Becoming a Princess

Chapter Six

Soon the my picture turns into another girl. Annie and I gape at the TV and then each other.

"At least they didn't show my picture," Annie jokes weakly.

I just nod.

Does this mean I'm selected? Are we both selected? Are they going to do another drawing for Bonita?

In the midst of all the chaos, Annie's phone starts to ring. No one goes to pick it up. We all just sit on the couch, and stare at the screen.

By the time the Report is over, it is 8:30 p.m. I grab Alessa's hand and walk towards the door. I turn back and mumble a good-bye. We walk out and start heading home.

"So," starts Alessa, "does this mean you guys are both selected or..."

I shrug and say, "I don't know."

We reach the door and I immediately walk to my room. I shut my door, change into pajama's, and get in bed.

I can hear Alessa explaining things to dad, but I don't care. I can deal with everything in the morning.

I wake up to the shrilling ring of our telephone. I walk into the kitchen and grab it.

"Hello?" I mumble.

"Victoria. There's a mandatory show at noon!" exclaims Annie over the phone.

"What?" I ask. I'm still not fully awake.

I hear Annie sigh. "A mandatory Report! They're probably going to talk about the mix up that happened last night."

I turn to look at the clock. 11:47.

"Should I come over or..." I trail off at the end.

"Yes!" Annie screeches in my ear. "Bring Alessa too!"

"Ok," I say and hang up.

I wake up Alessa we walk to Annie's house. By the time we get there, it is 11:56. I ring the door bell and hear foot steps approach the door. Julia opens the door and we step inside.

Annie sees us and says, "Come on! It's almost starting!"

We all pile onto the couch and wait for the Report to start.

Finally, we see Gavril, along with the members of the Royal Family.

"Welcome, again ladies and gentlemen! We understand that today is not the normal scheduled viewing day for the Report, but we have an announcement." Gavril pauses for effect. "Yesterday, while announcing the Selected-," At this point Annie is squeezing my hand,"-there was a misunderstanding.

"Miss Annie Hastings was selected, but the picture was of Victoria Waters. To apologize for any confusion, the Royal Family is allowing both girls to participate in the Selection, making this the first Selection ever to have 36 members. Allow me to introduce Annie Hastings and Victoria Waters from Bonita to the Selection."

Annie and I's picture were showed on the screen. Annie puts her head down at the sight of her picture while Julia and Alessa wrap us in a hug. Annie and I just look at each other with dumb smiles.

At least I'm not going alone I thought.

Within the hour, palace officials rush into Annie's house and usher Alessa and I to our own. When our house comes into view, there is a mob of people surrounding it. Palace officials like the ones at Annie's house push the people back so we can enter.

When we enter, Alessa and I are bombarded with questions from reporters, asked to try beauty products, and give comments on the Selection. I try to stay away from people and don't answer many questions. Alessa, however, loves the attention and answers everybody's questions eagerly.

Finally, my dad arrives and sends everyone out except the palace officials. They ask me questions, do all their formal paperwork, and leave me the clothes I will be going to palace with.

As soon as everyone is gone, I go to my room, lock my door, and draw a picture Checkers sitting on my bed.

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