Rock'n'Love
New York, winter of 85
Ice crystals made the most beautiful and abstract designs on the large window of the luxurious penthouse which was home to the prestigous Rhodes family. While CeCe Rhodes was sipping Champagne, trying her best to look like an aristocrat, her sixteen year old daughter Lily gazed out the decorated window .
"I sincerely hope you're dreaming of the debutant's ball, Lily Rhodes! You still haven't tried on your dress."
Her mother's harsh voice brought the young, blonde Beauty back to reality. Nevertheless, she had to stifle a yawn. She hated all those stiff events, and she was very thankful to her dad for letting her stay at a public school one more year before sending her to the awfully classy Constance Billard School. At least, she would have someone to share her fate – her closest friend Eleanor 'Elly' Waldorf would be sent to this school, too.
"Can I at least choose my date, Mom?"
Lily Rhodes wasn't usually this
bold when it came to talking back to her dominant mother. Her friend
Elly was way better than her in dealing with her parents, even if
Lily suspected that Lily's big mouth would get her into trouble one
day. Nonetheless, Lily amired her best friend's apparent
independence and tried her best to follow suit.
Which was not
successful at all. CeCe once again had to defy her daughter. The
noble lady wanted to have a chat with the little Waldorf girl, her
bad influence on Lily showed. However, CeCe always knew how to have
her way with her daughter, Lily just couldn't stand up to her. It
was all for her best – as long as it didn't hurt the reputation
of the Rhodes family.
"Child, I don't understand what your problem with Bart Bass is. He's a well-groomed, attractive man with excellent manners."
"And excellent money, I know. But the old man is 30, Mom! I can't take him to..." Lily covered her mouth wih her hand, but the damage had been done. Her mothers face had become all wrinkly with anger and the Champagne made the noble lady belch. She tried to stay calm anyway and told her daughter in an icy voice:
"Go to your room, Lily Rhodes! And you can stay there for the rest of the day, until you realise that we talk in a more cultivated manner. You going to the ball with Bart is not up for discussion. It is a fact and you will have to deal with it, young lady."
Lily hated to be patronised, but she gave in once
again. The reason for this was the fact, that she had planned
something adventurous for the evening and she didn't want to arouse
suspicion. Her mother should think that she had won once again.
Tonight, Lily wanted to enjoy life.
While CeCe slowly calmed down
in the living room, Lily dragged up an old bag from under her bed.
Elly had given it to her in school. Getting it into her room had not
been hard. Her mother often entertained guests who drawed off the
attention from Lily. Sometimes the fact that her mother thought of
her as a mere status symbol made Lily really unhappy. She considered
herself presentable, but she longed for love and closeness –
feelings her mother couldn't show. Her father was a likeable, nice
person, but always away on business trips, she never got to see him.
Lily was jealous of her fellow students, who didn't know of the
sorrows that came with the money. She'd love to swap places with
them, if she could. But tonight, she finally would be free to laugh.
From the bag, Lily produced a pair of Jeans with holes and covered
her mouth to prevent herself from giggling. If her mother saw her
dressed like that, she would die from shock and Lily didn't want
that to happen.
At seven, Lily's time had come. As usual, CeCe left the penthouse to dine with her old friends at 'The Palace', a chic New York restaurant and to talk about the debutants ball. Bart Brass' influential father would be there, too. CeCe got along great with him; the affair that they had been having for some time now was a secret she only shared with her friends.
Lily didn't know any of this, and tonight she didn't want to hear anything about the phony high society. Eleanor picked her up in her limousine, lucky for them, the driver was a descrete person. He didn't even smile when the girls, usually dressed in designer clothes, got in the car dressed in tight Jeans, leather jackets and leather boots.
"You're gonna love the show, honey! There's no cooler band around and the boys are incredibly hot! I wonder why you haven't met them at school. Maybe because they take different classes and they're extremly popular."
Lily smiled at Eleanor , who usually was a fashion victim, but also knew how to upset her parents. Elly found herself in a difficult situation. Until tonight she had always been the center of attraction at school. But without her bun and her oldfashioned clothes, Lily looked adorable. As much as Eleanor liked her, she would not let her steal her shine. But even Eleanor didn't know about the plans of nasty Emily who wanted to use the opportunity to play a prank on Lily. Lucky for her that Lily had forgotten her bra in the locker room the other day after Cheerleader practise.
