Another Elite (Book 2 of Selection fanfics)

Chapter 2

Genevieve paced her room furiously, her feet pounding against the floor as she thought. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her dark brows were knit in concentration, trying to find the words she wanted to say. Liana and I glanced at each other from our separate chairs, unsure if we were supposed to say something.

Genevieve glanced back up at us, her pink lips still curved into a frown. She opened her mouth to say something, but quickly closed it. I sensed Liana bristle in frustration beside me.

"Come on, can you just tell us what's wrong, Gen?" Liana groaned as she began to stand up.

"Sit back down!" Genevieve ordered suddenly, her hands curled into fists.

Liana glared back at her, but sat down anyways. Sometimes I was surprised that they hadn't beaten each other up yet; their friendship was so odd with both of their confident personalities, but Genevieve was easily the most prideful of herself.

I sighed. "Genevieve, can you just tell us why you're angry? If we're late to Celia's lesson on Italian history, we're dead."

"Fine," Genevieve rolled her eyes a moment later. "We need to set some ground rules."

"Ground rules? What on earth are you talking about?" Liana looked bewildered.

"I'm talking about my brother," Genevieve sneered as she sat down on the couch in front of us. "And your relationships with him now that you're Elite."

Liana made a face.

"Firstly, no kissing in front of me. At all. Second, no mentioning him or your dates in my presence." Genevieve glared at both of us. "I don't want to think about dates, much less have to talk about them."

I stared at her. "Gen, is this really necessary? We've never done either of those things."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? So you deny kissing Derek in the rain? Glass works both ways, you know."

I blushed. In the moment, I hadn't really been focused on the fact that people could have seen Derek and I together.

"That's not the point," I interrupted. "I didn't even know you were there."

"Whatever." She sighed. "I just don't want to be reminded of the fact that my brother will be engaged to someone in a matter of months. The fact that it could be one of you doesn't help either."

Liana's expression softened, suddenly sympathetic for our friend. "That's what you're upset about? You're worried about one of us taking Derek away from you?"

Genevieve pouted, annoyed that Liana had discovered the reason she was upset. Still, she continued to deny it.

"Of course not. I just don't want to hear all the sappy details about how wonderful you think my brother is." She scoffed, standing up to open the door. "Now get out of here. I don't want Celia skinning the two of you alive."

We both walked out of the room quickly, Liana huffing beside me. "Why do I feel like every time we walk out of that room Genevieve is yelling at us?"

"I don't know," I sighed. "But I'm sure this won't be the last time she does."

Though Genevieve's actions were unnecessary, I couldn't help but sympathize with her feelings. Had one of my brothers been in Derek's situation, I probably would have felt the exact same way--as if I was being abandoned.

I knew that they were close, due to the fact that they were twins. I hadn't really seen them together all that often, but the Selection was obviously a factor in that. Before we arrived, I was almost positive that they were practically inseparable. I couldn't help but feel bad for Genevieve; while Derek gained a wife, it would feel like losing a brother to her.
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"Now, who can tell me how Italy and Illéa came to be such close allies?" Celia asked from the front of the room.

We were seated in small desks around the Great Room, in the middle of a short history lesson with Celia. I sat hunched in my seat, praying that Celia wouldn't call on me. My parents had made sure that my siblings and I had education, but history had never been one of their priorities. I didn't know much about Illéan history and I knew even less about the Italians.

Elodie immediately raised her hand. "After Queen Nicoletta aided King Maxon and Queen America in getting rid of the Southern Rebels, Illéa and Italy became close allies."

Celia beamed--Elodie had answered nearly every single question correctly. "Very good. Queen Nicoletta and Queen America have been close friends since the King's selection.

"As you can see, that is why it is so important that you girls are on your best behavior. One of you will be the future Queen, and the alliance with Italy is not something that Illéa wants to lose."

Celia proceeded to ramble on about a bunch of seemingly unimportant things. I didn't understand why she felt it was necessary that we knew the entire history of Italy; it wasn't like Queen Nicoletta was going to give us a pop quiz upon her arrival.

I felt a small piece of paper land on my desk and looked to see one covered in Liana's writing. Think we'll find out what the other girls were freaking out about?

I quickly flipped the piece of paper over, writing whenever Celia wasn't looking. Not sure, but if Celia keeps rambling on like this, I'll fall asleep and miss it.

Liana giggled as she read over the paper, but quickly stifled them after a stern look from Celia.

"As I was saying, Italy is now ruled by Queen Nicoletta. She married her husband, King Antonio, shortly after King Maxon and Queen America were married." Celia continued. "Their first son, Samuele, is the same age as Prince Derek and Princess Genevieve. They also have another son, Luca, and a daughter, Gabriela."

I heard many of the girls sigh at the mention of Prince Samuele--someone I'd never heard of. I glanced at Liana, seeing that she looked just as lost as I did. Still, our questions had been answered, and it looked like we'd discovered exactly why the girls were excited for the Italians to visit.

It looked like there would be another prince at the palace.
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