Starlet

38. Ball

Saturday and Sunday I take a lot of walks in the woods. I cry a lot and try to sort out my feelings. We never agreed to only date each other. I thought we were more than we really were, I guess.

By Monday, everyone knows. But they leave me alone about it. I go to everything all week. I really have a lot of practices and classes.

I sit at theater practice on Friday and try to stay focused.

"Can I sit down?"

I about jump out of my seat and look at Collin. "I guess."

He sits beside me, then he shakes his head. "I'm really sorry. I went to the party and she was there. I didn't plan it. I was stupid."

I smile. "It's ok. We were only dating anyway. Not like we were ever together. We never even agreed to only date each other."

"Were you dating anyone else?"

"No. But we never agreed to that. I didn't think we were. I've been wrong about things before. It's not the first time. I did like you."

"I like you too. I had a lot of fun with you. I don't want that to stop."

"I can't do that again."

"Please give me another try. At least think about it. I know I messed up."

"She said no. Now go." Leo pulls him out of the chair and pushes him towards the door.

Dipak lands between them. "He's still a kid. Hands off." Dipak walks Collin out.

Leo storms off and slams himself into a chair halfway to the other side of the theater. I guess he's sitting by himself today too.

Saturday, I get ready for the ball in my apartment. My servents help me. I haven't been a princess in so long. I'm not sure how anymore.

My dress is a princess ballgown. It's mainly black, but the trim is red. The servants designed it. I forgot about it. It's pretty though. It's princess cut on top. I have black and ruby jewelry. It's a lot like my queen jewelry. I have arm bands, bracelets, rings, and necklaces. They're black with ruby stones. Other than the tiara. They picked the ruby tiara with a few black diamonds in it. Then they had a new headpiece made. It has strands of rubies in my hair. They did good.

A servant smiles and finishes my eye makeup. "Perfect."

"Thank you."

"My pleasure."

An announcement comes over the brains. "Please report to your collection area."

"Where the hell is that?"

2 of my servants step forward. They are dressed in simple black gowns with red aprons. I guess they get to come with me. They each even have a necklace on. "Been a long time since we've done this. We know where your collection area is, princess."

I follow them out and walk behind them. We have no issues. People get out of their way. Halfway down the hall, Tre appears and I take his arm. We keep following them.

We walk into another room. I've never been here. It seems like a sitting room with a couple of desks and a kitchen. I can't quite sort out what this is supposed to be.

A guard almost steps into me and Tre throws him into the wall.

I take his arm again. "Seems like you've been waiting for that moment."

"I enjoy it."

I giggle. "Are you sure you're not a prince, sir?"

"Skipped it and went straight to king." He leads me through a door.

We are in a room with a lot of people. I can't even see where our people are collecting at. I know they're here. But where here is beyond me.

Thora comes out of nowhere and grabs my arm. "I'm here. Don't lose me. I lost everyone."

"What the hell is this?" I grab Tre so tightly.

"It's the social thing before the lineup. People are lining up now. So it's going to clear out fast." Tre starts talking to someone else. I stay hooked on him and talk to Thora.

"Where is everyone?"

"They scattered."

"At least we look good."

She smiles. "Yea, let's hope for nice kidnappers."

I've got a death grip on Tre's arm. He is not getting away.

"Barlowe castle out this door please. Line up in the hall."

Thora leans in. "Oh, he's a hot prince."

I shake my head. "I don't want to see any princes."

"Fersby castle line up in the hall please."

"How many castles are here?"

"I think 8 or 9."

"De la Nuit castle. Line up in the hall please." We don't move.

I tug on his arm and he pats my hand. After a couple of minutes, he shakes someone's hand. Then we go to the hallway.

Our people are already half introduced into the ballroom. Thora jumps in line with Tye and takes his arm before they get called in. Tre starts talking to someone else in the hallway beside our group. I stand there holding onto him.

Eventually, Mason grabs Tre and puts him in line. I'm still clinging to him.

Tre guides me to his other arm, so, I'm on the right side. Then we get motioned in.

Everyone starts clapping.

"Vampire Princess Starlet Whisper Cole. Rightful heir to the vampire throne. Escorted by Pharaoh Michael Trebnor Saxon."

"I didn't know you're a Pharaoh."

"I'm not." He laughs as we get to our table. He loses it when when Dipak gets introduced as a God.

Nadine gets to the tables with Dipak and busts out laughing. "So, turns out that I forgot to fix the titles."

