Wannabe

[POSHBLUSH]

Grace Harper was named after the great actress Grace Kelly. Her mother’s strong admiration for Grace Kelly can be easily seen through her actions, her hairstyle and through her daughter Grace Harper. Grace Harper was the only daughter of Frank and Aubrey Harper. She was brought in to the world of rich and luxurious, fancy parties and was always protected by the important people. Grace was home schooled by the best of the best, always was accompanied by either her mother or her big friends. Grace was never allowed to leave the castle without the permission, Aubrey wanted her to be untouched from the rest of the world. And so she was.

On her 17th birthday, Grace wasn’t allowed to leave the castle. She had to spend her birthday with Jacqueline, while her parents were out for an important social meeting. Grace came down from her room and in to the kitchen. Just as she was about to open the fridge, there she found the note hanging on the fridge. [You must follow the diet plans that I gave to Jacqueline, remember what I said]”yes, mother.” Grace runs to the lounge then throws herself on to the cushions. From the edge of her eye she can see Jacqueline coming with the videos Grace was very familiar with. “But Jacqueline I watched them yesterday with mum, please I don’t want to watch it again.” Grace stood up to snatched the controller from the table then hid it between her legs. Jacqueline displayed the videos on the table then took out a small note, the one similar to the note that Grace found in the kitchen. “It says here that you must watch one of these”, Jacqueline pointed at the videos, “then go to sleep at 10. So which one Grace?” Grace looked at Jacqueline then covered her face with a cushion, “Didn’t you hear me? I am not going to watch those, just get me something to eat.”Jacqueline bent down to see Grace’s blue eyes, “what do you want?” Grace stood up, “Do I even have a choice? Bring them up to my room.” Grace ran up the stairs. Jacqueline slowly walked to the kitchen.

Grace’s room was on the highest floor of the castle. She could see the whole city from her window. She noticed the bright lights flickering underneath the grand fireworks. She assumed that’s where her parents would be. She chose to stay behind; she didn’t want to spend her birthday around the rich, emotionless robots. That’s what the rest of the world called them, people who couldn’t feel, touch or enjoy anything without the capital M in it. Grace too was one of them no matter how much she dreads it. She slowly moved her eyes to the other side of the city. It was dark and gloomy, it was as if there was a invisible line in the middle of the city to separate the two very different sides. Grace has never set her foot on that side of the city. Aubrey always told her if there was any trouble in the city it was on that side and that people sometimes went missing during night, she would do anything to keep Grace’s curiosity away from that side of the city. Of course when Grace was younger she believed all those stories, but now that grace is old enough she just laughs over those stories. She wanted to visit the area, see what it’s like to meet someone who doesn’t greet you by saying “so I heard you bought a million dollar something, let’s celebrate with a glass of wine!” but with a simple “how are you?”

Jacqueline knocked then came in with a plate of her birthday cake. With amazement, Grace held the plate then brought under her nose.”God it smells like heaven! Are you sure? You know if mum finds out she will kill us both.” Jacqueline headed for the door, “Well I guess we have another secrete to keep then, don’t worry just enjoy. Oh and happy birthday.” She gave a little smile then went out the door. Grace had a piece in the morning but never got to finish it because Aubrey told Grace that she would end up like Pete’s daughter Gemma. Gemma was a pig, a rich pig. The cake was covered in dark chocolate with soft fruits on it. Grace quickly finished the cake before the favor went away. And just as she was about to put the plate down, the window broke. Grace bent down with a scream. She covered her head then slowly crawled towards underneath her table. Just then she saw a base ball around the broken glass. She figured it was just some boy who accidently misaimed the ball. She walked up to the window with the ball in her hand, “Excuse me I think this is, AHH!” Grace ducked down, and saw another base ball flying in to her room. Grace suddenly realized the boy is no longer misaiming by accident. She crawled towards her door and grabbed the second ball on the way. Grace quickly ran down stairs with anger. She didn’t stop to think who these people might be. By the time she reached her garden there was less noise outside. She pushed the back gate but fell back with a noise because it was locked. “Hey what was that, it came from there!” Grace heard people heading for the gate. She started to feel scared, by the time she stood back up they were already staring at her through the gate. “Look it’s a girl, you Harper?!” They didn’t belong in this part of the area, you could tell by the way they were dressed. They were all around Grace’s age, they had torches in their hands and a sack full of baseball. “You stop throwing those! It broke my window!” Grace shouted with frighten in her voice. A boy stepped front then leaned on the gate, “What are you going to do? Call your daddy? Call the police?” They laughed, it made Grace feel small. “No, just go away!” She slowly turned around feeling embarrassed. “See I told you there is nothing to worry about. They can’t even get themselves out of their own house.” Grace turned quickly then pushed the gate so that the boy would fall. She stared at him straight then got a brick to step on. She got on top of the brick then climbed over the gate. The expressions staring at Grace was quite what grace was expecting. “I think this belongs to you,” Grace forced the ball on to the boy’s chest. Suddenly there was a light from far distance, a car. They started to run away with their balls. The boy soon ran behind them, when suddenly Grace quickly grabbed his wrist desperately “Please you got to help me"

[POSHBLUSH]

“Please you got to help me” The boy try to run as grace held on tighter, “What?! Let go!” “I can’t that’s my parents, if they find out that I’ve been out of the castle they’ll trap me in there for days!” The boy stopped fighting Grace then looked at her pathetically. “Castle? You mean they are going to keep you in more than they’re doing now? Some family love you got there.” The boy threw Grace’s arm then started to run. Grace hesitated for a moment then shouted at the boy, “You know I can call the police! I mean now that I’ve seen you clearly; I bet they can catch you and your friends even before dawn. Just saying” The boy turned then ran back pushing Grace by the shoulder, “Boy they were right about you all along, you selfish robots only caring for yourselves.” Graced pushed him back, “You’re damn right, you help me back inside or I swear I will.” They stared at each other’s eyes full of hatred. He walked towards the gate then ducked, “come on!” Grace stepped on his back then climbed over the gate, “Thanks,” she turned to see him only he was gone as quick as the wind.

