The President's Daughter by David Dower (if you liked this book txt) 📕

thumbs up and getting off the stage.

The music started up again, Sarah moved around the stage bobbing her head at the tune as she opened her mouth to start singing.

"Just gonna stand and watch me burn, but that alright because I like the way it hurts, just going to stand there and hear me cry, but that's alright because I love the way you lie, I love the way you lie." Sarah sang perfectly on tune.

A smile made its way onto my face as she continued to sing the rest of the song hitting all the high notes and jumping around on stage enjoying herself.

I smiled as she finished the last verse. "I love the way you lie..." I jumped out of my seat as the crowd started to clap. “Way to go Sarah!” I screamed clapping along with everyone else.

Her eyes now filled with tears as she brought the microphone to her mouth. “Thanks!” Her eyes meeting mine, as she took a quick bow heading backstage.

I made my way backstage as I saw Sarah. "Oh my God I can't believe you just did that." I said opening my arms and giving her a bear hug.

"I can't believe I did that too." She whispered. "Thank you so much Ali."

I gave her a tired smile. "Stop thanking me! You did amazing," She laughed humorously.

“Yeah, she did amazing! If she was doing the impersonation of a dying cat.” Someone spoke from behind us.

I turned around to see Ashley and Angie, but what surprised me was who was also standing beside her their hands entwined with one another.

I must’ve been staring at Ashley and Gavin’s entwined hands for a while because Ashley spoke up. “I am sorry but Gavin doesn’t do sluts.” She spoke glaring at me.

“So why is he dating you?” I blurted out before I had a second to process what I was saying.

“Excuse me?” She snarled at me.

I heard a chuckle escape Gavin’s mouth as my eyes connected with his a small smile making its way onto my lips. I looked back at now angry Ashley, a devious smile made its way onto her face as she turned to Gavin grabbing his face and planting a sloppy kiss onto his mouth.

My jaw dropped as so did my stomach. I turned my head away not wanting to watch the guy who took me out for my first Valentine’s Day kiss another girl or a slut in my perspective. "Let’s go watch the rest of the acts." I said turning to Sarah who was glaring at the back of Ashley’s fake head. I grabbed her arm and bringing her to where I was seated minutes ago.

Once we were seated Sarah turned to me. "Where's Holly?" She asked her eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"Um, I don't know." I said casually trying to forget about the two fights I had earlier this morning one with Ben and another with who I thought was my best friend.

She shrugged drawing her attention at the juggler who was currently on stage. A few more acts later we were down to the last performer. "Okay, guys what you all have been waiting for, she's been our winner for the past three years let’s give a huge welcome to Ashley Rome!"

“Wow, I wonder who he is rooting for.”  I muttered sarcastically clapping along with everyone else.

Ashley walked on stage proudly wearing a big smile on her painted red lips. My eyes widened scarred at the outfit she was performing in which consisted of a black leather bando, and a red bikini bottom pairing the whole outfit with knee high riding boots.

I heard whistles coming from the crowd of perverted boys. “Thanks guys! You don’t know how good it is to be here!” She said in a nasally voice throwing a wink to the crowd. “I will be singing dirrty by Christina Aguilera.” She said taking her place in the middle of the stage.

“Ah dirrty, filthy, nasty, you nasty.” She started to sing, well tried to. I winced at the sound of her voice and how people were actually enjoying this.

She’s up on stage basically wearing nothing! How will the boys not enjoy this?

 I felt puke rising up my throat as her and the dancers were doing these very sexual poses on stage getting the boys to whistle and cat call.

I turned my head to look at Sarah who looked just as horrified as me. How she is even allowed to compete looking like a tramp? I thought.

As Ashley finished the line of her horrific dancing and painful singing, people stood and clapped for her. I sighed as she took a bow exposing her boobs to the boys making them call out. She threw them a quick wink as she exited the stage not before swishing her hips for a dramatic affect.

“Well that sure was something!” Andy chuckled into the microphone. “Now can we get all performers up on stage please?”

I turned to Sarah who got up making her way onto the stage along with the other performers. Andy now stood alongside Ashley and her dancers and another act that I did not know the name off.

“In my hand I have the top five performers who move on to compete next Friday for the finals and a chance to win a five hundred dollars in prize money. Our finalists are…” He said opening the card. “Electric,” A boys dance group stepped forward giving each other brotherly hugs. I clapped as I silently prayed for Sarah’s name to be called.

“We are now down to our last two spots available.” Andy spoke trying to savor for the suspense. “Sarah Rose!” He spoke enthusiastically.

