𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙏𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙚 [ 𝙖 𝙎𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝙖𝙣𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 ]

𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙏𝙬𝙤

The next couple of days were exhausting. Absolutely exhausting. Advisers coming to the house, questions frequently being asked and people weaving in and out of our home. Later that morning, an adviser came through our door, adjusted his glasses and looked around and then checked his clipboard. 

''Miss July Ambers?'' he said, raising an eyebrow.

I replied, ''That's me.'' 

''Alright, good. I would like to inform you about your sendoff from Clermont all the way to the fine city of Angeles.'' 

''Okay, and when is the sendoff?'' I cocked my head to the side.

''This afternoon, Lady July.'' I could hear my mom choke on her tea from the other room. ''Wait, wait, wait. This afternoon?!'' I shouted in confusion. Unsurprised, the adviser adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses and suggested that I go and pick out something nice to wear before I leave to Angeles later this afternoon.

Heading to my (very messy) room I shuffled through my closet finding my favorite summer dress. It was a navy blue dress that was flowy and went down to my knees. Grabbing some heels, I decided that my outfit was finished. I was honestly sad to leave the home and province that I loved so much. But I was exited to start a new chapter in my life; a chapter and a chance that could change my entire future. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw myself. July Ambers, a three, the girl from Clermont with long wavy brunette hair and sage green eyes stared back at me.  I heard a knock at the door and decided to answer it. 

Walking over to the door, I was greeted by a guard. ''Can I help you?...''

''Lady July,'' he started but I cut him off. ''Just tell me what you need. I don't need a long speech.'' 

The guard who was a little stunned, replied, ''Oh, of course. It's time for your send-off.'' 

Already? Getting ready must have taken longer than expected. ''Okay. Let me just grab my stuff-'' I turned around taking a step towards where I left my bag. 

''Lady July, that wont be necessary. They have already sent your belongings to Angeles and we will provide for you in the palace.''   Turning back towards the guard, I nodded my head. ''Thanks.'' He nodded respectfully back and outstretched a hand pointing to the hallway that was near the exit of the house. ''This way, Lady July.''

When I left my home, people from all over the Province were flocking towards me, and we had to have guards usher them away. To areas they were permitted to stand in to watch. After saying my goodbyes to my family and answering questions, I was shipped off on a plane to Angeles. 

The first thing that happened when I got off of the plane was that I was guided by a group of people, who turned out to be stylists, to a 'makeover' room. Sure, I had makeup and some tools at home, but I had never, ever, EVER seen so much makeup and styling tools in my 17 years i've lived.

 ''Allow me to introduce myself,'' said an accented voice from behind me. ''I'm Lena. Your stylist.'' Lena smiled as I replied, ''I'm July.'' 

''Now, darling, what can we do...'' Motioning with her hand for her assistants to come over and evaluate what could be done. ''Darling, just relax, you'll look like an angel when i'm done with you!'' The assistants murmured in agreement. Lena and her team worked for about an hour or two until I was finished. They gave me a bath robe to put on while I waited for my dress. It was softer than a cloud. 

Would everything be this nice here? What would my room look like? I was thinking about more 'what-ifs' until one of Lena's assistants came over to me and said, ''Lady July, your dress.'' she had a red dress in her hands and quickly other assistants came over to help put the dress on. When they finished, Lena walked into the room and sighed, ''Ah, another wonderful job by me. And of course all of you lovelies.'' she blew a kiss to her assistants and they all exited the room. ''Once you're ready, the Women's Room is down the hall and to your right. Prince Hunter will love you.'' I could feel my cheeks redden as I turned into a shade of red that was probably not normal. 

I turned to face the gold-encrusted mirror. My hair was slightly wavy and it draped over my shoulders in an elegant way. The dress was absolutely beautiful. It was a dark ruby-red and had red off the shoulder sleeves. I had a pearl necklace that wrapped around my neck subtly. Holding back a squeal of excitement, I made my way to the Women's Room. How hard could The Selection be?