My life was supposed to be good. But it wasn't. I didn't have either parents in my life. I lived with my grandmother. But she was so good to me. She saved up money for me to go to college. So as soon i turned eighteen i went. For two years it was beautiful. 

        I stayed at home with my grandmother and helped take care of her. My mom died when i was young and she had no family so i was stuck with my dad's mom. But she was really the best. And then my dad got out of prison. So he came to live with us. I thought this would be a chance to get to know him but he didn't really put forth the effort like i had hoped he would.

     And then my grandmother suddenly died. It killed me!! But i wanted to make her proud of me. She worked so hard to send me to school. I was about to head out to class when my phone rang. "Hello?" I answered. "Hi this is Collins college financial aid department. I was just calling to let you know that this semester's tuition hasn't been paid." She said. I laughed. Actually laughed because that was ridiculous. I always paid everything on time! I was very prompt.

           "There must be some mistake." I told the girl. "No mam, we tried to access the funds but it keeps telling me you have insufficient funds." The girl said. This time i didn't laugh. I started putting the pieces together. My dad hadn't been around for a few days. But before he disappeared he had started coming in with expensive gadgets. He claimed they were gifts from his new boss. Which i believed because why would a father lie to his only child?

             "If the payment isn't made in full, then i'm sorry. You will not be able to attend." She said. "Um thank you very much." I said. I grabbed the computer and went to my banks website to enter my information. My grandmother had access to the account because she was the one putting money in it. Now i saw to my shock and horror that the account said zero. How!?

           I decided to just call the bank. "Hello Crestfield how may we help you?" I explained about the school calling and seeing the zero balance. "What happened?" I asked. "Well it seems that Gloria Steinforth withdrew everything a few days ago." He said. "Do you want to tell me how a dead woman withdraws money!?" I said getting angry.

            "Well it looks like it was withdrawn on her behalf by her power of attorney David Steinforth." He said. "Why I!! She did not have a power of attorney!" How did he convince her to sign anything giving him access to her money. But i knew the answer to that. As more time went on my grandmother was starting to lose it. She couldn't remember things.

         To make matters worse you had to jump through hoops to get her name taken off the account. So i had zero dollars, other than the little bit of cash i had. I thanked him and hung up the phone. The next thing i had to do was go to the bank in person. I feel like i had wasted half of my morning already. But i suppose i wasn't going to be able to go back to school. I had two options. One quit school and work. Or two sell my grandmothers house and move onto campus while working part time.

           I couldn't sell my grandmothers house. My grandpa had built it with his bare hands, it was very important to her. So after i had opened a new account with the cash i had i went to school. I explained to them my situation. I was bummed i only had half a degree. The girl explained i could take out fanatical aid. But i don't know how i'd pay the money back. So i went home with no money, no degree and no job.

           I started looking for jobs online. Several looked promising. There was a knock on the door. What now? "Hi, oh there is someone here." Said a woman holding out a set of keys. "I was told to knock just in case." She said. "Um who are you?" I asked. "Oh, i'm the new owner of the house. It looks perfect." She said trying to sidestep me. "Um no i'm sorry, the house isn't for sale." I said.

          "Of course not dear, i've already bought it. I have all the papers and everything." She said looking at me expectantly. "Why wasn't i told about this? I live here. You can't just kick me out." I said. "Well dear, i can. And the police will back me up on this." I was about to cry. She took one look at me. "Okay i can see this has come as a shock to you, tell you what. I'll give you a week to get all of your stuff moved out. Okay?" I just nodded numbly. "Okay good, then i'll come back in a week and you won't be here." She clarified. I just closed the door in her face. It wasn't like me to be rude but i was in shock.

           How dare my dad sell my grandmothers house!? And to leave me homeless on top of that. He didn't ask  if i was okay with selling the house. He didn't say hey i'm selling the house i'll give you half so you won't be out on the streets. He sold it behind my back and then didn't even have the decency to tell me. Now what was i going to do?

       I wanted to see if i could find clues to my dad's whereabouts. I might kill him. But i noticed he had sold some of my grandmothers things. Her special important things. This was his own mother, i was his child! How could family just mean nothing to him!? But getting angry wouldn't help me right now. He was still gone. And who knows where he went. I went back to the computer.

