The Selection - Kiera Class

8/13/2019 The Selection - Kiera Class

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CHAPTER 1

WHEN WE GOT THE LETTER in the post, my mother was ecstatic. She haa!rea y eci e that a!! o"r pro#!ems were so!$e , %one &ore$er. The #i% hitchin her #ri!!iant p!an was me. ' i n(t thin) ' was a partic"!ar!y iso#e ienta"%hter, #"t this was where ' rew the !ine. ' i n(t want to #e roya!ty. An 'i n(t want to #e a One. ' i n(t e$en want to try. ' hi in my room, the on!yp!ace to a$oi the chatterin% o& o"r &"!! ho"se, tryin% to come "p with anar%"ment that wo"! sway her. So &ar, ' ha a so!i co!!ection o& my honestopinions* ' i n(t thin) there was a sin%!e one she wo"! !isten to. ' co"! n(ta$oi her m"ch !on%er. 't was approachin% innertime, an as the o! est chi!!e&t in the ho"se, coo)in% "ties &e!! on me. ' p"!!e myse!& o"t o& #e anwa!)e into the sna)e pit. ' %ot a %!are &rom +om #"t no wor s. We i asi!ent ance thro"%h the )itchen an inin% room as we prepare chic)en,pasta, an app!e s!ices, an set the ta#!e &or &i$e. '& ' %!ance "p &rom a tas),she( &i me with a &ierce !oo) as i& she co"! shame me into wantin% thesame thin%s she i . She trie that e$ery so o&ten. Li)e i& ' i n(t want to ta)eon a partic"!ar -o# #eca"se ' )new the &ami!y hostin% "s was "nnecessari!yr" e. Or i& she wante me to o a massi$e c!eanin% when we co"! n(t a&&orto ha$e a Si come an he!p. Sometimes it wor)e . Sometimes it i n(t. Anthis was one area where ' was "nswaya#!e. She co"! n(t stan it when ' wasst"##orn. "t ' %ot that &rom her, so she sho"! n(t ha$e #een s"rprise . This

wasn(t -"st a#o"t me, tho"%h. +om ha #een tense !ate!y. The s"mmer wasen in%, an soon we( #e &ace with co! . An worry. +om set own thepitcher o& tea in the center o& the ta#!e with an an%ry th" . +y mo"thwatere at the tho"%ht o& tea with !emon. "t ' wo"! ha$e to wait/ it wo"!#e s"ch a waste to ha$e my %!ass now an then ha$e to rin) water with mymea!. 0Wo"! it )i!! yo" to &i!! o"t the &orm 2 she sai , no !on%er a#!e tocontain herse!&. 0The Se!ection co"! #e a won er&"! opport"nity &or yo", &ora!! o& "s.2 ' si%he a!o" , thin)in% that &i!!in% o"t that &orm mi%ht act"a!!y #esomethin% c!ose to eath. 't was no secret that the re#e!s3the "n er%ro"nco!onies that hate '!!4a, o"r !ar%e an comparati$e!y yo"n% co"ntry3ma etheir attac)s on the pa!ace #oth $io!ent an &re5"ent. We( seen them inaction in Caro!ina #e&ore. One o& the ma%istrates( ho"ses was #"rne to the

%ro"n , an a han &"! o& Twos ha their cars $an a!i6e . There was e$en ama%ni&icent -ai!#rea) once, #"t consi erin% they on!y re!ease a teena%e %ir!who( mana%e to %et herse!& pre%nant an a Se$en who was a &ather tonine, ' co"! n(t he!p thin)in% they were in the ri%ht that time. "t #eyon thepotentia! an%er, ' &e!t !i)e it wo"! h"rt my heart to e$en consi er theSe!ection. ' co"! n(t he!p smi!in% as ' tho"%ht a#o"t a!! the reasons ' ha tostay e act!y where ' was. 0These !ast &ew years ha$e #een $ery har on yo"r&ather,2 she hisse . 0'& yo" ha$e any compassion at a!!, yo" mi%ht thin) o&him.2 7a . 8eah. ' rea!!y i want to he!p 7a . An +ay an Gera . An , '


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s"ppose , e$en my mother. When she ta!)e a#o"t it that way, there wasnothin% to smi!e a#o"t. Thin%s ha #een straine aro"n here &or &ar too !on%.' won ere i& 7a wo"! see this as a way #ac) to norma!, i& any amo"nt o&money co"! ma)e thin%s #etter. 't wasn(t that o"r sit"ation was soprecario"s that we were !i$in% in &ear o& s"r$i$a! or anythin%. We weren(testit"te. "t ' %"ess we weren(t that &ar o&& either. O"r caste was -"st threeaway &rom the #ottom. We were artists. An artists an c!assica! m"sicianswere on!y three steps "p &rom irt. Litera!!y. O"r money was stretche as ti%htas a hi%h wire, an o"r income was hi%h!y epen ent on the chan%in%seasons. ' remem#ere rea in% in a timeworn history #oo) that a!! the ma-orho!i ays "se to #e crampe into

the winter months. Somethin% ca!!e Ha!!oween &o!!owe #y Than)s%i$in%,then Christmas an New 8ear(s. A!! #ac) to #ac). Christmas was sti!! thesame. 't(s not !i)e yo" co"! chan%e the #irth ate o& a eity. "t when '!!4ama e the massi$e peace treaty with China, the New 8ear came in 9an"ary or:e#r"ary, epen in% on the moon. A!! the in i$i "a! ce!e#rations o&than)&"!ness an in epen ence &rom o"r part o& the wor! were now simp!ythe Grate&"! :east. That came in the s"mmer. 't was a time to ce!e#rate the&ormin% o& '!!4a, to re-oice in the &act that we were sti!! here. ' i n(t )nowwhat Ha!!oween was. 't ne$er res"r&ace . So at !east three times a year, thewho!e &ami!y wo"! #e &"!!y emp!oye . 7a an +ay wo"! ma)e their art,an patrons wo"! p"rchase them as %i&ts. +om an ' wo"! per&orm atparties3me sin%in% an her on piano3not t"rnin% own a sin%!e -o# i& weco"! mana%e it. When ' was yo"n%er, per&ormin% in &ront o& an a" ienceterri&ie me. "t now ' -"st trie to e5"ate myse!& to #ac)%ro"n m"sic.

That(s what we were in the eyes o& o"r emp!oyers; meant to #e hear an notseen. Gera ha n(t &o"n his ta!ent yet. "t he was on!y se$en. He sti!! ha a!itt!e time. Soon the !ea$es wo"! chan%e, an o"r tiny wor! wo"! #e"nstea y a%ain. :i$e mo"ths #"t on!y &o"r wor)ers. No %"arantees o&emp!oyment "nti! Christmastime. When ' tho"%ht o& it that way, the Se!ectionseeme !i)e a rope, somethin% s"re ' co"! %ra# onto. That st"pi !etter co"!!i&t me o"t o& the ar)ness, an ' co"! p"!! my &ami!y a!on% with me. ' !oo)eo$er at my mother. :or a :i$e, she was a !itt!e on the hea$y si e, which waso . She wasn(t a %!"tton, an it(s not !i)e we ha anythin% to o$ereatanyway. Perhaps that(s -"st the way a #o y !oo)s a&ter &i$e chi! ren. Her hairwas re , !i)e mine, #"t &"!! o& #ri!!iant white strea)s. Those ha appeares" en!y an in a#"n ance a#o"t two years a%o. Lines crease the corners o&her eyes, tho"%h she was sti!! pretty yo"n%, an ' co"! see as she mo$earo"n the )itchen that she was h"nche o$er as i& an in$isi#!e wei%ht resteon her sho"! ers. ' )new she ha a !ot to carry. An ' )new that was why sheha ta)en to #ein% partic"!ar!y manip"!ati$e with me. We &o"%ht eno"%hwitho"t the e tra strain, #"t as the empty &a!! 5"iet!y approache , she#ecame m"ch more irrita#!e. ' )new she tho"%ht ' was #ein% "nreasona#!enow, to not e$en want to &i!! o"t a si!!y !itt!e &orm. "t there were thin%s3important thin%s3in this wor! that ' !o$e . An that piece o& paper seeme!i)e a #ric) wa!! )eepin% me away &rom what ' wante . +ay#e what ' wantewas st"pi . +ay#e it wasn(t e$en somethin% ' co"! ha$e. "t sti!!, it wasmine. ' i n(t thin) ' co"! sacri&ice my reams, no matter how m"ch my&ami!y meant to me. esi es, ' ha %i$en them so m"ch a!rea y. ' was the


