robynboswell

[robynboswell]

Meeting the Prince

“Robyn!” a voice worriedly called out.

 The brunette shifted in the cozy bed, slowly waking up. As soon as she saw it was her maid Tabitha who had yelled at her to wake, she couldn’t help but roll her eyes and grab a spare pillow to place over her head. With the muffled sound, she could barely hear that Tabitha apologizing for yelling, but insisting she get up to have enough time to get ready.  

 “I need coffee,” was Robyn’s only response.

 A few minutes later the scent of a strongly brewed coffee wafted through the air. The cup had been placed on the night stand by Aida, which prompted Robyn to sit up and take the blue ceramic mug. Her hands absorbed the warmth as she took long sips of the sweetened liquid.

 “Thank you,” she managed to say sleepily.

 The night before, restless Robyn had been given a curiously small purple tablet that would help her sleep. It had apparently worked too well since she still felt the overwhelming urge to pull the blanket over her head and ignore the maids. Back home Robyn enjoyed waking up early; whether it was to practice an instrument, go on a walk with Wolfgang (her Australian Shepard), or to get a head start on paper work for the Resonance Concert Hall.

 “Drink up, so that I can get you dressed.” Tabitha had laid out items of clothing on the opposite side of the bed, patiently waiting for Robyn. “You’ll be meeting the prince today.”

 Robyn inhaled the caffeine anxiously, trying to get rid of the cloud in her head. Unlike a majority of the selected girls, Robyn has met the Prince.

 A few years ago she had been invited alongside other up and coming string players, to perform for the King and Queen on their anniversary. That had been the first time she’d visited the palace; this competition being the second time. She remembers the royal couple looking very lovingly at each other, with a stoic Prince Carter in the background.

 After her performance in a quartet, the group had been excused to their put instruments away in a designated room. Before returning to the celebration a guard escorted her to the nearest restroom so she wouldn’t get lost. Upon leaving the restroom she saw the Prince of Ilea walking down the corridor. A bit star struck, she wasn’t going to say anything—that is until he gave a small nod and walked right passed her.

 Robyn turned quickly and blurted out, ‘It’s been a pleasure preforming for you and your family, Prince Carter.’

 ‘The Prince is not to be bothered,’ a guard had grabbed her arm, beginning to walk her back to the celebration.

 Prince Carter had turned around and ordered the guard to let her go. After that the Prince had seemed a little lost on what to do.

 Robyn curtsied as she’d been told was the proper way to greet royalty. ‘Y-you have a beautiful home and I’d just like to thank you as well as the King and Queen for allowing me the opportunity to perform here.’

 He cleared his throat, ‘You’re welcome.’ Prince Carter gave a small bow and pointed to her shoes, ‘you have tissue stuck there.’

 Quickly looking down she saw a delicate square of toilet paper beneath her heel. Mortified, she didn’t look at him as she hurried off into the rest room.

 It was amongst one of the many reasons she was disappointed she’d been selected over her sister Alejandra, who also entered the competition. But hopefully, he wouldn’t remember their interaction. It was many years ago and the palace make over must’ve made her look somewhat different.

 As soon as she had the last drop of coffee Marion and Aida were at her side to get her ready. Aida assisted her with hygiene while Marion made the bed.

 “Alright,” it was Tabitha’s turn. The maid led a floral smelling Robyn towards the bed to examine the outfits.

 The outfits weren’t dresses, like she’d imagined she would only wear; they were skirts and blouses. Robyn touched the luxurious fabrics, instantly attracted to the gold knee-length skirt.

 Tabitha took it upon herself to match it with the correct blouse and heels. Aida and Marion teamed up to do her make up and add accessories.

 “You’ll be in the gardens so I’d gone earlier and convinced one of the gardeners to give me any stray flowers,” Marion smiled proudly as she placed a flower headband on Robyn’s head.

 Robyn stood to look at herself in a full-length mirror. Every element of her outfit separately didn’t seem like they’d go together but the girls had managed to make her look proper beautiful.

 She turned and looked at her maids thoughtfully, “Thank you.”