          I don't know why. I was going to be homeless. How could you apply for a job. They wanted your address and the streets wouldn't cut it. So i typed in the search bar. Jobs with housing. I knew sometimes you could work at apartments or hotels and they would let you stay there. I saw an ad for a maid. I could clean. And they would let me stay there. The job was at...the royal palace!? Over two hours away. Well then it was settled. I clicked apply and filled out everything.

       A few days later i got a phone call that i had been considered for the job. So i packed up everything i could in my suitcase and i left the rest behind as i had no choice. I took a bus because it was all i could afford.

           The interview went well. "Why should you be considered to be a maid?" The lady asked. She was the head maid. Her name was Ms Clouse. She seemed nice under that gruff exterior. "Well i lived with my grandmother my entire life so i helped around the house doing whatever i could. I am eveciant. I don't goof off. I listen to direction and follow through. I'm very respectful." I said. "Wonderful, we need to know that you will be descreit as well. This palace is huge. And it needs to be in tip top shape at all times but you are to not be seen." She said.

           "You won't even know i'm here." I said. "Perfect. That's what i like to hear. Okay so this is the key to your room. You will have a roomate. Her name is Winnie. We will have orientation in the morning at 7 am on the dot. We will meet here in my office. The other new hire's will be here as well." She said. I took the key from her and thanked her. "You're welcome Alex i feel like this will be a good fit for you." She said. But the question was, how long did i stay here for? I didn't have any bills. Other than my cell service. I guess i could save up until i had enough money to move out and finish college.

               "Thank you so do i." She pointed me in the direction of my room. I hoped i wouldn't get lost. I had been going to school for international relations. I loved the idea of traveling. And maybe i had a stupid fantasy that i could encourage other countries to get along. It was inspired by my dad actually. I thought, if he's the best this country has to offer we have a problem. But i had always to to be an upstanding citizen. Maybe i'd just finish the degree online. Yes that's it. When i can afford to. Then when i finish the degree i will apply for jobs. Once i snagged a great job i'd use the money i'd saved up to rent something.

       I was thinking about how smart my plan was that i wasn't paying attention. I had no idea where i was. "Oh no." I'm lost. I wasn't starting off on a  very good foot and it wasn't even my first day.

             "I'm sorry, i couldn't help but notice that you look a little lost." Said a voice behind me. "Oh you scared me." I said placing a hand on my chest. "Sorry bout that, you must be new. I'm Carter." Said a beautiful blonde guy with dimples to match. "Alex, nice to meet you. And actually i am a little lost." I admitted. "I thought so. This is were the kitchen and supply closets are." He said. "Oh, this place is so big and confusing." I said. "Yea but don't worry you'll figure it out after a while. Your room is this way." He pointed.

            "Thank you so much." I said. "No problem my first day was a disaster. I spilled water on one of the Lords. He was livid! But Prince Cedric calmed him down." He said. "Oh so you're a footman." I said. "Yes, i get to interact with the royals. Bring out the food and serve it. Pour the drinks. You will assist if there is going to be a large group of royals. Then i assist taking everything back to the kitchen. I work breakfast and lunch. Then i stand around until i'm needed. I switch out with another footman and he handles the dinner rush until bedtime." He said.

              "Do you like working here?" I asked. "Yes everybody is very nice. I've been here about two years now." He said. "Is there anybody you don't like?" I asked. "Well...i'm not the most font of Lady Esmeralda. She thinks she's better than everybody else. She thinks she's going to marry Prince Cedric and be queen one day." He said pulling a face. "Oh, well good for her then." I said shrugging. "Here's your room." He said nodding to a row of doors. My key had number five on it so i found that door and slipped the key in.

              The room was nothing fancy. Two double beds with nightstands. Two dressers and a desk. But we had our own bathroom. The door to the bathroom opened and a girl with flowing red hair stepped out. "Oh you must be my new roomate Alex! I heard you were coming to day. I'm so excited to meet you. I'm Winnie." She said. "And i'm happy to meet you." I said. Both beds were made impeccably well. Guess that's a given when you're a maid. "Which bed is mine?" I asked. She pointed to the bed on the left.

         "Great. Thanks." I said setting my suitcase on top. Once i had unpacked everything neatly, i slid it under the bed. It was already late in the day. And after we had dinner she was turning in. I showered and followed suit. I'd have to be up early in the morning. And every morning.