Auge''s Lace breaks into a wide smile. "That''s a brilliant


    "you think so?" Lask, biting my lip. "I just want to help schools as much as I can, especially now that Miles is enrolled at Wellington."


    "Eknow so,"


    ," he says firmly "Bat


    I think you should pitch it to my team. They can help with logistics, publicity, all of that


    1blink, taken aback. "Your team? As in, the presidential staff?"


    "Why not? This is the perfect sort of project for the Lima to be. I be good practice for when we get married and the PR team expects you to take on even thote. "


    My Lace instantly reddens at the mention of marriage. So does Arthur


    He quickly looks away, clearing his throat. "I mean..." He seems at a loss for words "Just put together a brief presentation. Consider it practice for the future."


    Team Thelpbut grin like an idiot at the back of his head. Marriage


    admit the thought has been working intway into my mind for awhile now, but hearing Arthur mention it just makes it feel all the more real


    For the next several days, I throw myself into research and nning Ipile statistics on arts education funding, draft proposals for how the fundraiser could work, and even create mockups for promotional materials. Since it will be my first project of this caliber, I want it to be perfect.


    But the more I work on it, the more I realize there are aspects of organizing arge-scale charity event that I know nothing about. How do you secure sponsors? What about tax implications for donors? How do you maximize media coverage without seeming self-promoting?


    Ineed advice from someone who''s done this before, someone who understands both the public rtions side and the practical logistics. My first thought is to ask my mother, but she and my father are out of town for the week, so I tum to Caleb. We meet at my favorite coffee shop one afternoon.


    "This is a great idea, Iris," Caleb says after I''ve outlined my n. "Focused, meaningful, and it ys to your strengths."


    "Thanks," I say with a small smile. "But I feel like I''m missing something. There''s


    so much I don''t know about organizing something like this,"


    Caleb taps his fingers against his coffee mug, thinking, "Have you considered asking Veronica for advice?"


    I nearly choke on mytte. "Veronica? Why would I ask her?"


    He tilts his head. "You don''t know? She runs the Ordan Public School Fund One of the biggest charity organizations in Ordan."


    "Didn''t know that," I mutter, suddenly feeling like a moron. I should have known. Veronica does everything. She''s fucking perfect. Why wouldn''t she also run one of the biggest charities in the country?


    Something must show on my face because Caleb sighs. "Look, I know there''s some... tension between you two-


    "There isn''t," Linterrupt quickly. "We''re fine. It''s just the media trying to create drama where there isn''t any.


    Caleb gives me a look that says he doesn''t entirely believe me, but he doesn''t press the issue. "Either way, she knows her stuff when ites to charity work. And she''s family, technically. I think she''d be willing to help if you asked "


    The thought of going to Veronica for advice makes my stomach twist ufortably. I know it''s not her, though, not really. It''s the idea of admitting that I need her help, that she knows something I don''t. That I''m... lesser.


    But as soon as I recognize that feeling, I''m ashamed of myself. Am I really so


    petty that I''d le of doing something good forchildren in need? Is my ego really that tragile?


    "You''re right," I finally admit. "She probably would have some valuable insights." anal difort get in the way


    "I can give you her address," Caleb offers, already pulling out his phone. "She''s actually in town right now, working on her next


    album."


    As Caleb texts me Veronica''s address, I mentally berate myself for feeling sopetitive with her. She''s just another woman making her way in the world, using her talents and tforin for good. My difort is my own shoring, not hers


    After finishing my coffee and saying goodbye to Caleb, I receive a xt from Arthur, "Ready for our tour of Wellington in an hour?"


    I respond quickly, excited to finally tour the school. Afterwards, I''ll visit Veronica