 Tabitha sighed relieved Robyn was pleased. “You better get downstairs. There’s a guard that will escort you to the gardens. Plenty of food will be served, since you’re probably hungry.”

 Robyn nodded and excused herself as the girls went back to tidying up the room.

 ✕ ✕ ✕

 Soft string music played as the selected girls conversed with each other and members of court. Robyn steered clear of the table with various snacks, despite her hunger. There were too many people gathered in that area and she wasn’t ready to socialize. Not yet, anyways, because she was searching for a ghost she’d seen during the makeovers yesterday. It was such a whirlwind that she didn’t get to confirm if the ghost was her friend from (province here).

 Back in Ottaro, her family owns the Resonance Concert Hall. A few years ago, they started a summer internship for young musicians across the country to apply to learn from and preform with professionals. Being an amazing violinist, Sammy last name from province had secured a spot and during the internship the two became fast friends.

 Robyn was still playing catch up as to who the selected girls she was essentially competing against were, so she wasn’t even completely sure if it had been Sammy that she saw. Nonetheless she smiled and nodded at the girls she passed by while walking through the lush garden, looking for her friend.

 “Robyn Boswell,” a voiced tsked behind her. Robyn turned and saw Ida Bell, the royal planner, looking slightly upset.

 “We missed you at breakfast today. Your maid reported that you were feeling ill…” she sighed inaudibly, “I’m glad you’re feeling well enough now; let’s keep the illness to a minimum, especially so early in the competition.”

 “Yess m’am,” Robyn forced a smile.

 Ida stared at her seriously for a few moments longer, then smiled. “Great, now if you’ll excuse me—“ she walked away towards another selected girl a few yards away.

 Robyn walked as quickly as she could away from the situation that was Ida. She chuckled to herself, reminded by her own mother.

 ✕ ✕ ✕

 Robyn squatted down to be at the dogs level, “Oh my, are you here for the selection, too?” she questioned.

 The dog placed a paw on Robyn’s knee, wanting affection.

 “Look at those eyes! I stand no chance against you,” she took the dogs face into her hands to get a better look into them.

  -   She meets Arabella and her best friend Naomi with Maggie

-   They get talking and she finds out Arabella loves broadway

-   A silly duet is sung between the two. ‘Popular’ from wicked

-   Gathers the attention of a few of the girls and the King & the Queen; they all applaud the girls.

-   She greets the king and the Queen to thank and remind them of years ago when she preformed for on of their anniversaries

-   Soon after she is called to meet the prince

-   When she greets him he looks deep in thought. She dismisses it as him being tired since he’s been meeting the girls for over three hours.

-   She can’t help but to feel extremely nervous.

-   She tries to compose herself as she would for any performance

-   But it’s tough because the attention is on her and not her music

-   They small talk about how yesterday it was her birthday etc.

-   A few questions as her nerves aren’t settling and it’s easier than keeping conversation

-   When the time is up, he says “you’ve got something stuck on your shoes.”

-   She frantically looks down to her heels and catches on that he remembered who she was

-   She covers her face so he won’t see her blushing

-   He laughs at her reaction and tells her he looks forward to her not running away from him

-   She returns the the party and that’s when she see Sammy/jenni

-   Overall it’s a good day. Back in her room she reminisces with her maids about her day and the prince

-   Says that some of the girls are brilliant, and she couldn’t ever match up to them

-   Maids reassure her that that isn’t true

-   Aida opens up about the guard she’s met. It’s inappropriate but the girls seem to be bonding over this~

-   They have sort of a sleep over just gossiping the rest of the night

-   Robyn remembers spending nights like this when she lived with her parents and sister so she’s very open to having them their for her

-   Marion reminds them all that they should get enough sleep for the following day so they finally go to sleep. Aida is elected to stay the night with Robyn and the other two go to bed.

[robynboswell]

i tired

[robynboswell]

Arrival at the Palace & Makeovers

-       Robyn spent the week saying goodbye to everyone.

