The Appointed: A Selection Fanfiction

Chapter Eleven

"Hey Grey? Do you know what time it is?" Quinn asked.

"Half past two. Why?"

"Just wondering." She replied, clearly trying to hold in excitement. I thought of all the possibilities for her happiness, but only one stuck in my brain.

She had a date.

Of course, there was nothing wrong with that. If anything, I should be happy. And I was.

The doors to the Women's Room opened and Paige walked in with two girls flocked at her sides. They followed her everywhere she went, like her bodyguards.

"Ahh. It is so satisfying to be the first girl to be asked out on a date." She breathed.

"No, you're not." Quinn squeaked. My suspicions were correct.

"What was that?"

"N-nothing. I said nothing." Quinn stuttered.

I backed her up. "She just had something in her throat. She didn't say anything, so stop getting so worked up about other people when you should just care for yourself. You may get wrinkles.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she thought this over. "Whatever." She said, defeated.

I watched her sit down in a chair with her bodyguards on the ground to her left and right. Did they not realize how she was using them?

"Wow." Quinn mouthed beside me.

"So," I asked trying to change the topic. "You have a date?"

"Oh, yes. He asked me last night in the hallway after the Report." She sounded so happy. "We're going horseback riding."

"That sounds awesome, Quinn."

"Sorry I didn't tell you. I was hoping to explain it after it happened." She gave me a weak smile.

"It's alright, I would have probably done the same thing.." I admitted. "Is that why you asked for the time?"

"Yeah, he's picking me up at half past three."

"I'm so excited," I exclaimed. "And I'm not even the one going on the date!"

"It wouldn't surprise me if you are going to go on a date soon. I think he's trying to get to know us better."

"He probably wants something to talk about on the Report next Friday as well." I explained.

"That's true. I have to go get ready. See you later!" She blew a kiss and left the room quickly, hoping to make it in time for her date.

I decided just to stay put and tune out the rest of the world as I shut my eyes.

<><><><>

The steak was exquisite. Cooked medium rare for perfection, I had never tasted anything so good. They had mashed potatoes and green beans as sides. I swear I ate everything in less than five minutes.

"How was your date?" I asked Quinn.

"It was great. I'll tell you more later with less people around." She replied with a grin.

"Alright."

"So, Lady Grey, I was wondering if I could have the honor of taking you on a date tomorrow?" The Prince asked with a smile.

"Of course, Your Highness." I replied, surprised.

"I'll meet you at four tomorrow afternoon." He finished.

I turned to Quinn and smiled. Maybe this competition wouldn't be so bad after all.

<><><><>

"Spill." I ordered Quinn with a smile.

"Well, we went to the stables and he let me pick out a horse. My own horse!" She exclaimed. "Crazy right? Then he told me how to gear it up and ride it. It was so romantic!"

"That sounds awesome. I can't wait for my date tomorrow." I grinned.

"Oh yeah, I totally forgot you had a date tomorrow. I'm so selfish!" Quinn giggled.

"Yeah, it's pretty amazing. I'm kind of surprised I've enjoyed everything so far. You know I didn't want to sign up for this in the first place."

"Really?" She gasped.

"Yeah, I just signed up for the money at first, but now I really like it. Everything is great and I really like the Prince so far." I confessed.

"He is very nice and kind and sweet and... Oh, I sound so stupid saying all that, but it's true." She giggled.

"I'm interested in our date tomorrow. I don't know what we're going to do; he didn't say."

She squeezed my hand. "Wherever or whatever I think it will be great. You're so nice! How could he not like you?"

"Thanks." I said sincerely.

A maid scurried into the room, her arms full of thick paper envelopes, and started to call out names.

"Lady Grey?"

I raised my hand and took the letter from her. My family must have sent something back.

I looked over at Quinn who was already engrossed in her letter. "I'm going to take this up to my room. See you at dinner." I waved goodbye. She gave a tiny nod and continued reading the fine print.

I practically sprinted up the marble steps and into my room, closing the door softly behind me. My maids were inside dusting shelves that were already clean and shining windows. They did their job too well. One of these days I'll have to give them a day off, I thought with a smile.

I sat down at the wooden desk in the corner and broke the seal. The paper was very high quality and must have cost a fortune to spend. I guess the palace doesn't like low quality paper. I saw three pieces of paper inside and grabbed the first I saw. I noticed my mother's handwriting and immediately unfolded the paper. It read:

Grey,

I'm so proud of you. You looked so sophisticated on TV. Not to mention beautiful! Your father would be proud too.

Have you made any friends? You were always slow in that department. At home, your only real friend was Walter, and he's a baker!

Has the Prince asked you on any dates, yet? Tell me what he's like, I'd like to know. He's seems distant on TV, but I'm sure he's nicer in person. Tell me everything.

Love,

Mom

I set her letter aside, absorbing everything. I would write her back after my date to let her know what the Prince was like. I couldn't trust myself right now to say the right things.

I grabbed the second letter from the stack and saw my name written in code. When I was younger, Jake and I would write things down in a code that only we knew about. It consisted of different letters and numbers bunched together. To the average eye, it looked like random scribbles, but Jake and I knew better.

His letter was short and to the point. He wanted to know how I was doing and if I had kissed the Prince. That one was definitely a no considering I've only spoken to him twice. I put his letter on the stack and grabbed the final paper. It was slightly wrinkled and had a little water damage on the corner.

I opened it to find a picture he had drawn. It was of Mom, Dad, himself, and me all outside our house, looking at the flowers. I turned it over and saw a date on the back. Six years ago. This picture was drawn before Dad died. We were all so happy back then with no worries, then he was gone. Poof. Out of this world and never coming back.

I asked Kendra for a frame and she hustled out of the room quickly. My maids were too good for me.

I told Lucille and Blaire I was ready for bed and they helped. They quietly dismissed themselves and left me alone with my thoughts. I was prepared.

Prepared for my date.

Yay! We hit over 100 views! Okay, maybe that's not a lot, but to me it is. Thank you! Here's an extra chapter because I'm happy.

Also this next chapter was really fun to write!

-Quinn-