Page 57 of Take My Crown

That’s why, when I hear that there is going to be a party at Declan’s house, I decide I am going to stay at home, even though Declan begs me to go.

“Come on, Ivy. Let your hair down,” he says, as I pack my things, ready to go home for the weekend. “I know I said you should keep your distance from Romy and Archer, but I don’t mean you should cut ties with everyone.”

“Things are easier this way,” I tell him. “Anyway, I’ve got a big project due for politics and if I don’t spend all weekend working on it, I haven’t got a chance of passing, let alone the A my father demands.”

“All work and no play makes Ivy a dull girl,” Declan says.

“Good,” I reply. “Dull is how I like it.”

“Don’t be like that,” Declan replies, catching my arm. “Pleasecome to my party. For me?”

“Sorry.” I shake my head. “Unless we’re working on a music project, it’s home and homework all the way until I’m done with school.”

I quickly leave him in the classroom and head to the car park, finding my car easy because my driver holds his hand out the window for me. I’m about to step down when Romy slides in front of me.

“Want a lift to the party tonight?”

“Nope, I’m not going,” I tell him, stepping around to go down the steps. He catches up with me.

“Why not? What’s going on with you?” he asks.

“Why do you want to know? Want to brag to the entire academy everything I tell you?” I ask, meeting his eyes. He frowns, but he looks slightly guilty.

“It wasn’t like that. Ivy, wait-,” he calls after me, but I’m done. I get into the car and lock the doors for good effect. On the trip home my phone beeps a few times and I glance at it to see messages from both Declan and Romy, but I ignore them.

“What’s this I hear about you turning down an invitation to party with the Dauphins?” Dad says, his tone making itveryclear how unhappy he is with me the moment I step into my “home”.

“I’ve got a politics project to do,” I tell him. “You are the one who tells me I need to get straight As. The only way that’s going to happen is if I spend all my spare time working on it.”

“There are other routes to an A,” my father waves his hand, looking relieved that it is the only problem and not that I actually didn’t want to go. “Isabella will arrange it. Now, about this party…”

“Wait–you want me tocheat?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “I thought the Archaics are honourable? You always tell me how there are certain standards to uphold, certain ways of doing things.”

“And there are,” my father says. “Which includes the ability to recognise the best use of your time and energy. Right now, the most important thing is for you to build connections with the other houses, especially with the current situation with the Knights. A levels will soon be a dim and distant memory, but you will be head of your House for the rest of your life. Get your priorities straight, child. Go and get dressed for the party.”

I must be the only teenager whose parent wants her to party instead of study.

I stomp upstairs, exasperated. All I’m trying to do is make it through school without heartache. I can just about predict what is going to happen tonight. Archer would disappear off to the nearest bedroom with Carly. Romy would spend most of the night trying to seduce me and when that doesn’t work, he’ll make do with the nearest willing female. And Declan would stick his tongue down Ally’s throat all evening.

Yeah. Sounds like my idea of fun all right.

I can’t be bothered making a big deal of my appearance, so I throw on my favourite Lost in Oblivion T-shirt with a pair of ripped jeans. I keep my makeup light. It’s not that I am going for the understated, can’t-care-less look; I genuinely can’t care less.

When I am done, I head back downstairs where Isabella is waiting for me by the door.

“You look nice,” she says. “I bet you’ll be fighting off the boys all night.”

“Uh-huh.” I’mreally notin the mood for small talk.

“Anyway, your dad wants me to make sure you leave out the details of your politics assignment so I can deal with it for you.”

“They’re on my desk,” I say. “But I really don’t think I’m comfortable with getting someone else to write it for me.”

“Everyone does it,” Isabella assures me. “And our writers are already aware of your style. By the time they’re done, no one will know it isn’t all your own work.”

“That’s not the point,” I say. “It’s cheating.”

“I told you–everyone does it. It’s only cheating if it gives you an unfair advantage. As it is, you’re putting yourself at adisadvantage if you don’t accept help once in a while. Besides, it’s important to your father that you go to this party. I’m sure he’s already had a discussion with you about priorities–it’s about time you started to act more like an Archaic instead of a spoilt little girl.”

---