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o! est one !e&t now that


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not?2 +ay sai . 0 eca"se ' !oo) -"st !i)e yo", an '(m pretty?2 Her smi!e wasso wi e, ' co"! n(t contain my !a"%hter. An it was a %oo point. eca"se +ayrea!!y was #ea"ti&"!. 't was more than her &ace, tho"%h, more than herwinnin% smi!e an #ri%ht eyes. +ay ra iate an ener%y, an enth"siasm thatma e yo" want to #e where$er she was. +ay was ma%netic, an ', honest!y,wasn(t. 0Gera , what o yo" thin) 7o yo" thin) '(m pretty 2 ' as)e . A!! eyes&e!! on the yo"n%est mem#er o& o"r &ami!y. 0No? Gir!s are %ross?2 0Gera ,p!ease.2 +om %a$e an e asperate si%h, #"t her heart wasn(t in it. He washar to %et "pset with. 0America, yo" m"st )now yo"(re a $ery !o$e!y %ir!.2 0'&'(m so !o$e!y, how come no one e$er comes #y to as) me o"t 2 0Oh, theycome #y, #"t ' shoo them away. +y %ir!s are too pretty to marry :i$es.


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e$en !i)e the %"y. 't seeme !i)e &ore$er "nti! mi ni%ht ro!!e aro"n . Therewas a mirror #y my oor, an ' stoppe to ma)e s"re my hair !oo)e as %ooas it ha this mornin% an p"t on a !itt!e !ip %!oss so there( #e some co!or onmy &ace. +om was pretty strict a#o"t sa$in% ma)e"p &or when we ha toper&orm or %o o"t in p"#!ic, #"t ' "s"a!!y sn"c) some on ni%hts !i)e toni%ht. As5"iet!y as ' co"! , ' crept into the )itchen. ' %ra##e my !e&to$ers, some #reathat was e pirin%, an an app!e an #"n !e it a!! "p. 't was pain&"! to wa!)#ac) to my room so s!ow!y, now that it was !ate. "t i& '( one it ear!ier, 'wo"! ha$e -"st #een antsy. ' opene my win ow an !oo)e o"t into o"r !itt!epatch o& #ac)yar . There wasn(t m"ch o& a moon o"t, so ' ha to !et my eyesa -"st #e&ore ' mo$e . Across the !awn, the tree ho"se stoo #are!ysi!ho"ette in the ni%ht. When we were yo"n%er,


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opposite wa!!. '( p!ace an o! step stoo! in the corner to act as a es) &orthe can !e, an a !itt!e r"% that was so o! it was #are!y #etter than sittin% onthe s!ats. 't wasn(t m"ch, #"t it was my ha$en. O"r ha$en. 0P!ease on(t ca!!me %or%eo"s. :irst my mom, then +ay, now yo". 't(s %ettin% on my ner$es.2y the way Aspen was !oo)in% at me, ' co"! te!! ' wasn(t he!pin% my 0'(m notpretty2 case. He smi!e . 0' can(t he!p it. 8o"(re the most #ea"ti&"! thin% '($ee$er seen. 8o" can(t ho! it a%ainst me &or sayin% it the on!y time '(m a!!oweto.2 He reache "p an c"ppe my &ace, an ' !oo)e eep into his eyes. Thatwas a!! it too). His !ips were on mine, an ' co"! n(t thin) a#o"t anythin%anymore. There was no Se!ection, no misera#!e &ami!y, no '!!4a itse!&. Therewere on!y Aspen(s han s on my #ac) p"!!in% me c!oser, Aspen(s #reath on mychee)s. +y &in%ers went to his #!ac) hair, sti!! wet &rom his shower3hea!ways too) showers at ni%ht3an tan%!e themse!$es into a per&ect !itt!e)not. He sme!!e !i)e his mother(s homema e soap. ' reame a#o"t thatsme!!. We #ro)e apart, an ' co"! n(t he!p #"t smi!e. His !e%s were proppeopen wi e, so ' sat si eways #etween them, !i)e a )i who nee e cra !in%.0Sorry '(m not in a #etter moo . 't(s -"st that * we %ot this st"pi notice inthe post to ay.2 0Ah, yes, the !etter.2 Aspen si%he . 0We %ot two.2 O& co"rse.

The twins ha -"st t"rne si teen. Aspen st" ie my &ace as he spo)e. He ithat when we were to%ether, !i)e he was recommittin% my &ace to memory. 'tha #een o$er a wee), an we #oth %ot an io"s when it was more than a &eways. An ' !oo)e him o$er, too. No caste e c!" e , Aspen was, #y &ar, themost attracti$e %"y in town. He ha ar) hair an %reen eyes, an this smi!ethat ma e yo" thin) he ha a secret. He was ta!!, #"t not too ta!!. Thin, #"tnot too thin. ' notice in the im !i%ht that there were tiny #a%s "n er hiseyes/ no o"#t he( #een wor)in% !ate a!! wee). His #!ac) T=shirt was worn tothrea s in se$era! p!aces, -"st !i)e the sha##y pair o& -eans he wore a!moste$ery ay. '& on!y ' co"! sit an patch them "p &or him. That was my %reatam#ition. Not to #e '!!4a(s princess. To #e Aspen(s. 't h"rt me to #e away &romhim. Some ays ' went cra6y won erin% what he was oin%. An when 'co"! n(t han !e it, ' practice m"sic. ' rea!!y ha Aspen to than) &or me #ein%the m"sician that ' was. He ro$e me to istraction. An that was #a . Aspenwas a Si . Si es were ser$ants an on!y a step "p &rom Se$ens in that theywere #etter e "cate an traine &or in oor wor). Aspen was smarter thananyone )new an e$astatin%!y han some, #"t it was atypica! &or a womanto marry own. A man &rom a !ower caste co"! as) &or yo"r han , #"t it wasrare to %et a yes. An when anyone marrie into a i&&erent caste, they hato &i!! o"t paperwor) an wait &or somethin% !i)e ninety ays #e&ore any o& theother !e%a! thin%s yo" nee e co"! #e one. '( hear more than one personsay it was to %i$e peop!e a chance to chan%e their min s. So "s #ein% thispersona! an o"t we!! past '!!4a(s c"r&ew * we co"! #oth %et in serio"stro"#!e. Not to mention the he!! '( %et &rom my mother. "t ' !o$e Aspen. '(!o$e Aspen &or near!y two years. An he !o$e me. As he sat there stro)in%my hair, ' co"! n(t ima%ine enterin% the Se!ection. 0How o yo" &ee! a#o"t it

The Se!ection, ' mean 2 ' as)e . 0O)ay, ' %"ess. He(s %ot to &in a %ir!somehow, poor %"y.2 ' co"! hear the sarcasm. "t ' rea!!y wante to )nowhis opinion.

