Oh yeah, update: I have no sense of smell anymore 🙃

When Will My Life Begin

[A/N: I owe this to my Breakfast Club aka Calystair's No. 1 Fanclub. I had to tie up some loose ends so feel free to skip the parts with her family and go straight to Calystair which is near the end. Enjoy ladies!] I'm an idiot. Why did I walk away from the best thing that's ever happened to me? Now 5 hours later, I was back home, back to square one. My Father blatantly ignored me, Mother tried to smother me (that's new) and my brothers didn't know how to react. Except for Boreas who took any ample opportunity to be extra smug about my early elimination. I locked myself in my room before the news of my homecoming reached Uncle Ro. He was one person I couldn't bear to disappoint. He came over the next day and I shut him out. I stayed in a toxic routine of never leaving my room unless I had to go get food and I had planned to live the rest of my life that way. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way. My routine was disrupted by a phone call from Debbie. I'm surprised she called, I imagined my friends would be too mad at me and my outburst to write and call for a while. She updated me on what has been happening since I left and told me about their next task. The Selected were visiting a local hospital and they were asked to write a children’s story to read to the kids there. I sighed disappointed, I would have absolutely loved to have done that. Life can be unfair in that manner. She gave me the premise of her story and it was lovely about stars and brought in a unique concept. She asked if I could be kind enough to make light up bracelets with stars. She told me she had sent me a rough sketch of what she wanted a while ago so I should have received it by now. I went to check the mail and sure enough it was there after Zephy helped me sift through it. She was thoughtful enough to indent the sketch so I flipped it over and felt how it was supposed to be built. It was a simple enough design and I could easily have it manufactured. I got to work quick enough and finally let Uncle Ro in. I was going to need all the help I could get if I was going to have 25 bracelets sent to her in a week. It was going to be tedious but not impossible. *** I smiled as I haphazardly pasted my note onto Deb’s package. I just hoped it reached her on time. I contemplated going back to Angeles myself to deliver it myself but decided against it when I realised Dom might have me thrown out and Aly would be too mad to pull strings for me. Besides I promised myself that I would sort out all my problems here in Bonita before I proceeded with my fresh start. Hopefully that fresh start would include Alystair and attending Angeles University in the near future. I carefully located my bed and slumped against the headrest. What do I do now? I thought doing this for Debbie would jumpstart my passion for creating. I just felt empty again. I was lost without my friends. It was like having a taste of everything you could have ever wanted - a social life and being happy in my case - and to have it taken away from me, really hurt. Feeling homesick for my friends, I dialled up Aricia’s personal number. I didn't want us left on bad terms and I missed her so much. Thankfully she picked up. I apologised for my behaviour and we just talked about our usual mindless topics until she opened up about what was bugging her on my last day. I didn't realise how many of my friends had Mommy Issues. I made a mental note to hug my mother after this call. She updated me on her life, apparently Vad and her had a Disney movie night the previous night and I couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy. Vad was nice but I knew girls like her. They always got what they wanted without trying. After our catch up session, I hung up and hit my head. I felt so angry for having to lose so much during this Selection. When I first came to the Palace I had nothing to lose yet within the month I was there, I gained so much. My maids, they were probably assigned somewhere else, my friends seemed to have replaced me quickly enough and Al- I couldn't even think his name out loud. Maybe I'll just live off my inheritance. Who needs to be independant anyway, right? As soon as I thought that I wanted to slap myself. That's exactly what I would be doing if I had stayed and became Queen. Always in the shadow of Dominic. That's not a life I want. I've been telling myself I needed to sort my problems here and yet I haven't even tried. First thing’s first, I needed a shower. There was something about being clean that makes you feel even motivated to get things done. I