<span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>Chapter 3.</span>
The music from the nightclub blasted around them as Micheal, and his two friends Josh and Adam sat the the bar drinking beers. Down below, people were dancing crazily having the time of their lives. It was close to midnight and Michael needed this night to blow off steam.
"Hmmmm...are you going to call that number your dancing friend gave to you, Vaughn?" Josh teased elbowing Michael in the arm laughing.
"No, do you want it?" Vaughn (Michael's nickname) asked waving the number in his face.
"ABSOBLOODYLUTELY!" Josh yelled snatching the piece of paper out of Vaughn's hand.
"You are woman crazy..that's what you are!" Vaughn laughed taking a sip of his beer.
"Uh...yeah," Adam replied, "We all are...we all just can't get the girl as easy as you can!"
"I wonder why," Vaughn joked, "You, Josh, don't have any respect for women and Adam you're a slob!"
"Uh..i'm not a slob..I'm just not very neat," Adam replied in defense.
"You know who is absolutely gorgeous," Josh said guzzling down his drink and ordering another one.
"Who now?" Adam and Vaughn replied.
"That gorgeous princess. Princess Sydney! She's coming back from the States tomorrow," Josh said clinking glasses with Adam and Vaughn.
"And she's single tooo!" Adam yelled, "She wants marriage so I guess that leaves Josh out!"
"Thanks dumbass!"
"She is one hell of a lady," the bar tender said handing Adam a martini.
"And how would you know?" Josh asked taking a drink.
"My brother went to school with her for a year ova in America," the bartender replied, "Supposedly she's a player and dated four guys at once."
"Maybe Josh had a chance with her then," Vaughn laughed punching him in the arm.
"Yeah, sure, hate you inform you chaps but don't listen to the news reports. She is definately serious about the Prime Minister's son. Over summer break, he supposedly came to her school and they were more than friendly. Now that's a guy she'd marry. Money, reputation, class," the bar tender said.
"Hey!" Adam said, "False hope is better than no hope at all."
Vaughn yawned, "I'm gonna head home. I have class tomorrow and job hunting to do."
"The life of Michael Vaughn," Adam shouted, "BORING!"
"I still can't believe you want to be a Brit history teacher," Josh laughed.
"Hey- who's the one in college and looking towards a productive future?" Vaughn reminded them.
"Hell...we're 18/19. We're gonna have fun while we can," Adam said guzzling down another beer.
"Bye guys," Vaughn said leaving the club.
His friends weren't exactly focused but being around them felt good- it made him not forget how to have fun.
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Sydney sat in the back seat of a Bentley riding through the streets of London. It felt good to her to be back in her country yet she was already missing her friends and surprisingly missing Jack. Clouds formed in the sky and the threat of rain was clear. Yet again, when isn't rain a threat in England? Sydney stared out the window as they drove past shops she once went to and the candy store her nanny would take her too on their daily outtings. It all seemed so strange now.
Suddenly, Buckingham Palace came into view. At least one hundred people crowded near the gates being controlled by police officers.
"Oh my god," Sydney said as the gates opened and they drove in.
They drove down the long paved driveway to the back of the palace where an older man was standing dressed in a suit presumably waiting for her arrival. It was her butler, Paul. He had been her butler and friend since she was six years old up until the time she left for Hamley at age thirteen. When she was younger, he'd always sneak hamburgers to her since her parents hated fast food or just have a good listening ear. Sydney got out of the car and hugged Paul tightly.
"It is so great to see you!" Sydney said loudly.
"It is nice to see you to your royal highness," Paul said politely taking some of her luggage and leaving the driver to carry the rest.
"Wow," she said as they walked in and the servants scurried around, "This place hasn't changed."
"Yes, not much has changed except it is a bit more cheery," Paul commented as they got into the elevator, "Now, once your luggage is put in your room, Her Majesty has requested to see you right away, and you will have breakfast with her in her breakfast room. After that, you will have an hour to unpack your things. At eleven o'clock, you have a hair appointment with Jean Paul, and then you will accompany Her Majesty to lunch at a local restaurant. At five o'clock, Her Majesty has invited two of her closest friends Lord and Lady Huntley along with their son Sir Lawerence Huntley to dinner in honour of your homecoming. It is formal attire so between the hours of three and four, Miss Penelope Jameston will come to your room with several gowns for you to try on and choose on to wear tonight."
By the time Paul's speech was over, the luggage was put in Sydney's magnificent room and Paul stood in the hallway waiting. Sydney was in awe of her already packed schedule. She didn't know when she'd get a chance to call Amanda, Jenny, Marie, or Jack. All in the life of royalty, she thought.
"Paul, when do I get a chance to relax?" Sydney asked taking off her hat.
"Between the hours of 2-4, Your Royal Highness."
"Call me Sydney please."
"Your Royal Highness, it is five minutes to eight o'clock. You are having breakfast with Her Majesty at nine. Let's hurry up."
Sydney followed Paul through the halls and past servants whispering and curtsying at Sydney.
"Hi," she said informally to all of them with a little wave.
After a five minute walk to the breakfast room, Paul opened the doors letting light into the hallway.
"Her Royal Highness, Your Majesty," Paul said letting Sydney in.
A older woman, who didn't look eighty five, sat at a table next to a wall of windows sipping orange juice.
"Sydney," she said turned towards her granddaugther, "Come in."
Sydney walked towards her grandmother and the Queen embraced her in a hug, "Hello Grandmother."
Sydney sat down and crossed her ankles and put her legs to one side like she was taught to do when she was young.
"You look so much older than when I last saw you," the Queen said as two men brought in trays of food, "I do hope you still like pancakes and waffles."
"Yes, I do," Sydney laughed.
"How was your homecoming?" The Queen asked folding her napkin in her lap.
"My flight was good. Lots of turbulance. Paul greeted me when I got here," Sydney replied taking a sip of her tea.
"Before we eat, there are a few things that I would like to discuss with you," the Queen said motioning for one of her attendents to bring her a scheduling book, " Sydney. You are going to be Queen of this country soon with out a doubt. Your Uncle Charles has told me that he will not be taking the throne. So, that leaves you. It is a hard job- take it from me. I was lucky enough to rule England threw a very propersous time but that doesn't mean it wasn't difficult. The people do not know you like they know me. You have to become the People's Princess. What I mean by that is, reach out to your people now. Do charity work, visit less fortunate people. And most importantly, do it from your heart. Let the people know you care now so that when it is time for you to step up, you will have won your people's acceptance. Do you understand?"
Sydney nodded. Her grandmother was so eloquent and verbose. She knew exactly what to say, when to say it, and how to speak.
Sydney doubted whether she could do that, " I understand."
"Good. Next, our country is full of history- past and present. It is very important for you to know that history and understand it. So, I have enrolled you in a full year course of British History at The Royal College of Studies. You will have to learn to manage your time. You'll have to take this course and keep up your social duties."
"I understand," Sydney said polietly as she sipped her tea, "When do the classes beginning?"
"Tomorrow. Eight am until ten am. Paul is aqqainted with the professor of the course. He is supposed to be a very well educated man," the queen informed her.
A waitor appeared at the door. The Queen signaled that they were not ready to eat. Everything ran on silent signals in the house.
"I have one more thing to discuss with you before we begin our meal," The Queen replied, "As a Queen, it is your....well...the public has a tendency to accept a female ruler if she is married. It might be a good idea to keep that in mind. Now, let us eat."
Sydney knew that would come up. She suddenly wished she was at Hamley.
or maybe Vaughn will get a job at the palace!! 
