Once Upon A Pink Suitcase|✔️

Chapter One:

I roll over and look at my younger sister Abigail. Her strawberry blond hair frames her small face that's splattered with freckles. I love her with all my heart, she is the reason for everything and anything I do. So, that's why I need to go to city hall today. 

Getting out of our full-size bed that we share, I am more than careful not to wake her. Abigail needs lots of sleep and rest lately, and we have a doctors appointment in two days to see her progress.

Did I not mention? Abigail has leukemia.

I tiptoe over to the wooden dresser and pull out my favorite dress. It's not the nicest or newest thing I own, but if I am going to enter the Selection I will do it my way.I see absolutely no reason to have a "fake me" selected. Even if I want to get selected. 

It's complicated. 

I see my reflection in the small mirror, the white dress hugging my small and almost nonexistent curves. My skinny tanned legs look a little longer, the same legs that cause me to trip up on nothing but air or that used to help me run around in the park, full speed chasing after my older brother.  

I turn around and see Abigail sitting up looking right at me. She instantly gets excited, she loves watching the Selection progress on the news, and she wanted to have it in her year. But the Prince is my age and has no siblings, so, unfortunately, it's not going to happen for her. I think it's the dresses and fancy foods that really draw in Abigail, I mean they draw in half of the nation so it might as well be her reason. 

"Saige..." she calls out in a quiet but excited voice. "Can I do your makeup?" she asks popping the 'p'. She rolls over propping herself up against the bed frame. At the age of 11, this girl has mastered makeup and hair in ways professionals probably couldn't do.  Besides, I can't say no to her either. 

"Sure," I responded, sucking in my stomach and zipping up my white skater style dress. Abigail studies my outfit looking over the pallet, after a minute choosing gold eyeshadow of my small amount of bland colors. Makeup isn't something we just have loads of, it isn't practical nor affordable, but it is defiantly fun for special occasions. She instantly goes to work, brushing powders, choosing lipstick, blending, and putting mascara on me. Then she plucks my half attended to eyebrows and studies my face once more, before going to work on my hair. Abigail brushes it and leaves strategic pieces flowing in the front. When I try to fuss with my curls she pushes my hand away. 

"Effortlessly beautiful!" She squeals, quoting a makeup commercial. I grab my favorite jean jacket out of the bottom drawer. With its many patches and worn spots, it's fairly old, but I love it. I won't wear it for the pictures, but the cool spring days we have been having remind us that winter is not completely over yet.

I lean over to kiss her head, making a self promise that I will do my best to be selected. Not for me though, it is never for me. It's always been for Abigail or someone else but she needs it more now than ever. The treatments she gets are working mostly, but with medical help comes a price tag. A huge one might I add. The selection is my chance to try to save the ever-growing pile of bills that sit on the table all neat and organized, a constant reminder of our situation. 

I quietly close the door to our bedroom hoping Abigail will take the hint and go back to sleep. I guess it's not my fault if she is tired this afternoon, I tried. I always try. 

"Hey Owen," I say, nodding my head nonchalantly. He grabs my arm and looks me dead in the eye.

"You don't have to enter if you don't want to," he says bluntly. "I know the kind of girl you are, you hate this thing." 

"Well, I guess you don't know me well enough." I snap back frustrated. I know that must hurt him a bit from the look his eyes gave me. We are extremely close, he probably knows me better than anyone. I can't even begin to tell him why I need to enter, I would hate to embarrass him.

We stand there for a minute looking at each other, coming to terms with why in the world I am walking down to the city hall now.

"I know I am struggling, but it will get better. It will!" He shouts. I put my finger to my mouth, shushing him. I didn't want to shame him or anything, he is the protective older brother who just wants to provide for his family. But it sounds like he is trying to convince himself instead of me. Ever since dad died last year, we have been on our own. Mom ran off about ten years ago to get with someone who could afford her fancy clothes, and frankly, none of us want to see her ever again. As bad as it gets. 

We both just happened to be the right age to be able to live on our own. When dad died, I was 19 and Owen was 23 and recovering from a ski accident which put his football career down the drain. I quit my plans for college after my gap year and kept working hard at the little cafe downtown while balancing a nannying gig. Just trying to get by and hold this whole family together.

It's been one hell of a year.

Leaving Owen to think to himself I slip out of our two-bedroom apartment. Locking the door and then stepping out into the hall trying not to cry. I am constantly overwhelmed but I can't break down.

However being the stupid me, I trip in my nice white high heels. Falling right into my neighbor Thomas.

"Hi Saige." he says, chuckling to himself in that husky voice that turns me (and any other girl really) on.

"Hey..." I mumble trying to get up from this awkward position where my boobs are smushed into his chest. To top it all of I am wearing a strapless dress that just wants to shimmy down. I know I have wanted to get Thomas's attention for a while but seriously? I don't want to look desperate. Or stupid.

"Trying to get somewhere?" he asks, with a hint of sarcasm, eyes trailing to my chest.

"Yes, city hall." I respond while pulling up my dress and smoothing it out.

"Yea, I have been wondering about that." Thomas acknowledged, hands playing with the corner of his shirt. "Its arriving so soon. Feels like yesterday that we were little and would run up and down this hall and..."  

"Yea, only it wasn't just yesterday..." I counter back, my fingers dancing with the bottom of my dress. "I...I should go." I say, finally. I can't handle the tension and memories between us. Thomas has been one of my best friends for years and I know there is something more that could of. No, should have happened. But then I watch the dozens of girls enter and leave his apartment and I don't bother trying. If he likes those girls, then fine. I may change and enter a selection, but I will never be like them. I will never ever be that desperate.  

But he stops me and brings me around, my shoulders square with his. I hold my breath and I think my heart skipped a beat, as he flashes a smirk down at me. I look into his eyes, trying to put those stupid puzzle pieces together. And then he puts them together. Tilting my face so I am looking up, he puts his hands on my lower back, inching closer to the end of my dress, and brings me to him. I wrap my arms around his neck, and sneak my hands to his hair, tugging just a bit. Putting his lips on mine like he had wanted to do this forever.

I mean, I have.

"Go and try to win for Abigail, but know I am back here waiting."

Sealing it with a pinky swear and a stamp, I run to the elevator, blushing, and press the button leaving my childhood crush standing against the doorframe looking at me.

hey everyone! when I originally started writing this book back in August, I was experimenting. writing about things I liked, trying out different writing styles, just trying to put all my ideas out there and hopefully get a good response. I realize now that chapters 1-10 are only 1000-1500 words, while the later ones are 2000+. combining chapters is too hard to do when it would require renumbering all other 40+ parts... so I am going back and adding more to each chapter, including more scenes which would make the alternate endings better/more realistic. ANYWAYS what I am trying to say is stay tuned for updates with new writing!!

pretty please vote for this chapter!!

xoxo