Selected of Illèa-A Selection Fanfiction

3

"Julie, wake up! You are going to be late for breakfast with the royal family if you don't hurry!" Blair woke me. Grudgingly, I stepped out of the warm, silky sheets. I quickly undressed and got into the already drawn bath that smelled of vanilla and strawberries. Mom loved this scent, I think, but shake the thought of home from my head so I won't cry.

After a quick, but thorough scrub, I get out of the bath. My maids dress me in a beautiful coral day dress... and white pumps. As if I want clumsy enough anyways. They braid two stands of hair and tie them together before curling the rest of my hair. Blair then brushes on a light coating of make up. I look stunning, thanks to my maids.

I try to get used to the pumps by walking around my room, but it's no use. Finally, I go out into the hall, where I do fine, until I get to the long marble staircase. "Oh no," I mutter under my breath. Gripping the railing with one hand, I slowly go down the stairs step by step.

"Watch out!" I hear Brynnlie yell from behind, but it's too late. The toe of my shoe caught on a dip in the stair and I fell, all the way down the stairs. I try to get back up, but my head hurts too bad. I lay down on the stairs, too hurt to want to move.

Brynnlie rushes to my side, not knowing what else to do. Brynnlie sounds scared as she asks me if I'm okay. I try to nod, but it hurts. I look over at Brynnlie and she looks like she's freaking out. She breathes a sigh of relief as a helpful maid comes to her aid.

I hear the maids small heels quickly run to the nearest guard. The next thing I feel is a pair of strong arms picking up my obviously bruised body. I close my eyes and find myself drifting off.

♢♢♢

I open my eyes to find myself in an unknown place, probably the hospital wing, wearing a thin nightgown. A nurse carrying towels notices I'm awake. "Lady Julie, how are you feeling?" the nurse asks. "My head hurts," I reply. "Well, when you have a concussion, that's too be expected. Of course, you are bruised as well," the nurse told me. "How long have I been out?" I asked her. "Only an hour or two," she replied with a glance at me. "So, in other words I missed the breakfast?" I asked, knowing the answer. She nodded and quietly put the towels away.

I fell back on my pillow, (which hurt my head) disgruntled. It took me a minute to realize why. I missed breakfast!, I told myself, trying to make it the reason. The maid came back, "Miss, you have a visitor." Brynnlie came over to the bedside, "You scared me, Julie! When you fell..." I cut her off, "I'm fine, don't worry. I think it's just a concussion." She nods in obvious relief. "I'll be out before you know it," I finish.

The nurse comes in, "Miss, you'll only have to stay an minute or two so we can make sure you're stable enough to go back to your rooms." I slowly nod in agreement. "Bryn, you can go back, I'll catch up with you later," I tell Brynnlie. She waves goodbye and exits the room. Another person enters, someone I know only from watching the weekly report. Prince Lucas is here to visit me in the hospital wing. Which, I understand, because if it were my selection, I would want to meet all of the selected, even the clumsy, uncoordinated people.

"So, is there a reason your here Prince Lucas?" I ask after a awkward silence. "Yes, I wanted to meet you and make sure you're okay," he replies. "Wanted to? Do you not want to anymore?" I joke, but he looks nervous so I continue talking. "Well, I'm fine, just a concussion I think," I tell him. He nods, obviously not knowing what to say. And it's not like I know what to say either. Finally, he talks again, obviously wanting to fill the awkward silence, "Tell me about your home life." "What about it?" I ask him. "What do you do? What's your family like? Who's your best friend?" he askes.

"I'm a waitress at my family restaurant, my mom is sweet, my dad is strict and kind, Jason, my twin, is my other half, Kaitlyn is a darling, and my best friend is Ashlie Sperry," I tell him, shocked at how open I am to someone I don't even know.