercontinental was as luxurious as many of her friends had told her. The white polished floors sparkled as the bright lights bounced from the gems on the chandeliers into her mother's eyes. Leaf played with her fingers seeing all traces of wonder and delight replaced with anger and disbelief.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?" her mom whispered harshly as though people were pressing their ears to the other side of the door, "That stunt you pulled was unacceptable. I understand you're not fond of Grace Walters, but now is not the time to throw caution to the wind."
Leaf couldn't meet her mother's gaze, knowing she acted without thinking. Usually, tonight would have gone without incident, but after the onslaught of insults from Miss Walters, Leaf let herself be consumed by her emotions. There was only so much an 18-year-old girl could take and she was at her wit's end with the obnoxious prima donna. She looked at her mother's new husband of 3 months for help. Her stepdad, Henry, just sighed, giving her a disappointed look. She couldn't really blame him after her escapade. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. Henry's corporate company had finally sealed a multimillion-dollar contract with one of Europe's largest marketing corporations and this party was to honor his people's hard work along with the new partnership. The CEO and many other big-name businessmen from MN/COM were invited with promises of a wonderful time and a chance to become more personal with one another. It was crucial for them to make a good impression for the other company, but after the encounter with Grace Walters, Leaf concluded she had ruined their chance. Even though, the teenager couldn't help but feel satisfied with herself. Grace always had a knack for verbally abusing her about her father or mother, but tonight would be the end of her chapter. Leaf made a statement and she was sure Grace finally got the message she was trying to communicate for the past three years.
The sound of clicking heels echoed around them as her mother resorted to pacing back and forth across the white floor with her eyebrows knitted. Something had to be done about this mistake. She stopped and stared at Henry for a good long minute as if talking to each other telepathically. The younger of the three waited patiently as the non-verbal conversations dragged on for what felt like hours. Her feet started to ache as she continued to fidget by swaying side to side in her nude-colored heels. Finally, the two adults nodded without speaking a word before looking at her.
"You're right. She has to formally apologize," Mother concluded.
Leaf's facial expression finally altered from the stoic, unapologetic attitude to one of surprise. There was no way she was going to apologize after the whole ordeal. She had successfully beaten Anna at her own game as she confidently stood her ground and dumped cocktail sauce all over her perfect white dress just moments ago. It was like the cherry on top of a perfectly executed dessert. Sweet, sweet revenge.
"Apologize? Do you know Grace?" Leaf snapped, trying to hold her ground, "You can't expect me to walk up to her and apologize!"
"Of course not."
Leaf let out a sigh of relief as the image of Grace's condescending smile melted away. There was no way she would even whisper an apology to her. It would be the most humiliating experience of her teenage life.
"I think you need to apologize to her and the rest of our guests on stage."
The color in Leaf's face drained away as she registered what her mom was implying. Suddenly her mind filled with images of her onstage with prying eyes and pitied looks. Whispers and snarky remarks played in her head as her mind created scene after scene of humiliation. She balled her frustration into fists as she stared at her mother's unwavering expression.
"You don't know what she said," she bit back tears.
"Ok, then you can very well explain to me what happened," her mother looked at her pointedly, urging her to speak.
Leaf suddenly couldn't look her mother or Henry in the eyes as memories of the past reeled through her mind. The looks of excited guests lit up as she talked about her upcoming performance, the smile on her face, for the first time in two years, was genuine, and soon her hunger was urging her to the snack table. If you had asked Leaf how she was feeling, she would have actually answered truthfully with a grin, but within minutes of choosing sushi over pastries, Grace had successfully smothered her spark.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in," the blonde-haired heiress sneered, looking at Leaf as if she were a spider, "how's the new daddy?"
"Grace..." Leaf warned, not wanting to make a scene at Henry's organization party. As the two girls stood, the atmosphere around each of them changed making people glance in their direction. Grace Walters smugly took a sip from her glass of champagne, getting ready to shotgun her insult. Leaf knew Grace would never pass up an opportunity to shame her and her family and as she glared at her bully, the brunette braced herself.
"What?" the latter asked with a shrug, faking innocence, "I'm just asking to see if the man your mother easily crawled into bed with is as nice as he is rich."
Leaf bit her lip, not wanting to put a wedge between her mother and Henry. If she told them everything, there was a possibility Henry would look at both of them differently. With the choice between her mother's happiness and self-gratification, she knew the answer before she even asked herself.
"Nevermind," the teenager dismissed before turning to Henry, "I'm sorry this all happened."
Her stepdad gave a small smile, "It's alright, but I think your mother is right. A public apology would go a long way."
