The Selection: Third Generation

Ch.3: Saying Goodbye

Arabella's POV

"All ready?" Dad asks me, patting me on the back.

"Yep." We all climb into the palace car that came to pick us up. Sissy automatically sits next to me, so I wrap my arm around her shoulder, hugging her to my side.

"Ya know," I whisper in her ear. "I think I'll miss you the most." She giggles and pulls me into a tight hug. "I'm gonna miss you more!" I hold her close, wishing she could come with me. I brush her brown hair out of her face and help her buckle up.

The car pulls into the town square a few minutes later and we all pile out of the car. The mayor reaches down a hand to pull me up on the stage. I gladly accept, making sure not to flash anyone behind me. The small, square stage is set up directly in the middle of the square, and people are crowded in front of it.

"Do you have anything you'd like to say to the crowd?" The mayor asks as we walk to the front, where there is a microphone set up.

"Yes, sir," I answer, although it is the last thing I want to do. Everyone is already staring at me, and I feel my hands begin to shake as I scan the crowd.

Into the microphone, he says, "Lady Arabella has been chosen to compete in the Selection. Let us all wish her luck as she represents our town and our province! " He steps to the side, allowing me the room to step forward. I adjust the mic before beginning.

"H-hi, everyone! I just wanted to, um, say a few words before I leave. I am completely honored to be able to have this experience. I know that win or lose, I will learn s-some very important things while at the palace. You see, all of us girls that have been selected, we are all winners. Sure, there is only one of us who will win P-prince Carlisle's heart, but we will all make new friends and have a n-new experience out of this. So, I am very thankful. I am also proud to represent my home province." I say, stepping back. The crowd cheers and claps, despite my stuttering and stumbling over a few words.

"Lady Arabella Williamson, everyone!" The mayor says, clapping. The crowd joins his applause as I go back off the stage to say goodbye to my family.

I pull Mom in for a hug first, my face soon wet with tears.

"I love you so much. I'm gonna miss you every single day." I whisper into her hair.

"Love you, too, baby girl. I'll miss you so, so much." She says, pulling away. She is crying, too. Next, I go over to Byron, who is trying to look happy.

"I don't know if I'll miss you.." I say jokingly. He rolls his eyes and pulls me in for a hug. I hug him back really tight. He is like my other half. My family jokes that we could be twins because we look alike and have so much in common. We have a bond that a set of twins would, too. I will have to write him often to make up for the talks we have all the time.

"Watch over Mom and Sissy, okay?"

"I will, Sis. I will. Take care of yourself in that palace, okay? I am not afraid to go kick some royal butt."

I just nod my head, too choked up to speak. He kisses my cheek before fully releasing me. Next is Scottlyn. I pick her up and squeeze her tight, spinning her around a couple of times. "Be good okay? Or I won't bring you anything back from the palace!"

"Aw, okay." She says as I put her down. Lastly, I hug Dad goodbye. His strong arms wrap me tight, and I feel as safe as I ever have.

"You be good, babydoll. We are all going to miss you." He says, his deep voice mumbled by my hair as he hugs me. 

"I'm gonna miss you, too, Daddy." Tears are still falling as I pull away. My heart feels heavy as I turn to walk away. A  palace worker is immediately rushing me towards a separate car.

"We need to leave, Miss, or we will be late!" I am then basically shoved into the car, the lady climbing in with me. In the passenger seat, there is a man in what I recognize as a palace guard's uniform. I look around and wonder where my things are, as I never grabbed them from the other car.

"Did you put my bags in? I didn't get to grab them." I ask the lady beside me, slightly panicked.

"Yes, ma'am. Office Leger put them in for you." He turns at the sound of his name, a questioning look on his face.

"Well, thank you very much, Officer Leger." He is slightly older than me, probably in his mid-twenties, and is very handsome. He looks familiar but I cannot place where I would know him from.

"No problem, Lady Arabella. And you can call me Officer Aaron. My grandfather is 'Officer Leger.'" He says, saying Officer Leger in a military-type voice. I laugh at the way he said it, and suddenly remember why he is familiar. Officer Leger is no longer an officer, but the previous King Maxon's best friend.

"Sure thing, Officer Aaron," I say, causing him to smile as he turns back to the front.
The rest of the ride to the airport was quiet, allowing my nerves to get the best of me. All of the worst-case scenarios about the plane and the airport start flying through my mind.