We laugh as they get seated.

We keep ourselves collected and watch the last few groups get introduced.

Then the king of the castle makes an announcement. He thanks everyone for coming and blah blah blah. 20 minutes later. The prince and princess dances start.

I watch them dance and feel sad. I would like to dance too. But I know I can't. I'd have a panic attack if a prince even looked at me.

A princess nearly falls onto the lowest tier of our risers. Elek's brother catches her, and they stare at each other. I catch a glimpse of her eyes and they are black. Dipak and Elek go down to talk to them. The castle keeps going with the prince and princess dances. Then the other king comes over and Omar goes down with them. It seems to get a bit heated and Nadine goes down.

"What's the problem, boys?"

"Nobody knows what to do with the other 2 dates."

The woman that was with Elek's brother perks up. "Well, I can go over and be his date. Let these 2 stare at each other in peace."

"That could work."

"Well, I don't want the idiot."

Nadine laughs so hard. "Bring the table and chairs over. We'll take the i***t too."

Dipak nods. "We've already got a few. He'll fit in fine."

I scoot a little closer to Tre. I hope he's not a prince.

Dipak and the other king walk over to the hosting king and talk to him. Soon enough, the table, chairs, and 1 i***t sit down with us. He's not a prince. Elek escorts his brother and his mate up 1 riser and makes them sit. The 1 step made both of them trip. It's good Elek was there. Then everything seems to be good. I watch the rest of the prince and princess dances.

Then he moves me and my chair back to our normal spot, so we can eat. The food is good. It's a mix of meat and vegetables. Then there's a bread and cheese tray. Everything I taste is amazing. I eat so much. For dessert, it's cake, but I ate too much real food, I can't even finish it. I nearly cry as they clear the table and take it away.

Then we sit through some speeches. I clap politely when everyone else does. But I have no idea what is going on.

Then they do a girls-only dance. Tre tries to help me up, but I shake my head.

The table and chairs are replaced with little couches.

I sit on the couch with Tre.

It seems like all the girls fall asleep. That's confusing. I don't think we're supposed to do that.

"I need to go be king. Do you want to sit here or come with me?"

"I'll be here. Please don't forget about me when you leave."

"I won't forget. Do you want to dance before I go?"

I look at the dance floor and shake my head. People are out there. "I'll be fine here."

"Ok. Kane isn't leaving this area. Tell him if you need me back here."

"Thank you, sir."

Thora plops down beside me. "So what did Collin want yesterday?"

"Another chance."

"Are you going to give it to him?"

"No. I can't do that again."

A prince steps on our platform and I stare at the floor. I hope he doesn't notice me. I can feel his eyes on me though. Thora turns to Nadine and whispers, "That's him."

"Would you like to dance?" I can't even look up.

"I'll dance with you." Nadine drags him off.

I breathe and sigh in relief. Then Nik falls off the side of the risers. Elek laughs so hard he has to sit down. Then Mason starts yelling at them.

The i***t we are stuck with turns around and says something. I don't catch it, but Thora hits him in the head with her cup.

I concentrate on being formal and listening to the music. It is nice music.

Nadine comes back. "What happened?"

Thora pouts. "He said I'm not a very good princess."

"Oh, what does he know? Just ignore him."

The prince she was dancing with smiles. "You seem like a perfect princess to me. Can I have a dance?"

Thora lunges at him. "I don't know any dances though. You'll have to fake it."

Nadine nods. "Good luck sir. We needed a princess, I moved up."

He cracks up laughing as she pulls him down the risers.

The i***t looks at Nadine. "You're not a very good queen either. All you do is eat and sleep."

She hits him with a chair. He drops to the ground. Thora cracks up laughing at the bottom of the risers.

"It slipped."

Dipak comes running up. "What happened?"

Elek is losing it on the couch again. Thora is holding onto the prince, trying to stand up right.

She smiles. "It slipped."

Kane nods. "I saw it. It slipped."

The new mate's dad comes over with the hosting king. "I told you he was an idiot."

Dipak nods. "Apparently the chair slipped."

"They do that sometimes." He motions around. "Get him to the medical area."

"Yes sir."

Her dad looks at the servant. "And don't bring him back."

Once they get him out of there, everything goes back to normal. I stay as formal as I can and enjoy the music. Tre and Marcus check on me a few times. But I really do enjoy the music. It's a nice evening. Then Tre escorts me back to the castle and the servants have me ready for bed in record time. Which is good. I was asleep standing there.