The Selection

Chapter 3

  This story/plot belongs to Kiera Cass

𒊹︎︎︎ᴥ︎︎︎𒊹︎︎︎

Taehyung was dressed in white. He looked angelic. We were in Busan still, but there was no one else around. We were alone, but we didn’t miss anyone. Taehyung wove twigs to make me a crown, and we were together.

  “Y/n,” Mom crowed, jarring me from my dreams.

  She flicked on the lights, burning my eyes, and I rubbed my hands into them, trying to adjust.

  “Wake up, Y/n, I have a proposal for you.” I looked over at the alarm clock. Just past seven in the morning. So that was . . . five hours in bed.

  “Is it more sleep?” I mumbled.

  “No, honey, sit up. I have something serious to discuss.”

  I worked myself into a sitting position, clothes rumpled and hair sticking out in strange directions. Mom clapped her hands over and over, as if it would speed up the process.

  “Come on, Y/n, I need you to wake up.”

  I yawned. Twice.

  “What do you want?” I said.

  “For you to submit your name for the Selection. I think you’d make an excellent princess.”

  It was way too early for this.

  “Mom, really, I just. . .” I sighed as I remembered what I’d promised Taehyung last night: that I would at least try. But now, in the light of day, I wasn’t sure if I could make myself do it.

  “I know you’re opposed, but I figured I’d make a deal with you to see if you would change your mind.”

  My ears perked up. What could she possibly offer me?

 “Your father and I spoke last night, and we decided that you’re old enough to go on your jobs alone. You play the piano as well as I do, and if you’d try a little more, you’d be nearly flawless on the violin. And your voice, well, there’s no one better in the province, if you ask me.”

 I smiled groggily. “Thanks, Mom. Really.” I didn’t particularly care to work alone, though. I didn’t see how that was supposed to entice me.

“Well, that’s not all. You can accept your own work now and go alone and . . . and you can keep half of whatever you make.” She sort of grimaced as she said it.

My eyes popped open.

“But only if you sign up for the Selection.” She was starting to smile now. She knew this would win me over, though I think she was expecting more of a fight. But how could I fight? I was already going to sign up, and now I could earn some money of my own!

“You know I can only agree to sign up, right? I can’t make them pick me.”

“Yes, I know. But it’s worth a shot.”

“Wow, Mom.” I shook my head, still in shock. “Okay, I’ll fill out the form today. Are you serious about the money?”

“Of course. Sooner or later you’d go out on your own anyway. And being responsible for your own money will be good for you. Only, don’t forget your family, please. We still need you.”

“I won’t forget you, Mom. How could I, with all the nagging?” I winked, she laughed, and with that, the deal was done.

I took a shower as I processed everything that had happened in less than twenty-four hours. By simply filling out a form, I was winning the approval of my family, making Taehyung happy, and earning the money that would help Taehyung and me get married!