Manhattan, May 9th 2019

Jessica Van Lange.

"Ms. Van Lange!  Dinner is served!" Janie calls out, but right now my best friend has my full attention.

"Sarah, my dad will never let me go!  I'm sorry, but there isn't any point in begging."

"Jessica, this is my farewell party!  You have to be there, girl."

"I don't know. . ."

"Michael will be there." She smiles.

"And?"

"Everyone knows you like each other."

"We're just friends!"

"Whatever you say." Sarah gives me a cheeky smile. "Will you please just ask?"

"Sarah."

Sarah sits beside me on my bed and sighs, "You're seventeen babe.  You've never drank.  You've never smoked.  Drugs.  No boys in sight. . you've never disobeyed.  Your father.  C'mon, it's time you take a risk."

I stay silent but quickly hear Janie shout, "Ms. Van Lange!  For the last time, dinner is served!"

"I'm coming!" I shout back. "Come on."

Sarah gives me a look. "Fine!  I'll ask him!"

"Yes!" Sarah hugs me tight.

"But if he says no then I'm not fighting it."

"Jeez, you're such a daddy's girl."

I roll my eyes and make my way to the dining room.

**

I struggle with anxiety.  Sarah knows that, yet she insists I make it to this party.  The very thought of it makes my chest tense and my stomach hurt.  But I promised I'd ask dad.

I texted him asking if he'd be home soon, and he said he is on his way.  It's a simple question, I shouldn't be this nervous to speak to him.

Finally I receive a text, I'm in my office.

I take a deep breath and make my way to his office.

Once I arrive I knock politely.

"Come in."

Hesitating for a moment, I then twist the handle and let myself in.

"Good evening Jessica." Dad has a warm smile on his face.

"Hello. . sir."

"What is it you wanted to talk about?  Anything serious?"

"No!  Um. . No, not at all."

"Okay." Dad clasps his hands together, awaiting my response."

"Sarah. . is um. ."

"Having a part on Saturday night."

"How did you know?"

Dad chuckles. "I know everything."

"Oh!  Well. ."

"You'd like to go?"

"Yes.  I mean. . I would but if you don't want-"

"No, no.  You can go."

My eyes practically fall out of my head and onto his desk. "Really?"

"I spoke with Sarah's father and he assured me there would be no drugs, no drinking, and plenty of security."

"Oh."

Dad smiles. "Have fun."

"Heh!  Thank you." I smile while my insides do summersaults.

***

May 11th.

Today is the day.  Sarah's party.

I'm excited. . I'm happy my father let me go. . but of course I'm still dreading it.  Look, I love Sarah but we could not be more opposite if we tried.  She likes sports, I like arts and literature.  She loves being around people, she loves noise.  Me?  I love silence and solitude.  The one thing we have in common is we both have a disorder.  Of course mine is anxiety.  Hers is anger.

How are we such good friends despite our differences?  Well, as Sarah says,  "In our differences lies our strength." That saying became her life motto. . and her first tattoo which she of course hides from her parents.

We finally reach the front of her house and my stomach tightens.

As I step out I feel everyone is staring at me.  Maybe they are; They probably never thought I'd make it out here.

I am more modest than Sarah's other friends.  I am wearing a simple dress that lands just below my knees.  Meanwhile all the other girls are wearing short dresses, or shorts that barely cover their butts!  Man, I should have at least worn jeans and sneakers instead of this dress!

"Girl, finally!  I can't believe you made it!" Sarah lifts her arms and runs to me.

"I know!  It's crazy to be here."

"Let's get you a drink."

"No, no thanks.  Just water is fine."

"A smoke?"

"Are you kidding me?  My father will kill me!"

"Oh come on, you're no fun.  And what's with that outfit?  You look like a virgin going to prom in the fifties.  Is this all for Michael?" Sarah finds herself amusing, but me not so much. "I'm just joking, you look beautiful!" She gives me a kiss on the cheek. "And you smell fucking good." It's my new jasmine fragrance.

