The Selection: Third Generation

Ch. 18: Awaiting the Vote

"Okay, ladies, follow me. We will be working in a parlor today and making multiple announcements." Sophia says, walking out of the Women's Room and waiting on us to start following. Amie, Isabella, and I are the first out of the room.

"I wonder what this is about?" Amie whispers as we follow Sophia down the halls toward the back of the palace. I wanted to tell them so bad, but I wouldn't break my promise to Carlisle.

Sophia leads us into a large parlor down the same hall as the royal offices. It has a large table in the middle with comfy office chairs, a whiteboard on the far wall, and a podium between the two. The room is spacious and bright but has the feeling of a classroom. I sit down in the middle of the table and the others follow suit, choosing their own seats. Once we all settle in, Sophia clears her throat.

"Okay, ladies. We are about to watch a special episode of the Report as it goes live. It will only be Gavril making the announcement, and then we have our own to discuss." She turns on a tv in the left corner of the room and we all focus in. After a minute, the screen shows the set of The Report as Gavril walks out.

"Good morning, Illea. I am sure you are very surprised to have heard about this special Monday airing of The Report! Don't fret, it is all good news." The camera zooms in as he speaks in the center of the stage. "Starting right now, you can visit your local Province Services Offices to cast your vote on which of the Elite is your favorite, and which is your least favorite!" Gasps around the room distract me as Gavril continues. "We will tally up the voting Friday morning before announcing it on The Report, so get your votes in before Thursday evening! We will then be interviewing the girls on their dates for the week and making more special announcements regarding the selection!" Sophia turns off the tv after this, as Gavril will likely just be closing out.

"Okay, ladies, you heard the man. Your dates this week are important. You should watch how you act, speak, and represent your country this week, as any moment can be aired and cameras will be all over the place. Moving on from that, we begin more intense things on our end of the selection as it wraps up. As it is just the six of you now, you will be starting work on your projects this week. They will be announced on Friday to the country but you cannot say anything about them to the country until the next Friday when the entire show will be devoted to your presentations. Today, we will be discussing possible ideas with each other and I will answer any questions and help any way I can. However, each project should vary, and you should do this on your own for the most part, as you will have to as Queen."

A couple of hands go up around the room, including Amie's.

"Yes, Amie?"

"So, is this project the basis for our project as queen or will we have to come up with a completely different one, then?"

"It will be up to you, as queen, to decide. However, it is a good idea to base this on what you would like to do as queen."

Everyone spends the next hour talking amongst themselves, asking Sophia questions, and coming and going with books and other resources. I, however, sit in quiet thought. I stare at my paper the entire time, only having small random thoughts and ideas written.

"I'm going to go work on this in my room. I'll see you later," I tell Amie and Isabella, getting a wave and nod in return.

As I walk slowly down the halls with my pen and notepad in hand, I am zoned out beyond repair, looking out of windows and not paying attention to anything. I somehow make it to my floor and near my room before running into anyone, literally running into them.

"Oof." I say, receiving a grunt in return. Thankfully, neither of us fell to the floor.

"I am so sorry, Lady Arabella. Are you alright?"