Labeled (A The Selection Fanfiction)

Chapter Thirty-Six: Part Two

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If the song above doesn't work for you, it's the waltz from the score of the Princess Diaries ;)
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After grandly entering the splendidly decorated ball room, Alexander went to mingle with our- his - guests, as socially correct for him to do, and I found Hope. She's already conversing with Emerald, though it seems awkward.

Emerald is anxiously bouncing backwards and forwards on the balls of her feet as she speaks, while Hope is looking around, straining her neck to see over the crowd. It is obvious she's looking for someone.

Coming up from behind her, I realize I can't surprise her as I wished to. Well, life has it's disappointments, I think humorously. The click of my heels on the floor is nearly drowned out by the gentle melody being played from the front of the room, but is still audible as I walk up to them.

Emerald looks startled and trapped, knowing I've seen her, and she can't leave, but wanting to act normal. Why is she behaving so strangely today?

"Oh, hello, Clarissa!" She says with a hesitant smile on her face.

I graciously return her smile with a smile of my own and a nod of my head. "Emerald, how are you?"

"I'm doing fine, thank you!" Her tone brightens, and I figure she has found a way to leave the conversation. "I think I will go and try some of the chocolates, though!"

I laugh, a tinkling sound that seems to float over to her and slightly relax her. "Enjoy!"

"I will," She says, and walks away.

First Eleanor, now Emerald. Why is everyone hiding secrets from me? I decide to ask Hope something that has been bugging me.

It's bad to beat around the bush, right? "Hey, Hope!" I don't give her time to reply, and instead continue cheerfully, "So did Eleanor tell you?"

Her eyes widen, and she stutters for a moment before forming a cohesive thought. "T-tell me what?" She says, looking so happy and innocent that it appears she is trying to make me forget about her shocked expression moments before.

I simply raise an eyebrow in reply.

"How did you find out? You mean, like, um...the whole guard affair?"

'The whole guard affair.' Yeah.

"So you did know! She didn't tell me, and I had to find out on my own! That means walking in to her and Officer whats-his-name kissing! " I throw my hands up, so frustrated that everyone seems to be bent on keeping me out of the loop.

"Don't worry, Clarissa. It's just that you're so close to Prince Alexander that we feel that telling you something that's, you know, not allowed, would be the same as telling him." She looks at me cautiously, trying to gauge my emotions.

I laugh without humor, "And who is 'we'?"

"All of us, the Selected." There's nothing I can do but tell her that I would never tell their secrets, and try to ignore how much this hurts.

This is supposed to be a fun night, and now she- they- have ruined it! Apparently, being 'in' with the Prince isn't an advantage in The Selection, it's a complete disadvantage. It has taken away the trust I had from The Selected, fun secrets that would have been shared at night with them, fond memories of things gone wrong that we would have laughed at years after.

Don't reply in the heat of the moment, Clarissa. Compose your thoughts and continue this later.

"I understand. I would love to continue this conversation later, in private, but I would like you to know and alert everyone else that I would never dream of hurting, betraying, or sabotaging anyone in The Selection. As individuals, we all have our own unique chance to win."