Back to Atlantis

emailed the results to her family, and viola, everything worked out.
Her last test had been math. She was pretty good at math, but she hated concentrating. It had become a problem. So the test result really cheered her up, because she had studied hard.
“Yay!” she cheered, still jumping, but her smile faded fast. “I missed you, Dad,” she uttered, before running into his arms and hugging him.
He had always been her rock. She hated being away from home, but she couldn’t let so many people die without at least trying. But sometimes it felt like her best fell short of making a difference.
“How was Atlantis?” Dror asked, his voice light. “Did you visit the orphans again? Did you see Lucas?” Yasmin had told him about her only friend, and he wanted to know more about him.
“No, Dad,” Yasmin replied. “I’ll see Lucas tomorrow, after I go back to Atlantis. And I can’t believe there’s going to be another ball!” She groaned.
Suddenly, all she could think about was seeing David and Violet dancing together, and getting mocked by the nobles again. Maybe she could fake sick.
“Why don’t you bring a friend?” Yael suggested, hugging her daughter too. “It might help.”
Yasmin turned to face her mother, sadness written all over her face. “But Miriam and Daniella have to study hard for tests. They can’t make it.”
“Then how about that Lucas fellow?” Dror asked. “He seems like a good friend.” He looked thoughtful. “As long as he doesn’t plan on betraying you, it seems like a fine idea.”
“Dad!” Yasmin cried, shocked. “Why would he betray me?”
“Well, David–” Dror began, but was stopped by a look from Yael. He cleared his throat. “Anyway, bring a friend. And are you hungry? Lunch is ready.”
Yasmin wanted to continue the conversation, but her stomach interrupted her. She giggled to herself as she went to wash her hands. Perhaps a bit of food wouldn’t hurt. Food always cleared her mind.
“I can’t believe the weekend went by so fast, Lucas,” Yasmin said, lying on the grass, watching the kids run around below. “Did you get the invite?”
“What invite?” Lucas asked, his eyes focusing briefly on her face before drifting back to the kids running below. They had taken a small break from running around with the children from the orphanage.
“The one that invites all orphans over age twelve to the ball, of course,” Yasmin said, looking at Lucas in confusion. “Are you going to go?”
Lucas ran a hand through his unruly hair. In the sunset, the fading sunlight made his skin glow. “I don’t know.” He sounded serious. “Aren’t all nobles horrid?”
“I’ll be there.” Yasmin found herself suddenly desperate for Lucas to come, although she didn’t know why. “And don’t some of the younger kids want to come?”
She thought of thirteen=year-old Mitchel, who wasn’t that young at all. Mitchel had always dreamed of being a princess. She would be so excited that something like this had come up.
Lucas smiled tightly. “I just don’t want them hurt.” He took a deep breath them faced Yasmin, rolling so that their faces were inches apart.
Yasmin gulped. Suddenly his eyes seemed so many different shades of green, not like grass, as she had originally thought, but with flecks of brown. “But maybe you’re right.” He gave his signature grin, though it seemed a bit forced. “It might be fun!”
Yasmin sucked in a breath, surprised to be so close. She had this urge to pull away, but she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
The look in Lucas’s eyes was so vulnerable, that she felt her heart break for him. He was going through a lot, and had basically adopted some little brothers and sisters. He felt responsible for them. So she would help him in any way she could.
“I can’t wait to see you there.” She rolled back onto her back, feeling lighter. “I know some nobles that are okay, just like princess Amanda.”
“You know the princess?” Lucas asked. “Amazing!” He sat up. “I hope they give us something to wear, though. I wouldn’t want to go there in these rags!” He tugged playfully at the clothes he was wearing, which were covered with dirt and had a few holes. They certainly weren’t fit for a ball.
“Don’t worry, Cinderella,” Yasmin joked, sitting up too. It was getting late. She should probably head back soon. “I’m sure your fairy godfather will whip something up.”
She stood up, shading the sun out of her eyes. “I have to go,” she said with some regret.
Lucas grabbed her arm. “Promise me you’ll be there? I don’t think I’ll have the courage to face those horrid people alone.” He grinned like it was a joke, but his eyes betrayed his worry. Lucas didn’t like the nobility, for some reason. He was even scared of them.
Yasmin put a hand to her heart. “Promise,” she said, grinning. “Bye, Lucas.”
She felt like skipping as she walked back to the palace. It was good to have friends.

Chapter 15
A ball to remember
Yasmin was walking through the corridors, taking a break from magic lessons—Which she still refused to do—when she saw Princess Amanda walking by.
“Amanda!” she called, waving her hand.
Amanda turned, a smile on her face.
“Hi, Yasmin,” she said, looking as regal as ever in a smart, golden, day dress. “Are you excited for the upcoming ball?”
“Not really.” Yasmin sighed and rubbed the back of her neck nervously. “The last two have been horrible for me.”
Amanda’s gaze clouded over, remembering all the people who had died during the last ball. “Well, I suppose I shall have to change your mind.” She smiled again, but it was forced this time.
“About that...” Yasmin pondered. Would her request even be considered? “I was wondering if I could speak to some of the leaders of the rouge army. You know, apart from Maven.”
“Why?” Amanda asked, coming closer. “You don’t still think we could work together with the queen, do you?” Yasmin avoided her gaze.
“Yasmin,” Amanda said sternly. “I know she is my mother, but ever since my father died,