-       On Saturday she went to work as usual but got no work done since everyone wanted to see how she was and the general excitement meant hardly anyone got any work done—she left early so everyone could focus on the Ballet performance that night.

-       With so much extra free time she spent it getting mentally prepared for the changes that were to come.

-       That Monday she went to her college campus to talk about her current credit classes and how it will all work out while she was away. Because of the unpredictability if she would only be there a week or for the rest of her life, the college advisor was at a loss on what to do for her. She eventually just advised Robyn that withdrawing from her classes would be better than out-right dropping the class and taking an F, which would damage her GPA significantly. If and when Robyn returns she’d just have to enroll into the classes again.

-       This causes Robyn to be in a depressive state because the situation feels like its damaging her future rather than helping it.

-       The next few days are simply spent with family. Robyn has since then moved back home with her parents and sister. Elisa (mom) can’t take days off of work but spends any extra time with her at home. Sam (dad) who does have a bunch of free time, uses this time to get his and Robyn’s relationship back together. It’s still pretty awkward but they’re both trying to make an effort.

-       Alejandra loves having her sister back home. Things have been a bit awkward between the two since Robyn was chosen over Alejandra (who has now developed a bit of a self-esteem issue). Nonetheless, things were dull since Robyn had moved away so Ale was happy to have some excitement in her life, even for just a little while.

-       Come Thursday, she barely saw anyone. Elisa at work, Ale at school, which was normal, but even Sam was out for a Bass lesson. She’d rome around the city for the day. Started the morning at a coffee shop, treated herself to gel nail at the nail salon (her nails were basically nubs since she played so much), stopped at the record shop and found a perfect album to gift Kevin as a thank-you for letting her stay with him and Melissa, and ran into Noah Burke.

-       Noah congratulated her on being selected

-       It was very awkward

-       At this point Robyn’s been brief that to be in the Selection she had to be a virgin

-       Which everyone believes but there is one person who knows she’s not

-       Noah

-       So she pulls him aside and explains and hopes even though things didn’t end well for them since Noah was married, that Noah would keep his trap shut, basically

-       He agrees saying he wishes her no harm, that he’s had month to think about what he’s done and he feels terrible for using her, though he points out that he very much did love her

-       She curtly thanks him and they part

-       Robyn gets a phone call from Kevin to meet up with her at Melissa restaurant for dinner,

-       She takes the bus and within half-an-hour she arrives at ____ a New Asia cuisine restaurant.

-       Her family is there which surprises her.

-       “You’ll be leaving tomorrow and on your birthday so I just wanted to do something special for you,” Melissa says to her

-       They all eat until they’re stuffed including Melissa who’d taken the rest of the night off to hang out with everyone

-       Outside kevin calls two cabs and makes it a point that the night is definitely not over

-       He discreetly gives both  drivers the direction to their destination so no one would over hear

-       They arrive at none other than the club that Melissa and Kevin first met.

-       Robyn knows this is the one because Melissa is reminiscing

-       “Why are we taking our underage sister to a bar?” Robyn questions Kevin as everyone stands around waiting

-       “We’re celebrating you going off to the palace tomorrow—but more importantly your birthday,” Kevin wraps an arm around Melissa pulling her in close as she shivers slightly from the cold night

-       Alejandra takes out a tacky silver plastic crown and places it on Robyn’s head; “In case you don’t get to wear THE crown, I wanted to get you your own,” The sisters hug.

-       Her parents hug her next and they all go into the bar which is full of loud alternative music and chatter

-       She looked around to everyone in the crowd and everyone suddenly screaming her name. She walked along and saw her aunt and uncle (mom’s brother and wife) with drinks in hand. They kissed her cheeks and told her how excited they were to see their niece was going to be on TV with royalty.

-       Robyn’s parents stopped to say hello and stayed with them as Robyn walked along,  

-       She then bumped into an old friend from high school. The girl hugged Robyn tightly saying she regretted they didn’t try to keep in touch once school ended. Robyn shrugged saying “It happens,” and the girls parted~

-       Robyn finds herself at the bar ordering a non-alcoholic drink since she was underage still.  