I jumped from my chair not caring the odd looks I was getting from the people beside me. Sarah had made it! Our eyes connected as I gave her a huge smile as she stepped forward along with the other acts.

“And our last spot goes to our three time champion and probably our forth, Miss Ashley Rome!” He said happily.

I rolled my eyes clapping along with everyone else as they exited the stage. A few minutes later I heard a screech. “I can’t believe I made it!” Sarah spoke enthusiastically as we exited the auditorium together.

“Sarah of course you were going to make it! We have to go and celebrate.” I told her excitedly.

“Yeah sure can we go-“ She stopped mid-sentence, looking as if she just realized something.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her confused.

“Where are Holly and Ben? I thought they were going to be here?”

“Oh they were, they just seated at the back.” I said lying.

She looked at me curiously as if she didn’t believe it. “Okay. Let’s go and celebrate.” She said dropping the subject and entwining our arms together as we headed outdoors. “Thanks for everything Ali! You are truly a great best friend anyone could ask for.”

I felt my stomach drop for the second time today as I glanced at Sarah who was beaming with happiness, I felt bad for lying to her and not only for saying that Holly and Ben were there for her performance for all I know the might’ve not even been there but for also lying to her about who I am. As I opened the car door to Sarah’s car, I could only think how bad this is going to end up. Chapter Ten: Second Biggest Shock

“Are you sure you don’t want to give you a ride home?” Sarah asked for the billionth time today.

“Its fine mother,” I said in a joking matter. “I’ll have one of my parents pick me up, and anyways I left my bag in my locker.”

“Okay Miss Sarcastic, I’ll see you Monday!” Sarah said.

I nodded closing the door. As she drove her Red Toyota Corolla and drove out of the schools parking lot. I waved as her car sped off.

After we had celebrated her making it to the top five in the talent show we went to Cold Stone for ice cream to celebrate afterwards she wanted to drive me home but I told her I needed to get my bag from my locker and anyways I couldn’t let her drive me home anyways.

I hummed to myself quietly as I made my way down the deserted hallway. I spun the dial of my locker quickly opening it and grabbing my book bag.

I dug inside my bag to retrieve my phone. I flipped through the contacts to search for my mother’s number. I clicked call button as I patiently waited for her to answer the phone.

“Hello?”  I heard my mom’s voice from the other end.

“Hey mom, I am at school could you send someone to pick me up?” I would’ve asked her but my mom doesn’t drive anymore, a lot changed when my dad became President.

“Um, sure honey I’ll send one of the bodyguards. Where are you at the moment?”

“School,” I answered back.

“Okay, they’ll be there shortly. Love you be safe.” I heard her say from the other end. I responded with a quick love you too not before hanging up the phone.

“Nerd?” I spun around to see Gavin walking towards me, “What are you still doing here?” He asked his eyebrows knitted in confusion.

“I forgot my bag in my locker,” I said holding up my bag. “What are you doing here?”

He shrugged, “Wasting time, I didn’t feel like going home.”

“Oh,” I said not knowing how to respond.

“Yeah,” He said stuffing his hands into his pocket. “So who were you on the phone with?”

“Were you eavesdropping?” I asked in disbelief.

“No, I was silently listening from a far and anyways it’s not my fault you talk so loud.” He said.

I grumbled profanities under my breath praying that Gavin didn’t hear the whole conversation. I continued walking towards the exit silently when Gavin spoke up. “The little red head chick did well in the talent show.”

“The red head’s name is Sarah,” I snapped.

He raised his hand in surrender. “I am sorry if I don’t know everyone’s name.”

I sighed keeping quiet. Today hasn’t been the best day for me and Gavin is just making it even worse. “Why are you here?” I asked opening the door and stepping outside, taking in the February weather.

“I told you that already,” He pointed out.

I rolled my eyes. “No, why are you here with me if I remember correctly you have a girlfriend.” I said distastefully.

“Ashley’s not my girlfriend she is just someone I play around with.” He said his brown eyes gazing up at the blue sky.

“Wow,” I told him in disbelief.

Gavin’s head snapped to look at me. “What?”

“You’re making her sound like a toy that’s what.” I said snapping at him, “Is that what you do with all your girlfriends play around with them until you get bored?” Normally I would have never thought in a million years I would be standing up for Ashley, but even she deserved better than this.

“You have no right to tell me what I can and can’t do.”  He said snapping right back at me.

“I am only telling you this to put you in your place because someone around here has to do it!” I said my anger flaring.

“Why do you even care?” He said throwing his hands up in frustration.

“I don’t care!” I screamed at him, “But I do