Sarah then pulls out a cigarette. "Please don't smoke around me.  You know dad would be pissed."

"My gosh, so strict!  But fine.  What do you want to drink?"

"Hm, orange juice would be nice."

"Of course babygirl.  I'll find you some orange juice."

While Sarah heads off I look around.  People throwing each other into the pool. taking shots, smoking, fighting.  It's so not my scene.  Some girls are evening out on the dance floor in their bikinis!  I could never do that.

Suddenly Sarah pulls me from my thoughts. "Here you go, babe."

"What is it?"

"Orange juice of course!" She laughs.

I taste it and it most definitely is not orange juice. "Sarah!"

"Have some fun." She winks.

I groan and Sarah pulls my arm. "There's Michael!"

"Oh wow." My mouth gapes. "Is he coming over?  I'm pretty sure he's coming over."

"He is!"

"I can't talk to him, Sarah."

"Of course you can!  He likes you." I decide to down the rest of my drink at once.  It sends a burning through my throat and stomach but I can't think about it.  Here he is.  Michael.  Right in front of me.

"Hi Sarah.  Nice party!"

"Thanks.  Jessica wants to speak with you.  She thinks you look very hot tonight."

"Sarah!" I can't believe she just said that!

Sarah smiles and wraps an arm around my shoulder. "He's all yours.  Have fun."

Micheal shakes his head and says, "I can't believe you're here!"

"I can't believe it either." I say with a laugh.

"Is this your first time attending one of Sarah's parties?"

"Witout my dad or her parents?  Yes."

"Wow.  Why is your dad so protective?"

"I guess he just likes to be in control. . over everything."

"I guess if my daughter was as pretty as you are I'd be the same way."

I smile and look away to hide my blushing face. "Do you want to take a walk in the gardens?"

"Sure!" He extends his hand and I gladly accept.

After walking for a few minutes he breaks the silence. "What are your plans for the summer?"

"I'm interning at my dad's hedge fund."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"That's how you're spending your summer before starting at Columbia?"

"Well it's a paid internship."

"I bet your dad only wanted you to do it so he could keep an eye on you.  Sarah or your other friends have never worked with family.  They know that only causes trouble."

"Well technically I won't be working with him, just for him.  Plus I'll never see him, Michael."

"Will everyone know who you are?"

"What?  That I'm Albert Van Lange's daughter?" I chuckle. "I suppose."

"Well everyone there will probably treat you like a princess."

I laugh but really think about what he just said. "You're right.  I want a fake last name.  I want to use this opportunity to get experience and start making my own money and career."

"And here we go.  Ms. Van Lange sounding so annoyingly mature." I giggle at his comment.

"Don't you ever want to have some fun?"

I stop and look to him.  In a soft sweet voice I say, "But I am having fun."

Michael smiles and says, "The last time we met you left so quickly. . we didn't even have time for a goodnight kiss." Then he moves me hair from my face and slowly leans in.  This is the first time someone has ever kissed me on the lips.  I close my eyes and enjoy this feeling.  I did it!  We kissed!

Michael then pulls away and takes my hand. "Come on.  I want to show you something.  It's a surprise.  I want you to close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just do it."

"Fine!" I giggle.

. . .

"Okay.  Open them." There it is.  A bed away from everyone.  Soft music playing in the background.  He planned this all along. "Oh Michael!" I jump up and kiss him once again. "It's wonderful!"

Michael smiles and leads me to the bed.  We sit and start kissing once again.

**

Sarah Paulson.

"Fuck!" I've just gotten a phone call and it's from my security.  Someone broke into one of the rooms.  Seriously?  Why can't people just follow the rules?!  I make my way down and I'm happy to see my two security guards are already getting the situation under control.

"Drop the phone NOW!"

"Kevin?  What the fuck?" I walk over and grab the phone.  No.  I am disgusted by what I see.  I walk into the bedroom and find Micheal hovering over my best friend topless.

