The Appointed: A Selection Fanfiction

Chapter Thirteen

The ceiling was dark as the heat crept in. I stepped out of bed and walked over to my balcony, soaking in the sweet Angeles air. I've only been here for about a week, but the weather has already gotten to me. It was quite humid tonight.

I rested my hands on the railing and looked into the gardens. I heard the doors to the garden open and in walks Prince Nicholas. He seemed to be looking at the flowers on his way to a bench. He sat down and sounded like he was talking to himself. I decided to investigate the situation.

I slowly opened the door to my room as quietly as possible, trying not to wake the other girls. I tiptoed down the steps into a long corridor where I spotted the doors to the garden and crept over. I pulled the glossy handle and stepped into the fresh gardens.

I wandered around for a bit before finding the Prince.

His head whipped up once he noticed my presence. "What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep." I shrugged.

"You shouldn't be out here this late at night."

"What time is it?"

"You really don't know?" He raised an eyebrow.

"No. I just woke up in my room because of this intense weather you have here. I may have lived just north, but it was never this hot."

"Ah, yes, it is quite warm, but your body should adjust soon. Where were you from up north?"

I swirled my finger around. "Somewhere in Likely. A small town with no name."

"Hmm," he hummed. "Tell me more."

"There isn't much there, just some houses and a few shops. I don't live super close to town, but I'm not that far away either." I looked into his eyes. "I'm also a Seven, so I don't get much work."

"Well that's lovely,..." He stopped. "Actually, what is your name?"

"I'm Grey Harrick, a Seven from Likely." I rubbed my necklace.

"This has been great and all, but I'm afraid I must retire for the evening."

"Of course, Prince Nicholas."

"Please," he insisted. "Call me Nicholas. I've been away from the palace for far too long to still be called a prince." He laughed.

"Alright, goodnight, Nicholas." I smiled. "That better?"

"Yes, thank you. Goodnight." He stood and stared at something behind me before heading inside.

I stayed in the garden a little while longer trying to regain my thoughts about what just happened. I guess I did get myself into this situation. I decided it was best to walk back up to my room and head to bed. Although I couldn't stop thinking about my run-in with the prince. He seemed so relaxed sitting on the bench. Who knows why?

I opened the door and jumped under the covers. The heat didn't bother me so much now. I finally found sleep while rubbing my necklace back and forth between my fingers.

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When I woke the sky was dark. Cloudy and grey, like it was going to rain. It rained a lot up in Likely, but I always loved it. It just made Angeles look sad.

My maids dressed me in a green dress while I stared out into the sky. Kendra did my hair while Blaire did my makeup. Lucille went around dusting and sweeping, humming as she went.

"Alright, I'm done." Blaire smiled.

"There we go, all finished." Kendra said proudly. She had done my hair up in a bun shaped like a flower again. My maids seemed to enjoy doing this style on me. Little curls were framing my face along with little pink flowers throughout.

"Wow, girls. This looks great." I grinned. "Thank you so much."

"Anytime." Lucille called from across the room. "You can go down to breakfast, then explore the castle. You don't have any lessons or protocol today. Just, don't go to the third floor." She warned.

"Got it. Thanks again for all this." I pointed to my outfit as I walked out the door. They all nodded their heads in thanks.

<><><><>

It seemed as though my stomach grew over night. I ate way more than I did at dinner. Maybe waking up in the middle of the night makes you incredibly hungry? I excused myself from the table and walked down the hallway.

I had never really explored the palace by myself. When I first got here, June gave everyone a quick tour, but I didn't really get to look at all the details. Now I could see every chip in the paint, every fallen flower petal. The palace didn't seem so special anymore.

I explored hallway after hallway, finally finding a long corridor with a bench to sit on. I crossed my legs and looked up to the ceiling, tracing the intricate moulding. I didn't even remember falling asleep until a large crack of thunder woke me. I blinked and looked out the far door that led to the gardens. A light drizzle began to fall onto the trees and bushes.

I got up and opened the door, stepping into a waterfall of rain. It was cool and perfect: the droplets bouncing off my skin. It began to change to a full on downpour and soaked through my dress and stayed put in my shoes.

I took out all the pins from my hair and let it fall over my shoulders, the rain soaking it. I started to spin around in a circle, acting like a kid again. I became dizzy and fell to the wet grass below me, laughing. It almost felt like I was away from the palace. Some place else.

I brushed my skirt off as I stood, the grass sticking to my legs. A streak of lightning flashed to my left, warning me to head back inside. I stepped into the warm corridor, my cold hands already feeling better as the wet rain was no longer freezing them.

"What are you doing?"

I turned my wet head to see Prince Nicholas walking down the hall. "I just stepped out into the rain for a little bit." I explained.

"I wouldn't advise doing that again, if I were you."

"And why is that?" I asked.

"There could be rebels outside or you could be struck by lightning. There are many different bad possibilities." He shook his head.

"I won't do it again," I put my hands up in mock surrender. "I promise."

"Thank you. Though might I ask, what are you doing in this hallway?"

"I was just exploring the castle. I don't know if you know this, but it's quite a big place."

"Yes it is, very large." He smiled. "Now, I must go back to my studies. Farewell," he kissed my hand. "For now."

"Goodbye, Nicholas." I waved.

He turned and waved his hand above his head, saying goodbye as well it seemed. I smiled to myself, realizing the obvious truth. Nicholas was easier to get along with than Ben. You could talk to him without worrying or being rude. He felt friendlier too.

Stop it, Grey. You're here for the Prince, not his brother...a different prince.

So... Thoughts on Nicholas? Weird spinning in the rain? Anything?

I don't really like this chapter, but I'm not rewriting it, so here it is.

-Quinn-