Chapter 8
It was finally time for the big birthday party! Sofia was so excited, she caught Amber and James before they went into the ballroom, where Dad, Mom and Aunt Tilly awaited them, with the rest of the castle staff.
"I wanted to give you your gifts first!" Sofia said proudly.
"Why thank you, Sofia!" exclaimed Amber.
"Yeah, thanks Sof!" seconded James.
But the initial joy the twins had, turned to embarrassment and disappointment. These were the necklace and badge that the peddler woman was selling.
Sofia asked excitedly, "Do you like them?"
"Oh...they're okay, I guess," said Amber.
"Yeah, Sof," replied James.
Sofia could see the disappointment in their faces. She felt even worse when they turned the corner, thinking she wasn't watching and carelessly tossed the gifts onto a hall table, like a piece of junk.
Sofia was crushed. She turned and ran to her bedroom, crying.
"It's true! It's true! I'm really not fit to be a royal! I can't even make nice gifts for the ones I love. Instead I disappoint them!" she said as she buried her head in her pillow. Too bad Clover was visiting a cousin, and Mia and Robin were visiting family, because that meant Sofia was all alone. The threesome wouldn't be back until later tonight.
I've...I've got to stop embarrassing and disappointing myself and my family. And the only way to do that is to leave. I won't hurt their feelings ever again! They won't have to make up any more excuses for me!
With her mind made up Sofia sat at her writing desk. She wrote two notes through her tears:
"Dear Clover, Minimus, Mia, and Robin,
I've decided to no longer be an embarrassment and disappointment to my family or anyone else, so I am leaving.
I'll miss you all! You were the best friends anyone could ever have asked for. Treat Amber and James well.
I'll miss you all!
Love,
Sofia"
and then the hardest one,
"Dear Dad, Mom, Aunt Tilly, Amber and James,
Based on what has been happening over the past month, I now know that I am not special enough to be a royal. I have been failing at school, both in my lessons and after school activities, even with James and Amber helping me. I have been an embarrassment and disappointment to you all. I can't even provide a proper gift for James and Amber on their birthday! It won't happen anymore. I've decided to leave.
There will always be a special place in my heart for you all, and I will miss you. After I'm gone, maybe you will remember me and the good times we had. Hopefully they outnumbered the bad.
Love you all,
Sofia"
Sofia then placed her tiara on the second note, and changed from her royal gown into the dress she wore when she arrived at the castle, oh so long ago. But she did forget one thing. She had gotten so used to wearing her amulet, she forgot to leave it behind as well. She collected a few cherished gifts from the family, put them in her backpack and stole out of her room, and out of the castle.
