#taking a step

A Fox Oneshot :)

Should out to my lovely beta @yeehawgeek for being the final push to actually publishing this since it sat for about...a year I think in my drafts WHOOPS

“Lastly, Zoe Elizabeth Hamilton…“

My heart raced against my chest as my name rolled off the introducer’s lips.

“…Daughter of Joseph Jerome Hamilton, the son of the duke of oxford and Gabriella Anne Scott, owner of fashmag..” I could hear my heart pulsing in my ears with every other sound being faintly heard as if I was under water and with the suffocated feeling that made my chest rise it almost felt like it was.

“…She aspires to follow on her mother’s footsteps and she will be escorted by William Ludwig Luxem—“

“No.” I said almost in a whisper yet somehow I was heard.

All the faces turned to me even though they were all latched onto me the minute I stepped into the building. My eyes wandered around the area, scanning the faces of all the socialites noticing their judgmental eyes darting towards me.

I instantly pointed out my brothers face from the crowd in which his expression was what I’d describe as I know what you’re thinking about and I wish you wouldn’t, but I have to. I felt my chest rising deeply as I gathered every ounce of courage I had bottled up all those years.

“My lady, is everything alright?” the introducer whispered to me and I could tell from her expression that she was slightly concerned, but I know she’s just worried about losing her job.

I looked down at her standing straight with confidence and cracked the most devious smile I could pull. “I am not going to be escorted by him.” I stated and looked over at William and I can see him clenching his jaw at me. “In fact, I am not going to be escorted by anyone at all.” I added looking back at the crowd.

“I’m sorry but traditions states…“ the introducer tried to argue with me and I took a stepped down intimidatingly forcing her to pause, “traditions can be altered” I told her and took the microphone from her, ”I believe cotillion is about introducing us young women—“ I said motioning to the girls that were already introduced and right at this point I can hear everyone muttering to one another as they focused their eyes on me, “—to the doors of high society.” I finished my sentence exhaling a sigh.

I looked around examining every face in the crowd and I spotted my mother. I locked my eyes with hers and I can see her growing anger and I noticed how she had the same furrowed eyebrows my brother had standing behind her with his hand behind his back.

“I don’t know about them, but…” I paused flicking my eyes at my brother and mother as thought I was taking to them before moving them over the crowd, “…I wish to be introduced as an independent women that’s capable of going through that door without an escort.” I concluded and took a deep breath calming myself.

“we all know how this society of ours is only fit for the strongest and I may be 16, but believe me I know how vicious our society is to the weak” I said almost muttering to myself, earning me few chuckles which in return grew my smile.

I sighed and added “I am the strongest when I’m alone.”

Everyone went silent as my words sank into their minds, “and by alone I meant without a partner. I don’t need a man or women in that matter” i clarifed not discriminating sexual preferences because at the end of the day I’m bisexual.

“All I need is the support of my family and friends…” I paused and let my eyes follow my brother as he made way out of the ballroom glaring at my body guard standing at the far back. I sighed flicking my eyes around and continued, “But if I ever do introduce a partner to my life it will be because I want to and not because I have to.”

I took a step down and decided to end it.

“And with that, you know who I am. You all know who I am the moment I was born, but if you don’t…”