2:30 P.M.

Cambridgeshire- Hazelnut Grove- Winfrey's Estate

I allowed myself to try and absorb the greatness of Lucy Winfrey's estate, but there was too much for me to take in at once. It was then and there that I realized the way we lived was completely modest compared to her family. They had money and flaunted it about. I glanced nervously at Gavyn who only smirked.

"I know why you drove me now." I said accusingly.

He smiled and ignored my glare.

"Have fun sis." He spoke teasingly.

I fidgeted and messed with my favorite dress; the flowers sewed on the bottom of it were purple and green and a black ribbon decorated the waist. And one of the only reasons I was in love with it was because it didn't hug onto my every single curve. The hem would flutter about in the wind.

Gavyn pulled the car up to the front of the white mansion and stopped just as the butler stepped off the porch to greet me. He was quick to open the door and greet me.

"Welcome to the Winfrey estate Madame Davis. I sincerely hope you enjoy your stay."

I thanked him again and allowed him to lead me to the house. If the tea party had been here yesterday instead of the café they had owned, I probably would have stayed.

The parlor that the butler escorted me to was Victorian styled with the bright and vivid colors. I thought I had stepped back into the late 1800's as soon as I walked in there. I contained myself from sitting in the chairs in case I went straight through it. Knowing my luck, I probably would have. But they were beautiful none the less. The floor still looked like it was the original wooding that was first used in the house, but it held a beautiful shine to it. All of the pictures were in golden frames and held up proudly on the wall.

And, oh, the fire place. How it still held the beautiful rustic look it had once been. It seemed as if time had stopped around it and no one touched it since.

I know I was still confused about the invitation all together. Lucy is a blue blood- someone born into the richer part of society or in other words, an aristocrat. As hard as politicians try, people still view the classes of society. It's not as bad as it had been back in the day, but there are those people who are still old-fashioned. And according to those people, my family should reside in the upper rank of the middle class. So why invite someone small like me to her luxurious house?

The sound of approaching footsteps brought me out of my bewilderment. It was Lucy in all of her modesty. I felt sure that if she didn't have a stuck up woman for a mother, she would have shown up to her own party in normal jeans and a t-shirt, which wouldn't have bothered me at all. But, like I had mentioned before, her mother was the devil in disguise- a fashion and etiquette police.

But I held no grudge against Lucy because of her mother. She was nice to me whenever I bumped into her at the University or in town. But I was never really close with her, so I was still trying to figure out why she would invite me to her home if we barely knew each other.

And of course, I felt completely underdressed with my little black and white dress. Her beautiful peach-colored dress went to her knees and was decorated with white embroidered swirls on the hem.

"Oh Jeanine! I'm so glad you aren't sick anymore. I was worried about you!"

"Thanks." I muttered slightly. No one ever said I had wonderful social skills.

"Let's go to the garden! I'm sure you there's a lot of beautiful flowers that'll catch your attention." She wrapped a hand around my arm and was quick to lead me through the house. I wanted to stop and observe the other rooms that she had guided me through, but I could tell there was something on her mind.

We crossed what I could only assume as the music room and found the sliding glass doors that took us out back, only to have my breath taken away.

The patio was made of cobble stones, and held some beautiful red wood chairs that glistened in the sun. But it was the layers of the different colors and shapes of flowers that kept me in awe. But it was the colors of the trees across the small stream that caught my attention.

"Are those Sakura trees?"

Lucy gave me a blank look, which turned into something confused. I realized I had used a Japanese word she wasn't familiar with.

"Ah, sorry. I meant Cherry Blossoms. Are those trees Cherry Blossom trees?"

"Oh! Yes, they are. My grandmother asked for them to be imported when she was a young girl. Beautiful, aren't they?"

It was easy to recognize that the trees were in season. The pink flowers caught and captivated my attention. They were so beautiful.

"Can we go see them closer?"

Lucy smiled in response and was quick to let me cross the small bridge. I took a chance to glimpse into the flowing water to find colorful fish residing at the bottom of the clear stream.

A small bench sat underneath the tree as if it was waiting for someone in particular. Absentmindedly, I allowed my hand to graze the bench as I took a step closer to the foreign looking tree. But a sense of warmth and comfort suddenly washed over me. I quickly pulled my hand away from the bench and clutched it tightly to my chest.

"No. Oh bollocks!" I whispered angrily more to myself.

"Pardon? Is everything okay Jeanine?"