0Aspen.2 0O)ay, o)ay. We!!, part o& me thin)s it(s )in o& sa . 7oesn(t theprince ate ' mean, can he serio"s!y not %et anyone '& they try to we the


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princesses to other princes, why on(t they o the same &or him There(s %otto #e some roya! o"t there %oo eno"%h &or him. ' on(t %et it. So there(sthat. 0 "t then*2 He si%he . 0Part o& me thin)s it(s a %oo i ea. 't(s e citin%.He(s %oin% to &a!! in !o$e in &ront o& e$eryone. An ' !i)e that someone %ets ahappi!y e$er a&ter an a!! that. Any#o y co"! #e o"r ne t 5"een. 't(s )in o&hope&"!. +a)es me thin) that ' co"! ha$e a happi!y e$er a&ter, too.2 His&in%ers were tracin% my !ips. Those %reen eyes searche eep into my so"!,an ' &e!t that spar) o& connection that '( on!y e$er ha with him. ' wanteo"r happi!y e$er a&ter, too. 0So yo"(re enco"ra%in% the twins to enter, then 2' as)e . 08es. ' mean, we($e a!! seen the prince &rom time to time/ he !oo)s!i)e a nice eno"%h %"y. A snot, no o"#t, #"t &rien !y. An the %ir!s are soea%er/ it(s &"nny to watch. They were ancin% in the ho"se when ' camehome to ay. An no one can eny that it( #e %oo &or the &ami!y. +om(shope&"! #eca"se we ha$e two entries &rom the ho"se instea o& one.2 Thatwas the &irst %oo news a#o"t this horri#!e competition. ' co"! n(t #e!ie$e '(#een so se!&= a#sor#e that ' ha n(t tho"%ht a#o"t Aspen(s sisters. '& one o&them went, i& one o& them won* 0Aspen, o yo" rea!i6e what that wo"!mean '&


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yo" %o. An i& yo" on(t, then at !east ' won(t ha$e to #eat myse!& "p &orho! in% yo" #ac).2 0 "t ' on(t !o$e him, Aspen. ' on(t e$en !i)e him. ' on(te$en )now him.2 0No one )nows him. That(s the thin%, tho"%h, may#e yo"wo"! !i)e him.2 0Aspen, stop. ' !o$e yo".2 0An ' !o$e yo".2 He )isse mes!ow!y to ma)e his point. 0An i& yo" !o$e me, yo"(!! o this so ' won(t %ocra6y won erin% what i&.2 When he ma e it a#o"t him, ' i n(t stan achance. eca"se ' co"! n(t h"rt him. ' was oin% e$erythin% ' co"! to ma)ehis !i&e easier. An ' was ri%ht. There was a#so!"te!y no way '( %et chosen. So' sho"! -"st %o thro"%h the motions, appease e$eryone, an when ' i n(t%et pic)e , e$eryone wo"! rop it. 0P!ease 2 he #reathe into my ear. The&ee!in% sent chi!!s own my #o y. 0:ine,2 ' whispere . 0'(!! o it. "t )now nowthat ' on(t want to #e some princess. A!! ' want is to #e yo"r wi&e.2 Hestro)e my hair. 08o" wi!! #e.2 't m"st ha$e #een the !i%ht. Or the !ac) thereo&.eca"se ' swore his eyes we!!e "p when he sai that. Aspen ha #eenthro"%h a !ot, #"t ' ha seen him cry on!y once, when they whippe his#rother in the s5"are. Litt!e 9emmy ha sto!en some &r"it o&& a cart in themar)et. An a "!t wo"! ha$e ha a #rie& tria! an then, epen in% on the$a!"e o& what was sto!en, either #een thrown in -ai! or sentence to eath.

9emmy was on!y nine, so he was #eaten. Aspen(s mom i n(t ha$e the moneyto ta)e him to a proper octor, so 9emmy ha scars a!! "p an own his #ac)&rom the inci ent. That ni%ht ' waite #y my win ow to see i& Aspen wo"!c!im# "p into the tree ho"se. When he i , ' sn"c) o"t to him. He crie in myarms &or an ho"r a#o"t how i& he( on!y wor)e har er, i& he( on!y one#etter, 9emmy wo"! n(t ha$e ha to stea!. How it was so "n&air that 9emmyha to h"rt #eca"se Aspen ha &ai!e . 't was a%oni6in%, #eca"se it wasn(ttr"e. "t ' co"! n(t te!! him that/ he wo"! n(t hear me. Aspen carrie thenee s o& e$eryone he !o$e on his #ac). Somehow, mirac"!o"s!y, ' #ecameone o& those peop!e. So ' ma e my !oa as !i%ht as ' co"! . 0Wo"! yo" sin%&or me Gi$e me somethin% %oo to &a!! as!eep to 2 ' smi!e . ' !o$e %i$in%him son%s. So ' sett!e in c!ose an san% a 5"iet !"!!a#y. He !et me sin% &or a&ew min"tes #e&ore his &in%ers starte mo$in% a#sent!y #e!ow my ear. Hep"!!e the nec) o& my shirt open wi e an )isse a!on% my nec) an ears.

Then he p"!!e "p my short s!ee$e an )isse as &ar own my arm as heco"! reach. 't ma e my #reath hitch. A!most e$ery time ' san%, he i this. 'thin) he en-oye the so"n o& my raspy #reathin% more than the sin%in%itse!&. e&ore !on% we were tan%!e to%ether on the irty, thin r"%. Aspenp"!!e me on top o& him, an ' #r"she his scra%%!y hair with my &in%ers,hypnoti6e #y the &ee!. He )isse me &e$erish!y an har . ' &e!t his &in%ers i%into my waist, my #ac), my hips, my thi%hs. ' was a!ways s"rprise that hei n(t !ea$e !itt!e &in%er=shape #r"ises a!! o$er me. We were ca"tio"s, a!waysstoppin% shy o& the thin%s we rea!!y wante . As i& #rea)in% c"r&ew wasn(t #aeno"%h. Sti!!, whate$er o"r !imitations were, ' co"! n(t ima%ine anyone in '!!4aha more passion than we i . 0' !o$e yo", America Sin%er. As !on% as ' !i$e,'(!! !o$e yo".2 There was some eep emotion in his $oice, an it ca"%ht me o&&%"ar . 0' !o$e yo", Aspen. 8o"(!! a!ways #e my prince.2

An he )isse me "nti! the can !e #"rne itse!& o"t. 't ha to ha$e #eenho"rs, an my eyes were hea$y. Aspen ne$er worrie a#o"t his s!eep, #"t hewas a!ways concerne a#o"t mine. So ' weari!y c!im#e own the !a er,ta)in% my p!ate an my penny. When ' san%, Aspen ate it "p, !o$e it. :rom


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time to time, when he ha anythin% at a!!, he( %i$e me a penny to pay &ormy son%. '& he mana%e to scro"n%e "p a penny, ' wante him to %i$e it tohis &ami!y. There was no o"#t they nee e e$ery !ast one. "t then, ha$in%these pennies3since ' co"! n(t #ear to spen them3was !i)e ha$in% aremin er o& e$erythin% Aspen was wi!!in% to o &or me, o& e$erythin% ' meantto him. ac) in my room, ' p"!!e my tiny -ar o& pennies o"t &rom its hi in%spot an !istene to the happy so"n o& the newest one hittin% its nei%h#ors.' waite &or ten min"tes, watchin% o"t the win ow, "nti! ' saw Aspen(ssha ow c!im# own an r"n own the #ac) roa . ' staye awa)e a !itt!e whi!e!on%er, thin)in% o& Aspen an how m"ch ' !o$e him, an how it &e!t to #e!o$e #y him. ' &e!t specia!, price!ess, irrep!acea#!e. No 5"een on any throneco"! possi#!y &ee! more important than ' i . ' &e!! as!eep with that tho"%htsec"re!y etche in my heart.

