AN: Sorry was supposed to post this last night but ended up going out in London to the Borderline for my friend's gig and then only just got home as spent the day walking around London, visiting the palace and taking in the tourist sights- love an impromtu visit to London. See my photos on instagram princessluceia.
Sally and Simon's birthday treat for me was used up that afternoon; I had a vintage makeover with Lucy at a top beauty salon in London, both of us being made into pin-up girls effectively with our victory rolls, red lipstick and perfect winged-eyeliner. My tiredness wasn't clear thanks to my make-up and my mood had lifted. After our makeover, we'd headed back to my apartment and got dressed into our outfits. Lucy looked fabulous in a halterneck bodycon dress, which was white with pink spots, and I wore the dress that my grandmother had worn many years ago, which fitted me like a glove. I didn't wear the grand jewellery my grandfather had given me as it wasn't the right occasion, so I'd opted for simple pearls that matched the cream heels I was wearing. Lucy took some pictures of the two of us and then a full-length one of me, which I quickly posted to Instagram.
Thanks for all of your kind wishes for my family and I during the difficult couple of weeks we have had. Today is my birthday and after reading the kind words my grandfather wrote for me in a letter, he has reminded me that life is too short to hide away so I'm going to celebrate him and my grandmother this evening. Even though I never met her, my grandfather left me this dress in her memory. It's nice to have these special pieces of my family to cherish- I hope you're lucky enough to have the same.
My birthday party was being held at a diner in central London, which had been closed off just for my party. I felt like I was in Grease when I stepped inside, finding Sally, Simon, Elena and my father already waiting there. The diner had black and white checked tiled floors and red leather booths, each with a white table and a mini jukebox decoration on it. There was a real jukebox tucked by a space that had been cleared of tables and chairs and made into a dancefloor and yummy food, including mini burgers and little pots of curly fries, was laid out on the counter, where the waitor and cook stood, smiles on their faces. They both bowed to me in greeting and I said hello before hugging each of my 'parents.' It was perfect. Helium balloons were spread around, matching the theme and there was a backdrop hung in the corner with 50s props below it, perfect for a photoshoot, and a cameraman stood on standby ready to capture everything.
'My mother's dress suits you.' My father said with a small smile that made me wonder if he was uncomfortable. I was surprised he'd come at all. I was even more surprised that, like his wife and my adoptive parents, he'd dressed to match the theme.
'Thank you all for coming.' I said with a smile.
'We're not staying the whole time.' Elena assured me. 'Just the first hour and then it's free for you kids.'
'We don't want to cramp your style.' Sally added.
'You'd never do that.' I told them with a laugh.
'Who are you and what have you done with Sky?' Simon teased. 'You used to find us embarassing.'
'Oh I still do!' I reassured him. 'But I also appreciate you more than I used to. Guess I'm growing up.' Sally sniffed and I squeezed her arm. 'Don't start crying on me now.'
'You just look so lovely.' She sniffed.
I stopped the emotional moment by choosing a song on the jukebox by inserting a token from the side. Straight away 'Surfin' USA' blared out and I smiled as Lucy grabbed my hand and hoisted me to the photobooth.
The guests started to arrive soon after that. I'd not invited many of them, but just the people I wanted there; Nate, Yves, Zack, Tina, Zoe, Taylor (Swift- eek!) and a few other guys and girls from my school that I got on well with. Sadly, Lolly had an exam coming up the following week, an important one all seventeen-year-olds in Norway had to take, so she wasn't able to join us, but I promised to send her plenty of pictures. My brother turned up too, of course, and soon the party was in full swing. We posed for pictures together, drank the tastiest milkshakes I'd ever had complete with cream and cherries, and then soon after that my four 'parents' left us to it, making it a teenage party. In the photo area, I felt like a model. I posed sipping my milkshake and then sharing one with Lucy. I posed holding the net of my skirt. I posed with Taylor, pretending to be on the retro phone together and listening to some gossip. I posed in a long line with my girl friends, sat at the bar with our milkshakes. And then we posed giving our best pin-up poses. I wasn't sure if I felt more Marilyn or more Audrey, but either way, I felt good and I couldn't believe I'd almost missed my party.
