Thirteen-year-old Missy Barnes attentively looked at the screen inside the box tv with her brown eyes. 

She bobbed her head to the music that was on a commercial for a cereal brand that she happened to love, the beads on the end of her black braids that rested against her face clicked together. 

"It's pretty much - cereal heaven! One spoon at a time." She sang along in a soft hushed manner, humming the rest of it as she sat on the couch, tapping a pen on the coffee table that was in rhythm with the commercial.

Cody's jade green eyes looked over at her, rubbing his temples and letting out a soft groan. "Missy, can you stop the wretched tapping, it's giving me a headache?" He asked, withdrawing his fingers from his temples and running them through his brown curly hair. 

Missy frowned, setting the pen down and looking a bit sheepish. "Sorry, Papa." She got off the couch and turned up the volume so she could hear it as she walked out of the room to the bathroom. 

Cody frowned at his daughter's actions. "Missy, can you turn that down a bit? Your mother is trying to sleep." He placed his hand out in front of her to keep, then pointed to the tv.

Missy looked at him with big brown puppy dog eyes and pouted, crossing her arms. "But Papa, I need to go to the bathroom and I don't want to miss a single thing!" She whined looking at her father, hoping her little pout and puppy eyes worked this time on him.

"Missy," Cody stated in a stern voice and she took that as a hint, scuffing her feet on the floor and turning it down. "Thank you."

Missy nodded and walked up to the side of the couch and looked at him. "But you will tell me what's going on if I am not back when it comes on?" She asked, hopefulness on the tip of her tongue. 

Cody nodded, it was the least he could do for his daughter. "Sure. I'll keep watching and if it comes back on I'll tell you." He agreed, cracking a little smile.

Missy beamed brightly, her smile was like the sun. "Oh thank you, Papa!" She exclaimed, giving him a quick hug before darting into the bathroom and closing the door. 

Cody snorted, shaking his head. He looked back at the TV as another commercial, an old one, showed the current Regent, Duchess Katherine, when she was younger with permed hair and bright makeup. "They throw money around like it was bird feed." He mumbled to himself, shaking his head.

Missy was as quick as she could and ran from the bathroom and into the living room. She slid onto the floor with her knees and smacked her hands on the coffee table. "Made it! I was fast like lightning!" She giggled softly as it finally came and grabbed the remote and turned up the volume a few bars to make sure she could hear it over the passing train. 

On the TV: A woman with sandy blonde hair had just gotten done fixing her bun that had some shorter hair hanging down on the side of her face. Her icy blue eyes sparkled brightly as she looked into the camera. "Hello, Senoia! We're your hosts, Jenna Donette and Alex Johnson. Welcome to the five-hundredth year of The Royal Charm Academy." She said through the TV, standing at the entrance of the school. 

The crowd of people standing off to the side in the grass, behind velvet ropes cheered at what she had said. Tickets to stand there sold out the day after this announcement.

The camera panned focused on a guy who had a shiny brown bald head, his usually intimidating dark brown eyes, looked bright and lively standing beside his co-anchor, looking quite distinguished with the slight scruff on his face. "Many young ladies and young men are anticipating a great school year and graduating as a royal or noble," Alex explained to the crowd and those watching.

The camera panned out to everyone watching as the royal charms passing by, looking excited and squirming in their seats as they waved to those around. 

The camera turned back to Jenna who was still as smiley as ever. "This is a very special year, our very own Duchess Theanna Messing will be crowned as Crown Princess of the kingdom at the end of the school year." 

Alex turned to his co-anchor, a smile on his lips. "How awesome is that? A beautiful and inspiring young lady to rule a whole kingdom. That seems like a huge task for her, yet we know she can handle it." 

Jenna switched her microphone to her left hand when she felt her right hand start to go numb which she knew wasn't good. "It's very awesome, Alex. As you can see, participants have been arriving in the classic white model T cars from the private airport.

She covered her mouth with her hand as she gave a cute kitten sneeze shaking her head. "Forgive me, allergy season hates me." She paused for a moment to make sure it wouldn't happen again. "Now back on The Royal Charm Academy subject: as many may know, this is the only school of its kind!"