-       The bartender handed her a soda with a wink, “For the birthday girl.”

-       She took a sip to find out he’d spiked it was Rum

-       Robyn shakes her head smiling and thanks him

-       “Hello, hello, hello,” Kevin’s says into a mic, prompting the music’s volume to lower and the crowd to holler back hello

-       “Now we all know why we’re gathered here today—let’s see,” Kevin scanned the crowd and found Robyn at the bar, “There she is! Robyn Boswell, everyone!” he extended his arm pointing to her.

-       Everyone cheers

-       “Alright, can everyone join me in singing a song—“ just then her parents come up from behind her, and place a huge cake in front of her with over a dozen candles.

-       Kevin gets everyone to ding the birthday song

-       She blows out the candle and quickly takes a bit of frosting and smears it on her dads face, as per tradition.

-       He’s shocked and tries to retaliate but Robyn slips away into the crowd before he could get her back. There was no way she was going to get cake in her hair this year.

-       She thanks everyone as she passes them by.

-       Kevin and his band preform a few songs

-       Robyn dances with her sister, Melissa, and a friend by the stage

-       As the night drags on Kevin ends a song and wants to make an announment

-       He goes on and on thanking everyone for being here on such a short notice. That originally they were probably just going to cut a cake and say their goodbyes at home. But he felt it was very important for everyone to be there that night. It was a night of celebration and Kevin wanted to add one more thing to celebrate.

-       “Melissa can you come on up here,” Kevin moves to the edge of the stage and helps Melissa up onto the stage.

-       She’s stands there, arms folded, just /waitin/g for what was coming next

-       Kevin wiped the sweat from his forehead nervously and abruptly got on one knee

-       The bar erupted into cheers and gasps as Kevin pulled the ring out from his pocket.

-       She dropped down next to him in tears, nodding.

-       He slipped the ring onto her finger and kissed her

-       The rest of the night was one big happy blur

-       Robyn had consumed a fair amount of coke and rum which left her in a drunk happy emotional state

-       She got to see the big proposal!

-       She woke up the next morning at her parent home.

-       Robyn was very tired and very stressed as she had forgotten to pack

-       She got her backpack and pack the essentials she would miss since she was told everything would be provided by the palace

-       She collected her acne treatment, toiletries, bunny slippers,  etc.

-       Her parents were awake in the kitchen cooking breakfast already

-       Robyn quetly made her way in between her parents and wrapped her arms around them

-       In a few hours she was going to be in Ilea’s capital for god knows how long.

-       She was going to miss them.

-       The newly engaged couple, kevin and Melissa, came over for breakfast and they all ate together. They sang her happy birthday again, Robyn getting to blow a candle on a red velvet cupcake.

-       This time her dad didn’t give her a moment to react as he shoved the cupcake into her face.

-       She showered and got ready to go to the airport

-       She was running a little late since frosting did end up in her hair

-       Her mother had given her a beautiful dress to wear—her mom had a lot of pretty dresses and she maintained them well so some of them she’s had for over thirty years.

-       She said goodbye to everyone individually and she didn’t care if she was delaying the flight because she was saying goodbye to her family for the very first time.

-       She finally made it on to the plane

-       Introduced herself to everyone

-       They landed in the capital

-       She took a car to the palace

-       She was wisked away into the flurry of people that is the makeover room

-       She was introduced to two stylist  who immediately began verbally taking note on everything that could be changed

-       “You’re mixed right?” One of them asked referring to the fact that she was half ‘irish’ and Spanish.

-       Robyn nodded, telling them how she lightened her hair a few month ago but her hair was darker

-       “Let’s get your hair back to its original color. It’s bold, bold is good, bold is what you should aim to be.”

-       ‘Bold’ seems to be what they’re been aiming for which made Robyn a little more than encomfortable

-       They dyed her hair, wax her brows, replaced her gel nail polish and began doing bold make-up.

-       The second stylist brought over a red dress,

-       “No,” robyn said immediately

-       “please, I won’t feel comfortable wearing that color.” It was a red that popped and screamed ‘look at me!’

