The Selection (YouTube edition)

Chapter 37

If you saw the palace, you would assume they had had months to prepare the place. There were giant tents and canopies for the guests to loiter under. There were ornate tables with extravagant foods and wines. There were tents for King Luke, Queen Ashleigh, and Alesa to sit under, along with tents for the Netherish royalty and Queen Ashleigh's extended family. The Netherish royal family had brought guards with them. I guess there were even risks at foreign palaces. Alesa was busy making rounds to all of the selection members, and with her younger cousins. Her cousins were squealing with excitement, tugging on Alesa's yellow flowery dress, then running away mischievously. All of the guys were watching her in adoration. "Hey Adam." Ant said. "Come meet the queen's sister!" I joined Ant, along with Seto. I gave a small bow to the queen's sister. "Stop that dear, I'm not the queen her. Ashleigh is. I'm the older sister, Reina." She extended her hand, and we shook hands. Reina had an accent which I could place, and an half empty wine glass in her hand. Judging by her eyes, that wasn't her first. "I love your accent." I said politely. "Where are you from?" "A small town in Endersville, right next to the coast." (Wow at this point I'm just coming up with crappy places relating to minecraft welcome to my life. If you can come up with anything better I applaud you because this is really hard.) "I'm from the state of Carolina." I told her. "My parents took me to the coast once, it was nice." "Hah! Ignorant child." Reina bellowed. Seto and Ant were trying hard not to laugh. No one expected the queen's sister to be so casual with everyone. I smiled awkwardly. "The beaches in Minecraftia? Hah! What rubbish!" Reina said, tipping her wine glass up. "You should come to the ones in Endersville. Comparing the two is like comparing an acorn to a forest!" She exclaimed. I nodded. "Well maybe I'll have to go down there someday." Eventually, one of Reina's children pulled her away. Seto and Ant burst out laughing. "Isn't she hilarious?" Ant asked me. "I guess, she's pretty friendly." "Oh you should have heard her before, she was pretty vulgar, saying profanities you would dream possible." Ant told me. "Wow." I said. "Honestly, if I win this I wouldn't let my family come and embarrass me like that." Ant grumbled. Wow mood change much? I decided I didn't want to be part of a conversation like that, so I went to grab a glass of wine. Would I want my family to change like that if I won? If I won, would I turn into a smug spoiled brat like Jason? Could I even handle winning? I sighed. Why couldn't I figure this all out? "Say cheese!" Alesa snapped a picture of me. I flinched. "Sorry Adam, didn't mean to scare you." She said. "What's up?" "Nothing much." I replied with an edge to my voice. "Is something wrong?" Alesa asked. "I could brush my hair out of my face right now if you needed it." I shook my head. "I just need to think." "Adam, did I do something?" Alesa asked me, obviously concerned. I thought about opening up. About her kissing Jordan. About how I felt around the other girls. About how I'm scared winning this would change me. I was about to open my mouth, then Jason came running up. "Hey Alesa, come join me!" He exclaimed. He was talking with the Queen of The United Nether Nations, and obviously wanted Alesa to join him for some reason. "Why don't you go join him?" I asked, with forced happiness. Annoyance was still leaking through my voice. "Be careful with that one." I added. "O...okay?" Alesa replied, with a look of hurt on her face as she walked away. I sighed. I was so stupid. I wanted to go hide. I went near the door, and noticed Mitch sitting by himself on a bench where the sun was really intense. "Dude, what are you doing out here?" I asked. "You're gonna get sunburned." "I like it here." He replied defensively. I grabbed his arm. "Come on, seriously. You're gonna be burnt to a crisp." Mitch jerked his arm out of my grip. "I'm fine." He growled. I backed away. "Oh, okay." I said. "Just be careful." I went inside the palace, and sighed. How did I manage to get both Mitch and Alesa mad at me? I was so stupid. I shook my head, and walked towards the Great Room with thoughts of anger and confusion running through my head.