The Appointed: A Selection Fanfiction

Chapter Seventeen

I must say, the float looked fantastic. Today was the day of the parade, where we would go in a small circle around the palace, waving to the crowds. I had never been to a parade back home, so it was difficult to keep in my excitement.

The float was a pale pink color, decked out with flowers. We had an archway on top with roses and a few seats to sit in covered in tulips. All the girls decided to dress up like a certain flower, just to match the float. I was dressed as a peony. My dress was a light pink with green swirling up the bottom along with a few of the flowers themselves on the waist in a triangular pattern. My hair was done in a half-up half-down style with the peony right in the center.

The other girls looked great too. I would watch as Ampra ran around, fixing things in her bright yellow dress, sunflowers adorning her curly hair. Harley dressed up as a rose, which looked brilliant against her jet black hair, the red color really making a statement. Paige was dressed up as a purple balloon flower. The flower itself was very pretty, but her dress just didn't fit the part. It was a floor length, purple balloon dress that had a high neck with matching shoes. Her blonde hair was up in a bun with a flower tucked in to the side.

"Places everyone!" A man called after checking some things off a clipboard.

The other floats looked very nice as well. One had bright colors, filled with candy that the girls planned to throw out. That was a good idea. The other float was based off of a Hollywood show. They had a massive camera and a red carpet. Cameras flashed while the girls strutted down the carpet in the center. You could tell they put more work into their idea, but I preferred the other.

I climbed the rungs of the ladder that led to the float's base, where we would all stand. Limbelle came up last and quickly found her place among the girls.

"Remember to smile and wave," Harley instructed. "We want to look happy, not evil." She glared at Paige who seemed to have a permanent scowl on her face.

Sapphire bounced on the balls of her feet beside me. "I'm so excited! This is going to be so much fun!"

I nodded with a smile and looked to my left, noting Phryne seemed a little uneasy. "What's wrong?"

"I don't want to mess up. What if the Prince sees and sends us home because of it?" She worried.

"I honestly don't think he'd do that, Phryne. This parade is supposed to be fun, not an assessment."

She nodded and looked straight ahead, trying to block out all the sounds of the world.

"In three, two, one! Here we go!"

The float began to move under me. It was an odd feeling, almost as though I was floating. The other girls seemed to enjoy it as well, laughing and clapping. It was just the perfect moment with nothing wrong.

I waved to the crowds as we passed, seeing lots of signs with my name on it. Many other names were sprinkled in there too. Paige gobbled up the attention like a steak dinner, waving and shouting her thanks at everyone. It was like she was a different person.

I watched as the float ahead of us threw candy out, showering the crowds with sweets. Everyone cheered, hoping to go home with a bag full of candy.

Even the royal family had at heir own float. It wasn't nearly as decorated as any of ours, but they all looked very regal as they waved to the crowds, never once raising their voice.

Next to me I saw Sapphire pick a lily off our float and throw it to the crowd. Soon after, everyone began to grab flowers and throw them out. The crowd loved it! They would cheer and cry every time one of us tossed one out.

I turned to look at Phryne beside me. "See, it's not so bad, is it?"

"This is really fun, Grey. The crowd loves us! Look!" She pointed to the raging crowds and screaming children.

"I know!" I squealed. "Everything is just so-" I was cut off by a loud, screeching siren.

"What is that!" Someone cried.

"Augghh!" Paige covered her ears in protection.

"Get down from the floats!" A guard yelled beside us.

Everyone clambered down the ladder, afraid of what was gong on. Several guards motioned for us to follow them towards the palace. We all obeyed, scared and curious of what was happening.

"What's going on?" Harley whispered beside me.

"I'm not sure. Maybe the crowds were getting too wild." I guessed.

Harley shrugged and began to walk ahead of me, no doubt asking the other girls the same question, finding no suitable answer.

I turned around to find Leni staring back at me with a worried expression displayed on her face. I just shrugged and kept on walking, hoping the answer would be revealed once we made it inside.

I heard a bone chilling scream and stopped dead in my tracks, searching for the owner. My eyes found Reagan on the ground, clutching her leg.

"Someone, help!" I yelled knowing I couldn't help her by myself. "What's wrong?"

"My leg. I think when I fell down from the ladder of the float I twisted it somehow. Now I can't walk on it." She grunted in pain.

"I need medical!" I yelled, though it seemed no one could hear me through all the commotion. Soon rain started to pour as I sat there holding Reagan's hand. I looked up a few moments later and saw a silhouette jogging towards us in the distance.

"Hey, someone's coming." I told Reagan as she nodded her head in understanding.

"What's wrong?" A male voice asked from behind me.

"She hurt her leg. She can't walk on it."

I turned and saw Ben's eyes widen as he heard the news. He slowly picked Reagan up and carried her. "We have to get inside the palace. Now." He commanded as he began to run with Reagan. I ran in the direction of the palace, finally making it into the safety of the long hallways.

Or so I thought.

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Augghh! I know I left you on a cliffhanger. What do you think just happened? What was the siren for? What really happened to Reagan? I actually feel pretty bad for Reagan, like, that's got to hurt. Make sure to check out my next chapter once it comes out. Answers may be revealed. Mwahaha!

Thanks for reading! Only a few more chapters to go before we are done here!