“Rise and shine, Madam wants to see you…Are those from you window” Grace took a look at the carpet, there were pieces of her window everywhere. “Yea, some people….. “ Grace quickly came back to her senses. “I mean… um…. This boy accidently threw the ball and came through.” Grace walked out from her bed then headed for the door, “Grace you didn’t step on these did you?” “No, I didn’t. I’m fine. ” She walked out of her room then entered the dining room. “Good morning mother, where’s father?” Aubrey was reading the newspaper. She lowered the paper then revealed herself to see Grace. “Goodness me, Grace didn’t I teach you anything? A lady must always be prepared for a grand walk in public, and I’m afraid the public won’t like you very much if you take the grand walk looking like that. Sit down.” Grace looked at herself, she had bushy hair, her sleeping gowns were all creased and she had a face of a blow fish. She sat down next to her mother then reached for the juice. “I know what you did last night” Aubrey said without taking her eyes off the paper. Grace asked in a shaky voice. “Uh, what do you mean? I was sound a sleep last night”, “Yes, you didn’t watch the video and you ate your cake. Did you think your mother was that easy to fool? I’ll let you go this time since it was your birthday, why are you so shaky?” Grace sipped the juice then smiled, “Nothing, just the cold. I’m good.” Aubrey flipped a page then read through something that seemed to be concerning. “My god, there has been a entering of non-residents around 9. It says here they were bunch of kids running around with torches. They even got the picture.” As soon as Grace heard what Aubrey had to say, she sprayed her orange juice from her mouth on to her plates. Aubrey stared at Grace in surprise. Grace quickly wiped her mouth and the area of juice around her. “What has gotten in to you this morning? Dear me.” “Can I see the papers please?” Grace saw the picture. She relaxed in relief, the picture must have been taken from far away since you could only see the torch lights. Grace felt that she should confess but she didn’t. The punishment that would follow can be unimaginable such as, no down town visits for a week or no dessert until who knows when. Grace stood up. “Can I go up now, I don’t feel like eating,” “Good. You have the Fuller’s party today. You must look your best, Dan Fullers going to be there.” Grace rolled her eyes. Grace knew about the party for months but never actually thought she will go. Fullers are a good friend of the Harpers, Dan Fuller has been picked out to be Grace’s life partner ever since they were young. But what the parents didn’t know was that Grace and Dan were a little closer than they seem.

3 hours before the party, grace was looking at the dress that was hanging on her mirror as she got out of her bath. It looked really sparkly; she could recognize the dress easily. It was the vintage sequin dress that Grace Kelly had, but better. She could imagine herself in it, as she enters the room she will blind everyone to death. “Jacqueline, come on! I can’t wear everything that belonged to grace Kelly!” Jacqueline placed the jewels and antique hair clips on the bed. She got a golden string necklace then placed on the dress. “I think this goes well together, what do you think?” Grace walked over to the mirror. “Did you hear me? At all?” “Your mother picked it out. Wear it and don’t complain don’t start with her.” Grace snatched the dress then entered the bathroom to try the dress on. It looked good, never great, just good as always. She looked like Grace Kelly, except for the brown hair she had it all. Aubrey would adore it.

The Fuller’s pent house was very big; it was divided in to 3 stories and had giant crystal chandeliers hanging everywhere. Grace has been here many times before, but the house changes every time. There were about 200 people who were invited to this prestigious party. They all had a glass of champagne in their hands, chatting about with their friends. “Don’t tell me, another Kelly collection,” Grace turned around to find Dan. They hugged and gave kisses on their cheeks, at this point the parents thought they were falling in love. “You are a Kelly freak, you know that?” Dan hit Grace on the shoulder. “Look it’s my mother not me.” Dan grabbed two shrimp cocktail off the cater then handed one to Grace. “You got to learn to step up to your mother. If you don’t Aubrey might turn you in to your highness Grace Harper.” Grace scooped the shrimp cocktail then tasted the freedom in her mouth. “You don’t know how nice it is to taste real food with flavor. My mother has me eating chicken breast for, I don’t know, every meal?!” They laughed whilst seeing Mr. and Mrs. Fuller heading towards them. “Hello Mrs. Fuller, Mr. Fuller? May I say a gorgeous party, again.” Mrs. Fuller looked very pleased. “Darling why thank you. You look lovely as always. So did Dan tell you about his new estate in the country side right by the Misty lake?” Grace gave Dan a wink, “What estate?” Dan quickly pulled Grace by her back away from his parents, “Uh, right I forgot to tell you. Why don’t I tell you all about it up stairs? Come on” they escaped yet another future wedding plan. They went up stairs where they couldn’t be seen by neither parents. “She means our wedding home right?” “Yeah I told you about it on the phone, by the way, well played! You’re such a good liar.” Grace leaned against the handle next to Dan where you could see everyone from bird’s eye view. “Well not as much as you! I can’t believe you didn’t tell them yet! What are we going to do if we really get married huh?” grace Hit Dan hard on his arm. “Look I just need time, do you know what they will do to me if I tell them that I’m in love with Paul not you? They will probably plan a fake funeral and lock me down the basement forever!” His head fell. Dan and Grace never felt anything for each other as much as a deep friend ship. He and grace has kept this secret ever since the day Grace and Dan fell or the same guy. Grace leaned on Dan then rubbed him with her warm hands, “Fine I’ll give you time, just know that I’ll be the one telling if you can’t on our wedding day!” “Thanks Grace”

