Becoming a Princess

Chapter Two

I grab the keys out of my bag and begin unlocking the door to the shop. As I'm jiggling the lock, I see a swish of blonde hair whip around the corner. I grab the keys and walk the other side of the shop. I peek my head around the corner and see...Annie.

She throws her arms up in the air and then lets them fall with a sigh.

"I was trying to surprise you," she says as she puts her hands on her hips.

I smile and we start to walk back to the front.

"Can I help today? I'm bored," she states.

"Sure," I say as I finally unlock the door. She has an older brother, Isaac, and a younger sister Julia. Isaac stays in his room all day and Julia hangs out with Alessa most of the time.

I push the door open and let the scents of the different flowers engulf me. I stand on my tippy toes, spread my arms to the side and breathe in through my nose. Annie always laughs when I do that.

"Alright Tulip, lets get to work," she says with a laugh.

I smile and then start arranging the flowers. As soon as I'm done with all the bouquets scheduled for the day, I start to draw on the post-it notes we have at the front desk. I notice that Annie has also finished sweeping.

"Soooo...,"she says.

"Soooo...," I say back.

She lets out a sigh and starts. "I know that Alessa probably told you the news."

"She did," I answer back.

"I know the Selection is a touchy subject...but I think you should enter," she states.

I just shrug and continue drawing. "I don't know."

My mom was one of the Selected for King Maxon's Selection. She was the five from Bonita that got sent home on the first day. When she came back, she was a three, but she quickly fell in love with my father, a five. She married him and was made a five again. After the King chose Queen America, they quickly got started on removing the caste system. All the caste's were removed, but my mother and father were definitely not rich. When my mother became ill, we didn't have enough money to treat her and she died. That was a few years ago.

I don't know if I want to enter the Selection. Do I really want to be sent home on the first day like my mother? No. No I do not. That would be sooo embarrassing and would really lower my self-esteem.

"Are you going to enter?" I ask, still drawing.

"Only if you do," she replies.

I let out a sigh. I know the massive crush she has on the Prince. I wouldn't want to be the one to hold her back.

"Why?" I whine.

"Because," she states, "I know that you don't want to stay here the rest of your life. Getting selected will change all of that. And," she holds out the and on this part, "the Prince is cute. I'm pretty sure you're the only one not wanting to get selected."

I sigh. Seeing that her speech didn't really change my mind she adds, "Besides, what are you chances of you or me getting picked? Like one in a gazillion."

I look up and see her hopeful smile. I throw my head back and say, "Fine."

She lets out a squeal and hugs me tight. "Yay! Lets go to your mailbox and get your form! I already have mine," she says as she pulls the package out of her bag.

"I can't right now," I sigh. "I have to wait for my dad to get here and then we can leave."

"Ugh," she complains. "Seriously?"

I nod my head and go back to my post-it. After I've finished drawing the last petal on the rose I'm sketching, the door opens and in steps my dad.

"Hello, girls," he greets.

"Hello, Mr. Waters!" Annie replies.

"Dad, do you mind if I leave for the day?" I ask.

"No, that's fine. Have fun!" he calls as we walk towards the door.

"Bye, dad!" I call as Annie and I head towards my house.

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Chapter two, done! Enjoy!