Unthinkable - a The Selection fanfiction

Upside Down

"Daddy?" I called walking through the door, I was positive he was in the gym. He was actually in the living room. Weird. "Daddy! Hey" I ran up to him and hugged him as usual.
"So, how was today, kiddo?" Dad was keen on using that nickname, even though I was almost 20. "Anyone annoyed you?"

"Yeah. Mark said again that I shouldn't be studying something so hard to understand..." I trailed off, since my father seemed more focused on the mail. "Dad, is everything alright? Did something happen to the guys?" Really, I loved my brothers' jobs, but I was always so worried they would get hurt.

"No no, Cassie, your brothers are fine. It's... This arrived this morning for you". 'This' was an envelope that looked quite official.
I grabbed a letter opener and slid the envelope opened. I read quickly through the letter. The selection. Of course. I was a couple years younger than prince William. And his Highness decided to hold a selection now, he said he wanted to be older than his father was. Well. I wasn't expecting it. Nor the questions on the form, for that matter. You could literally make anyone sound nice. 'Dark hair, tall, handsome, loves horses' little did you know I just described Caligula, the crazy emperor who made his horse a senator.
Still. I wanted to participate. It is a once in a generation occasion. Of course I thought the prince was handsome. And, if I won, I could make a real difference, or try at least.
"Dad? Dad why do you look so sad? Even if I send this form, it is not certain that I'm selected, let alone win the whole thing" I couldn't bear to see him this defeated.
"You're my baby, Cassandra. And now that this letter has arrived, I cannot avoid to notice how much you've grown up."
I walked up to him and hugged him tight, as he engulfed me with his huge arms.
"Daddy, me going to college didn't make you realise that?"
"Of course it did. But I could avoid thinking of it. Of you falling in love, having your heart broken, crying your eyes out. It's a kind of pain I can't help you with and I cannot most definitely protect you from it, though I wish I could. This selection is just a safe way to have your heart broken."
"Daddy" I let go of him and watched him straight in the eye "I might not even get in, let alone get him. And if I do get in, I might not even fall for him. And anyway, I'm a big tough girl, I can throw my knives and all". Jokes. Jokes were the safest way to lighten his mood.
"Yeah, and flip a grown man as if he was doll". Dad laughed, but only half-heartedly.
"Daddy. I'll be fine. With everything we've been through, I can take this". I was dead serious about this. We already had to worry about my brothers not getting killed, he shouldn't have to worry about me too. "Now, how about sparring?" It was our favourite way of communicating, talking came easier. If you focused on redirect someone's punches or kicks, you couldn't come up with a good enough lie. At least I couldn't.

***

I was studying in my room when dad called from downstairs.
"Hey, you need something?" Daddy never wanted to interrupt me studying, he knew how hard I had to work to stay in poli sci. I saw he was watching the report. He didn't really like it.
"Yeah. They are calling out the selected just now."
Looking more carefully at the screen I saw photos of girls passing by, while a little square showed prince William's reactions.
"They should be calling our province now" my dad was updating me. I watched Gavril Faday showing Labrador on the map. I didn't really care so I was about to walk back to my room when the host announced "And from Labrador miss Cassandra Barton".
I stared blankly at the screen. I wasn't sure I heard it right. I mean. How was that even possible? With all the girls I saw at the office last week... I knew a few of them, very nice girls. I looked down at my dad. He had the same look I had. We couldn't quite believe it. We were in shock. The phone ringing made come to my senses. I was selected. That was... Crazy. Totally. Dad picked the phone up. And right after he answered, I heard voices on the other line.
"Yes Chris, of course. She's here. Jeez let her breath. Of course she knows that. Do you now, Jackson?" Dad was laughing so hard. Of course the twins were going to call before the others.
Daddy motioned for me to get to the phone. I was already laughing. Excitement for the selection and the call from my brothers was taking its toll.