“Look at them, it’s like a match from heaven.” Aubrey stared up at them letting a drop of tear fall. Seeing this she couldn’t wait to tell everyone else, as she was about to enter the great dining room where all her friends are, there was a scream. A woman ran in grabbing every body’s attention. “They’re coming! With fire in their eyes and hands! They are headed this way!”

[POSHBLUSH]

“They’re coming! With fire in their eyes and hands! They are headed this way!” Everyone looked annoyed by this ridiculous interruption. “Lady, calm down. Now tell us what you saw?” Someone offered a drink for the poor woman, by now Dan and Grace have come down to hear the woman properly. Every one gathered closely around the woman “I went out to get fresh air, and from the building top I could see them heading this way hundreds of them! I thou…..” “Everyone get escorted to their cars now! The ex-employees from the corporation! They are at the lobby!” A guard interrupted the woman. In panic people stated to scream and hurried in to the lift. Dan grabbed grace’s wrist, they too hurried for the lift. However 200 trying to fit in to 3 lifts wasn’t quick enough. It took Dan and Grace 30 minutes to get to the lobby. Dan and Grace got in to Dan’s car and drove around the building to escape through the back street. Grace had fear in her eyes, she never had to go through this much panic in her life. She could tell that Dan was scared as well, his hand shook as he was slowly turning the wheel. “We need to get to my house, our parents will be there… Are you okay?” Dan turned around with a awkward smile and shaky eyes, “I’m fine. Are you okay?” Grace nodded then tied her hair up. As they entered the back street, from the corner of her eyes Grace could see something very disturbing. There were few guards surrounding and beating a person who was now clearly unconscious. Grace leaned against the window to get a better view of this horrid situation, just then she could recognize the person on the ground. “Oh my god, I know him. Dan I know him!” Dan stopped the car slowly then took a look outside, “Do you mean the boy? Is he dead?!” Grace tried to open the door when Dan locked it quickly. “Are you out of your mind? You can’t help him!” “If he is still alive I can! Let me go Dan, I know him I can’t let him die!” Grace reached over Dan to unlock the door then jumped out of the car. She ran toward them faster and faster, “Excuse me what are you doing? Stop!” She took an arm and pulled it away. The guards stared at her as she took a closer look at the boy. He was bleeding all over his face. She called out to Dan who hesitated for a moment to get out of the car. Dan drove the car closer, and then got out of it. He talked to the guards quietly, whispering nearly. He handed few bills to them which made them disappear around the corner laughing. “How do you know him?” Dan squatted next to Grace. “I just saw him. He helped me once.” Grace lifted the boy’s head, suddenly he started to move. He opened his eyes and saw Grace. “Dan he woke up, do you think he can hear right now?” “Yes, I can!” The boy pushed Grace then stood up straight. Grace and Dan stood up a well. They all stared at each other. “The men were hitting you so we told them to stop. Do you need to go to the hospital? We’ll drive you.” The boy rubbed his chest then looked at Grace, “No, everything seems fine. Unfortunately!” He turned away to walk away, when Grace got him by his wrist. “What now?! Do you need help getting in to your car princess? Or is that your golden carriage?” he turned to see Grace. “Look a simple thank you would be fine for saving your life! I know I was very rude last time, but without my friend here you’d still be lying on the ground possibly dead!” He threw Grace’s arm “If you grab my arm one more time promise you, you’ll be sorry.” Grace backed off. The boy ran in the direction of the guards. Dan came by then took Grace in to his car. They drove around the corner then followed other cars on to the bridge.

Grace didn’t talk at all until they arrived at her castle. Their parents were waiting outside for them and when they saw Grace and Dan get off the car without any injuries they cried a joyful tear. Aubrey being the most worried one, Hugged Grace tightly in her arms. “Mum, I’m okay. Can I just get some rest?” “Sure.” Dan decided he would stay up with everyone else. When Grace opened her room she could see that her windows were fixed. She changed in to something more comfortable. Grace sat against the window, in the city there were lights but different kind of lights. They were red lights not white, it surrounded Dan’s house. Grace didn’t know what was going on, but she knew that it wasn’t over. In all her life Grace never had anyone who disrespected her. She learned that only reason people might be angry at someone is because that someone did something to hurt those people, and Grace couldn’t figure out what she did to hurt the boy’s feeling. Aubrey once said that there will be people, people who are envious and told Grace that they will do whatever it takes to pull everyone else down to their level. Grace couldn’t think anymore. It was a long night and she really needed a rest. She threw herself on to her bed then tried to go to sleep. That night she dreamed the same dream she had for almost a month now.

