Game, Set, Match

I woke up the next morning earlier than usual, I lay in my bed staring up at the ceiling. As much as I didn't want to move from the comfort of my bed, I knew I had to. If I got an early start I could finish faster and decide what to wear to that stupid polo match. I begrudgingly removed myself from the warmth of my bed, only to be met with the cold wooden floor. I went to my dresser pulling open the middle drawer and rummaged around for a second, before pulling out some gray cotton pants. I closed the drawer, put on my pants, and slipped my feet into my duck slippers. I grabbed my cell and stuck my headphones into it before slipping the ear buds in. I made my way down stairs to the kitchen scrolling through my play-list, before deciding to put it on shuffle. I set to work on breakfast as bridgit mendlers hurricane started to play making me bob my head to the music.

"I'm boarding up the windows," I sang chopping spinach to the beat of the song. " Locking up my heart it's like every time the wind bows I feel it tearing us apart every time he smiles I let him in again everything is fine when you're standing in the eye of the hurricane," I sang.

Before I knew it I was finished making breakfast, I suppose dancing around the kitchen makes time go by faster. I picked up the trays of food and delivered them to Brian and Zachs room. Maria was my last stop. She was an early riser and I didn't bother to knock as I entered her room. She had a towel wrapped around her body water droplets rolled down exposed skin illuminated by sun. I ignored her which was easy to do since I still had my earphones in. I sat her tray of food on the table in the corner of her room. As I was making my way from her room I heard her speak.

"It's incredibly rude to be in someones presence and not speak."

I could have kept walking pretending that I never heard a word she said, but my steps faltered. I'm pretty sure she noticed what with her always watching me like a hawk. I turned around and gave her my most believable smile before speaking, " good morning Maria how are you?" I asked feigning interest.

She squinted her eyes and pursed her lips at me, " we'll be leaving in an hour and a half. I advise you to be ready by then," she said walking away rudely.

I went back to the kitchen, cleaned up the mess I had made, and made my up to my room. I wanted to get back in bed and curl up under the cover, instead I walked into my bathroom and turned on the shower. I took off my clothes and tossed them into my clothes hamper, once the water was to my liking I stepped in. I grabbed my shower cap off the hook and put it on my head I stepped completely into the shower spray letting the water cascade down my body. I sighed as the warmth of the water cleared the cobwebs in my head. After soaking in the water for a few minutes I wash mt face and body. Once done I rinse off and stand under the hot water a few minutes more before turning it off. I grab my towel from the door and wrap it around my body and head back into my room to find something to wear. I pick out a short black and white floral dress, and pair it with some white wedge hills. I lay my dress on the bed, grab my underwear and slip them on. I rub lotion on my body before finally putting on my clothes. I stare at my reflection in the mirror trying to decide what to do with my hair. I decide to pull it into a high bun, after that's done I do my make- up. Nothing to fancy just foundation. Eyeliner, mascara, and some lip-gloss. I give myself one more look in the mirror, before I decide I look presentable enough for Maria. I grab my purse from the door and head down to the living room, just as I enter so does Maria. She's in a red dress and black hills her hair is to one side and with some light curls. She doesn't bother acknowledging me, she gives me a look that says she approves of my attire and walks out the door. At least that's what I think it means and why wouldn't it mean that she buys the clothes she wants me to wear. I follow her out the door Arthur her driver is holding the door open for me to get in. I thank him before sliding into my seat and putting on my seat belt. The car ride is silent I play candy crusher the whole time, and I'm thankful when we pull up to the front of color me fancy a high end salon. Arthur gets out and opens the door for us. We walk in and its in full swing with all the other people getting ready for the polo match. It's supposed to be a casual event, people work so hard to look casual.

"Maria so wonderful to see you again."

"It's nice to see you again as well Fabian."

"Victoria it's nice to see you its been a while, still looking gorgeous as usual." he says kissing my cheek and giving me a hug.

"Thank you Fabian, you flatter me, its nice to see you also." I say giving him a small smile.

He lead us back to the washing stations where Brenda and Clarice are waiting. After washing my hair I was sat under the hair dryer for about fifteen minute and then my hair was rinsed again. I was finally seated at Fabians chair, Maria stood there talking to him she looked gorgeous as usual her chestnut brown hair was in a poof at the top and curls cascaded down her back. She gave a tight lipped smile.

"I'll be back I'm going to pick up the dresses after we are done here we'll go get lunch at the club then go over to polo match. Your brothers are meeting us there."

I looked at her through the mirror and gave her a nod, she walked away without bothering to say good-bye.

"So tell me honey what are we going to do with your hair he says lifting it with his fingers."

