Chapter 17
The next morning was Saturday, and the only thing Paxton could think to say was thank god. Kira, her roommate, left yesterday morning when Kian made his cuts, missing the Halloween ball by a day. The poor thing was in tears as Paxton recalled, but thankfully, as Kira confessed, she had not gotten very close to the prince.
Paxton was to go as the night sky. Her maids Phoebe and Eloise insisted on it, mentioning something about past Selections. Originally, she was to go as a wave (that was her own idea), but Finley, being from a seaside town herself, snatched that up quicker than you could say "Lucille's being naughty".
Sunlight streamed through the room as Emily bounced in, clad in her black and white maids outfit. Her hair was half-up-half-down, unlike her usual bun, so Paxton knew she was excited.
"Miss! I was about to wake you up but I see you've done that for me!" She giggle, then disappeared in to the bathroom to prepare for Paxton's dressing. Phoebe and Eloise came in a minute later chattering like the starlings outside. Their tone was in a hushed whisper, and Paxton could only catch a few words, "destroyed", "Nicole", and "Tonight's Ball".
She stretched her arms and yawned. If Kira hadn't been sent home, she would have been sitting in bed, already dressed, reading a book. Paxton felt suddenly lonely. It was so weird, not sharing a room with someone.
Eloise clapped her hands. "Let's go! Paxton, I want Emily to do your hair now. Emily! A bun!" The jumped into action, and Paxton was whisked into the bathroom where Emily promptly started to pull on her hair.
"I'm sorry miss! It just gets so...knotted!"
Paxton, bored, started to test different facial expressions in the mirror.
The next morning was Saturday, and the only thing Paxton could think to say was thank god. Kira, her roommate, left yesterday morning when Kian made his cuts, missing the Halloween ball by a day. The poor thing was in tears as Paxton recalled, but thankfully, as Kira confessed, she had not gotten very close to the prince.
Paxton was to go as the night sky. Her maids Phoebe and Eloise insisted on it, mentioning something about past Selections. Originally, she was to go as a wave (that was her own idea), but Finley, being from a seaside town herself, snatched that up quicker than you could say "Lucille's being naughty".
Sunlight streamed through the room as Emily bounced in, clad in her black and white maids outfit. Her hair was half-up-half-down, unlike her usual bun, so Paxton knew she was excited.
"Miss! I was about to wake you up but I see you've done that for me!" She giggle, then disappeared in to the bathroom to prepare for Paxton's dressing. Phoebe and Eloise came in a minute later chattering like the starlings outside. Their tone was in a hushed whisper, and Paxton could only catch a few words, "destroyed", "Nicolette", and "Tonight's Ball".
She stretched her arms and yawned. If Kira hadn't been sent home, she would have been sitting in bed, already dressed, reading a book. Paxton felt suddenly lonely. It was so weird, not sharing a room with someone.
Eloise clapped her hands. "Let's go! Paxton, I want Emily to do your hair now. Emily! A bun!" The jumped into action, and Paxton was whisked into the bathroom where Emily promptly started to pull on her hair.
"I'm sorry miss! It just gets so...knotted!"
Paxton, bored, started to test different facial expressions in the mirror. When she was finished getting ready, she headed down to the Women's Room, mostly in order to get out of her maids way. She also hoped she might accidentally run into Kian on the way there. As she turned the corner, her heart sank. Kian and Lanie were briskly walking in the other direction, up the stairs to level three. Level three. The Selected were not allowed to go up there without security checks and an invitation from a direct royal. Why was Kian letting Calanthe go? As the pair stepped past her, Lanie's shoes echoing as they hit the stone steps, Paxton caught her eye.
"Paxton!" Lanie greeted cheerily, giving a small wave. Her blue-grey eyes seemed to scan Paxton's dress. "That color looks great on you!"
Kian agreed, "It's very becoming," Making Paxton blush.
"What are you-" She was about to ask Lanie where she was going when Regina called Kian's name from the third floor. Lanie said goodbye and Paxton watched the two run up the steps. Weird, she thought.
Finley and the Hemmerich twins were playing a game of cards when Paxton entered. They were quietly arguing, hoping none of the tell-tale girls would hear.
"I'm telling you we need three more players! You can't play Rat Hole unless you've got six!" Blair muttered. Blaze agreed with a nod.
"Well I'm not letting Jocelynn play!" Finley snapped.
"Ask someone else! Ask...Kora, or maybe Ruby?" Blaze pointed to two girls sitting next to each other, talking quietly. The first, Kora, had long red hair, and a delicate, stern face. Next to her was Ruby Nigel, dressed in a cream dress that highlighted her dark hair. She had pouty lips and an analytical glare, but Finley had met her. She was nice.
