The Selection

Chapter 32

This story/plot belongs to Kiera Cass

𒊹︎︎︎ᴥ︎︎︎𒊹︎︎︎

I stood in line with the other girls in the massive foyer of the palace, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

"Lady Y/n," Silvia whispered, and that was all it took to know I was behaving in an unacceptable way. As our main tutor for the Selection, she took our actions quite personally.

I tried to still myself. I envied Silvia and the staff and the handful of guards who were moving around the space if only for the fact that they were allowed to walk. If I could do the same, I knew I'd feel much calmer.

Maybe if Jungkook was here already it wouldn't be so bad. Then again, maybe it would make me more anxious. I still couldn't figure out why, after everything, he hadn't made any time for me lately.

"They're here!" I heard through the palace doors. I wasn't the only one who made sounds of delight.

"All right, ladies!" Silvia called. "Best behavior! Butlers and maids against the wall, please."

We tried to be the lovely, regal young women Silvia wanted us to, but the second Kriss's and Marlee's parents made it through the doorway, it all fell apart. I knew that both girls were only children, and it was obvious their parents missed them too much to bother with decorum. They ran in screaming, and Marlee dashed out of the line without so much as a pause.

Celeste's parents were more put together, though they clearly were thrilled to see their daughter. She broke rank as well, but in a much more civilized way than Marlee. I didn't even register Natalie's or Elise's parents, because a short figure with wild red hair blazed around the open door, her eyes searching.

"May!"

She heard my call and saw my waving arm and rushed to me, Mom and Dad following her lead. I knelt on the floor, embracing her.

"Y/n! I can't believe it!" she crooned, admiration and jealousy in her voice. "You look so, so beautiful!"

I couldn't speak. I could barely even see her, I was crying so much.

A moment later, I felt the steady arms of my father taking us both in. Then Mom, abandoning her usual propriety, joined us, and we all held one another in a heap on the palace floor.

I heard a sigh that I knew was Silvia's, but I really didn't care at the moment.

Once I could breathe again, I spoke. "I'm so happy you guys are here."

"We are, too, kitten," Dad said. "Can't even tell you how much we missed you." I felt his kiss on the back of my head.

I twisted so I could hug him better. I didn't know until this very moment how badly I had needed to see them.

I reached for Mom last. I was shocked that she was so quiet. I couldn't believe she hadn't already demanded a detailed report of my progress with Jungkook. But when I pulled back, I noticed the tears in her eyes.