The Selection: Third Generation

Ch.2: What Awaits Me

Arabella's POV

"Arabella, time to get up." Mom's words slowly bring me to reality.
"Sweetie, the palace workers will be here in half an hour." She rubs her hand on my arm soothingly as she tries to wake me.

"I'm up, Mom. I'm up." I say, listening as her light footsteps exit the room. Once the door closes, I force myself out of bed. I throw on an old, olive green t-shirt and a pair of skinny jeans before heading downstairs for breakfast, rubbing my eyes. With all the excitement, I barely slept last night.

I walk into the kitchen right as the doorbell rings. Grabbing a piece of toast off of my dad's plate as I go to open the door, I hear him chuckle in response, mumbling a "hey!"

I open the beat-up wooden door to come face to face with a tall woman in a pantsuit. She has long, dark hair and dark eyes to match. She wears a perfect smile on her face.

"Hello, are you Arabella Williamson?" she asks.

"Yes.." I answer cautiously. I am sure she is from the palace, but it was still odd to have a stranger asking for you on your doorstep!

"Good morning, Lady Arabella. I'm Silena; I work at the palace. May we come in?" I nod, opening the door for her and the four women behind her to come in, as well. I walk to the kitchen, and they follow me. I feel slightly embarrassed by our house and I especially feel underdressed. Our house was not large by any means, but it was not too small either. It was our little humble abode.

"Okay, ladies. Please lay the papers out and set up the scale." Silena tells the other women, before turning to me. "Please, sit. Let's talk." Silena gestures to the small kitchen table, where my dad is trying to finish his toast and coffee. He smiles and shakes her hand, introducing himself as my dad.

We sit down and she places a paper in front of me. The entire front is covered in words and blanks.

"I need you to fill this out and sign here. It's only for your health and well being while at the palace."

I look at the form. It mainly asks about any medical conditions. The only condition I have that is on the paper is anxiety, so I mark a check in the box, glancing up to see Silena not even paying any attention to me. I sigh in relief and quickly sign my name, making a note on the side of the paper that I'd rather not have everyone know. I have been struggling with it for years, but with me going into this whole situation, it will be better to keep that quiet. Anyone would be having anxiety in my place right now, but it will be worse for me, as I have an actual diagnosis.

"Finished, miss?" Silena asks. I nod and slide the paper across to her. She puts two different medicine bottles in front of me.

"These are the vitamins that you will need to start taking. This one," she points to the bottle on the right, "is Vitamin B-Complex. This one, she points to the other one, "is Vitamin C. Once you get to the palace, your maids will help you take them every morning. Speaking of your maids, this is Anne," she gestures to the petite blonde. "This is Barbara," she motions to the tall brunette. "And this is Leah." She gestures to the short redhead last. All the maids simultaneously curtsy, making me feel slightly uncomfortable, as we are almost the same caste. I smile at them, trying to show them I won't be difficult at all.

Everyone in Illea has a caste of 1-8. The Ones are the royal family, and the Eights are homeless people with not a penny to their name and prisoners. My family is a family of fours, so we do okay, but usually do not have the money for luxuries or much extra. Usually, if you are a maid, you are a Five or Six, depending on what type of maid you are and what caste you work for. My guess is that these maids may even be considered fours since they work for the palace.

"Nice to meet you," I say politely. They smile in response and get back to work.

"Okay, Lady Arabella. Please step on the scale so we can get your weight." Silena says, standing and walking over to the scale that the other lady, who I have yet to be introduced to, set up. My heart sinks to my feet as I slowly make my way over. I stop in front of the scale, looking down at it. I take a deep breath and step onto it. I feel shaky and extremely anxious. The fourth lady, who I'm guessing is the physician, records my weight, a disapproving look on her face. I glance up at the number and see it is 105. I have always been small, short, and skinny. I have a problem gaining weight and don't have access to a gym or more food so that I could gain weight easier.

Suddenly, voices from my first year of high school fill my mind.
"Arabella? More like Ana-Bella! Freak!"  All of the times I was bullied for my health problems come back to me in a wave, and I struggle to fight it away.

I desperately wipe the tears from my face as I step off the scale.
"Is everything okay, Lady Arabella?" Anne, I think, asks, concern etching her face.

"Um, yeah. Everything's fine, I'm just emotional about all of this excitement." 

"Okay. Well, you are a bit underweight, but I can assure you that you will be well fed at the palace." I just nod and swallow my tears as Silena explains something about the dining room and the royals. I can't focus on what she is saying, just on my breathing and trying not to cry.

The ladies take measurements and have me and my parents sign a few more papers, but I am not fully here for it all. I finally zone back in as they get ready to leave.

"You will need to be packed and ready by six in the morning in two days. We will provide a wardrobe, nightclothes, toothbrush, and all of that kind of stuff at the palace, so there is no need to bring much. Also, all of the Selected must wear black and white to arrive at the palace. We want you all to be seen fairly as you arrive and go into your makeovers and interviews."

"So, a black and white dress will work?"

"Perfectly," Silena smiles sweetly.

***

I throw my suitcase on the bed, unzipping it. I grab two tank tops, and a few old tee shirts from my dresser and fold them, placing them in my bag. I also put in three pairs of plaid pajama shorts and a pair of thin, pajama pants. I think some of my own clothes will comfort me when I get homesick if I stay a long time at the palace. I have never been away from home overnight, let alone for possibly this long. I pack a pair of skinny jeans and a hoodie as well for when I get sent home.

 I zip up my bag, knowing there is nothing else I need to bring. Scottlyn comes into my room and chats with me as I finish up, talking about everything from the prince to the other girls, to the food. She plays with my knick-knacks around the room as we talk. I am really going to miss her, and I know she will miss me, too.

I grab my suitcase, my guitar case, and my flute case, walking downstairs. She did not mention whether we could be provided instruments, and I cannot risk not being able to play. I play my instruments every day. I am also in the process of learning a few more, but I have to borrow those anyway, so they cannot go with me.

 I drop my things by the front door and head back up to my room to change. I decided to wear a black and white lace dress with my worn-out black flats. This is one of the only dresses I own, but I love it. I wear it a lot for performances. It's a very elegant dress if you ask me.

I spray on a little of the only perfume I've ever owned and had back downstairs, ready to see what awaits me in only an hour.