I spent the next few days working with Cathryn on ball etiquette. Once she was sure I was ready for the ball she finally took her leave. It was time for lunch anyways. I was kind of nervous I didn't want to embarrass myself. It was Friday and tomorrow was the day of the ball. I had my final dress fitting and the dress fit me like a glove.  I for once felt like a princess. Now if I could just not do anything stupid everything would be okay.

There was a knock on my door. It swung open and my dad walked in sitting on the edge of the bed. "How's it going baby girl?" I shrugged. "What if I can't do this?" I asked. "You can." He said. "Why? You couldn't!" I said. He frowned. "Okay now, I could I just felt pulled in a different direction. And I don't regret one minute of it. But you, you are good at telling people what to do, you're organized and caring you are exactly what this country needs." He said.

"But your parents are so stuffy and I'm so not." He laughed. "You are right, they are but you will be an amazing leader I have no doubts in my mind. The way they run things isn't the only way. I think having a fresh voice in here is great. I love my parents and there is nothing wrong with being different." My dad said.

"But I have no training I might be a terrible queen!" I said. "Yes it's your birth right and if you are terrible you just have to learn. I am kicking myself that I didn't even give you a chance to start learning everything. I mean had I done that you might know what you want to do right now."

I thought about his reasons for not telling me. "I get why you did it though. I know now what having a normal life is like. If I had done this twenty four seven I might hate it right now too." He nodded. "Yes, and nothing worth doing should be easy I suppose." "Right, how do you feel about having to move back here?" I asked. "Honestly I'd like it. My parents aren't getting any younger and I like the idea of being close should anything happen to them." He said.

"Oh good. It's just a lot. Not only do I have to transition into becoming queen but I also have to find a suitable husband." He chuckled. "That's not that hard. You know my parents were in an arranged marriage of sorts. You know take your pick from the royal bunch, but they love each other. Because at the end of the day they know they are doing what's best for the country." I knew that it's what I would do. But I feel like I'm the bachelor. You have all these men to choice from, not the whole world. Pick one and fall for them.

Sometimes it worked out though so maybe it would for me too. "This is why I've pushed for you to have a few hours off to just be normal." He said. "That's tough too because I'm trying to keep a low profile. And I only spoke to a few people but I don't want them treating me differently and then it's like well if I'm gonna be queen will I get time off? No I'll probably be pretty busy so why am I taking time off now??" My dad put his hand on my knee. "It's so you won't get overwhelmed but I think that ship has sailed. Take a deep breath."

"Well I will tell me what to do." I said. "I can't do that..." He said. "No not about weather to be Queen or not...I mean...like next step." I said. "Oh! That I can do. Why don't you look for the girl who will be your replacement. I talked with your grandmother. Her name is Morgan. She says she is breading to a T and that she would be good for the job but she also thinks you will be able to learn everything." "Did she say that last part or are you trying to make me feel better?" I asked.

He held some fingers up. "Scouts honor." He grinned. "Good, I really am trying." I said. "I know and I'm super proud of you." He leaned in for a hug. "Ready for lunch?" He asked patting my back and standing up. "Yep, let's go." And as soon as we got done eating I could go back to the park.

They had some kind of fancy sandwich. I mean super fancy and I wasn't sure what kind of cheese that was. My grandparents hadn't come in just yet so I turned to my dad. "Quick, what kind of cheese is this?" I asked. "Cantal, they make it here. We get it sourced locally. It's similar to cheddar you should like it." He said. Then my grandparents walked in. We all got up and curtsied or bowed to them.

My grandmother gave an approving nod. We took our seats and once she started eating we could. This was actually a tasty sandwich which *pew* blew my mind. I didn't think sandwiches could be this fancy and be tasty.

I looked over at the Queen and she was almost done. I had to eat faster. I didn't want to have to stop eating as soon as she was done. She did finish soon and thankfully I was able to finish the last few bites of my meal. We followed protocol and everyone left. I threw on a tank and shorts as soon I was in my room. I slipped into my shoes and snuck down the stairs careful not to be seen by any of the staff. My parents already knew where I was going so I walked to the front where the limo waited.

The chauffeur bowed to me. "Back to the skate park?" He asked. "Yes, thank you." I said climbing in the back clutching my skateboard to my chest.  He dropped me off at the same spot as yesterday and let me know he'd be waiting to pick me up.

I walked confidently into the skate park. I really wish I could walk this confidently into the ball tomorrow. I guess that was something I was going to have to practice. I looked around for Andy. I don't know why I really shouldn't even be friends with him. It was dangerous territory because I think if you're going to be friends with guys they shouldn't be that hot. I mean it's just not right, why? Because then you have moments where you wonder what kissing them would be like and I can't do that. Ever again. I had hope one of the guys at the ball would be cute, and nice. Because I'd have to marry someone. I should be able to tolerate them. 