"Jessica, I'm sorry to interrupt girl, but Micheal is an asshole!"

"Sarah!" She pushes him off of her. "What are you doing?"

"Saving you." I hand her the phone.

"What?  How did you get this?"

"This other asshole over here recorded it."

Jessica turns to Micheal and looks completely heartbroken. "You knew he was in here?  Why did you do this to me?"

"Frank." I call for one of the guards. "Take both of these assholes to the basement and tie them to a chair."

"What!  Sarah!  Fuck no!" Micheal shouts.

"Sarah please, this was wrong but violence isn't going to help." Classic Jess.  She's the victim here and yet she's still protecting the jerk who hurt her. "Take them!" I shout before turning to my best friend.  Jessica sits frozen on the bed.  Her blue eyes watering and I just know her little heart is wounded by what has just gone on.  I sit on the bed and take her in my arms. "I'm so sorry they did this."

"But why did they?"

"For money.  To blackmail us.  I'm just sorry you were in the middle of it, girl."

"You don't have to be so violent.  You know that when you get drunk you can't control yourself."

"Fine!  Next time I just kick them in the balls."

Jessica couldn't help but laugh. "You're not really tying anyone to a chair, are you?"

I smile. "Baby girl, just let me take care of things.  Come on, let's get you back to the party.  We've been gone far too long.  That's how rumors start."

***

Jessica Van Lange

I'm finally home and I couldn't be happier.  Dad was right.  Boy aren't worth it.  The first opportunity Micheal had to betray me for money he took it!  Well I'm done.  Off to bed I go.

*

May 12th. 2019

The next morning Janie woke me up bright and early.

"Good morning, Ms. Van Lange!  How was the party?"

I groan and sit up.  My hair a mess, my eyes barley open. "Disappointing."

"Aw.  Well I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine."

"Your father would like to see you in his office, dear." Oh no!  Did he find out about last night? "Do you know why?" I ask.

"I don't.  But he seemed to be in a good mood." Well that's great to hear at least!

After getting ready for the day I meet dad in his office.

"Good morning, Jessica."

"Have a seat."

"Okay. ." He sent someone to the party to spy on me, I just know he did.

"Now, as you know I'm turning fifty-five in four days." Nope, I didn't. "Therefore I am hosting a dinner gala this Thursday evening at Gotham Hall.  Everyone will be there.  Hedge fund managers, stakeholders, bankers, government officials, even the media, and I need you to be present."

"What!  Dad, you know I hate dinners, and old folks, and kiss asses-

"Watch your mouth, young lady!"

"What about my panic attacks?" Dad sighs.  He knows very well I don't do events like these.

When I was just eight years old I suffered my first panic attack.  It was at dad's company Christmas party.  There were about five hundred guests.  After a night of strangers talking to me, and photos being taken I ran into the bathroom and threw up.  I couldn't catch my breath, and I couldn't stop crying.  After that I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder called agoraphobia- the fear of crowds, and the fear of feeling trapped, helpless and embarrassed in front of strangers. Since then I've been on Xanax and dad has never requested I be at one of his birthday dinners, or any social event since.

"If you survived last nights party, you can survive this."

"That's not fair!"

"Darling it's my birthday."

"Well then Sarah must be there!  I won't go in without her!"

"Alright."

"And I have one more condition."

"And what is it?"

"Can I skip the dinner and just stop by when it's over.  Like just for a picture?"

"Hmm. . . Promise me you'll really attend.  I want at least one photo with you.  Can you do that for me?"

"I guess so."

"Perfect.  I'll have a limo pick you up ten p.m."

I roll my eyes.  I hate limos. "Fine!  But Sarah comes with me." I remind him before leaving."

"I know.  Oh by the way!  How was the party?"

"The party was. . . Great!"

"Perfect!  I'm glad you had a good time.  I'll see you later."

"Bye. . ." Now off to brunch with Sarah.  I hope she'll come with me to this party!