CHAPTER

ASPEN WAS 7RESSE7 'N WH'TE. He !oo)e an%e!ic. We were in Caro!ina sti!!,#"t there was no one e!se aro"n . We were a!one, #"t we i n(t miss anyone.Aspen wo$e twi%s to ma)e me a crown, an we were to%ether. 0America,2+om crowe , -arrin% me &rom my reams. She &!ic)e on the !i%hts, #"rnin%my eyes, an ' r"##e my han s into them, tryin% to a -"st. 0Wa)e "p,America, ' ha$e a proposa! &or yo".2 ' !oo)e o$er at the a!arm c!oc). 9"st pastse$en in the mornin%. So that was * &i$e ho"rs in #e . 0's it more s!eep 2 'm"m#!e . 0No, honey, sit "p. ' ha$e somethin% serio"s to isc"ss.2 ' wor)emyse!& into a sittin% position, c!othes r"mp!e an hair stic)in% o"t in stran%eirections. +om c!appe her han s o$er an o$er, as i& it wo"! spee "p theprocess. 0Come on, America, ' nee yo" to wa)e "p.2 ' yawne . Twice. 0Whato yo" want 2 ' sai . 0:or yo" to s"#mit yo"r name &or the Se!ection. ' thin)yo"( ma)e an e ce!!ent princess.2 't was way too ear!y &or this. 0+om, rea!!y,' -"st*2 ' si%he as ' remem#ere what '( promise Aspen !ast ni%ht; that 'wo"! at !east try. "t now, in the !i%ht o& ay, ' wasn(t s"re i& ' co"! ma)emyse!& o it. 0' )now yo"(re oppose , #"t ' &i%"re '( ma)e a ea! with yo" tosee i& yo" wo"! chan%e yo"r min .2 +y ears per)e "p. What co"! shepossi#!y o&&er me 08o"r &ather an ' spo)e !ast ni%ht, an we eci e thatyo"(re o! eno"%h to %o on yo"r -o#s a!one. 8o" p!ay the piano as we!! as ' o,an i& yo"( try a !itt!e more, yo"( #e near!y &!aw!ess on the $io!in. An yo"r$oice, we!!, there(s no one #etter in the pro$ince, i& yo" as) me.2 ' smi!e%ro%%i!y. 0Than)s, +om. Rea!!y.2 ' i n(t partic"!ar!y care to wor) a!one,tho"%h. ' i n(t see how that was s"ppose to entice me. 0We!!, that(s not a!!.

8o" can accept yo"r own wor) now an %o a!one an * an yo" can )eepha!& o& whate$er yo" ma)e.2 She sort o& %rimace as she sai it. +y eyespoppe open. 0 "t on!y i& yo" si%n "p &or the Se!ection.2 She was startin% tosmi!e now. She )new this wo"! win me o$er, tho"%h ' thin) she was


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e pectin% more o& a &i%ht. "t how co"! ' &i%ht ' was a!rea y %oin% to si%n"p, an now ' co"! earn some money o& my own? 08o" )now ' can on!y a%reeto si%n "p, ri%ht ' can(t ma)e them pic) me.2 08es, ' )now. "t it(s worth ashot.2 0Wow, +om.2 ' shoo) my hea , sti!! in shoc). 0O)ay, '(!! &i!! o"t the &ormto ay. Are yo" serio"s a#o"t the money 2 0O& co"rse. Sooner or !ater yo"(%o o"t on yo"r own anyway. An #ein% responsi#!e &or yo"r own money wi!!#e %oo &or yo". On!y, on(t &or%et yo"r &ami!y, p!ease. We sti!! nee yo".2 0'won(t &or%et yo", +om. How co"! ', with a!! the na%%in% 2 ' win)e , she!a"%he , an with that, the ea! was one. ' too) a shower as ' processee$erythin% that ha happene in !ess than twenty=&o"r ho"rs. y simp!y &i!!in%o"t a &orm, ' was winnin% the appro$a! o& my &ami!y, ma)in% Aspen happy,an earnin% the money that wo"! he!p Aspen an me %et marrie ? ' wasn(tso concerne a#o"t the money, #"t Aspen insiste we nee e to ha$e somesa$in%s o& o"r own &irst. 't cost a #it to o the !e%a! st"&&, an we wante toha$e a $ery sma!! party with o"r &ami!y a&ter

o"r we in%. ' &i%"re it wo"! n(t ta)e $ery !on% &or "s to sa$e &or that oncewe eci e we were rea y, #"t Aspen wante more. +ay#e, &ina!!y, he( tr"stthat we wo"! n(t a!ways #e strappe i& ' i some serio"s wor). A&ter myshower, ' i my hair an p"t on the tiniest #it o& ma)e"p to ce!e#rate, thenwent to my c!oset an %ot resse . There weren(t a who!e !ot o& options. +oste$erythin% was #ei%e, #rown, or %reen. ' ha a &ew nicer resses &or when wewor)e , #"t they were hope!ess!y #ehin in the &ashion epartment. 't was!i)e that, tho"%h. Si es an Se$ens were a!most a!ways in enim orsomethin% st"r y. :i$es most!y wore #!an c!othes, as the artists co$eree$erythin% with smoc)s an the sin%ers an ancers on!y rea!!y nee e to!oo) specia! &or per&ormances. The "pper castes wo"! wear )ha)i an enim&rom time to time to chan%e "p their !oo)s, #"t it was a!ways in a way thattoo) the materia! to a who!e new !e$e!. As i& it wasn(t eno"%h that they co"!ha$e pretty m"ch whate$er they wante , they t"rne o"r necessities into!" "ries. ' p"t on my )ha)i shorts an the %reen t"nic top3#y &ar the moste citin% ay c!othes ' owne 3an !oo)e myse!& o$er #e&ore %oin% into the!i$in% room. ' &e!t )in o& pretty to ay. +ay#e it was -"st the e citement#ehin my eyes. +om was sittin% at the )itchen ta#!e with 7a , h"mmin%.

They #oth !oo)e "p at me a co"p!e o& times, #"t e$en their stares co"! n(t#other me. When ' pic)e "p the !etter, ' was a !itt!e s"rprise . S"ch hi%h=5"a!ity paper. '( ne$er &e!t anythin% !i)e it. Thic) an s!i%ht!y te t"re . :or amoment the wei%ht o& the paper hit me, remin in% me o& the ma%nit" e o&what ' was oin%. Two wor s -"mpe into my hea ; What i& "t ' shoo) thetho"%ht away an p"t pen to paper. 't was strai%ht&orwar eno"%h. ' &i!!e inmy name, a%e, caste, an contact in&ormation. ' ha to p"t my hei%ht anwei%ht, hair, eye, an s)in co!or, too. ' was p!ease to write that ' co"! spea)three !an%"a%es. +ost co"! spea) at !east two, #"t my mother insiste we!earn :rench an Spanish, since those !an%"a%es were sti!! "se in parts o&the co"ntry. 't a!so he!pe with the sin%in%. There were so many pretty son%sin :rench. We ha to !ist the hi%hest %ra e !e$e! we( comp!ete , which co"!$ary immense!y, since on!y Si es an Se$ens went to the p"#!ic schoo!s anha act"a! %ra e !e$e!s. ' was near!y one with my e "cation. @n er specia!s)i!!s, ' !iste sin%in% an a!! my instr"ments. 07o yo" thin) the a#i!ity tos!eep in co"nts as a specia! s)i!! 2 ' as)e 7a , tryin% to so"n torn o$er the


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ecision. 08es, !ist that. An on(t &or%et to write that yo" can eat an entiremea! in "n er &i$e min"tes,2 he rep!ie . ' !a"%he . 't was tr"e/ ' i ten toinha!e my &oo . 0Oh, the #oth o& yo"? Why on(t yo" -"st write own thatyo"(re an a#so!"te heathen?2 +y mother went stormin% &rom the room. 'co"! n(t #e!ie$e she was so &r"strate 3a&ter a!!, she was %ettin% e act!y whatshe wante . ' %a$e 7a a 5"estionin% !oo). 0She -"st wants the #est &or yo",that(s a!!.2 He !eane #ac) in his chair, re!a in% a #it #e&ore he starte on thecommissione piece that was "e #y the en o& the month. 0So o yo", #"tyo"(re ne$er so an%ry,2 ' note . 08es. "t yo"r mother an ' ha$e i&&erenti eas o& what(s #est &or yo".2 He &!ashe me a smi!e. ' %ot my mo"th &romhim3#oth the !oo) an the ten ency to say innocent thin%s that %ot me intotro"#!e. The temper was +om(s oin%, #"t she was #etter at ho! in% herton%"e i& it rea!!y mattere . Not me. Li)e ri%ht now* 07a , i& ' wante tomarry a Si or e$en a Se$en, an he was someone ' rea!!y !o$e , wo"! yo"!et me 2 7a set his m"% own, an his eyes &oc"se on me. ' trie not to%i$e anythin% away with my e pression. His si%h was hea$y, &"!! o& %rie&.

