"Keep your shoulders back. Correct your posture."

"Stop pulling down the dress!"

"WHY ARE YOU STUMBLING? CAN YOU REALLY NOT WALK IN HEELS?!"

These were just a few of the critics that I had for Natalie. Today we were going to April's exclusive brunch, and if Natalie was going to be seen with me there, then she needed to dress and act as if she grew up amongst the upper echelons.

However, she was more of a challenge than I thought. She wouldn't stop blinking when I was doing her eyeliner, so I had to continuously start over. Her posture is  dreadful. And to top it off, she has jelly legs when walking in heels!

"Ugh, I give up. You're hopeless," I sighed, sitting on my bed. 

Natalie staggered over to look in the mirror, holding on to the dresser for support. "Um, maybe I could put on a longer dress and shorter heels?"

I looked up at the girl in her scarecrow like stance. It was clear that she was self conscious, and not confident in her new appearance. 

"When you tried on my white, knee length Balmain dress, you couldn't fill out the bust area. And no other heels will work with that dress. Plus, they're only 4-inches. I walk in 6-inches all the time with no problem."

She tugged at the hem of the black, mid-thigh length, bodycon dress once again. "Yeah, but Daisy, I'm not really sure I can pull this off."

 I sighed before making my way over to her. "This is the only dress of mine that fits you perfectly. You look great, so own it." I complimented her with a sincere, straight face.

"But don't you think the chest area is a bit.. I don't know... exposed?"

"So?" I questioned. 

How typical of Natalie to criticize a good thing. The main reason I bought the dress in the first place was because it had built in push-up cups. Not that I needed the help in that department anyway, but a little lift never hurt anybody.

"Look. You're being way too hard on yourself, Natalie. I waved your hair beautifully, and did your makeup flawlessly, so stop being insecure and let's go already!" I said, folding my arms under my chest.

She blinked a few times before taking a deep breath. She checked herself out in the mirror once more. "I guess you're right. But I still don't know how I'm supposed to walk in these stumpy heels."

I rolled my eyes. "Just relax, go from heel to toe, and take shorter strides."

"...Okay, I'll try."

I facepalmed as she fumbled out of the bedroom door. How is it even possible that me and this girl are related?!

••••••••••

I pulled into the line outside of the swanky, country club. I took my mother's Mercedes today. There was no way that I would be caught in such tragedy of a vehicle that Natalie and Aunt Hana drive.

The valet then opened our doors, letting us get out. 

"Ugh, don't move the seat back either. I hate when you guys do that," I grimaced as I tossed the keys to the guy in a black tux.

"Of course, Miss Daisy," he replied.

"Woah! They know your name?!" Natalie gasped in astonishment.

I rolled my eyes at her groupie like behavior. "Yes. Mother and I are members of this club."

"That's so cool! I've never been to a country club before. What do you guys do all day?"

"Many recreational activities. Most of it is just for show though," I said as we walked into the large, chateau inspired building.

We sauntered into the ballroom that held April's extravagant brunch. The theme was black and white event. The marble tables were decorated with white roses placed in tall, platinum vases. White, black and baby pink balloons were proportioned throughout the venue. There was a large, glittery banner across the gigantic back wall that read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY APRIL".

A familiar sense of belonging ovewhelmed my body with each and every step I took. I looked up at the ginormous, diamond chandelier that glistened above the ballroom floor, leaving small diamond-shaped shadows to dance all over the ballroom. I then turned my attention to the right side of the room, taking in the tall cieling length windows that brought in beautiful lighting, along with a view of the golfing hills.

"Omg Daisy?! You actually came!" 

I turned around to see April with a smile on her face. She was in a short, silver strapless dress. Her blonde hair was in gorgeous beach curls, and her makeup was glowy, extenuating her tan.

"Of course. I told you I would make it," I rolled my eyes. Just because I wasn't living amongst the elite anymore didn't mean I would stop partying with them.

She then looked over at Natalie. "Oh! who's your friend?"

"Hi, I'm-"

"Uh, this is my cousin, Natalie," I interrupted.

"Oh, nice to meet you Natalie!" April greeted with a smile. "And wow! I love that little black Versace dress. So fabu."

"Right back at you. Oh, and thanks!" Natalie grinned.

"Pardon me, Miss April," the head chef said as he approached. "But we have ran out of strawberry jam and red food coloring for the strawberry macarons."

