Shoutout:
I just wanted to give a quick shoutout to Becca827 for assisting me in polishing Chapter 2 - Mysterious Escapade. Your advice and suggestions were really helpful. You should all visit her page and check out her work.

👑CHAPTER TWO👑
•Mysterious Escapade•

Road Trip🗽

1:45 p.m.

-Friday; afternoon-

-Jack-

I took my time finishing my breakfast, trying my best not to freak out about the hectic situation I was in. But who am I kidding? The rest of my life is basically riding on something I've never really been good at, and something I haven't been able to do for nearly two years: socialize and love myself.

After my morning dose of depression, I take a warm, relaxing shower, hoping it would calm my nerves. I stepped out thirty minutes later finding the room filled with steam. Relieved that the mirror had been clouded, as well. I grab a towel from the towel rack and quickly dry off, making sure to get every drop of water off of me.

As I wrap the towel around my waist, I then proceed to my bedroom to get myself dressed. The recommended suit Simon had picked out for me sat on the edge of the bed, placed in a bag from the dry cleaners. My fingers shake as I pull back on the zipper.

Inside the bag, I found a formal black suit with a navy blue tie and a blue pocket-handkerchief. I have to hand it to the old man, I might not be some handsome devil, but my wardrobe would surely make the ladies take a second glance. Well, that's what I'm hoping for. I think...

I make my way to my closet. My feet sliding as my socks rub the surface of each partially wet, pearly-white tile. Amongst my collection of top brand designer shoes, I grab a pair of elegant, leather dress shoes, adjusting them as I put them on my feet. The last time I wore them was during my senior prom; a night I will never forget about, no matter how hard I try.

"Master Jack!" Simon yelled aloud. "We really must be going, if we wish to arrive on time."

"On my way."

As I head back into the bedroom, I grab my black journal sitting on my nightstand. I tuck it into my inner suit pocket, making sure it would stay in place. Stepping into the hallway, I stop and just stand on the outside of my bedroom door. I tried to fight the urge but gave in shortly after. I look to the left, down the well-lit hallway, and spot my parents' old bedroom. Behind its locked exterior were contents from the past, accompanied by complete silence. Memories rushing through my head, torturing me with past happiness and moments that I can't get back. I look away, teary-eyed and head for the staircase.

With each step leading downward it feels as if I'm walking through an unknown area, seeing everything for the first time. The William estate has a total of three stories. Each floor holds its own vast array of memories. Some happy and heart-warming, others, tragic and heartbreaking. These days it feels less like a home and more like an abandoned museum.

I step down onto the first floor. The first room you step into was obviously the most-decorated. Blue and black patterned tiles, matching the painted walls with designer crowns painted onto them, and a 32 ft. tall ceiling with multiple chandeliers hanging down from above. The entire room was split evenly into two sections. Same layout, but, in some places, designed a little different than the other.

From the front door, looking in, Dad sat in the right section. His old baseball trophies sitting atop the, conveniently placed, fireplace. Mom sat to the left with her fine china just above her fireplace with our family pictures circling the entire room. A double-sided couch, made up of a blue-tinted leather, sat in the middle between both sections, and there were flat screens on both ends that sat quietly, until powered on, behind a hidden panel in the wall. Mom and Dad... they were always having trouble agreeing on things, like what to watch, and that's what led to these extravagant arrangements.

The second floor, which contained a professionally-built kitchen that even Gordon Ramsey couldn't compete with, belonged to my mother. No matter where I was in the house, I could always sniff out the delightful smell of mom's cooking. She pretty much had the entire floor to herself. She'd watch the cooking channel, while she practiced cooking new dishes for our occasional family nights. My taste buds suffered in the beginning, but with time and a lot of practice, Mom was cooking like a five-star chef. The memories aren't too vivid, but I can remember the days when the three of us would have family dinners in the full-sized dining area; big enough to seat over one hundred guests.

I stop suddenly as I approach a familiar room. Outside of it, on the wall, was a golden plaque with the name "Jack" engraved on it. The doors were kept shut and secure by a long, thick chain held together with a strange lock. As I peek through the glass of the double doors, I see my old desk and notebooks stacked up tall, like a mountain, completely filled with my past writing.

I start to reach for the lock, then quickly pull away, slowly balling my hands into a fist. It was once my favorite room and now... Now I can barely stand the sight of it.

"Beep!" The sudden blast of a car horn grabs my attention and I back away from the door. I collect my thoughts, then head straight in the direction leading to the garage. Upon entering the room, the all-white interior nearly blinds me. When my eyes finally adjust to the scenery, my mouth instantly drops.

