The Selection - Annalise

Chapter Two

  I sat down at the table, staring at the man who sat across from us. He was here to tell me all the rules and standards for being in the Selection.

"Okay?" the guy across the table raised one eyebrow at me.

I nodded in response. "Yes, sir."

"Good," the man began to gather his papers back into his suitcase. "Tomorrow someone will come to pick you up at 3:00 PM. Make sure to have your bags ready," without a reply the man walked out of the house.

"You better start to pack. Maddie, would you like to help her?" Mom called into the living room where Maddie was painting.

"Of course! Ann, I'll see you in your room!" I heard her steps climbing up the stairs.

I got up to follow her and my mom stood up, kissed me on my forehead and walked toward the fridge to begin to make dinner. We were going to have a feast tonight in celebration, or at least what we called a feast.

I had received an outfit that I was supposed to wear when the man had come to tell me the rules. I laid it out on my bed and continued to pack my things. So far I only had two of my sketchbooks, a professional pencil, and some colored pencils. Maddie was still in my room, searching for a book I told her to try and find.

My room was a mess and I never bothered to clean it. I kind of felt bad for Maddie but she seemed perfectly happy. She was even organizing my room a bit.

I looked in my side-table drawer to try and find something to pack. My eyes traveled to a bracelet and I almost screamed at myself for forgetting it.

I pulled out the bracelet and slid it on my wrist. I forgot all about it. It was extremely dear to me because my best friend in elementary gave it to me. Her name was Evelyn Scott and she was the prettiest girl in the country! We were so sad when she had to move three years after we met, so she gathered some money and got materials to make this bracelet for me. She put the cutest momentos on it, too.

It wouldn't surprise me if she got into the Selection.

That made a thought come into my head. She was adored by every boy in school even though she was a 4, so what if she got picked for the Selection?

That would be amazing.

I wondered if somehow I could contact her. Maybe in the palace, I could ask.

"Hey, Ann! I found your book!" Maddie said as she slid next to the bag on her knees. She gently put it in the bag, making sure to be careful. She knew how picky I was about books.

"Thanks!" I forgot about Evelyn and helped her up. "I need to get changed, so can you leave?"

Maddie nodded and glanced at my bracelet before walking out and shutting the door.

I quickly got into the outfit which was a white top with red sleeves, a dark gray short skirt, a red headband, white socks, and red dress shoes. It was by far the prettiest thing I have ever worn. Though, I guess I was going to be wearing much prettier dresses.

I couldn't wait!

I honestly didn't enjoy wearing dresses, but that was because I never really wore them. I'm sure I would get used to it, besides, I would look so beautiful! I imagined myself in a beautiful poofy white dress. I sighed at the thought.

I heard a knock on my door and I went to open it. My mother was there, smiling at me.

It was time.

I grabbed my bag, quickly snatching a picture of me and my family. I smiled at it and tried to tuck it into a pocket, but there was none.

"You look beautiful, my lady," a girl in a black shirt and white skirt said.