There was Andy. And he wasn't wearing a shirt and my earlier assumption of him having muscles was Indeed correct. I bit my lip, see this is why we couldn't be friends.

He looked up and saw me walking into the park with my board under my arm. A big grin broke across his face. "Hey Mac Attack!" He called out. I smiled in return. "Hey Andy! How's it going?" I asked. "Better now that you're here," he said kicking his skateboard up. Was he flirting with me?

I grinned a stupid grin I just couldn't help myself something about him was infectious. I hadn't had the greatest morning. It wasn't bad by any means it was just a lot to take in, but hanging out with him seemed to ease every single muscle in my body. And this wasn't a good thing.

Am I in trouble here? No don't be silly, that's ridiculous. All you have to do is keep things friendly. And that will be easy to do. Just stop looking at this gorgeous chest. I stepped on my board and left every single one of my worries in the wind. After about 30 minutes of riding back-and-forth I really felt much calmer. But I would be doing even better if Andy would put a shirt on. Because things were crazy and after a long day I needed to board. I had to just make it work.

I had time to think while on my board. I decided it would be OK to be friends with Andy. Because I get nothing but Royal talk all day, every day. Everyone around me is always curtsying and being so proper. It was nice having one person not know who I really was. And not treat me any differently.

It was almost freeing in a way. And he never knew about me being royal. It was a nice break from all the fluff. Maybe that didn't make any sense and maybe I was going to get in trouble here but I had hoped this wouldn't end badly.

I took a seat on the bench and Andy joined me. He handed out two bottles of cold water. "My turn to add to the pot? I think I have some money." I said. "No, absolutely not. You don't owe anything." He said. "But I'm on bottle number two." I pulled out some cash and started to hand it to him and then my face fell.

"Well I suppose American money won't do you any good here." I said holding the money out limply. He laughed and held his hand out for the money. "I'll put it up, A souvenir." He said slipping the money into his pocket. "If you say so." I said smiling. "I do, so do you miss home?" He asked.

I pulled a leg up on the bench. "Home? Not really. But I do miss my friends. We were supposed to have an epic summer. Well they were working but it was still supposed to be pretty fun." I said.

"Jobs? Doing what?" He asked. "Well my best friend Sadie is going to school in the fall to  become a teacher so she got a job at the summer camp. And Cam is going to be a nurse she recently learned how to take blood and got a job at the hospital." I said. "Oh were you supposed to take a summer job?" He asked. "No, my parents were cool with me taking the summer off before college. Now I know why." I said. "Why's that?" He asked. "Long story. What about you? School? Summer job?" I asked. 

"Family business." He said. "Sounds fun." I nodded. "Eh it's kinda boring but whatever." He shrugged. "I'm liking the idea of college more and more though." He said. "I get that, you know do your own thing." I nodded again. "Right, if only my dad saw it that way." He frowned. "Finding work is tough..." I agreed. "Yea, My friend Kendall finally got a job after looking but he's picky. He feels like you really need to be passionate about your job to do it well." He said.

"No I can totally see that, see when my friends chose their jobs, I saw it. You know it fit them. But for me, ah I don't have a clue. I guess I was hoping I'd get to college and fall in love with something." I said. "Hey that happens, sometimes it takes people years to pick a major." He said. I held a hand up. "Guilty as charged. I mean as a kid the thought of being a teacher was fun to me ONLY because I wanted to be the one giving out as much homework as my teachers had given me. I wanted to be a doctor ONLY so I could be the one giving shots and making little kids cry like I had." I said.

"You have a mean streak!" He said laughing. "I didn't know I did! But as an adult, different story. I want to help people. And I don't know what that means for me." I said thoughtfully. "Well maybe you could be a nurse then. Or a teacher." He suggested. "Well nurse type stuff kinda grosses me out. And as for being around kids all day, I'm not sure that's for me either." I said.

"Ah I see your dilemma." He smiled. "Well what about you?" I asked. "Eh, okay so I don't hate working for my dad. But I don't know if I'm going to be fulfilled." He said. "Then it looks like we both need a change." I said. Maybe being Queen was exactly what I needed to be doing. I mean I had never given it much thought. It was just something that I would spend the summer doing. But if  I didn't know what I wanted to do then maybe this was it. We talked for another hour and then I had to get back for dinner. 

I stood up. "I should get going, time for dinner." I said. He stood up as well stretching as he did. I bit my lip. It was getting hot out here, and I'm pretty sure it was because he still wasn't wearing a shirt. I mean for Pete's sake my hands wanted to touch him. Nope not going there Mac. You're going to be friends.

"See you back here tomorrow?" He asked. "Family thing. But maybe Sunday." I said. "Sounds good. See ya around Mac." "Bye Andy." I waved and grabbed my board.