The Selected

The Departure

I'm surrounded by cameras the minute I step out of my house. I try to mimic the smile my mom is currently wearing but I'm pretty sure everyone can tell it's fake. I glance at Anna, who is trying her best not to cry, then at Erik who's deep in thought (probably planning on new ways to annoy me when I get home), and then at my parents who seem almost proud of me. I don't really understand what they're so proud of. After all this entire thing is basically just a beauty pageant that I'll for sure be kicked out of once the prince realizes I'm not some perfect, well mannered, princess.

The walk to town square was quicker then I'd hoped and I already find myself saying my goodbyes. I promise my parents that I'll at least try and get to know the prince, but I can tell that even they doubt my ability to remain in the competition long enough to win. I turn to my brother and promise to bring back many stories full of embarrassing moments that we both know I'll have. And then I turn to Anna and tears begin to well up in my eyes.

"I'm going to miss you soo much", I say in Anna's ear while pulling her into a hug. Anna pulls away and wipes a tear away from my eye, careful not to ruin what little makeup I aloud my mom to put on me this morning.

"Don't worry, 10 bucks says you'll be sent back home by tomorrow", Anna says while winking at me.

"20 bucks says I get sent home tonight", I reply before bringing her into one last hug. As soon as I pull away from Anna I hug my family one last and tell them how much I love them. Then a man dressed up in a tuxedo that puts my dark jeans, white t-shirt, and grey cardigan to shame, escorts me up to a podium to say some goodbyes. Since I'm not very good at speeches I basically just restate my goodbyes to Anna and my family, and thank Illea for this "amazing opportunity"... my mom's words, not mine.

"Right this way Lady Carter", the well dressed man says while ushering me into a plane. Suddenly I begin to feel sick to my stomach for I realize that I've never been on a plane before, and I'll soon be flying in mid air.

"Watch your step", the man warns me before leading me into a room full of chairs and 5 other girls. As soon as I step in the room all eyes turn on me. Three of the girls soon get bored of me and continue on staring out the window. One girl, who looks like she's ready to attend a formal ball right this minute, looks me up and down before flipping her and mumbling "this is gonna be a piece of cake". The last girl smiles at me nervously and I decide to take the empty spot beside her.

"Next stop, the palace!" The man tells us while making his way into a different room for take off. Several of the girls squeal but I find myself rolling my eyes trying not to run off this plane and as far away from the palace as possible.

"Hi, I'm Marissa", the girl beside me says. She looks beautiful with her long, light brown hair, big brown eyes, tanned skin, and light pink sundress. One look at her tells me she's got to be at least a 3.

"I'm Carter", I reply awkwardly for I'm not really used to making new friends. My only real friend was and will always be Anna.

"I really like your dress, you look beautiful", I tell Marissa while trying to copy her perfect posture.

"Thanks", she replies equally as awkward as me. I guess she isn't very open with people either.

I spend the rest of the plane ride staring out the window and taking in how crazy this whole selection thing is going to be. It isn't until we're metres away from the ground and I can see thousands of people awaiting our arrival, that I realize this is all really happening, and it's happening now.

I stand up as the plane comes to a complete stop, and take in one last breathe as Carter Lively, the 5, the tomboy, before stepping outside and becoming Carter Lively, the 3, the selected.