-       “Sweetie, you’ll look amazing, trust us.

-       “yeah, I just wouldn’t feel comfortable.” She glared up at the stylist.

-       They eventually caved in and picked out a blue, white, and silver dress.

-       Cool colors were comforting.

-       After the makeovers and such she was finally shown to her room where she was introduced to her maids.

[robynboswell]

Getting Selected

The three siblings—Kevin, Alejandra, and Robyn—had planted themselves in front of the TV. They’d carefully moved the glass coffee table vertically and the the right of the couch so there would be space to sit on the ground for them to all sit together and eat. Kevin had an annoying rule about not eating on the the furniture; and since it was his apartment, his siblings had to abide. For a rock star, he was high-maintenance.

 The Illean National Report began, though the intro was rather frivolous.

 “I wish I could live with you guys,” Alejandra whined after taking a fork-full of Pad-Thai “And I wish you would marry Melissa already so she could keep making us food for the rest of our lives.” She sighed and rested her head on her brothers’ shoulder.

 “Actually,” he cleared his throat and then became uncharacteristically quiet.

 Alejandra jumped up and stared at Kevin, “No way.”

 Robyn had leaned forward to stare at her brother as well, the goofy smile on his face was very revealing. “Where is it?” she asked.

 Kevin happily sighed and took a small velvet box from the pocket of his hoodie, passing it on for the sisters to see.

 Robyn and Alejandra huddled together and opened the box. Inside was a simple yet stunning diamond ring.

 “Ohmigosh, when are you going to propose—“ Alejandra asked.

 “And how are you going to propose?” Robyn interjected.

 Kevin hushed them, reminding the girls that Melissa was just in the other room. She’d gone to the restaurant earlier than usual to do inventory, so when she came back home she wanted nothing more than rest.

 In a quieter voice he answered, “In two weeks. I’ve got a gig in place for that Saturday at the bar where we first met. I rented the place out so only our friends and family can come.”

 Robyn held onto her sisters’ hand, squeezing it tightly. She couldn’t help but feel slightly envious, noticing just how everything was seemingly falling into place for him. Kevin was a well-deserving man, nonetheless. When the envy passed, she was filled with a happy sentiment knowing that Kevin and Melissa were so in love. It gave her hope that she’d have a relationship like theirs one day.  

 In tears, Alejandra happily hugged Kevin.

 “Congratulations,” Robyn smiled warmly and handed the small for safe keeping.

 The Report’s host, Adrian Cortes, had been listing off the selected for the past few minutes. It wasn’t until Adrian said ‘Boswell,’ in his suave voice that the siblings began paying attention. The picture of Alejandra or Robyn faded away, replaced by “Rose Moreau of St. George, five,” a beaming blonde.

 “Did he just…” Ajeandra had jumped up in excitement and stared at the screen.

 “Boswell, yeah! Did you catch your name or picture, Robyn? You two look too much alike.” Kevin mimicked Alejandra; jumping up in confusion, though.

 Robyn had remained seated, “N-no I didn’t—just hurry and call mom.”

 Alejandra hurried to get the telephone and rushed back, already talking with their mother on speaker.

 “Mi hija, eres una princessa!” Elisa sobbed happily.

 Alejandra explained the situation is quickly as she could, pacing back and forth.

 “Robyn!” Elisa yelled, stopping Alejandra’s pacing. She sighed heavily and moved forward to embrace Robyn. Kevin followed, wrapping them both up in a hug.

 With their warmth surrounding her, Robyn’s heart sank, and she began to feel panicked. “I-I’m not gonna be here for

    ⁃                all she can think about is how she's going to miss the proposal

⁃                her siblings are hugging her and robyn just starts crying saying "i'm so sorry" (specifically looking at kevin)

⁃                she just feels like an idiot for entering

⁃                having not fully realized it means leaving them behind, even for a little while

⁃                she would rather struggle the rest of her life than be apart from her family

⁃                robyn's crying turns into a panic attack. she doesn't want to leave them.