“We all were being attacked by those uneducated fools last night! How do you expect us to stay calm and do nothing!” People raised their voice in the residence hall. The mayor came to tell us about the situation in the city since no one dared to visit the city themselves. “Everyone, I am as scared as most of you here. That is why I have decided to talk this out in a mannered way with one of the employees.” As soon as the mayor finished his sentence everyone shouted even louder, some people were leaving the hall as Grace and her parents entered. Grace sat down in the front row. There was a men getting ready to speak in front of the angry residents. “Uh, my name is Ben Karl. I used to work in the corporation as the accountant. On behalf of everyone who gave you disturbance yesterday, I’m truly sorry. All we needed was for you to secure our jobs again. So Mr. Harper?” Grace looked at her father. He was very still, and Grace could sense everyone’s stare around her family. Aubrey pointed the exit then signaled Grace to leave. Grace walked out with hesitation. “I’m sorry Mr. Karl the corporation was there in the first place as a temporary project. It was never meant to last and we informed all of you about that on your contract. Now you and your people are disturbing us for something you forgot to read because you were all so blinded by the big paycheck. Stupid I would say.” Everyone in the hall agreed with him, they stood up and started shouting at the men who now was slowly backing away with regrets and sadness in his eyes.

Grace slowly walked backed to her house since she was so bored waiting for her parents. Near the hall, there was a minivan parked and a boy was leaning on to it as he touched his face carefully. Grace could easily recognize the boy, and couldn’t believe that she was running in to him everywhere. When the boy spotted Grace, he mumbled something then looked somewhere else.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Why am I not supposed to be here because I don’t leave here?!”
“kind of… How’s your scar?”
“Stop acting like you care! Just go!”
“I am so offended by your attitude every time I see you! Have I hurt you in anyway?”
“Whatever, “
The boy got in to the car then started the engine. Grace shook her head with a face which said, ‘I know I did nothing wrong’ then ran in front of the car and blocked him with her arms wide open.

[POSHBLUSH]

“We all were being attacked by those uneducated fools last night! How do you expect us to stay calm and do nothing!” People raised their voice in the residence hall. The mayor came to tell us about the situation in the city since no one dared to visit the city themselves. “Everyone, I am as frustrated and annoyed as most of you here. That is why I have decided to talk this out in a more sensible way with one of the ex- employees.” As soon as the mayor finished his sentence everyone shouted even louder, some people were leaving the hall as Grace and her parents entered. Grace sat down in the front row. There was a men getting ready to speak in front of the angry residents. “Uh, my name is Ben Karl. I used to work in the corporation as the accountant. On behalf of everyone who gave you disturbance yesterday, I’m truly sorry. All we needed was for you to secure our jobs again. We depended on that job, it fed us and sent our kids to school and you just took it away. So Mr. Harper?” Grace looked at her father. He was very still, and Grace could sense everyone’s stare around her family. Aubrey pointed the exit then signaled Grace to leave. Grace walked out with hesitation. “I’m sorry Mr. Karl the corporation was there in the first place as a temporary project. It was never meant to last and we informed all of you about that on your contract. Now you and your people are disturbing us for something you forgot to read because you were all so blinded by the big paycheck. Stupid I would say.” Everyone in the hall agreed with him, they stood up and started shouting at the men who now was slowly backing away with regrets in his eyes.

Grace slowly walked backed to her house since she was so bored waiting for her parents. Near the hall, there was a minivan parked and a boy was leaning on to it as he touched his face carefully. Grace could easily recognize the boy, and couldn’t believe that she was running in to him everywhere. When the boy spotted Grace, he mumbled something then looked somewhere else.
“Hey, what are you doing here?”
“Why? Am I not supposed to be here because I don’t leave here?!”
“kind of… How’s your scar?”
“Stop acting like you care! Just go!”
“I am so offended by your attitude every time I see you! Have I hurt you in anyway?”
“Whatever, “
The boy got in to the car then started the engine. Grace shook her head with a face which said, ‘I know I did nothing wrong’ then ran in front of the car and blocked him with her arms wide open.
Seeing this a men runs towards the car. “What’s going on here!” The man says looking at the boy in the car. Grace only saw him for a moment but she knew he was the guy who spoke in the hall after the mayor finished. “Dad, let’s just go. Come on!” the boy waved at the men from the car. Grace looked alarmed. She looked at the guy and the boy back and forth then started to spot a tiny resemblance. She dropped her arms and before she could think anymore the men walked towards her, “Young lady are you okay?” “Your Ben Karl right? And that is your son?” Grace pointed at the boy who now was out of the car.
“Yes. Do you know Christian?”
“No, I don’t know him. I mean we bumped in to each other last night.”
“Wait a minute, are you the girl helped Christian last night?”
“He told you about that? Yeah I guess.” Grace shyly looked at the boy who now was back in the car. “Sorry he’s like that. Thank you, you’re not like any others.” “I’m sorry about your job. I thought my dad was still helping after the corporation went down.” The men smiled, “We must go, the bridge will be closing soon. Thanks again.” As soon as the van drove off, it started to rain. Grace hurried to her castle thinking about the mysterious boy named Christian who secretly appreciated her help after all.


“I can’t believe you told her.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t thank her. She is a nice girl.”
“She is named Harper, does that name ring a bell?”
“Christian, you can’t judge them just by one person. She didn’t seem to judge us.”
“I doubt it. What did she say?”
“Well she apologized, for her father’s behavior. She must have just found out about our situation.”
Christian looked out as they slowly crossed the bridge. This was his 9th visit to the other side of the bridge where the resident is situated. Since his father was the spokes men for the people in the down town, Christian often accompanied his dad to few speeches in the resident hall. After every visit he would tell his friends what the place looked like with all the grand houses they couldn’t even imagine. Ever since his dad lost his job, Christian has been helping his sister in the Bakery uptown. They earn just enough to live but other ex-employees have been hungry for months and they grew nothing but rage and hatred for the people uptown. His mother left them many years ago, only once a month she calls them to hear their voice. All they know about her is that she is working for the uptown people as a house keeper. “She left us to become a servant!” Christian said when he first found out about this.