0America, i& yo" !o$e an Ei%ht, '( want yo" to marry him. "t yo" sho"!)now that !o$e can wear away "n er the stress o& #ein% marrie . Someoneyo" thin) yo" !o$e now, yo" mi%ht start to hate when he co"! n(t pro$i e &oryo". An i& yo" co"! n(t ta)e care o& yo"r chi! ren, it( #e e$en worse. Lo$eoesn(t a!ways s"r$i$e "n er those types o& circ"mstances.2 7a reste hishan on top o& mine, rawin% my eyes "p to his. ' trie to hi e my worry. 0 "tno matter what, ' want yo" to #e !o$e . 8o" eser$e to #e !o$e . An ' hopeyo" %et to marry &or !o$e an not a n"m#er.2 He co"! n(t say what ' wanteto )now3that ' wo"! %et to marry &or !o$e an not a n"m#er3#"t it was the#est ' co"! hope &or. 0Than)s, 7a .2 0Go easy on yo"r mother. She(s tryin% too the ri%ht thin%.2 He )isse my hea an went o&& to wor). ' si%he anwent #ac) to &i!!in% o"t the app!ication. The who!e thin% ma e me &ee! !i)e my&ami!y i n(t thin) ' ha any ri%ht to want somethin% o& my own. 't #othereme, #"t ' )new ' co"! n(t ho! it a%ainst them in the !on% r"n. We co"! n(ta&&or the !" "ry o& wants. We ha nee s. ' too) my &inishe app!ication anwent to &in +om in the #ac)yar . She sat there, stitchin% "p a hem as +ayi her schoo!wor) in the sha e o& the tree ho"se. Aspen "se to comp!aina#o"t the strict teachers in the p"#!ic schoo!s. ' serio"s!y o"#te any o&them co"! )eep "p with +om. 't was s"mmer, &or %oo ness( sa)e. 07i yo"rea!!y o it 2 +ay as)e , #o"ncin% on her )nees. 0' s"re i .2 0What ma eyo" chan%e yo"r min 2 0+om can #e $ery compe!!in%,2 ' sai pointe !y,tho"%h +om was o#$io"s!y not ashame at a!! o& her #ri#ery. 0We can %o tothe Ser$ices O&&ice as soon as yo"(re rea y, +om.2 She smi!e a !itt!e. 0That(smy %ir!. Go %et yo"r thin%s, an we(!! hea o"t. ' want to %et yo"rs in as soonas possi#!e.2 ' went to %ra# my shoes an #a% as '( #een instr"cte , #"t 'stoppe short at Gera (s room. He was starin% at a #!an) can$as, !oo)in%&r"strate . We )ept rotatin% thro"%h options with Gera , #"t none o& themwere stic)in%. One !oo) at the #attere soccer #a!! in the corner or thesecon han microscope we( inherite as payment one Christmas, an it waso#$io"s his heart -"st wasn(t in the arts. 0Not &ee!in% inspire to ay, h"h 2 'as)e , steppin% into his room. He !oo)e "p at me an shoo) his hea .0+ay#e yo" co"! try sc"!ptin%, !i)e


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piano. ' want to p!ay #a!!.2 He )ic)e his &oot into the a%in% carpet. 0' )now.An yo" can &or &"n, #"t yo" nee to &in a cra&t yo"(re %oo at to ma)e a!i$in%. 8o" can o #oth.2 0 "t why 2 he whine . 08o" )now why. 't(s the !aw.20 "t that(s not &air?2 Gera p"she the can$as to the &!oor, where it stirre "p"st in the !i%ht &rom his win ow. 0't(s not o"r &a"!t o"r %reat=%ran &ather orwhoe$er was poor.2 0' )now.2 't rea!!y seeme "nreasona#!e to !imite$eryone(s !i&e choices #ase on yo"r ancestors( a#i!ity to he!p the%o$ernment, #"t that was how it a!! wor)e o"t. An ' s"ppose ' sho"! -"st#e %rate&"! we were sa&e. 0' %"ess it was the on!y way to ma)e thin%s wor) atthe time.2 He i n(t spea). ' #reathe a si%h an pic)e "p the can$as,settin% it #ac) into p!ace. This was his !i&e, an he co"! n(t -"st wipe it away.08o" on(t ha$e to %i$e "p yo"r ho##ies, #" y. "t yo" want to #e a#!e tohe!p +om an 7a an

%row "p an %et marrie , ri%ht 2 ' po)e his si e. He st"c) his ton%"e o"t inp!ay&"! is%"st, an we #oth %i%%!e . 0America?2 +om ca!!e own the ha!!.0What(s ta)in% yo" so !on% 2 0Comin%,2 ' ye!!e #ac), an then t"rne toGera . 0' )now it(s har . 't(s -"st the way it is, o)ay 2 "t ' )new it wasn(to)ay. 't wasn(t o)ay at a!!. +om an ' wa!)e a!! the way to the !oca! o&&ice.Sometimes we too) the p"#!ic #"ses i& we were %oin% too &ar or i& we werewor)in%. 't !oo)e #a to show "p sweaty at the ho"se o& a Two. They a!rea y!oo)e at "s &"nny anyway. "t it was a nice ay o"t, an the trip was -"stshy o& #ein% too !on%. We o#$io"s!y weren(t the on!y ones tryin% to %et o"rs"#mission in ri%ht away. y the time we %ot there, the street in &ront o& thePro$ince o& Caro!ina Ser$ices O&&ice was pac)e with women. Stan in% in !ine,' co"! see a n"m#er o& %ir!s &rom my nei%h#orhoo in &ront o& me, waitin% to%o insi e. The trai! was near!y &o"r peop!e wi e an wrappe ha!&way aro"nthe #!oc). E$ery %ir! in the pro$ince was si%nin% "p. ' i n(t )now whether to&ee! terri&ie or re!ie$e . 0+a% a?2 someone ca!!e . +y mother an ' #otht"rne at the so"n o& her name. Ce!ia an


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mi%ht not ma)e the pict"re, #"t the "st on her o$era!!s pro#a#!y wo"! . A&ew yar s #ac) another Se$en was sportin% a too! #e!t. The #est ' co"! saya#o"t her was that her &ace was c!ean. On the other en o& the spectr"m, a%ir! in &ront o& me ha her hair "p in a twist with !itt!e ten ri!s &ramin% her&ace. The %ir! #esi e her, c!ear!y a Two #ase on her c!othes, !oo)e !i)e shewas tryin% to rown the wor! in her c!ea$a%e. Se$era! ha on so m"chma)e"p, they !oo)e )in o& !i)e c!owns to me. "t at !east they were tryin%. '!oo)e ecent, #"t ' ha n(t %one to any s"ch !en%ths. Li)e the Se$ens, 'ha n(t )nown to #other. ' &e!t a s" en &!"tter o& worry. "t why ' stoppemyse!& an rearran%e my tho"%hts. ' i n(t want this. '& ' wasn(t prettyeno"%h, s"re!y that was a %oo thin%. ' wo"! at !east #e a notch #e!owAspen(s sisters. They were nat"ra!!y #ea"ti&"!, an !oo)e e$en !o$e!ier withthe !itt!e hints o& ma)e"p. '&


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the one channe! yo" i n(t ha$e to pay to ha$e, so e$en the Ei%hts co"! %etit i& they ha a T. The anthem p!aye . +ay#e it(s si!!y, #"t ' a!ways !o$e o"rnationa! anthem. 't was one o& my &a$orite son%s to sin%. The pict"re o& theroya! &ami!y came into $iew. Stan in% at a po i"m was