Ah, I forgot about Lucy. I quickly regained composure and smiled at her.

"Yes. I'm fine. Sorry for bothering you. I felt a bit dizzy, that's all. But I've recovered." I lied. "Was this an important place to your grandmother?"

Lucy nodded.

"Yes, it's where grandfather purposed to her. She made many happy memories here; it was her favorite place in the entire garden."

"Ah." That would explain the warmth and happiness I had felt there.

"I take it that she doesn't visit anymore?" I asked cautiously.

"She passed away last summer."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

She watched me closely and the smile disappeared off of her face. "Jean, we really need to talk about something important."

I felt the smile and warmth evaporate as Lucy's mood took a swing. Grabbing her hands, I led her towards a pavilion I had spotted.

As soon as we hit the pavilion, Lucy dragged me to the seat next to her. She had my full attention as she stood over me.

"I have something very important to ask of you Jean."

I bit my bottom lip. Was this the real reason as to why she would invite me to a tea party? To use me? I began to fidget and feel a little bit self-conscious.

"What is it?"

She took a deep breath in and started to wring her hands together nervously.

"I need a friend."

I bit my lip and watched her carefully.

"But what about those other girls?"

Lucy looked on the verge of tears.

"You see, that's the problem with the bluebloods of this country." She said bitterly. "They make friends to look good in this stupid society. I need someone who would be trustworthy. Honest."

"And why did you choose me?" Now I was curious. I hope this wasn't a pity party.

"Because I keep hearing a lot of nice things about you Jean. I see you at the university and something just draws me to you."

I couldn't hold it back anymore. Giggles just started to bubble and soon, I was laughing.

"I'm so sorry." I managed to squeak out as soon as astonishment crossed her face. "I'm not picking on your or anything of the sort. I mean, that was the intent of my visit."

Lucy smiled and giggled as well.

"Funny, how fate works, isn't it?"

"That it is." I agreed.

"Girls?"

The voice was unfamiliar to me, but Lucy's face dropped a little. All of our giggling and happiness ceased as soon as a tall woman walked out from the house. She wore a pinstriped business suit with her blonde hair strictly combed back into a tight bun.

"Who is that?" I asked, bewildered that one person could completely change Lucy's mood.

"My mother. She was not supposed to be home."

I watched the two hostesses sip their tea silently. Lucy's mother was a magnificent and noble looking woman. She held her head high and not showed one sign of slack in her structure. Elegant and yet cold. I didn't like her at all. She was the selfish, pompous side of the aristocrats that I hated. And the entire tea time, she had spent her attention on me.

"I know its quiet obvious about what you and your family do for a living. I mean, your parents are so famous for it." Mrs. Winfrey spoke coolly and without glancing up at me from her tea cup. "And there have been rumors that you and your brother possess some of the supernatural powers," I glanced over to Lucy, looking for a clue as to where the conversation was going. But Lucy was distracted with her tea, and seemed a bit distracted. I noted her reaction to her mother and wondered what their relationship was. "And so I was wondering if you and your brother would be our entertainment for the garden party. It would truly be such a spectacle-"

My heart instantly sank. Was she really going in that direction? A darker feeling took over my emotions.

"Please stop, Mrs. Winfrey. I think I've heard enough." I said coldly.

Her eyes widened at the new tone in my voice as I rose up. My tea cup was set down forcefully and ended up clattering against the plate.

"What we have will never be used as a source of entertainment because, had you done the proper research, it takes our life force away. If my brother uses his power extraneously, it could cost him his life. I will not have you ask of him or myself to go through such an insulting experience." I pulled my phone out of my purse and started to walk away. "Now if you excuse me, Mrs. Winfrey, I have important business to attend to. Thank you for the invitation to tea, Lucy."

I walked away from the table, almost trembling with anger. I could find my way out of the estate, even if it had meant walking.

A/N: Hello! I would definately like to thank my first four reviewers! It was tough, seeing the number change, but I just need to get back into the swing of things. So I have a question for you guys, those who will actually respond anyways, is it me, or are we getting a TON of rain? Because I had to leave school early today so I could get home before I was rained out. Ridiculous! Anyways, my graduation date is coming up in three more weeks, so I'll be busy. But I will definately try my darnest to get this up and done with it. I'm also up to taking ideas as well! I have a good idea of what I'm doing to this story, but I don't mind other options as well! :D I hope you all enjoy!

Love,

Jazzy