Alex gently nodded his head, turning his gaze away from his co-anchor and to the camera in front of him. "Many of the great royals came from this school, including the late Queen and King, may they and their daughter rest in peace. On that note, let's have a moment of silence." He took a moment of solitude for them, out of respect for speaking about them.

Jenna placed her finger on the intercom in her ear and nodded to what was being said. She glanced at her watch and gave a nod to the person behind the camera. "Now we must break for a commercial, we will be back again here soon, so don't leave the TV." She smiled as she and Alex waved to those watching before it flipped to a commercial.

Missy sighed softly, a dreamy look in her eyes as she listened to all they said. "Isn't it amazing, Papa? It's the only school of its kind! They offer so much and every scholarship winner gets a chance at a better life to live in the palace with their family!" She squealed, happily bouncing in her seat.

Sidney opened the door and slipped in, closing it behind her and leaning against the door closing her eyes. Her purse was over her shoulder and the mail in her hand along with her cardigan was over her arm. It was such a long walk, through the busy streets, these heels were killing her feet. 

She had to take a moment to get herself together before she moved a muscle. She looked over at her sister who was watching the TV with their father beside her. She smiled softly and cleared her throat. "I'm home," She declared and set her purse on the counter.

Missy jumped up when her sister had come in and run over to her, jumping up and down. "Sidney! You are back! Just in time to watch the good stuff go down at The Royal Charm Academy." She exclaimed with a wide toothy grin.

Sidney tiredly looked at her younger sister, a matching tired smile on her lips as she hung up her cardigan after pushing herself off the door. She kicked off her heels and let them lay by the door. "Missy, I am brutally exhausted. All I want to do is say hello to Papa, kiss Mama's forehead, and pass out on my bed." She walked over to the couch and handed her father the mail.

Cody thanked her and began to go through the mail. He opened the envelopes and read what they were about before putting them into piles on the coffee table. "When will people stop sending us this junk? If I wanted a subscription I would do it myself instead of you guys bugging me." He complained to himself.

Missy whined crossing her arms loosely over her chest, pouting. "But, Sidney! You have to watch it with me, please, you just have to watch it." She begged, lacing her fingers together, and shaking them. 

Sidney let out a long puff of hair. She weighed her choices and she couldn't deny her sister's begging and puppy eyes. "All right, just for you." She agreed, crossing her arms over her chest.

Missy jumped up and down clapping her hands together before bouncing over to the couch and plopping herself down on it. "Thanks, Sidney! At least someone will enjoy watching it with me and not complain." She glanced at her dad who rolled his eyes and grumbled something under his breath.

Sidney bent down and kissed his cheek with a smile. "Hello Papa, how are you?" She asked to set down her purse and walk over to the fridge, opening it up and grabbing a pad of paper and a pen to take notes of what they needed.

Cody sighed, putting back on his glasses only to take them off when his headache came back. "Just a mild headache, nothing I can't handle. I will be a whole lot better when all this junk is over, thank you for asking." 

Missy gasped, placing her hand over her heart in a dramatic way, seeing as they always did it in dramas. "Papa! It's not junk! It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance, an honor, and a better life! Anyone would be grateful for entering and winning!" She exclaimed, shaking her hands out in front of her.

Cody sighed, getting up off the couch and setting his glasses on the coffee table. "It is ridiculous." He firmly said. "I will be back. I'm going to the restroom, and don't turn it up." He looked at Missy hoping she would listen as he went into the bathroom and closed the door. 

Sidney looked to see if her father went in and that was when she turned to her sister. "Is Mama okay?" She asked, feeling a bit of anxiety bubble up in her chest and get stuck in her throat. 

Missy paused for a moment, rubbing the back of her neck "Well, the doctor said she's managing for now and not in any pain, which is good!" She exclaimed, placing her hands on the counter and peering at her sister in the kitchen. "The doctor also said there is a new medication that will make her cancer go away and stay gone! It has been in testing the past couple of years and it has cured a handful of people's cancer for good, or so they say." 

"How much is it though, Missy?" Sidney asked, afraid to know the price since she knew they wouldn't be able to pay for it any time soon. 'Way out of our price range, I'm sure. I shouldn't get my hopes up, neither should Missy,' She thought with a frown.