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inte!!i%ent 7a"%hter o& '!!4a?2 The &ew a $isers sittin% there app!a" e .+a on smi!e #"t !oo)e "ncom&orta#!e. When the app!a"se ie own, the+aster o& E$ents starte "p a%ain. 0O& co"rse, we wi!! #e ha$in% !ots o&pro%rammin% e icate to meetin% the yo"n% women o& the Se!ection, not tomention specia!s on their !i$es at the pa!ace. We co"! not thin) o& anyonemore 5"a!i&ie to %"i e "s thro"%h this e citin% time than o"r $ery own +r.Ga$ri! :a aye?2 There was another smatterin% o& app!a"se, #"t it came &rommy mom an +ay this time. Ga$ri! :a aye was a !e%en . :or somethin% !i)etwenty years he( one r"nnin% commentary on Grate&"! :east para es anChristmas shows an anythin% they ce!e#rate at the pa!ace. '( ne$er seenan inter$iew with mem#ers o& the roya! &ami!y or their c!osest &rien s an&ami!y one #y anyone #"t him. 0Oh, America, yo" co"! meet Ga$ri!?2 +omcroone . 0He(s comin%?2 +ay sai , &!ai!in% her !itt!e arms. S"re eno"%h, therewas Ga$ri!, sa"nterin% onto the set in his crisp #!"e s"it. He was may#e in his!ate &orties, an he a!ways !oo)e sharp. As he wa!)e across the sta%e, the!i%ht ca"%ht on the pin on his !ape!, a &!ash o& %o! that was simi!ar to the&orte si%ns in my piano m"sic. 0Gooooo e$enin%, '!!4a?2 he san%. 0' ha$e tosay that ' am so honore to #e a part o& the Se!ection. L"c)y me, ' %et tomeet thirty=&i$e #ea"ti&"! women? What i iot wo"! n(t want my -o# 2 Hewin)e at "s thro"%h the camera. 0 "t #e&ore ' %et to meet these !o$e!y!a ies, one o& which wi!! #e o"r new princess, '

ha$e the p!eas"re o& spea)in% with the man o& the ho"r, o"r Prince +a on.2With that +a on wa!)e across the carpete sta%e to a pair o& chairs set "p&or him an Ga$ri!. He strai%htene his tie an a -"ste his s"it, as i& henee e to !oo) more po!ishe . He shoo) Ga$ri!(s han an sat across &romhim, pic)in% "p a microphone. The chair was hi%h eno"%h that +a onproppe his &eet on a #ar in the mi !e o& the !e%s. He !oo)e m"ch morecas"a! that way. 0Nice to see yo" a%ain, 8o"r Hi%hness.2 0Than) yo", Ga$ri!.

The p!eas"re is a!! mine.2 +a on(s $oice was as poise as the rest o& him. Hera iate wa$es o& &orma!ity. ' wrin)!e my nose at the i ea o& -"st #ein% in thesame room with him. 0'n !ess than a month, thirty=&i$e women wi!! #e mo$in%into yo"r ho"se. How o yo" &ee! a#o"t that 2 +a on !a"%he . 0Honest!y, it isa #it ner$e=rac)in%. '(m ima%inin% there wi!! #e m"ch more noise with somany %"ests. '(m !oo)in% &orwar to it a!! the same.2 0Ha$e yo" as)e earo! a &or any a $ice on how he mana%e to %et aho! o& s"ch a #ea"ti&"!wi&e when it was his t"rn 2 oth +a on an Ga$ri! !oo)e o$er to the )in%an 5"een, an the camera panne o$er to show them !oo)in% at each other,smi!in% an ho! in% han s. 't seeme %en"ine, #"t how wo"! we )now any#etter 0' ha$en(t act"a!!y. As yo" )now, the sit"ation in New Asia has #eenesca!atin%, an '($e #een wor)in% with him more on the mi!itary si e o&thin%s. Not m"ch time to isc"ss %ir!s in there.2 +om an +ay !a"%he . 's"ppose it was )in o& &"nny. 0We on(t ha$e m"ch time !e&t, so '( !i)e toha$e one more 5"estion. What o yo" ima%ine yo"r per&ect %ir! wo"! #e!i)e 2 +a on !oo)e ta)en a#ac). 't was har to te!!, #"t he may ha$e #een#!"shin%. 0Honest!y, ' on(t )now. ' thin) that(s the #ea"ty o& the Se!ection.No two women who enter wi!! #e e act!y the same3not in !oo)s orpre&erences or isposition. An thro"%h the process o& meetin% them anta!)in% to them, '(m hopin% to isco$er what ' want, to &in it a!on% the way.2+a on smi!e . 0Than) yo", 8o"r Hi%hness. That was $ery we!! sai . An '


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thin) ' spea) &or a!! o& '!!4a when ' wish yo" the #est o& !"c).2 Ga$ri! he! o"this han &or another sha)e. 0Than) yo", sir,2 +a on sai . The camera i n(tc"t away 5"ic) eno"%h, an yo" co"! see him !oo)in% o$er to his parents,won erin% i& he( sai the ri%ht thin%. The ne t shot 6oome in on Ga$ri!(s&ace, so there was no way to see what their response was. 0'(m a&rai that(sa!! the time we ha$e &or this e$enin%. Than) yo" &or watchin% the '!!4a Capita!Report, an we(!! see yo" ne t wee).2 With that, the m"sic p!aye an cre itsro!!e . 0America an +a on sittin% in a tree,2 san% +ay. ' %ra##e a pi!!owan ch"c)e it at her, #"t ' co"! n(t he!p !a"%hin% at the tho"%ht. +a on wasso sti&& an 5"iet. 't was har to ima%ine anyone #ein% happy with s"ch awimp. ' spent the rest o& the ni%ht tryin% to i%nore +ay(s teasin%, an &ina!!ywent to my room to #e a!one. E$en the tho"%ht o& #ein% near +a onSchrea$e ma e me "ncom&orta#!e. +ay(s !itt!e -a#s staye in my hea a!!ni%ht an ma e it i&&ic"!t &or me to s!eep. 't was har to pinpoint the so"nthat wo)e me, #"t once ' was aware o& it, ' trie to s"r$ey my room ina#so!"te sti!!ness, -"st in case someone was there. Tap, tap, tap. ' t"rne o$ers!ow!y to &ace my win ow, an there was Aspen, %rinnin% at me. ' %ot o"t oe an tiptoe to the oor, sh"ttin% it a!! the way an !oc)in% it. ' went #ac)to the #e , "n!oc)in% an s!ow!y openin% my win ow. A r"sh o& heat that hanothin% to o with s"mmer swept o$er me as Aspen c!im#e thro"%h thewin ow an onto my #e .

0What are yo" oin% here 2 ' whispere , smi!in% in the ar). 0' ha to seeyo",2 he #reathe into my chee) as he wrappe his arms aro"n me, p"!!in%me own "nti! we were !yin% si e #y si e on the #e . 0' ha$e so m"ch to te!!yo", Aspen.2 0Shhh, on(t say a wor . '& anyone hears, there(!! #e he!! to pay.