The room was filled to the brink with luxurious cars: a cherry red Ferrari, a yellow Lamborghini as bright as the sun, a Porsche, and many others lined up next to each other. It was like something straight out of a movie. No matter how many times I see it, it still manages to amaze me. But amongst all the new, flashy vehicles, one stood out much more. In the very back of the room, sitting alone, was Dad's old car. It's been years since it's been driven. Ever since his passing, it's been covered up. For nearly two years, not a shred of light has touched its surface.

I found Simon standing over next to the family limo with his hands up telling me to hurry.

"It's good to finally see you, sir. Did you remember to bring your journal?"

I reach back into my inner pocket and check to make sure it was still there.

"Of course, I never let it out of my sight." I quickly hop inside the limo, fastening my seatbelt as Simon opens the garage doors. It squeaked as it lifted upward. The sun, eventually, blinding me as it leaks in through the exposed opening.

The car shakes me as it cuts on. We begin to leave and I take a moment to stare out the window back at my home, scared that I'd never return. Where I'm headed from here, I don't know. I'm just going along for the ride, unaware of where my dear old friend, Simon, might be taking me.

The long drive seems almost never-ending. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes into hours, and hours into what felt like a lifetime. No conversation was made the entire trip. The radio continued to torture my ears with the sound of repetitive love songs.

"Are you going to tell me what you're doing now, or are you going to keep me guessing the whole time?" I said, as curious as ever.

Simon didn't respond.

I chuckle, attempting to break the silence. I open the mini fridge that sat at my feet; the cool breeze sent chills down my spine as I reach inside and grab a bottle of water."You know if you wanted to kidnap me, you could have at least bought me some ice-cream first, or even lunch maybe. Stocking the mini fridge with more than just water would be nice as well."

"Ha-ha, I'm not kidnapping you, sir. Quite the opposite, actually."

I take a sip of the ice-cold water."Then what are you doing? Where are you taking me?"

I notice him taking a quick glance at me through the rearview mirror, letting out a bold sigh.

"I guess now is as good a time as any." He said, with a sigh. "Prince Sebastian is ho--"

I spit my water out onto the window blocking off both sides of the limo.

"P-Prince Sebastian?"

"Yes, sir. I heard from a few friends that he's hosting a party tonight, so I decided I'd give him a call. One thing led to another and now he wants you to be one of his many, honorary guests."

I lean forward, gripping the edge of my seat. "Woah, wait. A party? Prince Sebastian's party? Don't you think that's a little too much for my first time back out? Doc, said baby steps, remember?"

"Don't worry, It's just a little get-together. I'm sure you'll be fine, sir."

My hands are shaking uncontrollably. Horrific memories of the past are rushing through my mind: wedgies, swirlies, numerous class periods spent inside of a dark locker. Sebastian Lockhart, once the most popular guy in school, homecoming king, and still to this day, he's a trending topic. He's obnoxious, cocky, conceited, and the biggest "Richard" I've ever met. He turned my high school experience into something, I'm pretty sure closely resembled a trip to Hell.

"Did you hear about his recent marriage?" Simon said. "It's been the headliner for the Daily Tale for the last three weeks now."

"Who would want to marry him?" I whisper, to myself. "I feel sorry for whoever gets mixed up with a guy like that."

"One of the most popular princesses of all time.... Cinderella."

"Cinderella!? How did he - why would she -?" I stumble over my own words, shocked by the disturbing, and unexpected news. "What happened to her last husband?"

"Apparently, a bunch of rumors got around about her."

"Rumors? What kind of rumors?"

"Well, from what I heard, just like the rumor, she got around. A lot. A few days later and they were signing divorce papers."

"Ah... say no more. Do you think she's going to be at the party?"

"Well, considering it is her house now, too; possibly. Why does that matter?"

"Don't you remember me telling you about that one time? You know, when Cinderella and I were actually friends?"

He was silent for a moment.

I let out a frustrated sigh. "When we were in preschool we used to be very close. We used to share our animal crackers, our Capri Suns; we were even nap buddies."

"Sounds like you two really got along."

"Yeah... but that ship sank faster than the Titanic. One day, just like any other day, we caused chaos, ate, and caused more chaos, until we, eventually, got ready for our routine nap."

"Ah, those were the days." Simon, exhaled, taking a mental trip to the past.

