Emily In The Selection (book 2)

Chapter 2

I brought several black dresses with me. I figured they'd be useful for these types of events. But what I didn't realize is it's not all dresses any more. There are t-shirts with blue jeans and crop tops with skirts. I saw what the other girls had prepared to wear and I honestly looked a bit too fancy compared to them. I didn't mind though. It doesn't matter what we looked like, just how we act. And I was prepared to act as fake as possible to hide my pain.

I attempted to pin my own hair up from what I learned from Chelsea and Karen. It didn't look exactly the same, but close enough. I pulled on one of the black dresses I had and some black flats. My makeup was the broadest struggle for me. Chelsea and Karen were in the room as well and it was a bit embarrassing to mess up something in front of professionals-in-training.

"Here, let us help," Karen insisted.

"Karen," Chelsea raised an eyebrow.

"Stop, she's a friend. Don't get fed up," Karen responded softly, "Let me help you."

"Oh, but you're no longer my maids, your help is no longer needed," I shook my head.

"Don't think of it as my service, think of it more as a friend helping a friend," she smiled.

"Oh... okay. If you insist," I shrugged and set down the eyeshadow palette I had in my hands.

I honestly didn't want their help, but I needed it. And they could obviously hear the silent call.

"Maybe just a little pink lipstick will set it all off," she examined.

I let a small laugh escape my lips. I seemed so professional for myself, when in all honesty, I was a child before I came here.

"There!" She finished.

"Thank you!" I smiled at her through the mirror.

Chelsea sat in the lounge room rolling her eyes as she folded one of her own aprons. Obviously she was sick of the whole "friendship" concept after all we'd been through. But I was okay with it. I understood how much pain everyone must be going through, and some people deal with their pain differently from others.

"Princess Amelia's funeral is in an hour, Emily," Chelsea called from the other room.

"I need not a reminder. I'd know it off the top of my head," I ran my hands down my dress and straightened it out.

"Well, my apologies," she said with a laugh, "I guess we are just used to reminding you of these type of events," Chelsea walked into the main room where I stood up from the vanity.

"No, I'm particularly speaking of the 'Princess Amelia' part. It's not exactly something I conspire of knowing," I lean and squinted my eyes with a fake smile.

Chelsea just stared blankly at me. Of all people, she was using anger out of mourning. Well, two can play at that game.

"Come along, Karen. We must get you ready as well," I walked out the door proudly and winked at Chelsea when Karen followed.

"Where are we going, Emily?" Karen asked innocently.

"Please!" I said a little melodramatically, "Call me Em!" Obviously my obnoxious call was enough to grasp Chelsea's attention.

"Okay... Em," Karen pulled my aside from the doorframe, "What are you trying to do?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Making Chelsea angered or something? Is this a game? Because if it is I'd rather not be in the center," a serious tone dropped in her voice.

"Karen, I'm sorry. But Chelsea is opposed to the idea of friendship, and if she calls war, I'm happy to fight," I turned away from her and walked my way up into the ladies room where I knew most of the girls would be.

• • •

"Ready?" Hannah breathed out to all of us.

We all joined hands; ready to go out into the main room and mourn over the lost of our best friend.

Jessica was also here. She glared at me from the side of the room, but as uncomfortable as I felt, I held my breath and responded, "Yes."

"Out we go," we all let out forced chuckles and walked our way to the door.

I was right, I was dressed a little too fancy for the occasion, but that is okay. We were all in black; all with our hair pinned up; all internally screaming with sadness. On the outside, we shinned.

Amelia's family already sat in the corner of the room stifling cries and nodding. Officials and other workers scurried around.

"Ah, the selected has arrived!" Somebody called.

That was the moment we all separated. Some of the girls saw their families and some needed to be on their own. I followed my feet to Jessica, surprisingly.

"Jessica," I said sternly.

She gave a disgusted look.

"Are we over our differences?" I asked still confidently.

"Like I would ever be!" She continued disgusted, "But I'd say I've gotten what I need."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"

"Just witnessing your ridiculous face when Ryan proposed to Amelia and not you was enough satisfaction for me."

"I'm glad I amused you."

"Knock it off!"

"Hm?" I smiled maliciously.

"Listen, I am completely tranquil about everything that has happened to you lately. Leave it at that, or put up a fight. But we both know the consequences," she leaned toward me, "I'm stronger than you."

"I'd just like to know why they'd let a northern rebel into the palace's premises."

"There's no proof of me being a northern rebel."

"I thought it was obvious."

"I'm released not guilty unless proven other wise."

"Fair enough."

"Enough. I'm getting sick standing next to you. If I speak with you any longer I think I'd puke," she walked away from me holding her forehead.

I sighed as I walked over to my family. They were the only comforting sight.

"Who was that?" My mom asked.

Obviously she knew it was Jessica. People all over the world would know who Jessica Ambers is in a heartbeat.

I simply pointed to my thigh in response. My father didn't get the hint at first, but once my mom tapped his shoulder he breathed out, "Oh! Jessica?"

"Yeah," I widened my eyes and shook my head.

There was a moment of silence. None of us knew what to say or do, so we stood. Robbie stood with us as well, but soon brought up, "Amelia is over there!"

His loud voice was enough to break a silence among the crowd of people. I placed my hand to my forehead embarrassed.

"Robbie," I whispered.

He looked up at me. I could feel the eyes of the others laying on top of me, thinking of the disrespect a little boy could have at a royals funeral.

"What?" He asked in the same loud voice, "Over there," he pointed to the casket.

EXTRA:
So I didn't know exactly where to end at lol. The next chapter will consist more of Amelia's funeral. But ajckskxkelcjejxekdlekfledlrleldkcmemy emotions are so mixed 😂😂 don't worry guys, you might be mad at me for writing this now.... BUT SOON IT WILL GET BETTER!! ta ta for now.