Her face went from lively to wrath as she turned to face the chef. "WHAT?! HOW DO YOU RUN OUT OF INGREDIENTS?! ARE YOU SERIOUSLY THIS INCOMPETENT?!"

"Uh, Um, I'm so sorry Miss, but you told me to double the amount at such a last minute. We still have the other flavors you requested though."

"THE MAIN FLAVOR I WANTED IS STRAWBERRY, YOU NINNY!" April said.

"My apologies, Miss April. Is there something else I could do for you in order to compensate for this unfortunate event?" He asked with eyes full of fear. From where I stood, it looked as if he was about to tremble down to the ground in terror.

"YES! GET OUT OF HERE AND GO BACK INTO THE KITCHEN, AND DO WHAT YOU'RE PAID TO DO!" 

"Yes, um, right away Miss," he said before quickly leaving the area.

...See, I told you April was dramatic. Totally can't relate though. 

"Sorry about that," she flipped her hair in annoyance. "It's so hard to find good help these days. You guys get it right?"

"Oh, no, see I'm not rich-"

"Rich enough to have a chef AND a butler!" I interrupted Natalie. "She only has one butler."

"Oh, you poor thing," April frowned in pity. "That must be so hard for you to deal with."

Natalie scrunched her face up in confusion as she looked between April and I. 

"Uh, hee hee, it sure is," I nervously giggled. "Um, Natalie, can you come with me to go powder my nose."

Without giving her much time to respond, I pulled her arm, dragging her into the nearest ladies' room.

We stepped into a large, marbled, well lit bathroom. 

"Okay, I know what you're gonna say but hear me out," I breathed. 

"Hear you out?" Natalie asked. "You just totally lied to your friend that I'm rich! Why?!"

I ran a hand through my dark hair as I tried to find the right words to justify my actions. "Because..I..I.. just had to!"

"But why though? They're your friends. Wait...don't tell me they still don't know that you lost all your money?"

I rushed over to her and put a hand over mouth. Quickly, I lowered my vision down as I scanned under the stalls. No feet showing. Whew, great.

I removed my hand, taking a few steps away from her. "Hey, bite your tongue next time, okay!? What if someone heard you?!"

She put a hand on her hip. "Oh, you mean if someone heard the truth?"

I leaned back against the white and black, marbled counter. "Look, it doesn't matter what the truth is. What matters is that no one here can know about it! The people here aren't like Alex and Kaitlyn, okay. If word gets out, my social life would completely disintegrate."

Her facial features softened up at my vulnerability. "But Daisy, if these people really cared about you, then they would still like you, no matter your financial status."

I smirked and let out a chuckle as I looked in the glass mirror above the sink. "Yeah that sounds like a cute story on paper, but this is the real world, Natalie. The real world where money, power, status and reputation is everything."

I focused my vision down as I peered at the water tap, swallowing a lump that formed in my throat. Refusing to let my emotions get the best of me. I couldn't. Not here.

"...Well if it means so much to you, then I guess I could help you out with your secret," Natalie said softly.

I looked over my shoulder slightly. "Hm, I thought you were completely against my lies a minute ago."

"Yes, it is wrong. However, I'm not from your world Daisy, so I don't really know how these things work. But if you think this is for the best, then I'll do what I can to help. We are family after all," she smiled.

I turned around and let out a small smirk. "Yeah, I guess we are."

I soon heard the sound of multiple giggles approaching the bathroom, signaling that our mushy, emotional fest was over. 

"Ready to go back out there?" I asked her with a small smile.

"Oh, I don't know. Since I'm rich now, I think it's best if I show up fashionably late," Natalie said snootily, her nose pointed up in the air.

"Well if you do that then I'm pretty sure you'll miss the cutting of the triple layer cake," I responded flatly.

"CAKE?!" Natalie's eyes opened widely. Oh, well why didn't you say so?"

I giggled as the dark brunette girl sprinted out of the bathroom. Seems she learned how to move in heels rather quickly, all due to the delicious flavors of a gourmet cake.

Maneuvering my way around the group of girls that were coming into the bathroom, I casually walked down the long, vacant corridor to head back into the lovely ballroom.

Minding my own business, not even hearing footsteps coming from up behind me, I felt a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist. 

My eyes widened and my breathing hitched as terror hit my body, due to the sudden impact. 

I felt a head move down to the crook of my neck, allowing the mystery person's soft hair to tickle against me.

"Daisy," a masculine voice breathed into my left ear.