come out feeling fresher than I've done in days. I rummaged through my mail for a while before I found it. My acceptance letter to Angeles Uni, it had come in the mail a few days ago. Aly - it hurt to think of him but none of this would have happened if not for him - had encouraged me to send in an application while I was in the Selection as a backup plan. I finally exit my room before a mealtime. It was Saturday so everyone was home, even Uncle Ro. “FAMILY MEETING IN THE LIVING ROOM!” I yelled out loud, it was the most efficient way to get everyone in the living room. I heard doors open left and right from me and the boys skidding out to the corridor. I should have moved out of the way but being the idiot I was, I just stood there as Eurus and Zephy crashed into me. They helped me up and the three of us made our way to the living room. Uncle Ro, Boreas and Nots were already there with our parents. I was able to identify them all by their scents. Mother and Father were seated in the middle, the former smelling of the jasmine in her hair while her husband always smelled of hospitals. Uncle Ro smelled of his usual greasey-antiseptic scent from working on new inventions in his lab, Boreas had a douchey cologne on, Nots always had the distinct smell of pine trees. E smelled like my shampoo because he stole it from time to time and Zephy smelled like rain I don't even know how since it doesn't rain much in Bonita. I stood in front of them; I didn't want to focus on my parents so instead I looked to where Uncle Ro’s scent was the strongest. He always had my back. “I'm leaving to study Engineering at Angeles University. Before I go I want to clear the air. Father, I'm sorry I disappointed you. I may not have a crown on my head but I intend to have a degree in my hand in four years time. Also no one calls their dad Father anymore unless they are stiffs so I'm going to call you Dad from now.” “Oh god you've lost it.” I heard Boreas mumble. I turned to his voice and glared. “Take that stick out of your ass, Boreas. I am so sick of the dick you've become since you came back from your draft. We all miss the old you. Maybe Dad likes you but does that matter if you siblings loathe you? Being a Two doesn't make you better than us. You are still a Ledger, act like it.” I had been waiting for too long to tell him off. “Mom, I finally understand that you weren't being distant. You wanted to give me my space. It worked too well but I forgive you. I hope the province space gives us an opportunity to start over. Uncle Ro...a girl couldn't have asked for a better uncle. You've been my pillar of support for so long and I'm so sorry for freezing you out ever since I came back. I'm better now and I intend to do something with my life. I can only hope you support me in this decision as you've done everything else.” My favourite Uncle started to tear up and his sniffles made it evident. I pulled him into a tight hug. He whispered as to how proud he was of me and he would support me in anything. After that love fest, I turned to my younger brothers. “Boys, I don't have anything to say to you because you know everything you need to know. I love you and am going to miss so much while I'm studying so please do come visit. I could come back here during the holidays if Dad will have me.” I pulled Nots, Eurus and Zephy into a tight hug. I wasn't going to wait for a response from my Dad or Boreas. I had my bags waiting for me in my room but before I could retrieve them, Dad stopped me. “Betee, I am proud of you. I couldn't have chosen this path for you, you did it yourself and that merits my pride. Although I think at this point you don't intend to impress anyone but yourself.” Without thinking, I blurt out, “Damn right I'm only going impress myself.” I clear my throat and rephrase, “I mean thanks Dad. I'll visit during the holidays if you'll have me.” “Of course! Who am I to deny my only daughter?” He chuckled and sent me on my way. As I was double checking that all my things were in order and packed up, there was a knock on the door. I froze, catching a whiff of Boreas’ cologne. Was he here to whine that Dad was being bias? I turned to my eldest brother. “Yes, Boreas?” “No Bore Ass? That's an improvement.” He chuckled. I wasn't even sure he was capable of laughing. I can't even remember the last time he laughed. “You wanted something, Brother?” I kept my distance. Just because he was feeling up to joking doesn't erase his prior shitty behaviour. “I wanted to apologise. I have been horrible. I thought the only thing that mattered was getting Appa’s approval.” I suppressed a giggle, only Boreas still called Dad by