'For goodness sake
I got the hippy hippy shake
I've got to shake
Who the hippy hippy shake.'
Lucy and I danced together, shaking our hips and twirling each other around to the music, shaking our hips in time to the music as we laughed, getting lost in the music.
'Mate, you're not on the list.' My security guard's voice caught me by surprise and I turned my head, trying to see who was behind the blacked-out window.
'Please, just let me see Sky.'
I recognised the voice straight away and I frowned as I walked over. 'Zed?'
'Oh boy. I didn't think he actually was going to come.' Yves sighed from behind me and I shot him a curious look. 'I thought he was kidding.' He shrugged.
I peered at Zed from behind my security guard. He stood with his guitar case looking like Danny Zuko in black skinny jeans, black converse, a black v-neck t-shirt and a leath jacket, the front of his hair even styled in an almost-quiff. I hated to admit it, but he looked good. 'What are you doing here?'
He looked awkward and he gave a small smile. 'Happy birthday!' He held out a small wrapped present. 'I got you something.'
'Zed, what are you doing here and why are you dressed like a T-Bird?'
He gave a crooked smile. 'I guess I was hopin' maybe you'd let me into your party. I wanted to see you.'
'So you decided you'd gatecrash my party?'
'Bro, you're making an idiot of yourself. Go before Sky's guys beat you to a pulp!' Yves called out from behind me.
'You only invited two thirds of Seven minutes in heaven.' He said, looking offended.
'You and I are hardly friends these days.' I folded my arm across my chest.
'Your highness, would you like us to get rid of him?' Dylan, my new head of security asked, signalling to Zed.
'If you won't let me in then I'll just have to sing part of your birthday present out here.' He said, reaching for his guitar case.
'Sing?' I squinted at the paparazzi across the road. That was going to make a great story. Princess serenaded by Bad Boy on Birthday. I flinched. 'You don't really mean that, do you?'
'Try me.'
'Oh for gods sake, just let him in.' I sighed and he grinned, knowing he'd won. Security checked his bag, patted him down and let him into the diner. I turned to see my friends staring at me, surprised expressions on their faces. 'What?' I said to Lucy.
'Nothing.' She gave a shy smile and walked away, leaving me to confront my gatecrasher.
'Sweet place.' Zed commented and I turned on my heels to look at him, folding my arms once again.
'It is, yes.'
He looked around, taking in the surroundings and then his eyes landed on a milkshake and a hot dog. Typical guy. 'Great, I'm starved!' He hurried over to the food and then paused, looking my way. He patted the stool next to him. 'Want to sit?'
'No, but I want to know why you crashed my party.' I replied, so I went and sat beside him anyway.
'I'm here to wave a peace flag.' He said, sheepishly.
'You're here to wave a peace flag? Shouldn't that be me after what you've done and what you've said?'
He looked down at the floor, the familiar sensitive Zed shining through, one I hadn't seen in a very long time. 'I want to apologise. I wish none of it had ever happened. I wish I'd shown you how much I cared and I wish I hadn't let you go.' He pushed the small package towards me and I looked at it, warily. 'I don't expect you to open it here, but it's my peace offering.'
'It's not your new CD, is it?' I asked, biting my lip nervously.
'No.' He chuckled. 'I'm not that stingy. Besides, I brought music with me.' He signalled to his guitar and I gave it a once-over.
'I don't think that the Beach Boys or Buddy Holly is in your music collection.'
'Then, your highness, you don't know me as well as you think.' He gave a cocky smile. 'Nate, turn that jukebox off would you?'
'Oh god, are you actually going to sing?' I winced as his friend rolled his eyes, walking over to the pretty machine.
'Sure. It's the other part of your present.' He smiled. 'Why? Is there something wrong with my voice?'
Yes. It's sexy and husky and girls love it. Myself included. But I wasn't about to admit that. Damn hormones. Being a teenage girl sucked. 'Yes.' I said, partially the truth.
'Well that's too bad.' He pulled out his guitar and the guests looked at him, confused as he placed it across his lap. I scooched out of my stool and walked over to Lucy, folding my arms.
'What's he doing?' Tina whispered from behind me.
'God only knows.' I whispered back.