Missy frowned and hung her head down. "I think Mama's doctor said it's seven-thousand dollars? It would be five thousand per treatment if done through a program. It was hard to listen in on Papa's conversation with the doctor." She tapped her finger on her chin. "But we would have to go to the neighboring kingdom to have it administered. And it's made from a rare flower that only blooms one month out of the year and it's hard to get to, which is why it's so pricey." She hesitantly replied, sitting on the couch.

Sidney closed the fridge and put the pad paperback on the fridge door before walking over and sitting beside her sister. "I'm honestly dreading the next bill from her hospital visit just last week and Papa's pain medication for his back." She mumbled, placing her hand on her forehead.

"How are we going to keep paying for her treatment right now and now this new treatment will cure her," She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and fighting the tears. "We don't have that kind of money only if we had some extra money -" She looked up at her sister and realized she was hearing everything she said. "I'm sorry Missy. I didn't mean for you to hear all that and be burdened with it." 

Missy hugged her tightly, looking up with bright eyes. "It's all right Sidney, I understand. We will figure this out, don't you worry and who knows, something miraculous may happen in a bit that will change our life!" 

Sidney laughed softly, hugging Missy again. "You have so much faith and hope - how is Papa doing? I know he says he is fine, but I know those glasses give him a headache." She asked, glancing towards the bathroom, seeing that he hadn't come out yet.

Missy smiled, patting her shoulder after she had pulled away. "His headaches are getting worse, he is losing his balance and running into things. He tried to get up and walk, but his back hurts so much. He groans just trying to get up in the morning to get ready. I have to make breakfast for Mama and Papa," She admitted, reaching down and picking up a magazine from the coffee table.

"Thank you for telling me, Missy. Someone from work told me there is this back surgery that will fix his back too, so, I added that to the things I am saving so he can get back to work." Sidney said, hoping some good news would brighten things. "Oh, I have almost all of the money he needs for new glasses and an appointment." 

Missy gasped, throwing her arms around her sister excitingly. "Really? That's awesome! But how?" She asked, wondering how she had gotten the money. "Yesterday you said you needed a few more weeks of paychecks."

Today, a nice man gave me a hearty tip. I almost cried right there when I realized how much it was. I thanked him and hurried out of the room so I wouldn't get emotional in front of a guest." Sidney hugged her sister back, her voice seemingly on the verge of crying.

Missy was surprised but happy to hear she got a tip. "I'm so happy!" She squealed, pulling away from her sister. "I would have cried too. Whoever he was, I'm so thankful there are still people like him in the world!" 

The door to their parent's bedroom squeaked open to reveal their mother walking out using the wall to steady herself. Her black hair was in a messy bun, having cute little pink teddy bear slippers on her feet and a black chenille bathrobe over her balloon silk pajama pants and long sleeve shirt. "Sidney, you're back early." She weakly mumbled to her daughter.

Sidney got off the couch and walked over to her mother, offering her arm out to her. "Mama! Yes, I got off early for this scholarship announcement on TV. Here let me help you to the couch." She helped her mother to the couch, where Missy had placed her squishy seat cushion for her to sit on.

Victoria gave her children a faint smile. "Thanks, Sidney, Missy," She said, sitting down on the couch, onto her cushion, and putting her feet up on the ottoman. Missy grabbed a pillow and put it behind her mother's back with a smile. "Ah, that will be nice for you to get some decent sleep for once."

Cody came out of the bathroom and took a seat next to his wife. "Aye, still on a commercial, starring the Crown Princess for makeup, whoo." He mockingly said, shaking his head at the price of ten dollars flashing on the screen. 

Missy looked over at her father and sighed, shaking her head. "Soon-to-be Crown Princess. She is still just a duchess like her mother. She hasn't graduated from the academy yet!"
She rested her elbows on her legs and rested her chin in her hand. "I wonder what she's like in person? I've seen so many interviews both on TV and in magazines and she seems so down to earth! What I'd give just to say hi to her." She sighed dreamily.

Sidney walked into the kitchen and grabbed two glasses from the cupboard. "I don't know why you're so hung up on her." She said, glancing at her sister and closing the cupboard. "You don't know her personally," She walked over to the fridge and filled up the glass with water.

Missy looked up at her sister as she watched around the table and handed their father a glass of water. "You're right, I have done a lot of research and some of my classmates knew someone who knew her and they said she's really sweet." She countered in the crown princess' defense.