9"st !et me !oo) at yo".2 An so ' o#eye . ' staye there, 5"iet an sti!!, whi!eAspen stare into my eyes. When he ha his &i!! o& that, he went to n"66!in%his nose into my nec) an hair. An then his han s were mo$in% "p an ownthe c"r$e o& my waist to my hip o$er an o$er an o$er. ' hear his #reathin%%et hea$y, an somethin% a#o"t that rew me in. His !ips, hi en in my nec),starte )issin% me. ' rew in sharp #reaths. ' co"! n(t he!p it. Aspen(s !ipstra$e!e "p my chin an co$ere my mo"th, e&&ecti$e!y si!encin% my %asps. 'wrappe myse!& aro"n him, o"r r"she %ra##in% an the h"mi ity o& theni%ht co$erin% "s #oth in sweat. 't was a sto!en moment. Aspen(s !ips &ina!!ys!owe , tho"%h ' was nowhere near rea y to stop. "t we ha to #e smart. '&we went any &"rther, an there was e$er e$i ence o& it, we( #oth #e thrownin -ai!. Another reason e$eryone marrie yo"n%; Waitin% is tort"re. 0' sho"!%o,2 he whispere . 0 "t ' want yo" to stay.2 +y !ips were #y his ears. ' co"!sme!! his soap a%ain. 0America Sin%er, one ay yo" wi!! &a!! as!eep in my armse$ery ni%ht. An yo"(!! wa)e "p to my )isses e$ery mornin%. An then some.2' #it my !ip at the tho"%ht. 0 "t now ' ha$e to %o. We(re p"shin% o"r !"c).2 'si%he an !oosene my %rip. He was ri%ht. 0' !o$e yo", America.2 0' !o$e yo",Aspen.2 These secret moments wo"! #e eno"%h to %et me thro"%he$erythin% comin%; +om(s isappointment when ' wasn(t chosen, the wor) '(ha$e to o to he!p Aspen sa$e, the er"ption that was comin% when he as)e7a &or my han , an whate$er str"%%!es we( %o thro"%h once we weremarrie . None o& it mattere . Not i& ' ha Aspen.


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CHAPTER

A WEE< LATER, ' EAT Aspen to the tree ho"se. 't too) a #it o& wor) to %et thethin%s ' wante "p there in si!ence, #"t ' mana%e . ' rearran%e the p!atesone !ast time as ' hear someone c!im#in% the tree. 0 oo.2 Aspen starte an!a"%he . ' !it the new can !e '( p"rchase -"st &or "s. He crosse the treeho"se to )iss me, an a&ter a moment, ' starte ta!)in% a#o"t a!! that hahappene "rin% the wee). 0' ne$er %ot to te!! yo" a#o"t the si%n="ps,2 ' sai ,e cite a#o"t the news. 0How( it %o +om sai it was pac)e .2 0't wascra6y, Aspen. 8o" sho"! ha$e seen what peop!e were wearin%? An '(m s"reyo" )now that it(s !ess o& a !ottery than they(re c!aimin%. So ' was ri%ht a!!a!on%. There are &ar more interestin% peop!e to choose in Caro!ina than me,so this was a!! a #i% nothin%.2 0A!! the same, than) yo" &or oin% it. 't means a!ot to me.2 His eyes were sti!! &oc"se on me. He ha n(t e$en #othere

!oo)in% aro"n the tree ho"se. 7rin)in% me in, !i)e a!ways. 0We!!, the #estpart is that since my mother ha no i ea '( a!rea y promise yo", she #ri#eme to si%n "p.2 ' co"! n(t contain my smi!e. This wee) &ami!ies ha a!rea ystarte throwin% parties &or their a"%hters, s"re that they wo"! #e the onechosen &or the Se!ection. '( s"n% at no !ess than se$en ce!e#rations, pac)in%two into a ni%ht &or the sa)e o& %ettin% my own paychec)s. An +om was tr"eto her wor . 't &e!t !i#eratin% to ha$e money that was mine. 0 ri#e yo" Withwhat 2 His &ace was !it with e citement. 0+oney, o& co"rse. Loo), ' ma e yo"a &east?2 ' p"!!e away &rom him an starte %ra##in% p!ates. '( ma e toom"ch inner on p"rpose to sa$e him some, an '( #een #a)in% pastries &orays. +ay an ' #oth ha a terri#!e a iction to sweets anyway, an she was

-"#i!ant that this was how ' was choosin% to spen my money. 0What(s a!!

this 2 0:oo . ' ma e it myse!&.2 ' was #eamin% with pri e at my e&&orts.:ina!!y, toni%ht, Aspen co"! #e &"!!. "t his smi!e &a e as he too) in p!atea&ter p!ate. 0Aspen, is somethin% wron% 2 0This isn(t ri%ht.2 He shoo) his heaan !oo)e away &rom the treats. 0What o yo" mean 2 0America, '(ms"ppose to #e pro$i in% &or yo". 't(s h"mi!iatin% &or me to come here anha$e yo" o a!! this &or me.2 0 "t ' %i$e yo" &oo a!! the time.2 08o"r !itt!e!e&to$ers. 8o" thin) ' on(t )now #etter ' on(t &ee! #a a#o"t ta)in%somethin% yo" on(t want. "t to ha$e yo"3'(m s"ppose to32 0Aspen, yo"%i$e me thin%s a!! the time. 8o" pro$i e &or me. ' ha$e a!! my pen320Pennies 8o" thin) #rin%in% that "p now is a %oo i ea 7on(t yo" )now howm"ch ' hate that That ' !o$e to hear yo" sin% #"t can(t rea!!y pay yo" whene$eryone e!se oes 2 08o" sho"! n(t pay me at a!!? 't(s a %i&t. Anythin% o&

mine yo" want yo" can ha$e?2 ' )new we nee e to #e care&"! to )eep o"r$oices own. "t at the moment ' i n(t care. 0'(m not some charity case,America. '(m a man. '(m s"ppose to #e a pro$i er.2 Aspen p"t his han s inhis hair. ' co"! see his #reaths comin% &ast. 9"st !i)e a!ways, he was thin)in%his way thro"%h the ar%"ment. "t this time, there was somethin% i&&erent inhis eyes. 'nstea o& his &ace %rowin% &oc"se , it &e!! into con&"sion onemi!!imeter at a time. +y an%er &a e 5"ic)!y as ' saw him there, !oo)in% so!ost. ' &e!t %"i!ty instea . ' ha meant to spoi! him, not h"mi!iate him. 0' !o$eyo",2 ' whispere .


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He shoo) his hea . 0' !o$e yo", too, America.2 "t he sti!! wo"! n(t !oo) atme. ' pic)e "p some o& the #rea '( ma e an p"t it in his han . He was tooh"n%ry not to ta)e a #ite. 0' i n(t mean to h"rt yo". ' tho"%ht it wo"! ma)eyo" happy.2 0No, +er, ' !o$e it. ' can(t #e!ie$e yo" i a!! this &or me. 't(s -"st* yo" on(t )now how m"ch it #others me that ' can(t o this &or yo". 8o"eser$e #etter.2 +erci&"!!y, he )ept eatin% as he spo)e. 08o"($e %ot to stopthin)in% o& me that way. When it(s -"st yo" an me, '(m not a :i$e an yo"(renot a Si . We(re -"st Aspen an America. An ' on(t want anythin% in thewor! #"t yo".2 0 "t ' can(t stop thin)in% that way.2 He !oo)e at me. 0That(show ' was raise . Since ' was !itt!e, it was >Si es are #orn to ser$e( an >Si esaren(t meant to #e seen.( +y who!e !i&e, '($e #een ta"%ht to #e in$isi#!e.2 He%ra##e my han in a $ise!i)e %rip. 0'& we(re to%ether, +er, yo"(re %oin% to #ein$isi#!e, too. An ' on(t want that &or yo".2 0Aspen, we($e ta!)e a#o"t this.' )now that thin%s wi!! #e i&&erent, an '(m prepare . ' on(t )now how toma)e it any c!earer.2 ' p"t my han on his heart. 0The moment yo"(re rea yto as), '(m rea y to say yes.2 't was terri&yin% to p"t myse!& o"t there !i)ethat, to ma)e it a#so!"te!y c!ear how eep my a&&ections ran. He )new what 'was sayin%. "t i& ma)in% myse!& $"!nera#!e meant he( #e #ra$e, '( en "reit. His eyes searche mine. '& he was !oo)in% &or o"#t, he was wastin% histime. Aspen was the one thin% ' was s"re o&. 0No.2 0What 2 0No.2 The wor&e!t !i)e a s!ap across the &ace. 0Aspen 2 0' on(t )now how ' &oo!e myse!&into e$er thin)in% this wo"! wor).2 He ran his &in%ers thro"%h his hair a%ain,!i)e he was tryin% to %et a!! the tho"%hts he( e$er ha a#o"t me o"t o& hishea . 0 "t yo" -"st sai yo" !o$e me.2 0' o, +er. That(s the point. ' can(tma)e yo" !i)e me. ' can(t stan the tho"%ht o& yo" h"n%ry or co! or scare . 'can(t ma)e yo" a Si .2 ' &e!t the tears comin%. He i n(t mean that. Heco"! n(t. "t #e&ore ' co"! te!! him to ta)e it #ac), Aspen was a!rea y mo$in%to craw! o"t o& the tree ho"se. 0Where * where are yo" %oin% 2 0'(m !ea$in%.'(m %oin% home. '(m sorry ' i this to yo", America. 't(s o$er now.2 0What 20't(s o$er. ' won(t come aro"n anymore. Not !i)e this.2 ' starte cryin%.0Aspen, p!ease. Let(s ta!) a#o"t this. 8o"(re -"st "pset.2 0'(m more "pset thanyo" )now. "t not at yo". ' -"st can(t o this, +er. ' can(t.2 0Aspen, p!ease*2He p"!!e me in ti%ht an )isse me3rea!!y )isse me3one !ast time. Thenhe isappeare into the ni%ht. An #eca"se this co"ntry is the way it is,#eca"se o& a!! the r"!es that ha )ept "s in hi in%, ' co"! n(t e$en ca!! o"ta&ter him. ' co"! n(t te!! him ' !o$e him one more time.