As soon as he started the chords I knew what the song was and I already knew I was dreading it before he'd even started to sing. I'd underestimated him. And I wanted to run, but that was rude. And it would show him that even after all this time, he had some weird kind of hold on me, one that I kept trying to push away but it wouldn't budge. 'Well its been building up inside of me
For oh I don't know how long
I don't know why but I keep thinking
Something's bound to go wrong
But she looks in my eyes
And makes me realize
When she says:
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby.'
His voice was totally melt-worthy and the other girls from our class visibly swooned as he sang, putting all of his heart and emotion in. I could have killed Nate and Zack when they joined in with harmonies.
'I guess I should've kept my mouth shut
When I started to brag about my car
But I can't back down now because
I pushed the other guys too far
She makes me come alive
And makes me want to drive
When she says:
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Everything will turn out alright
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby
Don't worry baby.'
It was the longest few minutes of my life and I knew I was as red as my lipstick by the end because I felt hot and flushed. Everyone applauded and Zed took a cocky bow, reminding me just why things hadn't worked out. As the music came back on, blaring back out of the jukebox, I hurried off to the bathroom, wanting to hide. I looked at myself in the mirror and groaned. It was lucky that Seb wasn't there. Despite being a prince, I knew he probably would have punched Zed and who could blame him? My ex had just sang to me.
'Sheesh.' Lucy said, appearing beside me. 'That was... tense.'
'Why the heck is he here?'
'Because he wants to make things right.' She looked sympathetic beside me. 'He made a mistake and now he realises that.'
'Now I'm with Seb and Savannah's been kicked out of school?' I raised my eyebrows.
'Sky, when you were gone, when you'd been kidnapped I think he realised he'd made a mistake. He was blaming himself, saying you'd never gone to the London Eye with Seb if he hadn't been a dick. He was a mess. In some ways he still is.'
'Are you sticking up for him?'
'Of course not. He was a douche and he has issues.' She folded her arms and frowned. 'But he still cares about you and it's clear he wants to be a part of your life whether that's friends or more... although now you've got Seb and that complicates things I supposed.' I frowned and she sighed. 'I like Seb, I really do, but he's just so wonderful. Too wonderful maybe? Too perfect.'
'You're team Zed.' It was a statement not a question.
'I'm Team Sky.' She replied with a small smile. 'I'm Team whatever makes you happy.'
'How the hell am I going to go back out there?' I asked and she pulled out a hip flask from her handbag.
'With a little liquid courage?'
'Lucy!' I gasped and she chuckled.
'Oh come on, I know I act all innocent but surely you know me well enough to know I like to shake things up a little. What's a seventeenth birthday without a little whiskey?'
I took a swig and coughed as my throat burned. 'Straight whiskey?!' I winced.
'You didn't have to take such a big gulp!' She laughed, tucking the hipflask away. 'Ready to go back out their soldier?' I nodded and we left the bathroom.
The party went on for another hour or so and people were still buzzing when our time at the venue was up and it was getting late. So, probably because of the whiskey, I made a crazy decision.
'Party back at mine!' I called out and everyone cheered. Phillip walked over to me, a wary look on his face. 'You're not about to go all big brotherly on me, are you?' I asked with a frown.
'No.' He smiled, shaking his head. 'I'll call some extra cars. Oh, and I've got beer and booze in the fridge.'
The cars dropped us back at the apartment, where Lucy, Tina and Zoe were spending the night with me anyway, and we took back left over cakes and balloons too. I set the balloons free in the living room whilst the male guests helped Phillip grab the alcohol and then, despite the almost disapproving looks of my security, they returned and the karaoke started. It started quite tame and I sang my heart out with my friends before a few of the guys took over, once they'd finished their beer. Then Zed Benedict had to go and be... well... Zed Benedict.
'Sing with me.' He said, a cocky grin on his face as he put down his beer bottle. Why had I allowed him to come in my apartment again?
'No.' I replied. I took another swig of my beer and wished I hadn't decided to mix beer and whiskey. Ick. It probably wasn't going to end well, was it? But then, in that moment, I wasn't too worried about puking on Zed Benedict. Again.
'It wasn't a question.' He smiled.
'If I had a pound everytime you said that then-'
'Sing. With. Me.'
