When I awaken from my slumber, the sun has already set and the clock on my nightstand reads 11:27 PM. Luckily, I have woken up just on time. I quietly sneak over to my dressing station and put on some clothes that I had stolen for the party specifically, a black crop-top with red lace detailing and a pair of black jean shorts, perfect for a hot summer night like tonight. I can only hope that Callista didn’t notice the clothes missing from her closet. I quickly put up the illusion spell, before stepping out onto my balcony and climbing into the night.

I climb down the tower in the same way I climbed down it just a few nights before, carefully and quietly. After jumping the palace gate and walking all the way to the town, I cast the face and voice change spells and walk into the party, quietly slipping into the crowd. I know Vesper said he’d find me, but I wanted to give him a bit of a challenge.

As I lightly sway to the music, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn to see Vesper, staring at me with a smirk on his smug face. “I told you I’d find you, and find you I did. What’s up with the outfit?” I roll my eyes at him and slowly spin in a circle dramatically, showing off the outfit he so clearly is judging. “What’s the matter? You don’t like it?” I fawn up at him through my eyelashes to add to the dramatics. “Woah, I didn’t say that, princess. Just wondering what brought this change, that’s all.” I smirked at him, my plan seeming to have worked. “Calm down, I was just joking. Borrowed some clothes from one of my friends, that’s it.” He quirked his eyebrow. “Is this friend here with you?” I look away from him and back toward the dancing. “No.” He smiles slightly. “Does your friend know you’re here?” I huff a laugh under my breath. “No.” He turns to face the dancing, too. “Does your friend know you took their clothes?” I turn back to look at him. “No, she does not.” He laughs then, big and hearty like I just told the funniest joke. “So, why isn’t she here with you? Strict parents?” I roll my eyes slightly. It’s funny how little he knows about me. “Sure, let’s go with that. Wanna dance? I’ve been waiting till you got here.” He steps in front of me, turning to face me and hold out his hand. “Shall we, m’lady?” I roll my eyes and smile, before taking his hand. “Of course, good sir.”

As we are dancing, my mind can’t help but wander back to Callista. I can’t help but feel as though I am betraying her somehow. Even though we are just friends, she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. Even just being friends with someone else feels like betrayal. I don't voice these thoughts, though. Instead, I pivot my thinking to what I will write tonight. I can’t think of anything, so I just hope that it will come to me in the moment. When I come out of my own head, I see Vesper staring at me with a curious look in his eyes. “What is it, my prince? What causes you worry?” I swoon for extra effect. He rolls his eyes at me affectionately. “Don’t worry about it, princess.” “Okay…” He laughs at me. “I'm gonna go get a drink, you want anything?” I smile at the gesture. “Just whatever they have. I'm gonna keep dancing.” “Alright, princess. See you in a bit.” He walks off and leaves me dancing there alone.

Stolen story; please report.

After a while of dancing alone, I am knocked off my feet by someone walking into me. I feel hands reach out and catch me before I hit the floor. I look up to see a person, smiling and blushing in embarrassment. “I am so sorry!! I did not mean to run into you, I promise. I'm Vale.” I smile gently at them. “It's no worries. I'm Ellie.”

I stand up and we shake hands kind of formally, then laugh over how stupid shaking hands with someone is. “So, how are you? Are you having fun tonight?” They start to giggle, and I feel embarrassed for a moment, before I realize that it’s not at me. “I’m good, thanks. I think your friend might be having a bit too much fun, though.” I turn around to see Vesper, dancing on a table and very obviously tipsy. Suddenly, I realize that I didn’t tell Vale that we were friends and when I turn around to face them, I can tell that they’ve realized this, too. “Sorry, that sounded so creepy. I saw you dancing with him earlier, and I figured you guys were friends. Sorry.” I laugh, trying to show them that it’s okay. “It’s okay. I’ll be right back, I have to go get him off of that table.” They smile at me. “Of course.”

I turn and walk over to Vesper, who is now loudly singing along to the song playing, though completely off-tune. “Hey, Vesper!” I have to yell to be heard above the music. “Hey, Ellie! Look at you, making friends. We’ve got a social butterfly, everybody.” He gestures at the people watching him and they all laugh. I can feel a blush creeping up my cheeks in embarrassment. “Yes, yes. C’mon, let’s get down now.” He frowns and begins to pout, but I drag him off of the table anyway. I walk back over to Vale, who is almost crying laughing, and it only gets worse when they see the pout on Vesper’s face. I smile at them. “Vale, meet Vesper. Vesper, this is Vale.” He waves at them defeatedly, and they wave back with a smirk, their face cherry red from their laughing. In an instant, I realize how late it must be. “Hey Vale, what time is it?” They look down at their watch. “It’s 2am, why?” I try not to show my panic on my face. “Because I have to go. You two have fun. When is the next one of these? I’ll be there.” They laugh, breathy and kind. “No worries. The next one is next week, Friday. See you there.” They salute me, and then walk off with Vesper trailing behind them. I immediately run away from the party, desperate to find an empty wall to write on. Once I do, I stop and think about what I want to write. After a minute or so, I have an idea. With spray paint, I write “The People’s Queen? More Like The People’s Jailer. RISE UP.” After writing this, I quickly run away and run back to the palace, praying that I’ll make it back to my room successfully.

I make it back to my tower without any trouble. Once I reach my balcony, I immediately de-spell the illusion. I then head back into my room and immediately crawl into my bed, suddenly aware of the fatigue present in my body. As I feel my eyes start to droop and close, my last thought is of Callista. I wonder how she would feel if she knew that I was making friends. Would she be proud of me, or would she scold me for leaving the castle unprotected?