"I just don't understand why Blair feels the need to come the palace now, specifically when the selection is almost over," Amelia spoke and motioned her hands in front of her as she did so.
"I know. It's totally not necessary, but I guess she's just being a typical girl wanting to cause drama just for the fun of it," I reiterated.
"But why? We have plenty of drama going on without her. For example, rebels-"
"My leg," I interrupted.
"Ryan."
"Our families."
"The royals."
"Reporters."
"The critics."
"And tasks, tasks, so many tasks!"
"Ah, I guess she's just a cherry on the top."
We laughed and continued to secretly complain about the arrival of Blair and her family.
Today was Saturday, the day Blair would be forthcoming to the palace, and Amelia and I sat at a table near the front entrance waiting to see her and her family. The table we sat at was the selfsame one I utilized when I waited for my family to come to the elite party. It was a round, white table with small matching chairs and soft blue cushions. The area to the entrance was coordinating with white and pale blue colors. The entire room was white, but the color blue appeared in some places, like the cushions, the door and window frames, and entrance rug.
I stared toward the window waiting for Blair. She was pronounced to arrive this morning, however, it was already 10:30 and she hadn't been spotted yet. Ryan and the rest of the royal family sat in other chairs around the room, along with officials and a few maids and guards.
Ryan told us yesterday what to do during her arrival at that was to simply smile and greet ourselves. Curtsying wasn't necessary since we weren't from France. Still, even though she was a teenage lovebird specifically over Ryan, I was nervous about meeting her. Queen Marcy told us not to be intimidated by her, but how could I not? She was Ryan's best friend who obviously had a lot of fun with him. I had no natural connections with Ryan other than having my name randomly drawn for the selection. My friendship with Ryan was practically forced, but my relationship with him, well, that was something we built ourselves.
"They are here!" an official howled a little too loudly.
Everyone looked up and the palms of my hands began to sweat. I did not want to meet this girl personally.
"Oh, hello!" A feminine French voice giggled.
She stepped out of a clean black limousine and hugged the guard who opened the door for her. I immediately recognized that guard as Edison.
"It has been so long!" she giggled once more and continued to stay attached to him.
I looked down to my hands that were properly swaying in front of me. Amelia and I stood and waited by the door that was opened for them.
Blair's parents stepped out as well, her father smiling joyfully, and her mother giggling along and clenching her hands over what appeared to be a slight bump on her stomach. I came to the conclusion she was pregnant.
"Mum, look! It's Eddie! Remember him?!" She pealed away from him and turned to her mother.
"Oh, yes!" Her mother sighed with a smile.
As soon as they were all out of the car, along with their luggage, the limousine drove away and they headed for the entrance of the palace.
"Here we go," Amelia whispered to me as she shook her head and faked a big smile.
"Ryan!" Blair screamed and leaped into his arms.
She held on tight and swung her legs behind her as Ryan span her around. I believed tears were streaming down her face at that moment as well.
I kept my head down to distract myself from what I saw. Amelia remained smiling sweetly, but the whole thing was overwhelming. Guards, officials, and maids all helped carry the luggage they brought to a room. After a while, all who was left was Amelia, Ryan, the king and queen, Blair, her family, and me. I figured this would be the time we were to introduced ourselves, but it was not. Blair continued to ignore us like we were not even there.
Ryan proceeded to hug and kiss the French family along with his own. The whole scene was filled with giggles and smiles.
The French Queen, Blair's mother, had a never ending laugh that filled the room obnoxiously. Her jaw hung open and out of her voice, a twisted, and quite loud, ringing of a laugh came out.
I wanted to cover my ears, but that would not be very ladylike in front of royals, even from other countries.
"Oh, I must sit down," Blair's mother spoke just as loud as her laugh.
"Let us show you to your room," Queen Marcy offered.
"I'll come along," Blair's father peeped.
All the royals walked up the flight of stairs and trampled into the hallway of rooms.
"Come with, Ryan," The queen motioned her hand out for Ryan to join.
He sighed, but did so.
Now the room consisted of Amelia and I, and, of course, Blair.
"Well, hello," she faked a smile, "Are you two maids? You're certainly not dressed like it."
"No, we-" Amelia began but was cut off by Blair's rude interruption.
"Oh, it's okay. I get that the role of being a maid is a bit embarrassing, but you don't have to hide it," Amelia and I glanced at each other, "I'm just glad that they got more maids. Last time I was here, their was a shortage of maids because they were abducted by rebels. Not to scare you off the job or anything; at least they fixed the problem," She stared at us in full seriousness and the same quirky smile Edison had when we spoke the other day.
"Oh, no, I am Amelia and this is Emily," Amelia motioned toward me, "We are the remaining selected."
"Selected?" Blair's eyes widened.
"Yes, not maids," I retorted quite vigorously.
"Oh," she placed her to her lips, seemly that she already knew.
The words she spoke moments ago rang in my head: "they were abducted by rebels." Is this why I only received two maids instead of three? Is that why during the The Report Chelsea and Karen looked so suspicious about revealing there was a shortage of maids? Questions ran through me like a waterfall, but I had too much to focus on with Blair being around that I had to ignore them.
"My apologies," Blair began quite unsincerely, "You girls just looked like. . ." she trailed off.
I closed my eyes and let out a huge sigh. She had only been here for less than a half hour and I was already fed up with her.
"Alright," I attempted to excuse myself, "I am going to go now," I turned on my crutches and fiercely scampered away.
I bit my lip vigorously at the thought of Ryan being with such a rodent. My eyes burned. How could someone be so disrepectful is a question I will never know the answer to.
I rounded the corner of the hallway and immedietly came to a halt. I listened as closely as I could to the continuation of Amelia and Blair's conversation.
"Well she was rude," I interpreted Blair's voice fading.
"Oh, no, she was probably just not in the mood for visitors. See, a lot has happened with her in the last week," Amelia's sweet voice responded.
"Okay," Blair drifted, "But I still do not like her impression."
"Please give her a chance. You hardly know her," Amelia practically begged.
"Oh, but that is not the first time I have talked to her."
"Hm?" Amelia asked confused.
"Oh, yes, the other day I called Ryan's personal phone and she answered. Apparently Ryan was 'busy' and she was the only one there to pick up."
"Oh my goodness. Does Ryan know about this?"
"I'm not sure, but I intend to tell him."
"Huh."
"What is the matter?" Blair continued innocently sounding.
"That is not the first time she has done that," Amelia said, staring to sound adgatated.
"Oh?"
"Yes!"
"Do tell!" Blair laughed.
"One night, she snuck out just to follow him around, specifically to his room, just for the fun of it. It was a bit absurd and at first I reacted quite bitterly. Although, I ended up forgiving her a bit later. I'm just surprised she did it again, I mean, after the risk she took last time around."
"Funny," Blair said sternly, but did not laugh, "Well, that is definitely not queen worthy."
Oh, and you are? I bet any other French princess wouldn't go around trying to steal a boy who is already in love.
"I'm afraid not so," Amelia sighed, "But she's my friend, and friends forgive each other."
"Oh, darling," Blair laughed at the comment, "Face it. Being friends with innocent little Emily was fun for you at first, but come on! You are the last two remaining. You are competing. And 'friends' don't date the same guy at the same time, right?"
Amelia waited a moment. What did Blair all of a sudden have against me? I had an immediate instinct to walk right back into their conversation, but something held me away.
"Well... sure- but-"
"Save it, Amelia. The damage is done. You realize you want Ryan just as bad as she does. It's no secret now."
"No! I-"
"You what? Admit it."
That was when I lost it. I crutched away, hoping I didn't make a scene and headed to my room.