Then the drunken chanting started and I realised I didn't really have a choice in the matter. Thanks friends. Thanks a lot. He passed me a microphone and grabbed one himself, flipping it around in his hand as he chose a track. I held my breath, hoping it wasn't going to be a love song or something crap.
The introduction to Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars started up and Zed gave me a sly smile. What on earth was he up to? Either way, I was going to rock the performance. And I was going to sing how people hadn't heard before; with a little bit of huskiness and edge.
'This hit
That ice cold
Michelle Pfeiffer
That white gold.' I sang first and my friends cheered in response whilst Zed raised his eyebrows in surprise. He didn't know I had it in me.
'This one, for them hood girls
Them good girls
Straight masterpieces.' He sang back in response in his perfect cookie-cutter boyband voice.
'Stylin', while in
Livin' it up in the city.' We sang together, our voices blending perfectly and annoyingly as they always did.
'Got Chucks on with Saint Laurent
Got kiss myself I'm so pretty.' Zed winked and I rolled my eyes.
'I'm too hot
Called a police and a fireman.' Cue me moving my hips in what I hoped was a sexy Fifth-Harmony-style fashion.
'I'm too hot
Make a dragon wanna retire man.'
'I'm too hot
Say my name you know who I am
I'm too hot
Am I bad 'bout that money
Break it down.'
I hated to admit it, but the performance kinda rocked. As I sang, I ran my hands through my hair and danced around to the instrumentals, as did Zed, rocking out like we were on a stage. When the song ended, our friends applauded and I took a grand bow, almost stumbling over. Oops. Maybe the alcohol was starting to get to my head.
'I got this feeling on the summer day when you were gone.
I crashed my car into the bridge. I watched, I let it burn.
I threw your shit into a bag and pushed it down the stairs.
I crashed my car into the bridge.
I don't care, I love it.
I don't care.'
I downed the shot Lucy gave me and we danced with Tina, Zoe and Taylor, jumping up and down in time to the music, shaking our heads and our hips.
'I got this feeling on the summer day when you were gone.
I crashed my car into the bridge. I watched, I let it burn.'
Lucy grabbed my hand and climbed onto the sofa, hoisting me up with her.
'I threw your shit into a bag and pushed it down the stairs.
I crashed my car into the bridge.'
We jumped, singing and dancing and I let all of my cares go.
'I don't care, I love it.
I don't care.'
'Sky!' Phillip grabbed my arm as the song ended and I stumbled, falling into my brother as my foot missed the edge of the sofa. 'Bloody hell sis!' He chuckled. 'I think you've partied pretty hard.'
'I'm having a blast!' I called back as my guests danced around me. Lucy continued dancing on the sofa and I cheered up at her.
'It's 1am.' He told me with a chuckle. 'I think it's time for people to go.'
'You've clearly not had enough to drink!' I replied.
He raised his eyebrows. 'I'm the responsible one here, of course I've not had much to drink. I had to keep an eye on you, especially with Zed here. I don't trust him. Not one bit.'
And he didn't even know we had that kind of history. 'I don't trust him either.'
'Mmmhmm.' I stumbled again and he helped me up. 'I think it's time for bed.'
'Nooo!'
'Sky...' He warned and I frowned at the future king of England.
'Spoilsport.'
He unplugged my iPod and the guests groaned. 'Right everyone, it's late. Hometime.' Cue more groaning. 'Come on, get out of here!'
My disgruntled guests, high on life and alcohol, said goodbye to me one by one and then they made their way out of the door. I turned away from Nate kissing Lucy and Zed approached me, taking it as his chance to pounce.
'Nice party.' He said with a cocky smile.
'You won this time but it won't always be like that.' I told him, warily. 'Now go home.'
His smile became lopsided. 'Sure thing, Bright. Laters.'
'Laters Benedict.'
The sound of my doorbell ringing over and over woke me the next day and I was aware that my head was throbbing. Like a bitch. I stood up, careful not to trip over my sleeping girl friends, which also had somehow included Taylor, and I walked out into the landing, aware that my hair was probably an awful mess. I paused as my head spun. Was I still drunk or was it just the alcohol making my morning an absolute nightmare? Either way, I was sure I'd slept like an absolute baby. The doorbell rang again and I groaned. Who the hell was so god damn impatient on a Sunday morning?
