Being Selected

Chapter 5

That evening at dinner Weston announced that he would begin inviting girls on dates.

"Before we get to know each other on personal levels, I want to see how you get along with other people. The first six dates will be small group dates, that will consist of five girls. I will choose one girl from each date to leave, so I ask that you make the best of your time. This evening I wish to invite Louane, Itzel, Martha, Elisabet, and Nieve to join me in the parlor at eight o'clock. As for the rest of you, get a good night's sleep, and don't feel too discouraged. If you be yourself it will be easy for all of us," Weston announced.

I looked down at my food. I wasn't feeling too thrilled about any of this. I knew if any date would be my demise it would be this one, just because I wasn't too keen on making friends with the rest of the girls, which could make me appear stand-offish. As soon as we were allowed to leave, I hurried out to my bad room. I knew a soak in the bath was all I would need to clear my mind.

When I got there, Aunt Camilla and Alexa were talking happily, but they stopped whenever I came into the room.

"I think I need a bath," I said, laying down on my bed.

"Right away Miss Lilian," Alexa said, getting up quickly. Aunt Camilla came and sat down next to me.

"Lilian, how was dinner? Is everything all right?" Aunt Camilla asked, calmly.

"Weston announced that dates would begin this week, but it just felt strange to me," I said, sitting up. "Based on what I read about the Selection, it seemed as if this were a romantic experience that led to joy for one and heartbreak for others. But being here, it all seems like a business ploy, as if Weston was being forced into this."

"Lilian, you have to remember that each Selection is different. And just as each Selection is different, so is each prince or princess. You can't place expectations on Weston. He may just be holding out until the group become smaller, and then he will become the smoking hot prince that induces lust on everyone he meets just like you girls expected him to be," Aunt Camilla consoled.

"I never said I wanted him to induce lust, I just imagined him to take advantage of the situation more, that's all," I argued. Aunt Camilla nodded with a smile.

"You have to be put in his shoes. He doesn't want to scare you off, but he might not want to get himself hurt," Aunt Camilla offered back, in her kindest tone. Before I could argue the problem further Alexa came to get me ready for my bath. I got into the water, sinking all the way up to my chin.

"Miss, you just received a message from the prince. Would you like me to read it for you?" Alexa asked.

"Go ahead," I said, taking in a deep breath of the lavender smells.

"Miss Lilian Harding, You have been invited by Prince Weston Schreave to take to the skies and see what you can explore. Be ready by five o' clock a.m. in the dining room. Dress casually. Signed, Weston. Oh I wonder what you're going to do? I'm sure whatever it is it will be fun," Alexa giggled.

"I'm sure it will be, but I wish there didn't have to be so much mystery," I replied. I got out of the bath, and Alexa rushed to help me into sleep wear. I let her take over with preparing me for bed so could think. I wondered how Weston would be without the anyone, but us. I hoped he could be real with us and tell it to us straight. No, I don't need him to be anything I scolded myself. I have a job, and the only thing that matters is whether Weston would stand in the way of it. I wanted to start with Gregory Illea's diaries, because it seemed simple enough. I would just have to find the right library. I could ask Alexa about it later.