When Grace entered her house there was a sweet smell coming from the kitchen, she followed the smell only to find her favorite pie in the oven. The smell soothed her every time and she really needed it after yesterday. “My god you’re dripping all over. Go up and change then you’ll have some before your mum gets here.” Grace ran up, put on a dry dress then came down. She sat and held the fork in her hand like an exited child waiting for its first meal in days. Just as she was about to put a fork full of pie, Aubrey knocked the fork of her hand.
“Mum what are you doing!”
“No, what are you doing? Did you even see the diet plans? You are not supposed to consume sugar until tomorrow morning!”
“I’m not going to follow it! I will not have chicken or fish for every meal I get!”
“How dare you talk back to me like that?!”
“I had enough of your food plans!”
“I did not put this much effort for you to become an angry pig!”
Aubrey threw the pie on to the floor. Grace had tears falling off of her olive eyes. Grace pushed Aubrey by the shoulder then ran to her room, locking the door tightly. She felt her heart squeezing so hard that it made her cry even more. It wasn’t just about the pie, it was about everything Aubrey has done to Grace in hopes of turning grace in to something she’s not. Grace wanted to escape from Aubrey, she knew that she will never get what she truly wants with Aubrey in her way. Grace felt like pulling all her hair out, what’s there to like about this life if you’re just a prisoner trapped in it.

[POSHBLUSH]

“Grace I told you, round fingers!” The music teacher hit her fingers with a pencil. She came 3 hours ago and still showed no signs of leaving. Grace had music lessons every Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Grace Kelly never learned how to play piano, this was just an extra “hobby” that Aubrey thought of. The teacher was a good friend of Aubrey’s, she had several concerts around the world and retired as a renowned piano teacher.
“Your fingers are gaining weight. They don’t move swiftly on the keys if they are big.”
“You can’t gain weight on your fingers.”
“Well you did. We’re finished, the practice schedule is with Jacqueline”
“Thank you,” grace stoop up then stomped out of the room. She didn’t talk to her mother for almost three days now. She didn’t want to, Aubrey’s face made Grace angry ever since. She walked outside to get some fresh air. Her garden had a pool. The pool hasn’t been cleaned in ages since no one uses them anymore. The leaves floating on the water had been transportation for the insects and occasionally frogs. Grace could see her reflection, she could see her curly brown hair placed on top of her snow white face. She didn’t know what people meant when they told her that she was pretty, she wanted to see other girls her age and wanted to compare. Funny thing, all the girls in the residence hated Grace, they hated the fact that she was the only one getting all the attention from the boys or the press.


When Christian arrived at his class, all the boys were surrounding his desk to hear about his short trip to the other side of the bridge.
“So, how was it?”
“Just like any other trip… seriously”
“Did you meet anyone famous? Like Donny Herce!”
“You mean the singer? No,”
“So went all the way there and met no one famous? What a waste of time. Come on guys let’s just go, there’s nothing to hear.”
“Wait! I met this girl… Do you know the Harper girl?”
“You mean Grace Harper? She’s an angel! I saw her once on TV. She took my heart away.”
“Well she surely didn’t take my heart away. She is such a …” The teacher entered then everybody returned to their seats. Christian told his mates everything during break and lunch. People were concentrating to every word he had to say. Christian felt important to all these downtowners. He knew they were only with him to get the dirt but still he felt like a vital messenger to them.


“You’re not eating, are you feeling alright?”
“I’m fine dad, I just don’t feel like eating.”
“You shouldn’t, after how you behaved the other day.” Aubrey snapped while finishing her food. She pushed her chair out then walked out of the dining room. Grace couldn’t finish her meal because she was already so full on anger. She left the dining room and entered the lounge. On the table there were videos of grace Kelly as the princess. There was a note. [Watch 3 of these before going to bed. If I find out that you did not do as I told you to like last time, you will not be breathing fresh air for a week.] Grace was puzzled, she knew getting Aubrey mad would not get her anything but trouble, but this was just ridiculous. She knew she had no other choice but to obey her orders so she chooses the shortest one. It was Grace Kelly’s wedding. Grace could swear that she remembers this more than Grace Kelly herself. The dress caught Grace’s eyes every time, it made Grace Kelly look like the princess of the world! There was a close up on her face, her smile went straight through the TV screen and entered Grace’s eyes. Aubrey reminded from time to time that Grace was the exact replica of Princess Grace Kelly but not once did Grace see herself in the Princess. She wanted to be Grace Harper not just some Grace Kelly Wannabe!

Not talking to Aubrey was easy once you imagined her gone. Grace leaned on to the back gate, through the gate she could see bunch of kids walking to school. Grace has never walked alone outside. There were always people around her. Her eyes enviously followed the kids. “Still trapped?” She could see Christian walking towards the gate from across the street.
“How did you get in here, the security here is a pain.”
“I have my ways, seriously from across the street you looked like a poor puppy…”
“Sounds like you’re not mad at me anymore.”
“I still hate you. Here give it to the king. It’s from my father.” He slid an envelope through the gate.
“I see you got in with your father’s card. You’re the messenger.”
“Yeah whatever.” He turned then walked away. “You can’t stop me today.” He was gone from Grace’s sight in just a few minutes. Christian gave weird feelings to Grace, he annoyed her but at the same time whenever he left Grace wanted to stop him.

