Just as I go to slip into my room, the mysterious stranger places a hand on my waist and leans over my shoulder. "If I were the Prince I would only have eyes for you" he breathes into my ear before walking away, leaving me a hot mess.
**
The United...
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Then I grab my dryer and give my hair a thorough dry, brush, and then one last final dry. When I'm sure it's properly dried, I brush it again before pulling it into a side plat. I decide against makeup, although do add a touch of lip gloss.
Once I'm all done I turn to my suitcase. It's only small as we've been instructed to bring the absolute minimum. We will not be wearing our own clothes at the palace and essentials will be provided for us: hair and body wash, towels, hair dryers, underwear, etc... With that in mind, I pack only a couple of things.
My bag is packed. I have my two favourite sweatpants, my favourite pyjama set (shorts and a vest top that reads 'I woke up this amazing'), my two favourite tank tops, my little white teddy bear (I've had him since a baby ok?!) and my Hollister hoodie. I also have three framed pictures to put in whatever room I'm given in England: one of mother and father on holiday in India-she was 7 months pregnant with Emma at the time and her bump is really showing; one of Emma and I from a couple years back-it's from my birthday and we're stood in our back garden grinning like the idiots we are; and one of all four of us, the whole family-it was taken on mother's birthday last year at Italiano Plaza. I smile at the memories but force them out of my head for now. I'm already emotional enough goddammit.
I grab my suitcase and slowly head downstairs. Em has disappeared and the living room is cleared and back to normal as if we were never there. I sigh and look around sadly. What will the house be like without me? Will it be different? When will I come back? Will I even coke back? The sound of doors closing and voices brings me back to the present. Mother's up. I glance at the clock. It's 9.00. My escort arrives at 11.15.
"Daniel! Dan! NOOO!" I hear my mother's frantic voice and the heavy footsteps of my father running to where she is; in the doorway of my room by the sounds of it.
"Julie? Jules! What is it? Is it Rosa? Oh my God, what's happened to her? Is she dead?!" Well... that's a bit of a jump isn't it. Not sure why that's the assumption one's jump to immediately but here we are. I guess I should speak up and let them know I am in fact alive and well. I open my mouth to call up to them when mother's voice cuts me off.
"Worse Dan!" Curious, I shut my mouth once again, intrigued as to what an earth could possibly be worse than dying?! I look like a codfish but I don't even care.
"She-she's run away!" My mother exclaims.
"Ummm mother? Have you checked downstairs?"
Upon my sister's suggestion, I hear two pairs of footsteps come crashing down the stairs. Sure enough, mother appears followed by father. They both look a little scared, but upon seeing me stood there more than a little relieved.
"Rosa! Thank God! We-I thought-"
"I didn't know there was anything worse than dying?" I question her with a raised eyebrow and small smile. I see a slight colour rise in her cheeks as she shuffles past me and into the kitchen. Father just laughs at me as he follows her. "Come on. I want breakfast."