⁃                melissa wakes up wondering what's happening and they tell her that robyn's been selected

⁃                their mom yells at kevin to go get his piano

⁃                alejandra guides robyn to her room and they take a seat on her bed.

⁃                a moment later kevin comes in with  carrying his keyboard

⁃                melissa in the hallway on her phone

⁃                kevin being playing a slow tempo song

⁃                it helps robyn get out of her head and her heart match the tempo of the song

⁃                melissa eventually hangs up and stands next to kevin. resting her head on his shoulder and rubbing his back while he plays. kevin looks slightly distressed as the last time robyn had a panic attack was around six years ago.

⁃                when she calms down she finds that she's too exhausted to talk to her sibling just stay with her until she falls asleep

⁃                when she wakes up the next morning, alejandra is asleep next to her. her brother isn't there anymore. though his keyboard was.

⁃                she gets up out of bed still feeling slight dread

⁃                she leaves her room and sees her mother and father in the kitchen talking to kevin and melissa. it was odd enough seeing melissa in the morning bc she has a store and employees to manage

⁃                add her parents into the mix and it was just all very strange

⁃                her younger self would've hidden and tried to listen to what they were talking about before she went to see them

⁃                but she doesn't really care about that anymore

⁃                they all smile at her, taking turns giving her a hug.

⁃                they didn't congratulate her right away

⁃                "i thought this is what i wanted but how could i leave you all?"

⁃                she was handed an extra sweet cup of coffee to wake her up properly

⁃                her father was the first one to speak up, strangely enough

⁃                "even with everything that's happened..." he's talking about her betrayal that led him to getting probation

⁃                "i want you to be going for the right reasons. not to mend things with me. money doesn't mend a thing," (a little birdy cough cough alejandra told him their plan) and that he should know because look at what he did. this is that first conversation they've had where he's finally admitted it was his wrong doing.

⁃                she knows that things won't be completely good between them but this is a step in the right direction. she awkwardly hugs him again, missing her father.

⁃                he finally congratulates her for being selected. and he says that no matter what happens he wants her to come right back home-- as in with him and her mother. that this feud between them had gone on for far too long.

⁃                she thanks him but she knows she's old enough now and shouldn't be going back to live with her parents. she had school-- ugh school! what was going to happen to her classes.

⁃                everyone could see the shift in her mood

⁃                "what else is it" one of them asks

⁃                "does the royal family just expect me to stop my studies???"

⁃                they have to remind her that this is the opportunity of a life time. only thirty four other girls around the country are going to be able to say they were selected to be considered to marry the prince.

⁃                there isn't a greater honor for a woman nowadays

⁃                she agrees to an extent but is still peeved

⁃                "maybe she could add this to her resume" melissa joked.

⁃                that got a little laugh out of robyn

⁃                Kevin claps feeling it's time to move on, announcing he's going to make chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and eggs. he shoos everyone out of the kitchen, melissa especially since she cooks enough at her restaurant. he gives her a light smack on her ass, she  turned to give him a quick kiss and return the smack on his ass, then sped away from him before he could catch her.

⁃                robyn had caught them doing that which made her smile more.

⁃                as her parent settled into the living room and melissa went to change into her day clothes, robyn snuck back into the kitchen

⁃                "i'm going to miss the proposal" she starts

⁃                "it's not the end of the world, robbie. we'll have a photographer there and we'll send you photos. it'll be like you were there."

⁃                "but the point is that i won't be. and it makes me feel so guilty." she admitted to him.

⁃                "you shouldn't. you should focus on yourself. you're potentially meeting the love of your life."

⁃                robyn's face scrunched up. she never had luck in the love department. her last boyfriend ended up being married.  but kevin and melissa gave her hope that maybe she could someone like they love each other.

⁃                "i understand the pressures of being in this family got you in this selection mess, but don't allow that pressure force you into making any more choices your not happy with." Kevin embraced her

⁃                "what did i miss?" alejandra entered the kitchen sleepily

⁃                they chuckled robyn ruffled kevin's hair as they parted, "nothing much. kev's going to make choco-chip pancakes

[robynboswell]

Home Life

Robyn had walked into the middle of a crime scene. Henry’s neck had been snapped. Her heart dropped into her stomach seeing pieces of him all over the rug, and scattered on the floor.

