I was a quiet child. Always the smallest and never the smartest.

I loved dolls and fairytales. I loved bright colors, black, and sparkly stuff. I loved crowns made of paper and jewelry. Unlike my two sisters. They were bright and tall. They loved sports. They made my parents proud with all their talents.

The day my teachers told my parents that I would never be a Doctor or a Layer was horrible. And the worst part? I just started school back then. My poor seven years old self got the ‚Dumb‘ – Stemp after only a few months of first grade. It was devasting.

Well… For my father, since he hoped to have produced the next Leonardo Da Vinci or Einstein… My two older sisters came after my Mom. They were successful and smart girls. But I? Nope.

Some years later, my Mom realized that she produced a little male beauty. While my father silently freaked out, she introduced me to my bright future as a model for her company.  

Ah, yes. Maybe I should tell you a bit about my family before I continue:

My father, Carl Panter, owned a big fashion group together with my Mom. Ming Panter. These two were true workaholics. My father was also a doctor, but he stopped practicing when he married my Mom. He met her at the hospital when she visited her dying grandfather. She brought the old grump Chinese food since he refused to eat the sandwiches.

My Mom founded the big fashion group ‚Sparkly-Fashion‘  when she was just nineteen. Today, it was one of the most successful. She left my father in charge of it, while she spent her time being the most wanted photographer of her own model agency. I bet you can guess the name. Sparkly-Pictures. My mom basically loved that word.

And my sisters and I all got our (half-)Chinese looks from her. I was the only one who got our father‘s pale green eyes. And I was the most pretty one! Of course. Perfect for the job!

Today, my oldest sister, Aurora Luana, studied to be a doctor. Just like our father. He was very happy about this! And my other sister, Alba Luna, started a high-end cafe with only twenty-two. It was popular. Just like her.

And there is me: I’m still smaller than my mother and my two sisters. Just like my father, by the way. I went to university, take that stupid teacher, and I had a well-paid job as a fashion influencer on twinklegram. I promoted my paren‘s clothes, but also some for other well-known companies. And I still modeled for my mom, of course.

I was known under the name ‚Queen Lafayette‘. Why Queen? Well… I mostly wore female clothes, while working. I, especially, loved to wear the most sparkly and gorgeous gowns. But while at university, I concentrated on twinklegram while I studied Art and Drama. And that was because I chose the best university for my chosen subjects. And the one the furthest away from the big cities, so that I could study in peace. But, sadly, it was a bit too far away to regularly take professional photoshoots with my mom. Not that I lacked the opportunities. Other companies bagged me, to model for them. And I did. For a high price, as long as it didn’t interfere too much with my studies.

My roommates, and best friends, always called me a spoiled rich brat. Well. I couldn‘t deny that. I was all of that. But now, I had to face a big problem. One of the dorms needed a big renovation, after a horrible hurricane… The dorm I stayed in.  I needed a new home. Finding a room, a flat, or even a house, wasn’t easy in this small rural town. 50 students had to fight over the available rooms, flats, and hotel rooms. Or they tried their luck in the surrounding villages. And me?

Well… A was standing at a bus stop in the middle of nowhere waiting for my Moms old friend. The friend was 15 minutes late…

„Honey! This isn’t the city!“, mom told me on the phone. „She lives outside of town.“

„Mom?“ I sight in annoyance. „When did you see your friend the last time? Is she even real?“

My mother grunted. „Last year! We always meet each other on April the first! You know that.“

„And she lives where exactly? You said she would get me at this bus stop. Well. I stand next to a cornfield!“ I looked at my high heels. Mud stuck to them. „Mom? Are you sure, that she exists? It is the LAST BUS STOP around! It’s muddy, hot, and full of insects here. And the bus driver looked like a mummy!“

„You’re being dramatic.“

„I study drama!“

„Listen!“ My mom sight. „Alessia offered to let you live at her guest house. She lives on a nice farm.“

„Farm?“ Now, I screamed. „You never said anything about a farm!“ More mud? Animal sh*t?

„I didn’t?“, she asked innocently. „Oops. Well. You will have a great time. You can use her old car, to drive to the university. She said it will be repaired this evening. Isn’t that nice of her? And you get your own space.“

„I don’t own any clothes that are suited for a farm!“, I replied darkly. „You only told me about the guest house. Mom? Are you kidding me?“

„Would you rather sleep in the street?“

„No.“

„Good. Have fun. Make me proud! Be a good student! Do your best! And always be polite! And don’t forget the photo-shooting on the weekend! It wasn’t easy to schedule a photo shoot where you live at the moment! I’m so happy to see my baby again!“, she cheered. „Farm pictures! It will be great!“

„You plan to…“ I couldn’t believe it. She planned to take the pictures at the farm?

„Ok. I have work to do sweety! So much to do until I see you! Be good!“ And she ended the phone call.

I brushed my fingers through my black hair. Black with some purple. SH*T! A farm. I was wearing a f*cking mini skirt! And high heels! She wanted me to live at a farm? Between… Animals? No. No, no, no. I couldn’t believe it. I was born with a golden spoon in my mouth! Why didn’t she buy me a house? But, no. My always practical mom asked her friend. Her f*cking farm friend!

I could buy me a house!

Only… Of course, I looked for a house. But there weren’t any free ones. Unless I wanted to live in a half-dead ruin, or end my studies and go home.

I looked at the empty road. There wasn’t any sign of her best friend.

Making her proud? How should I do that at a farm? And… That car? It would be repaired? How old was it? Maybe I should get myself a new car, the moment I had a chance… Only… The next big store was … well … at the next town. Two hours away from here. Four, if I had to take the bus. Were there any rooms left? In town? Probably not…

Finally, I saw something. A…. A carriage. A carriage that got pulled by two donkeys… Oh no.

„Hey, boy! Or… Are you a girl?“, shouted a woman towards me. „Are you Noelle? Noelle Lafayette Panter? Ming said, your her son…“

I rolled my eyes. „Yes. That’s me.“

„Well then!“ The carriage stopped in front of me. She wore a floral hippie- dress and dark green, muddy rubber boots. „Hop in!“