Plastic Crown: A Selection Fanfiction- Unfinished.

[ Chapter Six ]

I woke up to my mother pulling my feet out of my bed and yelling, 'LLLLAAAAZZZYYYYYY!' She'd never done this before, so I whacked her with my pillow.

"Mom, it's Seven a.m. I have time!" At the complaint, my mom pushed up her sleeves and ripped the quilt clean off my bed.

"You need to pack. After that you need to go downstairs because someone's waiting for you."
She plopped a small suitcase on my bed. "Only pack things you need, Odette. They supply toiletries but bring anything that feels homey in there and you'll be allowed to keep it."

I stuffed a small teddy bear, my jewelry box, and my collections box in the suitcase. I was closing it as my mother, father, and my little brother appeared in the doorway.

Well, if everyone's here, then this must be important.

My little brother presented a small box, it's contents a mystery.

"Pack this too," he said, smiling wide.

"This is for whenever you're missing your family." My mother and father said in unison. I took the package carefully and gently placed it inside the suitcase. Then I closed it, letting my father carry it down after he graciously offered. I heard Julie's voice from downstairs and went to greet her.

I saw Julie's light brown hair and walked over, touching her shoulder gently.

"Ms. Julie!" I said as she turned. As she turned around, she revealed who she was talking to. The black halo was unmistakable and before I knew it, I was in her arms.

I hadn't known how much I missed my best friend, but now I did. "Maddie, oh my gosh, what are you- where have you been?" Before I could get an answer, she changed the topic by lifting a dress bag.

"Surprise!" She said cheerfully, unzipping the top, revealing a beautiful multicolor blue dress. She handed it to me and she and Julie ushered me into the bathroom, one doing my hair while the other did my makeup. They left and I changed into the dress.

When I walked out of the bathroom, they clapped their hands and Maddie wiped tears from her eyes.

"You look beautiful, Odette." I smiled, trying my best to believe her. Ms. Julie crashed the party by opening the door and clearing her throat.

"Miss Odette Miller, the castle awaits you."

The sendoff was grand and noisy, and the sun was in my eyes most of the time. Even so, it felt good knowing almost everyone I knew was behind me. It was something I wasn't used to.

They rushed me to the airplane, helping me on and sitting me by a beautiful girl, her name was Bernadette. I recognized the name from the selected list. She greeted me with a shy 'hello' and hasn't said anything since. I decided to change that.

"You're Bernadette, right?" She turned around, seeming surprised I actually spoke to her.

"Y-yes! You're Odette, right? Our names rhyme!"
She giggled quietly, her voice fluttering with nerves.

"Yes, I'm Odette! You know, if you're nervous, there isn't any need to be! The castle will make you feel at home as best they can." I wasn't sure if this was true, but I could at least try to calm her down.

"O-okay. Thanks, Odette." she took my hand as we began to land, and I too began to shake with nerves. In five minutes, we would begin the ride to the castle.

I was paired with Bernadette, Josephine, and Valencia. As far as I knew, Josephine was really in it for the crown, and Valencia was very popular with the crowd. It made sense, her face was so beautiful.

The car pulled up to the gates, and I got out right after Bernadette. I walked up to so many, shaking hands and signing papers. Many wanted pictures, but I only had time for a few large group ones.

I finally made it inside the castle and took a good look around as we made our way to the salon. I was paired with a middle-aged woman with short curled hair dyed a deep pink. She asked me what I wanted, and I told her to put it up in a bun as best she could.

"That's all? Just a bun?" she protested. "I guess... Can I make it detailed, though?" I nodded.

"Of course! I just want it out of my face." Before she started, I was changed into a short throwaway top and bottom. It wasn't cute, but it was obviously because my hair wasn't the only thing being done.

I watched as Valencia's hairdressers went crazy. One bumped into the other, spilling bleach all over her. It seemed Valencia's baliage was not going quite as planned.

"Glad I'm not over there." The pink-haired lady commented. As she was still working on my hair, three younger workers walked over and drew a curtain around me. They took hoses and some rough material to smooth my skin everywhere. Then they propped my up and started working on my nails, I asked for white polish because it would go with anything. I felt her hands brush my shoulders as she finished the bun and said, "Alright, do you like it?" She gave me a mirror and spun me around. I used the double reflection to look at the detailed braided bun and gasped.

"It's beautiful! I love it!!!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands. "Thank you all so much!" I glanced down at my hands and frowned. I had just ruined my nails. I slowly placed them back down on the table and everyone laughed. As they tidied them up again I had a feeling I might just enjoy my time here at the castle.