Selected of Illèa-A Selection Fanfiction

17

I ate my dinner of mashed potatoes and pork chops silently. Grace and Emily were so worried and were constantly wondering aloud if she would be okay. It took every part of me to stop from telling what was really going.

But Rachel want the only person missing from the table. Brynnlie was not there. I was the only one who knew why, but everyone guessed the same thing. Brynnlie had been eliminated. Norah, her "friend", was just like most of the girls, beaming from ear to ear. The reason is simple: there are only fourteen selected left and they are still here.

I was glad just to have her gone. I'm not exactly the type of person to be great friends with someone easily, but she had built up a beautiful illusion of a trustworthy person. She comforted me with my heart condition. She was so caring. A part of me believes...no hopes, it was more than an illusion. But if it was real, we both let the selection get in the way of a possible great friendship. I don't want to believe either.

Brynnlie's betrayel broke a small part of me, and every time I looked at her, the empty spot ached. It was too hard after seeing Ashlie leave to Kent. I lost two close friends in two days.

"Earth to Julie, come in Julie," Emily interrupted my thoughts as she waved a hand in front of my face. "Sorry, I was off in my own little world," I told her. I blinked a couple of times. "Did you hear anything I said?" Emily asked with a raised eyebrow. I blushed and shook my head. "Well, Christmas is in five days. I was wondering what you wanted," she explained.

I thought for a moment. "I have absolutely no idea. I really didn't even think of that, with everything that's happened." She rolled her eyes at me, but then turned to the Grace and Isabella to ask the same thing. Oddly enough, they all said exactly the same thing. She almost growled when Grace just shrugged.

Emily looked down, "Just so you weirdos know, I want a coffee mug, an Angeles snowglobe and a necklace. I collect mugs and snowglobes." I take note and head up to my room where my maids are getting a dress ready. They quickly hide it.

"Miss! We didn't expect you so soon!" Wendy exclaims hiding the fabric. "Oh, sorry," I say and head to my desk, "I would appreciate some alone time." I'm hoping to give them time to finish what they're doing. They agree and cover up the dress to go finish it elsewhere. I start on my project. I hope it's done in four days.

♢♢♢

Lucas, much to my dismay, calls me away from my work to meet with him and the other selected. I am excited to see Lucas, but now isn't the best time.

Either way, I go down to the women's room where I sit by Isabella and Grace. Emily isn't there yet. "What are you getting Emily?" I ask them. I figure out Isabella's getting her a necklace and Grace is getting a mug. Perfect. I'll get her a snow globe.

Just then Emily walks in so we exchange some small talk. Lucas comes in not too long afterward with an announcement. All of us girls are on the edge of our seats. No one knows what's going on.

He takes a deep breath and begins, "So, you're probably all wondering what this is about. Well, as most of you know, Christmas is just five days away, and as the Italians are here, we will be hosting a Christmas Eve ball. It will start with dinner at six and go to 12:00. Your maids are preparing your outfits to surprise you. I will be very busy up to then so you won't see me until the actual dinner itself.

"I would also like to inform you, if you haven't already heard, that princess Rachel is very ill. There can't be any visitors, but feel free to send things through the nurses if you want to. Now, I have a meeting, but you should all head up to bed." The other selected all head out quickly after that, but I linger a little bit.

"Lucas?" I say to get his attention as he begins walking out of the room. "Yes?" Lucas turns to me and stops. "What's do you know about the treaty?" I ask him and he looks confused. "How do you know about the treaty?" he questions. "Rachel wrote about it in her letter," I lie quickly.