"I'll let you decide you're the miracle worker," I say smiling at him in the mirror.

"In that case lets get started," he says picking a up the hair brush and the blow dryer.

An hour and a half later I'm looking fierce my hair is in a curly side bun, my finger nails are drying and I'm feeling good almost looking forward to this polo match. As my nails finish drying Maria walks in.

"Good you're done, hurry and come on we're running behind schedule."

I follow silently behind her shoes between my fingers as I slide into the car. Arthur closes the door and the ride is silent again, instead of going to the house like I think we are we go straight to the country club. I guess we're changing at the club we pulled into the gates of St. Barts country club. The door is opened by one of the valet Maria hands me the bags as I get out. We walk through doors and to the elevators. This place brought back memories of a happier time, I use to love it here when I was little. The bell dings signaling our stop and bringing me out of my trip down memory lane. We walk down to our suite and maria opens the door I hang the bags in the closet. I turn around and there Maria is staring me down.

"I'm letting you meet my friends daughters so act like you have some home training and don't embarrass yourself. I let you hang out with that Elle for far to long."

I'm not sure what my father ever saw in her or what anyone else does for that matter. We leave the room and head to the dinning area. Upon reaching the dinning are I heard the high pitch sound of Maria's name being called. A smile lit up her face as she looked to the direction the shrill harpie sound came from.

"Oh Adriana it's so go good to see you again, it's been to long." she said air kissing the ladies cheeks.

"It has been a long time, oh and you brought little Victoria. What a treat the girls are all out by the pool."

"Oh, will they not be attending the polo match?"

"No you know how girls are these days they don't want to be seen with there parents."

"Right, I didn't bring any clothes for a pool outing. I was under the impression that I would be watching the match, I will go out and say hi to the girls though."

"Don't be silly Victoria just have Arthur drive you to the store or home and get a bathing suit."

"By the time that happens they will have probably left the pool, I'll just go out now and say hello. I'll find something else to do."

"Splendid idea Victoria, come on Maria lets go have lunch."

Victoria: one, Maria: zero. There was a God and he was good I was celebrating to myself watching them walk away when I heard my name being called. I turned to see Elle's mom walking up to me.

"Victoria it's been ages since I've seen you. You simply must stop by the house more often or I'm going to have to kidnap you."

I loved Mrs. Bartlett, she was like my second mother. No she was a second mother she was there for me when my mother died and my father.

"Mrs. Bartlett it's so very wonderful to see you again, I know it has and there is no excuse for it. I will have to visit soon. I take it Elle's here too since you are."

"Magically that girl has decided to come I bet it has something to do with you being here, I know how you girls operate," she said tapping me on my nose.

"She's still up in our room, be a dear and go drag her away for me and then have lunch with us."

"OK."

I headed in the opposite direction away from the pool and back to the elevators, thankful for small miracles. I pushed the up button and waited for the doors to open. The ding of the bell signaled the arrival and I climbed on. I got off the elevator and made my way down the hall to there room and knocked on the door. I heard muttering from behind the door before it finally swung open.

"What- oh it's you," she said opening the door wider.

"That's all I get and oh it's you, not tori you magnificent creature I'm so happy to see you."

She gave me a look that sad shut the hell up and proceeded to throw a pillow at me.

"Hey Tor, I can't believe I let you talk me into coming."

"Relax because I've recently discovered that in fact there is a God and he has smiled down upon us."

"What are you talking about?"

"We don't have to hang out with those girls, cause they are not going to the polo match, hurry up and get ready though cause your mom is waiting to eat with us."

"Oh I would love to see the look on Maria's face."

"Poised perfection as always, but I could tell she was upset by it, I still have to go to the match but I'm sure we could slip out."

"Why Victoria I think you're becoming a little me. The old Victoria would never try to get out of anything."

"You're right but I don't care I'm tired of it all. Now put on your shoes and lets go."

We rode the elevator down and had lunch with ell's mom before parting ways. I went back to my room to get changed. Maria was already in the room halfway dressed. I took off my dress and put on the orange one she had gotten me. I touched up my make-up and then put on my shoes and jewelry. I turned around ready to go and there she was standing right behind me with a scowl on her face.

"Don't think that just because those girls aren't going is reason for you not to. I saw you with ell I don't want you hanging out with her," she says grabbing my arm viciously.

"You can't tell me who I can and can not hang out with," I say snatching her arm away from me.

There's a knock at the door interrupting whatever else she has to say, I walk around her and answer the door.

"Are you ready to go?"

I might have to start praying the way god has been delivering small miracles. At the door stood Elle in a pretty green dress.

"You better not walk out that door."

"Yea I'm ready."