The Selection of Lindy Williams

Chapter 4

Selection day. I woke with a start. I couldn't believe it was finally the day I'd find out.

I jumped out of the bed and got dressed, an outfit I already had planned. My second least ratty dress, this one secondhand. It had a high neckline, held up by two thin spaghetti straps, and the skirt fell down to my mid-thighs, flowing around me. The pattern was a faded red with more flowers, bigger, but not in an obnoxious way. I brushed through my carmel hair, made sure it was sitting nicely, and laced up my boots.

I knew my outfit wouldn't matter wether or not I was selected, there would be no camera crews on me or officials meeting me until the next days, but I still wanted to look my best.

I finished getting ready, then skipped downstairs to make breakfast. My mom wasn't up yet so I started scrambling some eggs, fresh from the coop in our yard. I finished that and popped my toast in the toaster while I poured myself some juice. No coffee today, it would make me too jittery.

As I finished packing my bag my mom came in.

"Good morning ma, I scrambled some eggs and there's plenty of juice left in the carton."

"Thank you hun," she sat down and helped herself to some eggs. "Isn't it exciting doll! Your big day!"

"Yeah ma, but we don't even find out till tonight, so don't even worry about it, okay?" I said sweetly. That was the only way I talked to her, especially with the Selection.

"Oh I'm not worrying, I know you got it" she grins at that and I force one back.

"Alright ma, I got school, but I'll be home by five" I called, then I shoved a slice of toast in my mouth and left.

On the trolley all anyone could talk about was the Selection. Charisma and I were no exception.

"His eyes are so dreamy!" I exclaimed, allowing all my childish attraction to be exposed with her, "it's like I lose myself in them!"

"I know, and his smile! He's just glowing!" She squealed, "God, he must be so excited. He's probably never been with anyone, or kissed anyone!"

"Oh my god you're right!"

"Imagine being a twenty year old future king and having never kissed anyone!"

"What if one of US was his first kiss!"

We both disintegrated into squeals, getting odd looks from a few other passengers, but nearly everyone else seemed to be thinking about the same topic.

"Oh god, Lindy, there he is." Charisma murmured, her excitement replaced by a combination of confusion and fear.

Mason.

He climbed onto the trolley casually, then grabbed a bar nearest us as if nothing had happened the last time he was here.

"So tonight's selection night." He muttered. He could have been talking to anybody, himself even, but we knew it was directed at us.

Neither of us said anything, we just stared apprehensively.

"Well I sincerely hope neither of you are chosen."

"Mason why?" Charisma burst out, but he was already moving away. He gave one last glance, and something in his eyes scared me. I didn't see a teenager anymore. He was a man, a man with terrible intentions.

We put Mason out of our minds as we went about our day. Our school was open to any caste, but the higher ones were almost always privately schooled, wether in an expensive academy or by tutors, and many of the lower castes were homeschooled to leave more time for work. While I could be working, it was only my mother and I, and we made enough money to get by nowadays. As a Four Charismas family had enough money that she didn't need to work, but not enough for a higher education. Our school was a result of this hodgepodge, and was mostly Fours and Sixes, as Fives could begin their work even as children and Sevens labored outside, making the daytime a much preferable work time.

Our class contained every student in our sector of New Seattle born in the same year, so we were all in the same class all the way through our education. It made learning harder, having known all my classmates since we were five, but the entire system was flawed in itself.

The whole day was spent in a flurry of anticipation. All the girls were buzzing, hoping they would be chosen, and all the guys were sulking, feeling left out of the whole debacle. People were so antsy that our teacher let us out ten minutes before the bell, and since the weather was so unusually nice I decided to walk to the dance studio with Charisma.

Shoulder to shoulder we bumbled along the sidewalk toward the studio. I took in the crisp June air, enjoying the wind that tussled my hair a little. Everything in the world seemed happy. There was no way I wouldn't be chosen.

Our time at the studio was short as we wanted to be home early for the live broadcast at five. We mostly messed around, playing with old routines and tricks, then we wished each other luck, and with a hug I was out the door.

At home everything was hectic. My mom was fussing over every little thing, claiming she wanted the house prefect for my selection. There were fresh flowers on the coffee table and a tray of pastries in the kitchen. She was buzzing around preparing dinner, which seemed to be a roast of some sort.

"Ma, what's all this?" I lightly touched one of the pastries, just to make sure they weren't plastic.

"Well, I'll be expecting a nice check as soon as you leave, so what's the use in pinching pennies for the time being? When we hear your name we'll have a big dinner, and what we don't eat tonight we can share with Charisma and her family." She clapped her hands together in excitement.

"Oh Ma, but what if it's not me?"

She dismissed that thought with a wave of her hand.

"Lindy, darling, there is only one way for this to go and it results in you being queen."

I gulped as I took my place at the foot of the couch.

The Report cane on as usual, touching on the issues facing Illéa before even mentioning the selection, but finally Conway Paradise was called out and he joined the royal family on the screen.

"Good evening citizens of Illéa!" He was beaming, this time in a just as glitzy red suit. "I know you have been anxiously awaiting this day."

He had no idea. Since I was four i'd been waiting for this.

"Before we get started I want to take a moment to thank the royal family for this wonderful opportunity for so many of Illéas best and brightest, as well as all the staff that has been involved in preparations, and will continue to be involved throughout the process. And finally to all the young ladies who applied. Illéa is nothing without all of you, and with that said, thirty-five of you are about to get your wish."

I couldn't handle the anticipation any more. I drummed my hands on the floor, but settled when my mom shot me a glare.

"Let's begin!" Conway drew from his pocket a stack of cards, undoubtedly carrying the information of each of the Selected.

My eyes grew wide as he held the first up.

"Sarielyn Maxwell, Three, of Allens."

A photo of the Selected appeared on the screen. She was beautiful, natural. Her smile seemed so genuine it made me fear what other girls had applied from Likely.

"Constance Veleur, Two, of Angeles."

Another photo appeared, replacing Sarielyn. This girl was older, more mature. Her dark hair was pulled back exposing her high cheekbones and stunning jawline.

They continued through the alphabet, and it became clear to me just how slim my chances were growing. Every shade of beauty was expressed in the selected, from a girl with white-blonde and pale skin who could almost be a ghost, to a girl with a vibrant orange cascade of curls and skin dark as night. Each was unmistakably gorgeous in her own way. I was just plain.

"Ophelia Marx, Four, Lakedon."

"Oh my god" I breathed, my voice shaking. Every nerve in my body was tensed. This was it.

"Lindy it's happening!" my mom gasped. She was on the edge of her seat. I thought I could puke.

"Lindy Williams, Six, Likely"

I just stared as my picture appeared on the screen. My face beamed back at me without a hint of sincerity.