Stuff and Nifty Things

The Vanderklempt estate shone in the moonlight, perched on its hill in the countryside. The grounds were decorated in shimmering ribbons that catch the light, and fountains flank both sides of the drive as we approach. My younger brother sat beside me, the cost of receiving the tickets from my parents.

Ugh. 

“If you ruin this for me, you’re going to wish you’d never been born.” I warn him. 

He was stuffed into an old suit from father’s closet, wearing a glittery mask and a large hat but staring down at his phone instead of relishing the chance to be in the presence of the upper class. 

“Chill out,” he said, not bothering to look at me. “I’m not going to mess up your perfect princess evening. I’m just here to keep an eye on you.”

“Liar.” There was no question that he was going to embarrass me. If I caught him sticking so much as a finger out of line I was going to wring his scrawny neck. 

We park, and I follow the sounds of distant laughter and live music up to the main house. A footman came out to greet us and check our tickets. An actual footman! 

He escorts us to the ballroom and announces our arrival to the other guests. It was so fantastical to hear the name ‘Miss Grace Franklin’ called out into a room filled to bursting with ballgowns and tailored suits. 

I hear the click of a camera beside me, and scowl. 

”Andy! Get off your phone, you’re ruining the moment!” I hiss, shooting him a glare, checking to see if he was at least taking good photos. But no, there he was, making dumb faces into the camera. Read the room!!!

I grab his arm and tow him towards the table of refreshments, grab a glass, and push him towards an empty table. If he was determined to ruin this night for me the least he could do was stay somewhere out of the way. 

I try to relax, sipping the flute of champagne and savouring the tingle as I make an effort to center myself. Benji would have heard the announcement, so he’d be on his way over soon. I can’t let him see me like this. 

Unlike us, Benji got his tickets through merit. He was the youngest in a long line of politicians, and had the trust fund to do practically anything he wanted. 

It was a dream come true that he was dating me. 

Now, here, tonight, he has the chance to make me the happiest woman in the world, even more than Idelia herself. If the rumors my friends told me were true, she won’t be the only one getting married. 

I lean forward to smell the floral centerpiece, eyes darting around trying to pick Benji out of the crowd. 

"These ones are nice, aren't they?” I point one of the plants out to Andy, trying to get him to pay at least a little attention to the party. “They look like hearts.”

He raises his phone and takes a picture, because of course he would. I roll my eyes at the click. 

“It’s Siberian Bugloss,” he reads off the screen

“Bug-loss? Gross name.”

“Also called False Forget-Me-Nots, or a Heart-leaf Brunnera.The leaves can grow with some interesting patterns.” 

“Cool, cool. Can you see Benji? He was supposed to meet me here. We planned to coordinate our outfits and everything.” 

“Nah. Oh hey, according to this site, Bugloss in a flower arrangement can mean deceit or insincerity. Maybe that's a sign.” He laughs.    

I punch him in the arm as I get up. I could see Benji across the way, talking to a group of other women. My eyes must have been mistaking me, because I swear he had his arm around one of them. 

“Ladies and Gentlemen!” Someone at the front announced, “Our first event, the Moonlit Treasure Hunt, will begin on the grounds in ten minutes!”

Benji laughs, kissing the woman on his arm. Deeply. Passionately. It was unlike any kiss I had ever received, despite my long line of failed romances. Benji is supposed to be different.

Andy’s camera clicks.