The Selection

Chapter Three

I woke up the next morning with a stifled yawn and my back soar. After entering in the oh so wonderful Selection, I headed straight to work while Dad took the boys back home. I stayed out till around dinnertime at 7 then headed home too. A bowl of leftover soup waited for me, it was one of the only things we could afford to make and we were grateful nonetheless. It was food, I think that was all that mattered to me and the boys.

With a giant groan and a sigh I hopped out of bed and ran my fingers through my hair, they honestly worked better than my crappy hairbrush. I pulled on another set of work clothes before grabbing the handle on my old, squeaky, door.

 I made my way out into the hallway and spotted Trae waiting outside the closed bathroom door. I walked over to him and sat beside him against the wall, we both had our knees pulled up to our chests and our heads against the flat surface.

"I think you're gonna win." He states.

 I glance over at my little brother in almost complete awe, he's never said anything hopeful to me before. Mostly little sarcastic remarks or funny jokes like brothers do, but the way he said this made it feel different. His eyes were closed, he wasn't looking at me, and he was just breathing softly as he waited to use the restroom.

"What makes you think I'll even be picked?" I question.

"For one, you're beautiful Syd, if the people who chose don't pick you off that then they're idiots. Two, you're likable, the people of Illea would love you instantly. You're a great person and if a family of Ones don't see that then it's not worth it, and you win anyways. It's a win-win situation Syd." Trae says. 

"Hmm, I didn't think about it like that." I reply. He still wasn't looking at me, I've never seen him so calm in my entire life. Max was kind of acting the same way yesterday too. What's going on with them? I feel like they care more about this dumb competition more than me. . .

Suddenly, the door opened and Trae's twin walked out with a wet towel in his hand and only a pair of denim jeans on. He got up and went straight in, shutting the door behind him and starting the water in the shower. Max lingered around probably trying to find the words to say so I just patted on the spot next to me on the hardwood floor. He sat exactly like Trae did but he kept his eyes open and watched me.

"You hear all that?" I ask, he nods. "Neither of you even know Prince Jackson, what makes you think he'll like me. Besides that I can be very likable."

"Just a feeling." Max shrugs. "But when you do write us about how the Palace is, don't talk about the food."

"Yeah, I promise." I laugh at his brotherly smile, but as we smile at each other my eyes avert to his bare right shoulder. Specifically to the scar that was clearly visible with his shirt off. I reached out instantly to touch it. "Max, what the hell happened?"

"I'm pretty sure it's a birth mark, don't worry about it too much. It's not like I'm running around somewhere in the woods with a bunch of crazy people." He quickly states. So fast and smooth that I almost believed him, almost. But it sounded too rehearsed. 

I don't know what, but something is happening to my brothers. They're lying to me. Keeping secrets. Getting hurt? I realize that I've been doing the same thing since Mikaylah was killed but. . . they're my little brothers. My responsibility. I should be watching them more closely, I will.

"I got a job a few blocks down into the Sixes territory at Mrs. Johnson's house, so I better get going. I'll catch ya later, okay?" Max talks as he stands up from the floor then walks down the hall and into his room without hearing my response. I furrow my eyebrows while staring at the two closed doors in the hallway, a sigh leaves my lips.