The Selection

10-News

Another night, another episode of the Report. It had been a couple of weeks since the first, so the boys had learned the routine. Most of them began to show off around the cameras, desperate to make a good impression on the public. As usual, they started with the announcements before shifting over to the Selection.

"Miss Maya, why don't you come to join me?" Shawn smiled, holding out a hand. I took his hand, stepping forward. "Tell me about the last week, any new developments?" I blushed at the thought of my time with Brandon. 

"Maybe a few. Above everything, as I spend more time with each of the boys I have realized that they aren't much different than me." I confessed. My eyes scanned the crowd of boys who were smiling at me, urging me to go on. "We like the same things, we want to just be young and free. We want genuine human connection and that is something I can thankfully say I've found with each of these strangers. Strangers who have become friends, some who have become more and one who will become my husband." 

"Any idea who that lucky one might be?" Shawn asked. I shook my head with a laugh. 

"No matter who I end up with, the lucky one is me." The crowd loved my answer but I spoke the truth. I was the luckiest girl in all of Illéa.

"Always a pleasure your Highness." Shawn dismissed me and I rejoined my parents. My mom was smiling at me, and even my father seemed impressed. "Now for our guests of honor." Shawn pulled the attention to my suitors. "Brandon, our cameras showed you and the princess making a quick getaway. Care to share any details of your private excursion?"

"The princess showed me her wild side." He chuckled, keeping the audience at the edge of his seats with his implications. "We went exploring the wilderness and she showed me what it felt like to be free." 

"And Mr. Matthews, you are the crowd favorite. Any news to share with your adoring fans?" Shawn asked Josh who was charming as always. He looked handsome in his suit, though he was a model after all. 

"Nothing new but I can assure you my time here is not done." 

"Speaking of, with the sudden elimination of 6 competitors, do you worry you will be next?" 

"There is no point in worrying." Josh smiled. from anyone else, his words would have seemed cocky. "I know Princess Maya will make the right decision about who she wants to be with and I trust her." 

"Down to fourteen is only the beginning. Word has come from the king that the next elimination will be a big one. by next week, our numbers will be cut in half. All I can say is good luck, Miss Hart." The camera's turned off but I was still processing the news, as were all the boys. After a moment of recovery, Zay joined me and escorted me to my room, something that had become a tradition.

"Did you know?" He asked as we headed towards my room. We took the long way, as usual.

"Not a clue." I sighed.

"Do you know who you're going to send home?" 

"Nope," I confessed. I had grown attached to all of them. Now it was just a matter of deciding who I wanted around the most. 

"Am I going home?" I stopped walking and turned to him. "It's okay if I am. I just want a heads up." He continued to babble but I stopped him.

"You have nothing to worry about," I promised, pecking his cheek. We continued on and reached my door. 

"Thanks, M. And if you need help narrowing down your picks, I'm your man." He grinned proudly. I ruffled his hair before lightly shoving him away.

"Goodnight Zay." I smiled after him.

"Goodnight, Princess."