Leaf nodded her head even though, for the first time, the idea of getting onstage haunted her. Without another word, the brunette made her way back to the party, her feet leading her to the front of the room. As she slipped through the crowd, the eyes of every party guest glanced her way as they whispered to one another. She forced a smile on her face as she greeted guests as she made her way to the stage.
Breathe and take another step. The words from her father kept her grounded as she weaved through the crowd. She was mentally preparing her small speech, going over her words in both English and French, when she noticed her moist cheeks. Tears escaped her eyes as her emotions dominated her rational thinking. Her chest was heavy making it hard to breathe, and her head hurt from frustration and resentment. Leaf tried her best to wipe the tears away, but it seemed like her body shook harder.
"Leaf?" the voice of her best friend broke through the muffled sounds of her sobs, "What happened?
Green shook her head as she tried to regain her composure. A hand came to rest on her shoulder, but instead of feeling comfort, memories of her father overwhelmed her. She could almost see his bright smile and hear his encouraging words, but in the end, they were only reminders of what she had lost.
With one last wipe of her eyes, Leaf stood straight, shoulders back and plastered a smile on her face. Her eyes were puffy while her cheeks started to turn red. May looked at Leaf with concern and worry, knowing her smile was a facade.
"I'm alright. Sorry to worry you." Leaf answered back, taking a deep, calming breath.
With the last of her strength, Leaf walked on to the stage with a mic in hand. Instantaneously, the party directed their attention to her. This was different compared to her performances or competitions back home. During those routines, she was confident in her steps and her skills to follow the rhythm, but as she stood in front of all those people waiting for her to speak, it felt like the room was getting smaller and there were too many people in such a small space.
Just start with your name.
"Good evening, my name is Leaf Green..." her voice was shaking with each word and she bit her lip in frustration for her lack of control, "I understand I made quite a commotion tonight, so I would like to take this time to apologize to everyone and to Grace Walters."
Her eyes scanned the crowd before landing on May and her perfectly styled hair. Her head was looking around the crowd with an angry expression and balled up fists. Knowing her, she was probably trying to track down Grace to give her a piece of her mind. The thoughts made her smile. Her eyes passed over her friends and then, found her mother and Henry standing towards the back of the room with a small, apologetic smile. Mother gave a thumbs-up as she did at her meets, but she didn't find comfort in her gesture. Leaf closed her eyes feeling resentment and hurt, but she wouldn't let her emotions to get the better of her. Finally, as she opened her eyes, she found the object of her anger and embarrassment, Grace Walters. Grace stood among the sea of people with her arms crossed and a smile playing on her lips. The look of triumph was obvious on her face and Leaf hated it. Grace had disrespected her and she had only defended her family. She shouldn't have to apologize. She wouldn't.
"Actually Grace, come on up here so I can do this properly," Leaf smirked as her speech revised itself in her head. The crowded room was filled with whispers as they turned to look for Grace. The blonde's expression faltered as she stared at Leaf with shock, but just as quickly, she recomposed herself and slowly made her way to the stage, standing beside her.
"Let's give Ms. Walters a round of applause."
"What are you doing?" her new stage partner whispered as the room echoed with applause. Without acknowledging her question, Leaf grabbed Grace's cold hands and gave her a sickly sweet smile. Grace forced one of her own to mirrors hers, but she knew something was up. She wasn't stupid enough to believe Leaf was going to roll over like a dog and apologize.
"Grace Walters, we have known each other for years and this journey has been interesting. I vividly remember when we first met. It was at Wellington's Gymnastics Association. I was early and wanted to get started right away. You walked in saw me stretching and do you remember what you said to me?"
Grace looked at Leaf with caution, trying to choose her words carefully, "I said your skill level needs improving."
Leaf shook her head with a real smile on her lips making the color drain from Grace's face. The audience around them had long been quiet as their performance went on. The room was filled with tension and no one dared to break the silence
"If I remember correctly, you said I was such an idiot to think coming early would get me ahead. Skill wins over hard work every time." Leaf kept the sickly sweet smile but Grace saw the irritation in her eyes.
"Skip forward to our second year of high school, the year my dad passed away. I was gone for a whole week of school, but the day I came back it was like torture, not only because my dad wasn't there anymore, but because the moment I saw you, the first thing you said was..." Leaf paused for dramatic effect, tapping her finger on her chin as though she were trying to remember, but Grace knew it was an act. "Oh, I remember now! You told me, I wasn't getting any handouts because my dad was too weak to keep on living." Leaf released a breath as the memory and the hurt coursed through her. Grace's face burned as she heard those words with her own ears, realizing how harsh they sounded.
"There are many more accounts of her harassment but not enough hours in the night to continue. So to conclude, I'm sorry to have disturbed your evening; however, I'm not sorry for standing up for my family and the legacy they hold. Thank you and enjoy the festivities."