the Tamil endearment for Father. “I didn't think how it would affect you and the boys. I'll also admit I was jealous of the attention all of you get without even trying. That doesn't excuse the way I treated all of you so I sincerely apologize again. I'm sorry and I will be a better brother from now on.” Just as he finished his mini monologue, we heard slow claps coming from behind him. “That was quite the speech, Brother dearest.” Eurus teased him. Our eldest brother playfully groaned before grabbing E into a headlock and ruffling his hair. The boys continued their roughhousing as I finished checking my bags. After I was done, they broke it up momentarily to drag me into a classic Ledger siblings hug. I was going to miss these idiots so much. I told them all to keep in touch and hugged them individually. I saved Boreas for last. “I'm glad to have my brother back. I accept your apology and I forgive you. Call and visit as often as you can.” I kissed his cheek and they sent me off. I was on the next plane to Angeles. *** I finally made it. I sorted my shit out and now here I was ready to work it out with Aly. I knocked on his door apprehensively. Within seconds I heard footsteps coming towards the front door and the hinges creaking as the door flung open. Aly's usual figure didn't tower over me. I was faced with a blurry silhouette who seemed to be my height. "Oh sorry. I must have gotten the wrong house. Would you happen to know where Alystair Costas lives?" "He lives here, who might you be?" She sounded suspicious of me. Understandably so I introduced myself to her as his friend. I wasn't sure who this lady was so I kept my relationship with him on the down low. "If I'm allowed to ask; what's your relation to Alystair?" I steeled myself for the answer. Maybe she was his sister...surely he wouldn't have moved on so quickly? "I'm his wife." What. The. Fuck. “Alice, who's at the door?” My throat closed up when I heard his voice. I wanted to run away but my legs won't budge. “Come see for yourself.” She called out to him. I swear she sounded smug and even though I couldn't make out her features, I was sure her expression matched her tone. His heavy steps came closer and closer. Run! I screamed to myself but I still couldn't move. A part of me wanted to see him again before I leave for good. His blonde blurry mess of hair was unmistakable. I caught the sound of his breath hitching. “Cal...what are you doing here?” He made a move to hug me and I shoved him away. “A wife? What the hell, Alystair!” “Huh?” He was caught off guard and I'm sure his cute eyebrows were furrowed to match his confusion. We were both interrupted by shrill laughter. We turned to the owner - Alice. In between her fits of laughter, she explained the situation. I burned red with embarrassment. I should have noticed how they both had similar blonde hair and English accents. It doesn't necessarily dictate that they're siblings but I should have known better. Alystair was an honourable man. I wouldn't have fallen for him otherwise. “I just wanted you to suffer a little bit for breaking Al’s heart.” She explained. Aly simply pushed her towards to the door. “You've stirred up enough trouble for one day, Alice. I would like a private word with Cal if you don't mind.” “I do mind, little brother.” “It wasn't a request, Alice.” She mimicked his stern tone but went back in reluctantly, slamming the door in the process. The first thing he did was clasp our hands together. I really missed his touch. Before I was sucked in, I pulled out my acceptance letter. “I want to make it abundantly clear that while I do have strong feelings for you, that's not going to dictate my life. I want to make something for myself before I settle down. I want to be more than a Selected from Dom’s Selection or Captain Costas’ girlfriend. I'm going to be Calista Ledger, innovating inventor. The world will know my name.” He pulled me closer so that I could see his proud grin to the best of my ability. “I would be honoured to be Calista Ledger’s boyfriend.” That made me blush like a schoolgirl. He always knew the right thing to say to get a reaction out of me. To distract both of us from the mushy moment, I pass him the acceptance letter. “I made it into Illéa College!” He lifted me up in one swift and spun me around. I giggled before begging him to put me down. “This calls for a celebration. Alice and I made Bolognese, would you like to stay for dinner?” I interlaced our fingers together before smiling up at him. “I would love to. I'm not going anywhere for a long time.” We went back into the house, hand in hand. Everything was finally falling into place.