 “KEVIN!” Robyn shrieked, running to the opposite side of the apartment to enter her brothers room.

 The boy was hanging off of the bed, very much in a drunken comatose.

 “F-CKING HELL KEVIN, WHAT DID YOU DO?” She shook him roughly. Having never been intoxicated before she couldn’t imagine what he was feeling, but the both sick and terrified look on his face gave her the idea that it wasn’t pleasant.

 “My cello! Henry! How did you manage to snap its neck?” As he retreated to bury his face into the bedding, she grabbed a pillow and slammed it down into his head. As the shock of a broken instrument began to subside, tears welled up in her eyes.

 “I hope for your own sake mom can repair it, if not— “

 “If not what!?” Kevin sat up, his face red in frustration. “You don’t even pay the rent or for food! My music is paying the bills! Not yours!”

 Robyn folded her arms as a tear slipped down her cheek.

 Without another word she left the room and sat next to her cello.

 The sun began to rise, letting light through the translucent curtains.

 Robyn understood to an extent that she was acting spoiled; but she was only a product of what others made her. Studying a fragment of the wood, she wondered just how much long it would take to repair it. It wasn’t like her mother, Elisa, who amongst her other jobs could repaired instruments, would help her daughter above actual paying clients. And especially not with everything that was going on.

Today had actually marked the one-year anniversary that Robyn single-handedly ruined her family’s life. In her defense, though, her father, Sam, had ruined it the moment he started embezzling thousands of dollars from the The Resonance Concert Hall. Robyn had just brought it to the chairmen’s attention of said concert hall. They filed a lawsuit against him; Elisa was temporarily suspended during, and the investigation and his trial ended in imprisonment.

 Elisa would have gone down with him unless the lawyer could prove that she had no idea what her husband was doing to their business. Cleverly, Sam had kept the money in a foreign bank that had no connection to Elisa. Nor was their any proof that Elisa took care of the concert halls’ financials and therefore couldn’t about the embezzled money beforehand unless her husband told her, which he didn’t. Instead he had said the influx of money came from his grandparents and parents as they passed away over the years.

 In the end Elisa the regained ownership of The Resonance, and now Sam has another year in jail. A lawyer had told them that once Sam serves his sentence and pays restitution of the money taken, Elisa could pardon him so he could hopefully transition back into the workforce with ease.

 God knows how long that would take. They estimated the embezzlement to roughly $70,000.

 Kevin shuffled into the kitchen across from the living room, where he saw Robyn uncharacteristically hunched and sulking, to fix him self a pot of coffee. As the coffee machine was brewing he consumed a tall glass of water with his headache medication. Soon after the pleasing aroma of fresh coffee filled the apartment, the machine beeped signaling the coffee pot was full and ready to consume.

  He poured the hot liquid into two mugs, then added cream and sugar. He took the mugs with him to the living room and handed one to Robyn, then sat on the small beige couch.

 Robyn stayed silent.

 “I’m sorry,” Kevin began, taking a sip of his coffee. “I drank a little too much the the boys after a gig last night.”

 She finally looked up at him, setting the wood fragment onto the glass coffee table and wrapping the palm of her hand around the mug to feel the warmth.

 “Drinking is such a waste of money.”

 “Sometimes it’s fun having enough money to waste,” he smiled slightly.

 She shook her head slightly in disagreement. Robyn would probably never get to the point where she could have enough money to waste. Not with all her money going to help her mother pay off the lawyer and raise Alejandra, their little sister.

“The situation we’re in sucks, I know—I really don’t mind you being here, it’s just… you’re going to have to put up with my antics from time to time. Melissa, does.”

 At the mention of his wife, Robyn wondered where she’d gone to so early in the morning. It was the front door slamming closed as Melissa rushed out that had woken her up.

