Chapter Text
The following days are full of official business and logistics and measurements and phone calls and too many phone calls. The day until the morning of my departure happen so fast but as the same time feel like they're in slow motion.
On the day of my departure, I put on the white shirt, black flared leggings and I put on my special occasion lip gloss because it's I don't use it now, when will I? I still remember when I put some on before I saw Aspen a few weeks ago. I still couldn't believe how immature and selfish he was. It makes my eyes prick but mostly it makes me grit my teeth. I want to punch him in the face. I kind of want to throw a table at his face-
"America?" May asks from the hallway. I grunt as a response from my bed. "Are you okay?" She continues, her voice full of concern, "You can talk to me if you want. I'm your sister you know. You can talk to me about anything. I'm always here for you." I have no doubt her words are genuine but how do you tell your younger sister that your secret boyfriend she doesn't even know about, broke up with you even when you thought he was saving up to get married?
"I know, May. Thank you." I reply with a small smile, "I'm alright."
"If you say so."
"Oh, come on! Give me a hug." She smiles as she walks over into my arms. I hold her tightly but she holds me tighter. God, am I going to miss her when I leave. She loosens her death grip and we hear a know at the door. I walk over to open it where I'm greeted with a loving smile from my father.
"You look beautiful, honey." He tells me as he walks into my room.
"Thank you!" I give him a mock curtsy
He puts in hand on my shoulders, "I need you to know that no matter what happens," He takes the lily I need to wear and puts it in my hair, "...you'll always be my princess." He kisses my forehead and tears threaten to leave my eyes.
"Oh, stop! My mascara's going to run!" My hands fly to my eyes, "But, thank you...that means a lot." He smiles as my mother bursts through the door. "Why is everyone in my room?" I demand playfully.
My mother rolls her eyes but continues, "It's time!" And we all go to where we're needed and May squeezes my hand as she walks by.
~~~
Pretty much the entire providence of Carolina shows up to send me off. The mayor gets to give a speech and while he's yapping my eyes rake over the crowd for familiar faces when my I spot Aspen out of the corner of my eye. It takes everything in me to not decompose on the spot so, I just don't look at that section of the crowd the entire rest of the time.
The plane ride there is pretty good actually, I met this really nice girl Marlee and we talked basically the whole time. I asked her if we could film a little QnA because I brought me camera. It really helps get my mind off of things for awhile.
"...All I'm saying is that it's one of the best movies ever." She claims.
"I agree, the shot composition is really interesting if you analyze it-" I remark when a girl a recognize for not the most positive reasons.
"So sorry that I'm a little behind schedule. SO many people wanted to see me off." She brags with the best fake smile that looks more like a smirk that I've ever seen.
Marlee and I give each each other a look before jumping back into the conversation which if Celeste's side eye means what I think it does, is completely barbarian and she's going to be in physical pain if she has to listen to any more of it.
So naturally, we talk a bit louder.
~~~
(honestly just go read this part of the book if you want any more elaboration from this next paragraph)
The castle is actually massive and knew this yet, somehow I'm still amazed. They lead all of us into a grande makeover room and I still end up looking true to myself which makes me happy. The decided to put me in nice cream color dress and then, I got to do my interview, then we get a rules and manner lecture, then we watched the footage from today, then we go eat dinner, then this, then that. It's a lot but, lot means I don't have time to think about Aspen.
However, I didn't really get to film much so when I'm finally in my room, in my pajamas, that my super nice maids, Anne, Mary, and Lucy picked out for me, I set up the camera and I just start talking about what happened today. I could always ask for the hundred of hours of footage the cameras got today to layer onto what I'm filming right now. I finish up, put away my camera stuff, and collapse onto my bed. I'm so tired.
After too much tossing and turning and thinking about Aspen I jump out of bed because the room suddenly feels incredibly, incredibly small.