Becoming a Princess

Chapter One

I awoke to the pitter-patter of rain on my window. And also to the cat that decided to jump on my face. I pick up my head to check my alarm clock. 6:23.

"Ugh," I say and then smack my head back onto my pillow. I try to get some more sleep but Checkers, my tabby cat, decides to lick my face. I pull back and scrunch up my nose. His breath smells of tuna and dead...things.

I decide to wake up and get ready for the day. I quickly get dressed and carefully open my door. I turn my head left and then right. No one is up except me. I then tip toe to the kitchen, careful to avoid the creaks in our old floors.

I open the fridge and cabinets to get what I need to make breakfast. I'm in the middle of cooking eggs when I hear shuffled foot steps coming down the hallway. I turn and see Alessa, my sister.

"Good morning," I whisper.

She muffles some kind of greeting as she sits down at the table. She never was a morning person.

I turn back and put the eggs on a plate for her. "Did the rain wake you up?" I ask as I walk to the table with her plate and a cup of milk.

She simply nods and says a quiet thanks before she starts to eat. Then she pauses for a moment. "What about your breakfast?" she questions.

"I'll grab something on the way to work," I say. She is only 12 so she gets to enjoy her summer with her friends while I have to work at our family's florist shop to earn a little extra cash. It's not all bad but I sometimes wish I could just hang out with my best friend Annie. Our family isn't poor, but we are definitely not as wealthy as Annie's family.

"Ok. Could you do my hair today?" she asks.

"Sure," I answer back. Her face immediately brightens because most of the time I don't have time to do anything with her hair. She then quickly scarfs down her breakfast and then runs to her room to get ready.

I smile as I pick up her empty plate and glass and then walk over to the sink to wash the dishes. As soon as I'm done, Alessa runs down the hallway.

"I'm ready!" she exclaims.

"Quiet!" I whisper-yell as I snap my head around. Alessa, however, is unfazed by my scolding and practically drags me by the hand to the bathroom.

"Alright, alright!" I say as we get to the bathroom. "What do you want me to do?"

"Hmmm," she says as she's thinking. "Can you do a french braid?" she asks as she picks up Checkers. He meows in protest but soon gives in as she strokes his long, orange fur.

"Sure," I say as I start to brush and untangle her hair. I 've always been jealous of her hair. It's a brilliant shade of orange-red. She got it from father. She also got his beautiful blue eyes.

"Victoria, did you hear the announcement on the Report last night?" she asks as I start to braid her hair.

I flash a confused look. "No. What is it?"

"The Selection! There's going to be another selection!" she squeals as she turns to face me.

"Turn back around! Now I have to start all over!" I complain.

"Sorry," she mutters, but there is still a smile on her face. "Are you going to enter?" she asks excitedly.

"I don't know," I say as I get sucked into my own thoughts. Prince Liam is the first-born of King Maxon and Queen America. I guess he had recently come of age. I don't usually watch the Report. I leave it up to Alessa to inform me on the news.

"Well, you have to enter. The forms should be here any day," Alessa states matter-of-factly.

"Maybe," I mutter as I finish braiding the last strand. "All done."

Alessa turns around and engulfs me in a huge hug. "Thanks!" she says and then runs out the room with Checkers in her arms. I turn to put the brush away and see dad as he walks out of his room.

"Good morning, Tori," he yawns.

I roll my eyes at the nickname. He knows I don't like it.

"Good morning to you too, dad," I laugh. Then I add, "I'm about to go to work. Meet you there?"

"Mhmm," he says.

I smile a little as I put the brush away and then walk to the door. "Bye!" I call.

"Good-bye!" Alessa says as she runs to give me a hug. "When your selection form gets here, I'll bring it to you," she says with a wink and a mischievous smile.

"Selection form?" asks my dad from the kitchen.

"Ugh," I say as I roll my eyes. I shut the door and start to walk to work. 

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And that's a wrap! Hope you enjoy the first chapter of Becoming a Princess!