I opened the door and blinked. 'Father?' My voice came out croaky. Probably from too much singing.
'Sky.' He looked at me, warily and then his eyes widened as he looked behind me. 'What on earth...' He moved past me and I cursed inwardly when I saw that my landing and living room had become a glitter haven with confetti everywhere, party popper guts and balloons. Then there were the beer bottles. Lots of them. Shit. 'Did you have a party here?' He asked.
I swallowed. 'Just a few people after the diner...'
'And you were drinking? Underage?' Shit again. I nodded, mutely, and he gave me a disapproving look. 'You are aware aren't you that you're royalty... a princess... and as your father and the King of England I sign laws including ones which state you should not drink under the age of eighteen.' I nodded mutely again. What could I say? 'I was thinking that you and I were starting to get along.'
'I'm sorry.' I whispered, looking down at my feet. 'It was just a few friends and I'm going to clean all of this up.'
'This is not something you should be doing. You are expected to be innocent and a lady, not some crazy party reveller.' His voice was becoming more and more angry and I didn't like it. 'This could ruin your image.'
'But no one needs to know.' I squeaked.
'I was coming over here to deliver your birthday present.' He held up a set of car keys and I blinked. He'd bought me a car? 'Because I was impressed with how well you had handled things in Norway and how helpful your relationship with Prince Sebastien is proving to be.'
'I've already told you. It's a real relationship. It's not for good press or relations.' I said, frowning back at him.
'You're grounded.' He came out with and I glanced up to meet his eyes in surprise.
'What?'
'For having a party and drinking underage, you're grounded.' He tucked my car keys into his pocket. 'After school on Friday you are coming to the palace and you'll stay there at the weekend so I can ensure that you don't do anything you shouldn't. You can have your car then.'
'But-'
'No buts, Sky. I am your father and you disobeyed me and risked your image. It is completely unacceptable.'
'Well it's really pretty.' Lucy commented that afternoon when we were getting ready to return to school. Wilfred had loaded up the car and I stood, looking at my birthday present in the apartment car park. It was pretty. A cream Mini Cooper Sport convertible. I ran my fingers across the bonnet and sighed. Why had I decided on a party? My head was throbbing and I still felt sick.
'It is pretty.' I gave a small smile. 'It's just a shame I'm grounded.'
Back at school, I still felt headachy and even more so after finishing off the homework assignments due in that week. I completed my science essay and collapsed on my bed, Lucy doing the same as me.
'I'm never drinking again.' She groaned. 'I swear today hasn't been productive. How have you sat there and just worked constantly?'
'I don't know. I guess I'm just keeping busy.' I glanced up at the ceiling and sighed as emotion threatened to take over again when my mind drifted to my grandfather. He'd have loved the party at the diner. Not the afterparty though. He probably would have agreed with my grounding.
'Are you opening your other presents now?' She signalled to the large cardboard box on the floor that had been there when I got back to our room. Then there was Zed's present tucked away in my bedside drawer.
I walked over to the cardboard box and dragged it to my bed, carefully opening the tape with scissors. Inside was a pink wrapped present with a pink card and then another box. I opened the pink card first, carefully, and smiled.
Sky,
Happy Birthday! Welcome to the 17 club!
See you soon hopefully- missing having you around.
Love from Lolly xx
The present, clearly from Lolly, consisted of a simple cream silk blouse and a pretty light pink silk scarf with roses, daisies and other flowers on it. They were gorgeous.
'Totally borrowing!' Lucy beamed from across the room and I stuck my tongue out at her in response. Then I carefully pulled out the smaller box, opening it again with scissors. I saw the envelope first and recognised the handwriting; Seb. I opened the envelope carefully and there was an Audrey Hepburn birthday card inside. The message was simple, but inside was also a letter.
Dear Sky,
What can I say? It's only been a short time but I already miss you and even seeing you at your grandfather's funeral the other day wasn't enough. I wish I could have stayed and comforted you like you deserved and I really wish I could be there for you on your birthday. I'm sorry that I wasn't. The guilt I am feeling is consuming and I hate it. Everyone here is saying I'm doing a great job so far, but I'm doing it with gritted teeth. I know I'm their future king and I'm expected to do this for my country, but I'm hating it. It's cold and dark on board and all I can think about is you. Are you safe? Are you happy? Do you need me? The questions are constantly filling my mind and I don't understand it.