Sidney opened the cabinet and grabbed a pill bottle. "That's hearsay. You can't always go off what others say. Believe me, from personal experience, you never want to listen to other people's opinions about others."

Missy pouted, slumping on the couch with her arms crossed over her chest. "I know, I know . . . but maybe one day I'll get to meet her! And she'll be just like how people said she is!" She perked up when she realized that her sister could win the scholarship and giggled.

Cody sighed, rubbing his temples once again, feeling the headache get stronger which was common. "Whatever, I don't have time to muddle through that sort of stuff. I have better things to do than learn about them." He took a glass of water and took a few sips from it.

Victoria looked at her husband, taking her medication from her daughter and the glass of water as well. "Thank you, Sidney." She popped the pills into her mouth and drank the water. 

"Imagine all the opportunities not just for you but your whole family gets if you graduate!" Missy exclaimed happily scooting over so her sister could sit down on the couch beside her. "Everyone wants to be picked and someone who is wishing will! It is all so exciting!" 

Sidney nodded in agreement with her father sitting down beside her sister. "You sound a lot like Molly about this subject she was going on at work. The chances of someone like us getting in are slim and I am not getting hopes upon such things." 

Missy grinned mischievously at her sister, rocking back and forth on the couch. "Not if you enter someone a billion times in a year to make sure the odds are higher than everyone else!" She said in a sing-song voice, not knowing Molly and her boss had also entered her in.

Sidney shook her head and sighed, rubbing a hand through her hair. "Just because you enter someone a bunch of times per day, each year doesn't make their chances even bigger." She explained, pulling her sister into a small hug and then pulling away.

Missy grinned mischievously at her sister's words and giggled. "But there is a chance. A slim chance is still a chance." She said in a sing/song voice swaying back and forth with her hands behind her back. 

Skepticism grew on Sidney's face as she looked down at her sister, wondering why she was so giddy. "Millions of people enter each year hoping to win and only one gets chosen." 

"I know. I know." Missh hugged, grabbing a pillow and wrapping her arms around it, and resting her chin on the top part. "Shh, it is back on and now the good stuff will start!" She was so excited for the drawing and the headmistress and headmaster to speak, they were so adorable together. "They make such a cute couple! Like Mama and Papa." She grinned brightly.

Sidney looked at the happy couple standing beside each other on the TV. "They do seem perfect for each other -" She began to reply as her sister put her hand over her mouth and shushed her as the couple began to speak.

〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰❦〰

A/N:
Ooh another chapter in such a timely manner, I am just so happy to be getting these up in less than a week. It is the last year and this year has flown by, a majority of downs, but there have been a lot of ups.

I really do hope to add more to their Pinterest boards but I haven't really gotten around to that yet. A few I have but not all of them, and I should really get on to that and stop looking at memes to make me laugh. What is with me and memes, I legit will probably have a contest for the best meme you guys can come up with or something to get you guys really involved.

I will draw up drawings of each of their fashions, mainly because I don't want to bore you with describing them. It may take a while, but I will get right onto drawing up some fashion for these guys and then post it on insta and in this book a chapter for each character and their clothes throughout this book! Now some may get more than one chapter because they have more clothes than someone else, but I have so many ideas.

Chapter Talk:
So, we meet the Barnes family a few years later, and see how things went for them. Sidney is working her butt off to support her family and she doesn't mind, since she feels it's her duty too. Yes her father does little jobs here and there that doesn't take much effort, but he can't do much with glasses that are not his prescription.

Plus she is really close with her younger sister who is also her best friend and who keeps her updated on what is going on with her family. Sidney doesn't want to bring her sister into these problems, yet she is the only one to relay the truth to her instead of it being passed off as nothing.

On a little side note, I have been quite curious about all my readers of the chapters I write, just like this one. So, I would enjoy hearing who you are and how you found out about my book. I am truly honored you decided to feed it, because without you, I would only be writing for me, myself and I.

How many of my readers are from insta?

How many are just followers?

How many are browsers?

And whatever other reason you come?

I am really curious to know more about my readers. You guys mean so much to be because without you this book wouldn't be here. I can never thank you enough for reading them, it makes me so happy and honored.

Thanks for reading!