 “Yeah, because she doesn’t have a $5,000 instrument to tempt you to break.” Finally taking a sip of the coffee, she noted immediately that he had used the hazelnut creamer and added extra sugar. Robyn always had a sweet tooth, so she loved it. “I’ll call mom to see if I can rent a cello for today’s lessons.” After finishing the drink off, she stood to get ready for the day.

 Before leaving to her room she added, “I’m not mad at you, I’m just… mad that everything bad seemingly keeps happening to me.”

 He raised his cup up in the air to her, “You can’t be unlucky forever.”

 <center>✕✕✕✕<center/>

  “That’s one of the most horrific things I’ve ever seen,” Elisa said bluntly. “I don’t think I’ll be able to fix Henry, Mamita. I’m so sorry.”

 Robyn had emailed her mother pictures of the cello to get an estimate of how much time and money would be needed to fix it. But, no amount of wood glue would be able to him sound the way he did before the accidental killing.  

 “I’m obviously not okay, but I’ll manage.” She sighed switching the phone to her other ear, then settling into a chair at the kitchen table.

 “Feel free to borrow an instrument from the concert hall, just come in early before they get rented out and you’ll have to bring it back before four this afternoon. It’s Friday so the orchestra has a performance tonight.”

 “Alright, I’ll head out in a few. Lessons aren’t until noon and I’ve got a new student. We’ll probably just go over the basics. I’d love to watch the performance and fill in for anyone missing, I don’t mind. Especially since Melissa is taking Kevin to the New Asia Festival and that’s ending pretty late tonight…” She’d been mindlessly sorting through the mail that arrived this morning. Bills, bills, subscription to a foodie’s magazine, more bills. Through the phone a distant yet familiar squeal she recognized as an excited Alejandra. The phone fumbled on the other end and suddenly Alejandra was speaking.

 “Robbie! Robbie! Have you checked? The mail, I mean! Oh! And turn on the TV! The Report is y’know, reporting on it!” Alejandra was speaking loudly and in fragments, another sign of her excitement. Robyn had to take the phone away from her ear slightly so she wouldn’t become deaf.

 Smiling to herself Robyn just had to ask, “Reporting what? What’s—,” before she finished her sentence she picked up an envelopment unlike the rest. It was off-white and textured, with the address of the royal palace, “going on.”

 “The Selection! They’re having the Selection.” Alejandra had calmed down a bit but you could still tell she was hyped. “Please tell me you’ll do the application with me. Or at least come with me to submit my application, I can’t go alone... Please?”

 Robyn took a moment to think about what entering such a competition would mean. The last selection happened way before she was even born, so she only ever heard stories from her mother who hadn’t entered because she immigrated from (Spain).  It wasn’t like this happened all to often, so the idea that it was a once and a life time opportunity should’ve been enough to persuade her. But it wasn’t. Why would she give up her own time to dilly dally around the palace and wait around for the Prince to choose his wife. Robyn had a life of her own that’s hard enough without adding a possible crown, no matter just how attractive said Prince was.

 “Put Mami on the phone, please,” Robyn asked. Alejandra yelled out for their mother to come back and then Elisa greeted her again.

 “Ma, didn’t you say they compensated you for your time if you were selected?” Robyn thought aloud, not completely sure where she was going with this. Even if they gave you money, was it enough to cover for your family?

 “Oh, yeah. They also raise the girls caste to make them Threes,” Elise’s’ voice sounded light and nostalgic. “It was very… heart-warming seeing King Henry falling in love with Queen Nessa… She had been a Seven prior to getting the crown, isn’t that amazing?”

 Compensation. Money. Probably more money than Robyn made with the Assistant Managing at The Resonance and Cello lessons, combined. That was something to really consider now. She thanks Elisa and ushered her to put Alejandra back on the phone.

 “Al, do you think maybe if we both entered and one of us got the selected—whoever gets through can use the compensation to help pay back—.”

 “The Resonance?” Robyn had talked to her sister numerous times about how guilty she felt about getting their dad put behind bars. “Say no more, hopefully after all that nonsense we can finally live together again,” Alejandra agreed.

 For the first time in a very long while, Robyn was feeling lucky.