If you haven't yet opened your present please stop reading here as I don't want to spoil it.
I smiled. I could imagine him saying it. I pulled out the first present and carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a canvas photograph of me watching the Northern Lights. I smiled. There was another one in there too, one of Lolly and I at her party. They were definitely going to go on the wall. Then there was the little blue velvet box. I opened it carefully and inside sat two aquamarine stud earrings, matching the necklace my grandfather had bought me. They were perfect.
My eyes teared up and Lucy pulled me into a hug. 'It's going to be okay Sky.' She whispered. 'I promise.'
I found myself in one of the music rooms after classes the following day. I wasn't sure why my feet had taken me there, but they had. And, thankfully, it was empty. I went inside, my security hovering at the end of the corridor for me, and I sat myself down on the piano stool. I pulled some sheet music out of my back but hesitated when I spotted Zed's present, the one I still hadn't opened, sat at the bottom of my bag. I picked it up and carefully inspected it. It was small in width but long in length, an unusual oblong shape. With a quick check that no one was around to see, I opened the paper carefully and found myself looking at a black jewellery box. I sucked in a breath, almost feeling guilty, my earrings from Seb feeling heavy in my earlobes. He'd bought me jewellery? Really?
I held my breath as I opened the box. Inside sat a delicate rose gold chain with a small circular charm with an 'S' on it. It was simple, but beautiful. It made my eyes tear up and my heart fluttered. I frowned and closed the box quickly, shoving it back in my bag. My phone buzzed and lit up inside the satchel, revealing the wallpaper background; the picture of my grandfather and I on Christmas Day. A single tear rolled down my cheek and my heart ached with sadness. It was so hard losing someone you were so close to. Even if it had only been for a few months. Phillip was carrying on as normal, hiding his emotion, but I knew he was mourning too.
I lifted up the fallboard of the piano and ran my fingers gently along the keys, trying to calm my emotions, trying to release them instead of bottling them. And then I started to sing.
'It's been a long day without you my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again
Why'd you have to leave so soon?
Why'd you have to go?
Why'd you have to leave me when I needed you the most?
'Cause I don't really know how to tell ya
Without feeling much worse
I know you're in a better place
But it's always gonna hurt
Carry on
Give me all the strength I need to carry on
It's been a long day without you my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again.'
'You should've sang that one at the funeral.' Zed's voice took me by surprise and his comment made me frown as I wiped away the tears that had dampened my cheeks.
'What's wrong with Somewhere Over the Rainbow?' I asked, trying to keep my voice polite.
'Don't get me wrong, the funeral was lovely but the song you just sang has way more emotion in it.' I blinked. He'd been one of the millions of people to watch the livestream of the funeral. I closed the piano lid and reached for my bag but he stopped me. 'I'm sorry, that was insensitive of me.' He apologised.
'You're right, it was.'
His eyes softened as they met mine and I tried my best not to grit my teeth. 'Your voice is great Sky and you're very talented on piano. Don't hold back your talent, that's all I meant.'
'My grandfather liked that song.' I said and a single tear rolled down my cheek. I caught it quickly, hoping Zed hadn't seen that he'd upset me, but he had. He reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder and I shrugged it off. 'Don't act like you care, Zed.'
He flinched. 'But I do care about you.'
I shrugged on my satchel and grabbed my coat, walking towards the door. 'I'll see you later.'
'Is this how it's going to be now?' His voice sounded hurt and I felt guilt in the pit of my stomach as I turned back to face him. 'You just avoiding me.'
'Need I remind you that you broke up with me.' I replied. 'If we were you know...dating.'
'I made a huge mistake and I was jealous.' He said, running a hand through his hair. 'I wish I could take it back and above all, I wish that I had told your dad I didn't care that he didn't approve.'
My heart fluttered and I hated it for it. Zed was a bad boy. Things hadn't worked out. And now I was with Seb. So why on earth was I acting like a giddy school girl?