Alicia

"Stay still, Lis, your hair isn't going to fix itself." Clarissa pulls - hard - at strands of my hair but I don't feel it, all I want to do is sit and stare. "I'm just coming from downstairs, and you need to see all the men. They all look so handsome and dashing. Ash knows people, huh."

There's a pause and another tug before she continues speaking. "Fancy hosting a party for senators and I'm invited - yippee!" Her excited squeal is accompanied with yet another hard tug, but I remain mum.

Without turning, I know her eyes have gotten that starry look in them whenever she talks...