[InAUGral]

the title put me off to be honest.

[POSHBLUSH]

for all the people who are continuously reading my story Thanx alot and also to the people who visited. I will be posting part six on the 5th of august.
I hope you continue reading my first story here thanx!!!
please vote if you can....:yawnb:

[POSHBLUSH]

When Grace reached her parent’s room she could hear Aubrey’s voice quite loudly. Grace leaned on to listen. “I don’t care what you do Frank! Get them their jobs back or something, I don’t want people pointing finger on us for what happened in the city!” Aubrey suddenly opened the door and Grace fell. Aubrey was too angry to notice Grace lying on the ground. Grace quickly stood up and entered the room. She closed the door behind her then sat down in front of her dad. “Here, it’s from Ben Karl.” Frank opened the envelope then gave a sigh. “Sweet heart you can go out now.” Grace wanted to leave but she had a question on her mind and it had been bothering her for few days now. She knew it was not her place to ask but she just had to. “Dad, I heard Ben Karl the last time he came over, and he mentioned how they were out of jobs. Is it true that all this was your fault?” Frank threw the papers on to the table, “You shouldn’t ask me things like that. Get out I have a lot of work to do.” Grace slowly backed off. She could tell that her father wasn’t up to telling her about it.

Grace could see Jacqueline walking fast towards her to tell her something. “What?” “Mr. Fuller’s here to see you.” Grace put a goofy smile on her face and went down stairs to greet her only friend.
“Dan!”
“Hey, I wanted to talk to you.”
They walked to the couch then sat down, Dan looked very worried and he couldn’t seem to start.
“Dan, what is it?”
“My parents will be here soon to talk about our wedding.”
“What?”
“Your parents and mine seemed to have agreed that we should get married this fall…”
Grace couldn’t speak. She had a sudden headache, it soon reached every single part of her body. She knew the wedding was heading towards her but not this fast. This fall would mean 2 months tops. She looked in to Dan’s eye with desperation hopping it would all be just a really bad prank. Dan stared at his shaky hands waiting for Grace to say something. “No. You have to tell them today! Dan, I just turned 17. Please.” Dan didn’t say a word as Grace slowly walked away from him. She hated every one, Dan for not stepping up to his parents , Aubrey for making this decision on her own and most of all herself for not being able to do anything. She secretly hoped that someone would come and save her from this life.

Dan’s parents came in a very long limo with a very expensive wine in their hands. When all the people gathered around for dinner the wine was finally opened for a private celebration. Mr. Harper raised his glass and gave a rather amusing speech about his marriage, but none of this entered nor Grace or Dan’s ears as they were just too angry. When Dan’s mother slid her ring on to Grace’s fingers, Grace was half unconscious. She had no power to speak up, she was afraid of Aubrey. After the dinner they watch a Grace Kelly film. Aubrey was practically speaking the lines as they went. Dan and grace didn’t even look at each other for the whole night, so when Grace was asked to give Dan a polite kiss they both hesitated with an awkward smile.


“Did you give it to him?” Christian’s father asked him when he arrived home.
“Yeah, I think so.”
“What do you mean I think so, didn’t you give it to him?”
“I gave it to the girl, she said she’d give it. So how are they, still mad?”
“You mean worse than yesterday, you know Tony?”
“Yeah, he’s in my class, what about him?”
“Well his father got in to gambling and got arrested. He says he needed money for Tony’s school.”
“Wow, tough.”
“Anyways this came for you while you were out.” Ben threw a little envelope to Christian. He looked at it, the address read ‘anonymous’. He opened the envelope. There was a note.
[I had to do a lot of work to get your address so you might as well read what I have to say. I’m truly sorry about my dad. I didn’t know people were troubled because of what he has done. Believe me he isn’t a bad person. So what I’m trying to say is, please stop being mad at me. See you around. Grace]
Christian rubbed his head then lied on his bed. He smiled like a little boy reading the note over and over again.

[POSHBLUSH]

“Jacqueline the people from the bakery will call soon, tell them I want vanilla cream not butter.” Aubrey said to Jacqueline while getting in to her limo. Jacqueline shut the door then went up check on Grace. Grace had to be ready for a bride to be session. The class was in uptown near Dan’s apartment. Now that the city was back to normal she could safely visit the town in weeks. She had large sunglasses on to cover her face and wore a beige coat over her navy blue dress. She had to look mature, they had young brides there but not one as young as 17. Aubrey and Grace talked over and over again but every time the name Paul came out Grace thought it would be best if Dan did it himself so Grace was waiting until the day. “You look good, come on now you don’t want to be late again.” Jacqueline called from outside.

