I groaned, thinking again of tonight’s near miss. If only boys would give you a bit more warning of an imminent kiss. A yell of ‘Incoming!’ or something.
It was getting late. I fed Snookums and Bebe their evening meal, then traipsed back into my room. I reflected on my conversation with Cassie. As always, she’d restored my peace of mind and strengthened my focus, like only a childhood bestie can. Dating can certainly drag a girl down, especially if the pressure is on to set an example for others.
I haven’t told you yet about one of the most important aspects of my life: the Find a Prince Program™ (FPP). It’s a self-help program for teenage girls that I designed myself. Over many years of negotiating the minefield that is the high-school dating scene, I’ve seen girls get their hearts maimed by boys left, right and centre. Consequently, I decided that any investment of my heart had to be soundly investigated beforehand. Call me calculating, but I want to invest my time and emotions in a guy who thoroughly deserves them. Aka a Prince.
Now, many girls would probably get sarcastic at this point and say that the whole idea of Prince Charming is ridiculously outdated. However, my Find a Prince Program™ has nothing to do with glass slippers, poisoned apples or talking woodland animals. It’s about us girls valuing ourselves and saying no to guys who use or abuse us. Guys who play around with our feelings like it’s a form of sport. Guys who consider a relationship to be code for gaining a more intimate knowledge of our bra size. It’s about realising we deserve better. The FPP’s chief decree is that every girl deserves to be treated like a princess. And who better to do that than a Prince?
A Prince:
• Has Principles. He stands up for what he knows to be right instead of going along with the crowd.
• Recognises your worth. He understands how special you are and treats you with respect and kindness.
• Possesses Integrity. He’s genuine with his feelings and won’t mislead you for underhanded or selfish purposes.
• Never doubts that you’re the only one for him.
• Is Constant. He stands by you through the sunshine and the shadows.
• Possesses Endurance. He’s willing to overcome considerable obstacles to win your affection.
This list might sound a bit full-on, but I don’t think any girl should compromise when it comes to how a guy treats her.
That’s not to say we should lie around waiting like some damsel in distress. Part Two of the FPP is realising that a modern princess makes her own destiny. I always keep my eyes open for Potential Prince Candidates (PPCs) and take advantage of dates to assess a guy’s prospective princely qualities.
So far, only Cassie and I are following the program, though I plan to take it to the next level once we’ve got results. It’s taking some time, which I put down to the often abysmal choices provided by high-school boys, who, sadly, have their minds on spitballs instead of soul mates. Hopefully this year, heading into Year Eleven, things would be more promising.
CHAPTER 2
The Glide-By
‘How do I look?’ Jelena asked.
Cass and I carefully studied her as the three of us stood by the school gate the next morning.
‘Amazing, as always,’ I replied, looking at Jelena’s long, sleek black hair, navy-blue eyes and alabaster complexion, features that have longing male gazes following her like children after the Pied Piper. Jelena has an exotic air that I’m convinced comes from her Russian ancestry.
Cassie nodded. ‘And you smell incredible.’
If we were ever in a blizzard with zero visibility, I’d be able to locate Jelena just by her scent — a heady mix of oriental lilies. Jelena likes everything about her to make an impact, including her perfume.
‘You’re positive?’ she said.
Normally Jelena wouldn’t even consider the possibility that she might look anything other than perfect (and with her looks, it’s completely understandable), but today was a crucial day. A day when an outfit could make or break a girl. The first day back after summer break.
Summer is a transformative time for any teen — just consider the movie Dirty Dancing — and there’s always a touch of uncertainty, a hint of fear, the essence of possibility in the air on the first day of the new school year. The entire social structure of a high school can revolutionalise itself in those short six hours. I knew that Jelena wanted to be dead certain that her social status was secure for another year.
Jelena possesses such fabulous qualities as confidence, never-ending energy and an innovative mind, but she has a bit of an obsession with being popular. Her goal is to be CEO of an international company in ten years and she thinks Jefferson High is the perfect place to practise using her influence. Ever heard of the phrase ‘an iron fist in a velvet glove’? Well, that’s Jelena. On many an occasion I’ve had to talk her out of implementing a system of serfdom. It’s thanks to her that our group is, as she puts it, ‘akin to reigning tsars’.
Jelena looked at me critically, gesturing at her formfitting cream dress. Attending a school where free dress was permitted meant the stakes were especially high. ‘Are you absolutely sure, stake your future on it, that I look like a teen queen?’
‘YES,’ I said. ‘And Cass, you look fab too.’
Cassie wore dark denim short shorts, a baby-pink top and a diamanté headband atop her fairest-of-fair blonde curls. Those curls, along with her fawn-coloured eyes, petite features and voluminous pout, would probably enable Cass to get away with murder. However, she’s as good as she is beautiful.
‘So let’s head on in,’ I said. I was dying to see what was new on the first day back.
‘I don’t know.’ Jelena arched a brow. ‘It’s important to build anticipation.’
‘Don’t you want to be the first to check out any new talent?’ I asked.
If there’s one word that motivates Jelena, it’s ‘first’. She views life as a battleground in which she must be the constant victor.
‘Let’s go,’ she commanded.
We clicked our identity rings together, a gesture left over from primary school but one we can’t help resurrecting every so often. The rings reflect how we like to see ourselves. Cassie’s ring reads ‘Angel’, Jelena’s is ‘Power’ and mine, naturally, is ‘Princess’. Hayden Paris happened to catch sight of the ring years ago and now refuses to call me anything else. Probably in the hope of embarrassing me. There’s no knowing what goes on in that disturbed mind of his.
We smiled at each other and stepped onto the school grounds. Jelena gave a satisfied smile as she did a perimeter scan. ‘Fantastic. There’s no-one capable of challenging our status.’
I rolled my eyes. I was scrutinising the crowd too, but for a different reason. There were a lot of new faces, most of which wore slightly terrified expressions. I think that if you’re in a socially advantageous position, you should use your power for good. I sent some of the more frightened faces a big smile. I noticed Cassie doing the same.
Cass and I met through a random act of kindness. This was way back in preschool when we found little Danny Freeman being terrorised by the school bully. Cassie comforted Danny while I told the girl to back off or her invite to my fifth birthday party was history. Eleven years later and Cassie’s still doing the comforting thing. She has this warmth that’s like a lighthouse beacon for unhappy souls. This can be both a blessing and a curse, especially romantically: Cass somehow winds up playing the role of Good Samaritan to scores of emotionally fragile guys suffering from hard break-ups. Unfortunately they almost always end up falling for her, and then she has to bruise their egos again by rejecting them (in the nicest way possible, of course).