The Report pt. 2

[frostedoverrose]

After the rebel attack, we had to write a letter home telling our parents that we were okay during the rebel attacks. Since I wasn't sure if our letters were read to make sure any confidential secrets weren't released, I had to phrase my letter carefully, asking if January was missing from work during the rebel attack. I hadn't gotten a reply yet, which I wasn't that upset over, since they're probably working overtime to help out with losing a paycheck.

During that week, we were taught some more etiquette, like how to properly deliver a speech in case the king or prince couldn't do it for some reason. We had done a previous speech that Queen Amberly had done, which happened to be the Russian Police Officer Riots and a list of names that had been demoted to Eights. I had to read out Elizabeth's name on that. It turned out that I was surprisingly good at speech delivery, and I had to hold back from smirking when I got death glares from Celeste, because Silvia had to tell her to slow down while I got congratulations on nailing the speech on my first time.

On Friday, one week after the rebel attacks, I had to go down to the Women's Room for our debut on the Report. My maids had me wear a two-toned dress, that had a thick-strapped black top outlined with diamonds and mint gree tulle skirt. There was a lavender bow around my waist and I wore sandal wedges. I played with the bow as I went to take a seat in the back.

America was sitting in the back wearing a dark blue dress. I noticed that everyone else was dressed in red and green dresses, except for Olivia who wore orange, and Marlee who wore yellow.

Kayleigh Poulin came over and sat next to me. She smiled and said, "Your dress looks nice."

"Thanks," I replied. "I think my ancestors mined for the diamonds, though."

Kayleigh looked confused. "What?"

"Never mind," I said. "Your headband looks a little crooked."

"Damn it," Kayleigh muttered. "That's embarrassing."

"Not embarrassing as much as Emmica stuffing her bra again," I said.

The Report started, they was talk about rebel attacks, like roads being built were behind schedule and a number of local officers in Atlin were down because they'd been sent to help with a rebel-caused disturbance. That had spiked my anxiety over the thought of January being among them. I wasn't shocked at the rebels doing that stuff.

Since Sevens and Eights were so close together, word tends to spread over rebel attacks, especially coming from some traitors who were in the inner circle of rebels. I think some Sixes heard stuff about that.

There was a mention of it being the third-year anniversary of the Russian Riots with them explaining how some police officers harassed two women, conveniently leaving out the part that they were a couple, and played footage of me throwing a rock at a police officer, from a nearby store camera.

I had nudged Kayleigh and told her that it was my 'sister' Edith, but she didn't know that I was actually Edith, posing as Elizabeth.

They also showed small pieces of footage of the riots, which was mostly just a giant street brawl, although there was looting, five buildings had been burned down and Gabvril had two minutes of silence for the twenty deaths, eighteen of them being civilians and two police officers. An update was mentioned about a few Eights who participated in the riots was brought back up to Sevens again.

After that, Gavril gave an update on how eight girls had left, leaving twenty-seven behind. Gavril had gone up to ask Maxon about how he was doing and if Maxon was enjoying our company, which he said yes to and how it was a pleasure.

"Are they all the sweet, gentle ladies they appear to be?" Gavril asked.

"Umm..." Maxon looked over at America, "Almost." I could've sworn he glanced at me.

"Almost?" Gavril sounded surprised and he turned to look at us. "Is someone over there being naughty?"

I couldn't help but snicker. Coming from the fact that my balcony looked over the gardens, I had seen America knee the royal groin of Prince Maxon. At least I was covered up by everyone giggling.

"What exactly did these girls do that isn't so sweet?" Gavril prompted.

"Oh, well, let me tell you," Maxon started, getting comfortable. "One of them back there, does love her fist-fights."

Oh, you have got to be kidding me, I thought.

"And her sarcasm is a force to be reckon with," Maxon said.

Kayleigh nudged me, grinned and whispered, "He's talking about you."

"I think he's exaggerating," I whispered. "I am not a force to be reckoned with when I'm being sarcastic."

With that he told a story about how one of us yelled at him on the first meeting. I couldn't recall anyone yelling at him, the only thing I can remember is me talking about my living situation, but that was it.

"So, are they still with us, then?" Gavril asked, looking over at us.

"Oh, yes," Maxon said. "They're still here. And I plan on keeping them here for quite a while."

Celeste and Bariel looked over their chairs briefly to death glare me. All I could do is smirk at them instead.