Grace loved crossing the bridge, it made her feel free from everything. She knew why the bridge was built, it was to keep people away from the residence, before the tight security on the bridge people used to rampage in to the residence and make a mess but now no one can cross it after the sunset. Grace opened the window to get a bit of fresh air. The water underneath her was clam and slow, the war breeze hit her face so hard she decided to close it back. When her car entered the big city she felt tired and very trapped. The buildings seemed taller than ever. Grace took her eyes away from the building to the small shops, and just then she noticed a bakery, it was the one where she ordered the cake. “Stop, I need to visit the bakery.” Grace got out of the car and behind her, her big friend Michael followed. “Michael I know Aubrey told you to follow me no matter what, but I think I can do this alone, one second.” Michael turned red then entered the car again. Grace opened the door to find no one in the shop.
“Hello?”
“Yes, how can I help you?” A lady jumped from under the cash register.
“Hi, I was here a few days ago for a wedding cake,”
“Yes, Miss Aubrey,”
“No, Grace. I’m so sorry but I’m going to have to cancel the cake.”
“You mean the vanilla cream cake?”
“No, butter. The wedding has been canceled, I’m willing to pay for it though.”
“Well Mrs. Harper wanted vanilla so we changed it. I’m sorry she didn’t mention cancelling it.”
“It’s my wedding not hers! I’m cancelling it god damn it.” Just as grace turned to get her purse she put could see a familiar face heading for the door.
“Here there is your check. Cancel it!” She hurried out accidentally bumping in to him. The sunglasses dropped but she ran it to her car anyway. The boy seemed to follow the car waving the glasses but Grace didn’t notice.
When she arrived at the class everyone was waiting for her once again. They had frowns on their faces all staring at Grace up and down. Grace gave a shy smile then sat one chair which was far away from the rest of the class. The class consisted of women who were all desperately waiting for their big day. The talked about their designer dresses, their lovely homes abroad and china patterns. Grace was not interested in any of these subjects, the dress was picked by her mother, the house was picked by Dan’s mother and she already had china patterns picked by Jacqueline. The girls continued their chats for hours until the class was over. Grace promised the teacher that she will be on time the next time but that didn’t seemed to convince the teacher. On her way back, she passed the bakery. The same lady was counting money while the boy was cleaning the floor, they seemed to be closing soon. Grace fell back to get some shut eye.


“You know this could be worth a lot, someone who doesn’t even care for these will probably have tens of them” Christian said while holding the glasses. His sister, Nicole snatched the sunglasses of off his hands.
“Don’t even think about it. She is a customer here, I think.”
“What do you mean?”
“She cancelled the finished cake. She gave a check for it but I can’t just listen to her.”
“Why not? The cake is ours.”
“It was a girl and her mother I think, wanted the cake.”
“For the mother’s wedding?”
“No, the girls, I think I saw her somewhere”
“What’s the name maybe she’s some rich brat on tv,”

[POSHBLUSH]

“What’s the name maybe she’s some rich brat on tv,”
“Now, you know I don’t give out customer information to strangers.”
“Stranger? I’m your only brother.”
“Here deliver this then go straight home. You better hurry the bridge will be closing soon.”
Christian got the box then ran out to his scooter then tied the cake behind his seat. Off he went to deliver.


Grace carefully placed her coat and her dress on the bed. There was nobody in the house but Jacqueline. Grace went down to the kitchen to get her dinner. Her plate had specially made salad which basically had no flavor. She got her water then carried the dinner up stairs to the dining room. The dining room seemed so empty and lifeless just like Grace. She heard someone heading for the dining room. The door opened with Aubrey entering. Aubrey’s face was as red as her dress, she stared at Grace with anger. Aubrey stomped towards grace as Grace slowly stood up from her chair.
“What’s wrong?”
“How many times have I told you to stay out of this?!”
“You mean my wedding?”
“Yes, I told you I’d take care of everything for you. Why did you cancel the wedding cake?”
“I cancelled the wedding cake because there is no wedding!”
“We talked about this so many times! You want this wedding, it’s the perfect replica of Kelly’s that your mother has been planning night and day for”
“I don’t want it! Especially someone else’s. You don’t even let me pick the cake. You know I hate vanilla!”
“Honey you want this! You need to have this wedding to be Grace Kelly!”
“But I’m not her! I’m Grace Harper! Your only daughter who wants to be accepted as herself not someone who you want me to be!”
“I see what this is. You are having cold feet, your big day you have always imagined. I understand but this isn’t the way sweetie.”
“Mum try to listen to me, I’m not your little puppet who you can control over. You will not fulfill your dreams through me!”
“How dare you say that! You know more than anyone how much effort I put in to you to fulfill your dreams, you shou…”
“Shut up! You are the worst mother anyone can dream to have!
SLAP! Aubrey pulled away in shock. She stared at Grace’s face and the red hand mark stained on it. Grace touched the mark with tears falling out. Aubrey went closer but grace pulled back in fear. Grace quickly ran past Aubrey then left the dining room. She ran upstairs to her room then locked the door tightly. She thought for a split second then reached for her suitcase. She stuffed everything she could use or sell in the suitcase then put on a coat. Before leaving the room she starts writing.
[Jacqueline, I will be gone for a while. Please do not show this to anyone, just know that I’m safe somewhere. I hope you understand me behaving this way and tell Aubrey not to wait for me. Thank you for being my best friend… will miss you. Love Grace] She carefully folds the paper then places it in her drawer. She takes a good long look at her room then closes the door behind her. The garden was dark without any lights on. Grace stumbled over few branches but kept quite just in case anyone heard her. The gate was locked as usual so she had to climb over it. She threw her suit case over first then went over by stepping on to a brick. She needed to pass the bridge with transportation but she had none. Going back was not an option so she waited until she could see one. From far distance she could hear a noisy something heading for her. When it got closer she could see it was a bike of some sort. The bike stopped in front of her. The person riding it took of the helmet then stared at Grace.
“What are you doing here?”
“I was delivering something. What about you?”
“I… I don’t know. I was trying to…”
“Run away from the castle? Well you’ve done the hardest part getting out and seating there. Bravo”
“I can’t go anywhere walking, they’ll put me back in there. I need a car”
“Or a scooter, come on I’ll get you over the bridge.” Grace stood up in surprise.
“Why? Don’t you hate me?”
“Yea I do, I just want to see how many hours you can last without servants. So on or not?”
Grace looked back at her house, held her suit case then rode on the back of the scooter. Grace never rode anything without a proper roof on it so it was only natural to hold on to anything she thought might be safe. She held on to Christian’s back tightly turning his face red. He started the scooter, “Are you ready?” Grace closed her eyes. “I think so.”
They hurried their way through the place with a loud noise. The sun was almost setting as they rode faster and faster.