"Things were going just fine until I felt a weird tingle. I didn't know what it was at the time, so I ignored it, but it got even more intense the longer I did. A few minutes pass and I finally come to the conclusion that I must have had a little too much to drink before nap time."

"What makes you say that, sir?"

"Well, because I had a leak in my actual Capri's and accidently --"

"No!" Simon gasps. "Sir, you didn't... You peed on Cinderella?"

"Um...ya." I felt embarrassed. Not only did she hate me for it, she disowned our friendship. It just died and wilted away like a rose petal.

Simon busts out laughing but quickly stops himself when he looks up at the rearview, noticing that I wasn't amused by the topic.

He clears his throat. "My apologies, sir."

I sigh once more, ashamed of my past actions. "It's fine, but, still to this day, she hates me for it."

"That's a long time to hold a grudge."

"Tell me about it..."

I stare out the window at all the vehicles. They pass us by, like my plans for the future did. If I don't beat this measly illness then it won't matter anyway. I'll just continue to be a lifeless, outcast. Everyone will remember me as the boy who failed his birthright title of "Prince" and the son, who brought only shame to his family name.

"You're over-thinking, Jack," Simon said.

"What are you talking about?"

"You can't fool me, sir. I've seen that look one too many times. You're letting the past get to you. You may have lost Cinderella as a friend, but that was a little over a decade ago. There weren't any other beauties?"

"Of course, but they always ended with the same result. Rejected and humiliated; that's how I was left every time. But...there was this one girl I met a long time ago in high school. She was...different. In the beginning, I was too afraid to even talk to her. I wouldn't even walk in her direction when I saw her."

"So, what happened?"

"Like any other day, I had to deal with my daily encounter with Sebastian. Taking my money, slamming me into lockers; the usual charade. While everyone else just pointed and laughed, she came and helped me. She defended me, and was one of the only people who spoke to me and didn't use the words, "nerd", or "freak". Even with her kindness and hospitality, I was still afraid. Not of her, but of the fact that she'd probably start to see me the way everyone else does. Despite my fear, I eventually just took a leap of faith and stepped out of my comfort zone. It was rough, but I did manage to talk to her. A few weeks pass by and we became the best of friends. At that point, she was the only thing really keeping me going. But, just when things were going so well for me, that's when things got, unexpectedly, turned upside down."

I reach into my inner pocket and take out my journal. I open it and begin to reminisce through my past writing. Page after page, it brought back memories, giving me mixed emotions of joy, anger, and sadness.

"After that incident my senior year, I dropped out of school and just never returned. I didn't even bother to tell her why, or anyone else for that matter. I haven't seen or heard from her since. Sad thing is, I can't even remember her name. Some kind of friend I am, right?"

"I'm sorry to hear that, Master Jack. Life is, and always will be, a rough experience. Don't let the past determine your future, and don't let this illness define who you are. No matter what, we are all being tested on a daily basis. You and your friend may have separated for a while, but fate has a way of bringing people back together. If it's truly meant to be, of course. I for one would love to meet this old friend of yours. She sounds like a wonderful young lady."

"Yeah, me too... Look, Simon, I know this is supposed to help me, but what makes you think I want to go to this party? Even before the illness, you knew I've always kept away from royal events."

"It's not about what you want, it's about what you need. And you need to go to this party. So suck it up, and grow a pair."

"Simon!" His words struck me like a runaway train. I nudge myself forward, offended by his statement.

"Excuse my language, sir. I just want what's best for you, like your parents would. You owe it to yourself to beat this and I'm going to see to it that you do."

I wanted to fire back, but no matter how bad it sounded, it didn't make it any less true. I sit back in my seat and sit quietly. Seconds later, he throws something at me and it lands in the seat next to my leg. I pick it up and see that the object is a mask.

"What's this for?"

He winks at me and gives a little smirk.

"For the party--It's a masquerade."

👑

Hey, guys. So... as you can see, Chapter 2 - Polished is finally here. It was originally supposed to be released with the updated version of Chapter 1 - Polished, but, unfortunately, while I was writing the final bits at work a few weeks ago the file somehow became corrupted and I had to re-write & edit the ENTIRE chapter.

I was literally almost in tears guys. That is one of the worse things that can happen to any writer/author. But, I'm so glad I didn't give up on it because I feel like I made a huge improvement from the original chapter.

If you feel like this is an improvement from the original version, let me know. If not, let me know what you'd have left out, added, changed, etc. A story is never perfect no matter how much editing or re-writing you do, I'm sure you'll understand that with my writing, your own, and many other writers' work as well.

There's always room for improvement...