Selected of Illèa-A Selection Fanfiction

14

I head down to the game night with Grace, who thankfully is on the hallway as me. We get there just as most everybody comes and the nineteen of us squeeze through the doors into the lightly used women's room. Well, maybe not lightly used, I've just spent most of my stay so far in the hospital, my room, or the rebels underground base.

A couple of games are set up around the room and we, meaning me and Grace, find Telestrations and wave Emily and Rachel over. Isabella and Abigail wander over to us quickly and we start the game (which has a maximum of 6 players).

After a couple of rounds we commandeer an empty game of Ticket to Ride. I fail miserably and come in last, but Emily makes a spectacular win and beats everybody. Eventually all of the girls finish up and we start a group game.

We all sit in a circle and play mafia. As usual in a big group, I get a the lesser card as the townsperson. The game starts and I close my eyes while America has the mafia open their eyes. Eventually, they us to wake up after the various positions are called. I was killed by the mafia, of course.

I then just watch the game unfold, finding that Rachel herself killed me as the mafia. Finally, the townspeople win and we all get up to go to bed as we realize it's almost 11 o'clock, which isn't that late, but oh well.

Just then Lucas comes in, which I think is breaking some rule, but that's okay. "I'm glad to have caught you all here. So, I've decided to narrow it down to 15 instead of 19 girls. So, if I say your name, I am asking you to go pack your bags. I apologize to those of you leaving, and I wish you the best of luck. So, uh, Harper Garcia, Ella Anderson, Scarlett Jackson, and Zoey Slaughter," he looks very awkward and as soon as the girls leave (Scarlett and Zoey doing so in fake, dramatic tears), he leaves.

All of the girls in our group do a kind of happy dance that Scarlett and Zoey are gone. I still remember the day she dug her nails into my arm and told me to stay away from the crown. Emily and Grace leave and I stay with Rachel and America for a moment.

America takes a chance while Rachel is checking the game boxes, to talk to me, "Julie, I admire your strength. You would make an amazing queen if you had the opportunity." I go help finish and then the three of us leave the room.

I hear America gasp and see her clutch Rachel's arm, "Rachel, my water just broke. Go tell your father and Julie will help me to the hospital wing. Meet us there." America remains calm and simply just holds my hand as we walk towards the hospital wing, Rachel having run ahead to get King Maxon.

"What a pair we make!" I say, nervous beyond belief. "Oh, yes!" America said as we turned to the hospital wing where Maxon was waiting. "Oh, my dear! Come here," Maxon said taking her hand and leading her past a curtain. "I'm not your dear!" I hear America say almost angrily, but also with a laugh.

I leave, knowing I've been forgotten in the craziness. I pass Lucas running towards the room and he flashes a smile towards me. Slowly, I make my way to my room and change into a nightgown. Today had been a roller coaster of emotions, I think as I tick myself in the soft covers. I fall asleep easily only to find myself once again in that horrid room.

Laryn's wicked smile curls wider and the rebels hold knives, all pointed at me. They kick me onto the floor where I lay helpless the knives come closer, cutting my skin. I scream and sob, the pain taking over all of my senses. They don't stop and instead it gets worse, the knives cutting deeper and her merciless laugh rings in my ears. Laryn says horrible things, her voice like poison, over and over, the words pounding into my head. I lay weak in my blood, sobbing as she keeps getting louder.

♢♢♢

I wake screaming, but I quickly (by quickly I mean after about a half an hour) calm myself down. It was just a dream. Just a dream.
Unable to sleep anymore, I go sit on my balcony, overlooking the gardens. I stair at the stars, which are muted by city lights. I watch the guards switch shifts as the clock changes from 2:59 to 3 o'clock. After a couple of minutes, someone goes outside (through the doors) into the chilly December air.

I recognize the dirty blond hair and call to Lucas. I stand up and lean over my balcony as he turns to the noise. He comes closer to my balcony, "What are you doing up so late?"

I reply, "I can't sleep. What about you?"

"Well, it's a girl. As if I needed two sisters," he sighs, but I can tell he's happy.

"Congratulations! When do I get to meet her?"

"Probably in the morning. After all, you did help my mom when it counted."

"Does she have a name?"

"Um, Queen America Shreave."

"No, your newborn sister."

"I know what you meant," he smiles, " it's Evelyn Amberley Shreave."

"That's a beautiful name."

"She's very beautiful. Mom's happy someone got her red hair finally."

"Oh, I've always loved red hair!"

"Red hair is pretty, but I've heard it comes with a temper. And besides, brown hair's much prettier." Lucas smells and winks at me.

"Thank you," I say, glancing at my chestnut colored locks, then I wink at him, "but I still like red hair better than blond." Truth be told, I absolutely love his blond hair, just not blond hair in gen"eral.

"Darn! I was so sure you were going to say you liked blond better," Lucas says, feigning angry, but unable to hide a grin.

Well, I don't like blond usually, but I like your blond. I smile as I think this. "I happen to like my blond better, too," he grins widely now and I blush furiously.

"Well, darn! I didn't think I said that out loud!" I say, not knowing what else to say as my cheeks get redder. He raises an eyebrow, which I find attractive, and smirks, "Think of me often?" Once again, I say whatever comes to mind. "Well its not fault you are so dang attractive!" I say, before clapping a hand over my excited mouth. His eyebrow grows higher.

"Before I say anything else, I'm going to back inside," I say as he stands there with a smirk and the eyebrow still raised high as ever. "I hope you know, I won't forget," he assures me as I begin shutting my doors. I wave goodbye and close the doors behind me.

A groan escapes me as I slide to the floor against the door. Of course he won't forget. Why would he? I mean I just told him he's attractive. Not that I didn't think so, it's just I didn't want to tell him.

I grab a book from the shelf. Not just any random book, but Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Yes, the original British version instead of the 'sorcerers stone'. I read until I hear my maids coming at 6 to choose a dress and clean up. Then I tick the book under my bed and feign sleeping. Today will be a wonderful day.

♢♢♢

My maids dress me in a yellow skirt with a black polka dot sweater. I immediately head downstairs. I grab a blueberry muffin and walk to the hospital wing where Rachel is walking out.
"Can I go see her?" I ask hesitantly. "Yeah, you can just go in," Rachel replies with a yawn. "Thanks," I say as I go in.

The nurse is in the back, so I sneak in. I find Lucas there as well as Maxon, all around the two redheads. "Sorry to intrude," I whisper when I see Evelyn sleeping. "You're fine. And thank you. I meant to thank you last night," America whispers back sincerely. "It's no problem," I wave off.

"Her name is Evelyn Amberley Shreave," Maxon says as he hands me the tiny baby, unaware I already knew. "Hey, Evelyn," I coo as she opens her small piercing blue eyes, I turn to America "-She is so precious."

Just then a door opens. "Let me see my little granddaughter!" America's mom comes in, followed by May, America's sister. I hand off Evelyn, but I don't want to.

Me and Lucas leave the room soon. "She is so perfect!" I tell him as we wander aimlessly. "I know," he says with a happy sigh.