[POSHBLUSH]

It only took few minutes to get to the bridge. Grace could see the bridge patrol guarding the gate. You needed a special pass to get through a residence pass or a visitor’s pass. Christian stopped then got his father’s pass out of his pocket. Grace snatched the pass then put it back in to his pocket. “I’ll use mine.” They drove slowly to the gate. The men had a very still face towards Christian but as soon as he saw Grace he put on a pleasant smile. Grace gave the pass to the men and tried to as innocent as possible.
“Ms. Grace, the sun is setting. Isn’t that a little late for you? The bridge is closing soon, you won’t get back in time.”
“Yes, I’m staying over at my friend’s house. Dan Fuller. You know him don’t you?”
“Yes, I heard the big news. My best wishes to you both.”
“ Um… Thank you.”
“Not your usual ride.” The men circled the old scooter looking from side to side.
“This is my cousin and he just wanted to give me a ride. He’s not a big fan of cars or anything which costs him money. It’s vintage.” Grace said pointing at the wheels.
“A delivery boy went in few minutes ago with the same scooter and didn’t come out yet. You mind taking your helmet off?” The men said to Christian.
“My cousin doesn’t like being seen by other people.” while saying Grace gave out a hundred dollar note.
“I see. Well then have a lovely evening.” The men ran over to the gate then pushed the gate. The bridge wasn’t that long so they could just see the end of the bridge. The scooter drove through the gate and was already half way there of crossing it. The sun set was beautiful in red. Grace only saw the sunset from her bed room window, but looking at it up close made her feel so free and tingly inside. She held on to him tighter and tighter as they soon reached the end of the bridge. For Grace to arrive at her usual station such as Dan’s place the beauty school or the fancy shopping shops she’d have to take the left turn from the bridge but Christian made a right turn from the bridge taking Grace to the other side of the city. Grace slowly examined the streets as she went pass them. The place was very different. The shops looked old and rusty but somehow there were sense of welcome coming out of the small cracks on the brick wall. The people wore different kinds of clothes and Grace noticed there were few cars but many people on the side walk. In the upper city you would only walk if you car broke down. The streets looked like the one Grace read about as a young girl. There were alleys full of garbage but except for that everything else was so much better than what she imagined.
“Look where are you taking me?”
“I don’t know do you have any place in mind?”
“I don’t know but you brought me here, so you must.”
“I only brought you here because they will find you less than an hour in the upper city.”
“Fine, take me to the cleanest hotel here.”
“Of course.”
Christian turned then stopped in front of an Italian inspired building. Grace Looked at it while getting her suit case. It only had few stories above the ground. It looked proper than most of the buildings. Christian entered the building first. He quickly met up with a boy his age then started talking. He soon brought him in front of Grace.
“This is Max. He’s my school mate. This is his father’s hotel.”
“HI, Grace Harper. Nice to meet you,”
“NO, nice to meet you! Though I’m surprised to see you here.”
“Long story, I prefer not talking about it. I’ll only be staying here for few nights until I figure some things out. Can you find me a room?”
“Sure a suit or a double suit?”
“No, a normal room will be just fine.”
“Come follow me. I’ll give you the one with the best view. Here let me take the bag.” The guy started running up the stairs in joy. Grace followed him but Christian stayed. “Thanks.” Grace went up.
“It may not compare with the ones you are usually in. But it does offer you the best view.” As soon as Max opened the door the amazing view caught Grace’s eyes. It had a view of the bridge and the upper city. The bed was pretty small it had carved wooden frame around it. The bathroom was very small but Grace didn’t mind. She opened the closet assuming all her clothes will fit in there. There was a small TV next to the desk. “It’s fine. Thank you.”
“Good, I didn’t know you were coming. If I knew it would have been much cleaner.”
“Seriously it’s fine.”
“I mean with all the time Chris talks about you, you’d think he’d mention you actually coming here.”
“He talks about me?”
“Yeah, at school. He always tells us what it’s like in the Residence.” Grace suddenly went red. She realized that she wasn’t one of them. She lived in a different world and was being talked about. She felt bad.
“Well it’s nothing better than what you have here. Trust me I live there.”
“Well I better get going. Breakfast is in the lounge.” Max went out carefully closing the door behind him. Grace hesitated on watching the TV because by now there will be pictures of her in the local news. Grace didn’t really feel like unpacking yet so she decided to sleep early.


“Did she like the room?” Christian asked as Max came down.
“She said it was fine. Look she’s a lot nicer than you said.”
“Look Take care. And don’t tell anyone about this.”
“Fine. Who would I tell anyway.” Max went back to working and Christian left for his house. On the way home Christian thought hard. Although Grace gave him hard time he started to warm up to her. Deep inside started he started to feel very glad that Grace now was somewhere reachable from him.

[POSHBLUSH]

Now that I'm going back to school I will be posting my stories slower than i used to.
I will be posting one part each week.
Sorry. Hope you keep reading!!!