"I'll ask, since Fin is too scared."
"I am not!" But Blair was already walking over. Finley slumped back into her seat. Her head turned as the door clicked open. Paxton walked in, with Monique Earl close behind. Monique was possibly one of the most prepared, and certainly most intimidating girl in the selection. From a distance, Monique seemed ordinary, but when she spoke, it was like her voice could manipulate anyone into doing whatever she wanted. Monique was kind, and genuinely cared for others, but Finley didn't know what to make of her.
Monique's full, chin length hair bounced as she walked over to Sage Irving and Mercedes Dangelo. Finley watched her until Blaze poked her cheek.
"Ow! Clip your nails, woman!" Finley said, rubbing her face. Ruby, Paxton, and Aria Fullbright. Finley recalled her being around Nicolette Langdon. Both girls were from Midston. After a couple games, Ruby and Aria began to talk.
"So where are you ladies from?" Ruby asked, placing a five of hearts onto the pile.
Blaze and Blair answered at the same time, "Labrador!"
"I'm from Bonita," Finley answered.
"Oh, you came with Rowan! Anyway, I'm from Carolina."Ruby answered. Queen America's old province. I wonder if that's an advantage, Finley thought. She didn't want to think badly of the other girls, but this was a competition after all. Finley wanted to win.
Blair noticed her calculating glare at Ruby. She was about to say something, but Princess Regina burst into the room suddenly, with Silvia close behind. While Silvia waited, Regina walked straight foreward, her eyes locked on two little red-head girls.
"Regina! Ginnie, stop!" They yelled as their older sister forcefully dragged them out of the room. Blair and Blaze exchanged amused glances. That was out of Regina's sophisticated character. Amber slammed the door shut angrily as Silvia winced.
"Now that those two are gone, I have an announcement. Earlier this morning, Nicolette's costume was ruined. I know none of you are mature enough to confess, but I just thought you should all know if she does not show up tonight. Now," Silvia's cold eyes traveled from girl to girl. Aria felt that they landed on her for an unnervingly long time. She shifted in her seat.
"Now, we are going to learn how to dance."
The amount of girl's learning to dance versus the amount of space was hilarious. In the end, they all were accomplished waltzers, but Francesca, Gabriella, Haleigh Glass, and Ivory Amarante limped back to their rooms giggling about how sore their toes were. While Gabriella, Ivory, and Francesca went to change for the ball, Haleigh went outside. She had a headache.
The autumn air chilled her skin, but the fresh, cleanliness almost instantly began to heal her head. In the distance she noticed Lucille and Giada walking inside. She scowled. During meals, she heard Gabriella talking about how she had "accidentally" stumbled on Cassian and Lucille's date. It sounded so wonderful, and every time she heard it, Haleigh felt a pang of jealousy. For her date with Cassian, they had only gone for a walk around the gardens. She found her feet heading towards that spot, where they had met. She wished Cassian would pay more attention to her, rather than Lucille, or Alera, or Gabriella. Especially Gabriella. Francesca had said that Cassian's room was directly above hers. She had heard the prince and Gabriella talking at night sometimes. It was an unfair advantage. Haleigh would do anything to beat Gabriella to the prince's heart.
A masculine made her jump. "Haleigh?" It was Kian, Cassian's brother. Haleigh gave a quick bow to him.
"I don't know if we've formally met." He extended a hand, and Haleigh gave it a firm shake. "Care to join me?"
Haleigh was surprised, and Kian noticed. "What, I can't take a friend for a walk?" He laughed.
Haleigh blushed. "I'm sorry, I just assumed since-" She shook her head and walked in stride with Kian. The twins weren't identical, not totally at least. Cassian was taller, but Kian had a deeper shade of red in his hair.
"So, what do you think of my brother?" He asked as they passed by the palace wall.
"I-I guess he's nice. I haven't really gotten to spend much time with him, unfortunately." Kian's eyes glinted as if he heard some silent joke.
"What? I said he's nice!" Haleigh said in defense.
"Did you know nice has the same root word as ignorant? You weren't wrong anyways. He is rather ignorant-"
"You're horrible!" Haleigh tried not to laugh at Kian, but failed. They both noticed Cassian walking towards them. He took long quick steps, as if he was in a hurry.
He stopped when he saw Kian. Haleigh noticed that his eyes were glinting with worry. What happened? Cassian didn't even seem to notice Haleigh. His gaze was locked on Kian.
"It's Regina," He said, "She can't breathe."
AN: Comment what you think! Like it? Hate it? Let me know!