As the ne t &ew ays passe , ' )new my &ami!y co"! te!! that somethin% waswron%, #"t they m"st ha$e ass"me ' was ner$o"s a#o"t the Se!ection. 'wante to cry a tho"san times, #"t he! it #ac). ' -"st p"she on to :ri ay,hopin% that e$erythin% wo"! %o #ac) to norma! a&ter the Capita! Report#roa cast the names. ' reame it "p in my hea . How they wo"! anno"nceCe!ia or


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Prince +a on. +om screame #y my ear, an +ay -"mpe "p, sen in%popcorn e$erywhere. Gera %ot e cite too an starte ancin%. 7a * it(shar to say, #"t ' thin) he was secret!y smi!in% #ehin his #oo). ' misse what+a on(s e pression was. The phone ran%. An it i n(t stop &or ays.

CHAPTER

THE NE T WEE< WAS :@LL o& o&&icia!s swarmin% into o"r ho"se to prepare me&or the Se!ection. There was an o#no io"s woman who seeme to thin) '(!ie a#o"t ha!& my app!ication, &o!!owe #y an act"a! pa!ace %"ar who cameto %o o$er sec"rity meas"res with the !oca! so! iers an %i$e o"r home aonce= o$er. Apparent!y ' i n(t ha$e to wait "nti! %ettin% to the pa!ace toworry a#o"t potentia! re#e! attac)s. Won er&"!. We %ot two phone ca!!s &rom awoman name Si!$ia3who so"n e $ery per)y an #"siness!i)e at the sametime3wantin% to )now i& we nee e anythin%. +y &a$orite $isitor was a !ean,%oatee man who came to meas"re me &or my new war ro#e. ' wasn(t s"rehow ' &e!t a#o"t wearin% resses that were as &orma! as the 5"een(s a!! thetime, #"t ' was !oo)in% &orwar to a chan%e. The !ast o& these $isitors cameon We nes ay a&ternoon, two ays #e&ore ' was to !ea$e. He was in char%e o&%oin% o$er a!! the o&&icia! r"!es with me. He was incre i#!y s)inny with %reasy#!ac) hair that was smoothe #ac), an he )ept sweatin%. @pon enterin% theho"se, he as)e i& there was somep!ace pri$ate we co"! ta!). That was my&irst c!"e that somethin% was %oin% on. 0We!!, we can sit in the )itchen, i&that(s a!! ri%ht,2 +om s"%%este . He a##e his hea with a han )erchie& an!oo)e o$er at +ay. 0Act"a!!y, anyp!ace is &ine. ' -"st thin) yo" mi%ht want toas) yo"r yo"n%er a"%hter to !ea$e the room.2 What co"! he possi#!y saythat +ay co"! n(t hear 0+ama 2 she as)e , sa to #e missin% o"t. 0+ay,ar!in%, %o an wor) on yo"r paintin%. 8o"($e #een ne%!ectin% yo"r wor) a #itthis !ast wee).2 0 "t32 0Let me wa!) yo" o"t, +ay,2 ' o&&ere , !oo)in% at thetears we!!in% "p in her eyes. When we were own the ha!! an no one co"!hear, ' p"!!e her in &or a h"%. 07on(t worry,2 ' whispere . 0'(!! te!! yo"e$erythin% toni%ht. Promise.2 To her cre it, she i n(t #!ow o"r co$er #y

-"mpin% "p an own as "s"a!. She mere!y no e som#er!y an went awayto her !itt!e corner in 7a (s st" io. +om ma e tea &or S)inny, an we sat atthe )itchen ta#!e to ta!). He ha a stac) o& papers an a pen !ai o"t ne t toanother &o! er with my name on it. He arran%e his in&ormation neat!y anspo)e. 0'(m sorry to #e so secreti$e, #"t there are certain thin%s ' nee toa ress that are "n&it &or yo"n% ears.2 +om an ' e chan%e a 5"ic) %!ance.0+iss Sin%er, this is %oin% to so"n harsh, #"t as o& !ast :ri ay, yo" are nowconsi ere property o& '!!4a. 8o" m"st ta)e care o& yo"r #o y &rom here ono"t. ' ha$e se$era! &orms &or yo" to si%n as we %o thro"%h this in&ormation.


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Any &ai!"re to comp!y on yo"r part wi!! res"!t in yo"r imme iate remo$a! &romthe Se!ection. 7o yo" "n erstan 2 08es,2 ' sai wari!y. 0 ery %oo . Let(s startwith the easy st"&&. These are $itamins. Since yo" are a :i$e, '(!! ass"me thatyo" may not a!ways ha$e access to necessary n"trition. 8o" m"st ta)e one o&these e$ery ay. 8o"(re on yo"r own now, #"t at the pa!ace, yo"(!! ha$esomeone to he!p yo".2 He passe a !ar%e #ott!e across the ta#!e to me, a!on%with a &orm ' ha to si%n to say that ' ha recei$e it. ' ha to stop myse!&&rom !a"%hin%. Who nee s he!p ta)in% a pi!! 0' ha$e with me the physica!&rom yo"r octor. Not m"ch o& a worry there. 8o" seem to #e in e ce!!enthea!th, a!tho"%h he sai yo" ha$en(t #een s!eepin% we!! 2 0@mm, ' mean *

-"st with the e citement, it(s #een a !itt!e har to s!eep.2 't was a!most thetr"th. The ays were whir!win s o& pa!ace preparation, #"t at ni%ht, when 'was sti!!, ' tho"%ht o& Aspen. 't was

the one time ' co"! n(t a$oi him comin% into my min , an it appeare hewasn(t ea%er to !ea$e. 0' see. We!!, ' can ha$e some s!eep ai s here toni%ht i&yo" nee them. We want yo" we!! reste .2 0No, ' on(t32 08es,2 +ominterr"pte . 0Sorry, honey, #"t yo" !oo) e ha"ste . P!ease, %et her the s!eepai s.2 08es, ma(am.2 S)inny ma e another note in my &i!e. 0+o$in% on. Now, ')now this is persona!, #"t '($e ha to isc"ss it with e$ery contestant, sop!ease on(t #e shy.2 He pa"se . 0' nee con&irmation that yo" are, in &act, a$ir%in.2 +om(s eyes near!y poppe o"t. So this was why +ay ha to !ea$e.0Are yo" serio"s 2 ' co"! n(t #e!ie$e they( sen someone o"t to o this. At!east sen a woman* 0'(m a&rai so. '& yo"(re not, we nee to )now thatimme iate!y.2 Eww. An with my mother in the room. 0' )now the !aw, sir. '(mnot st"pi . O& co"rse ' am.2 0Consi er, p!ease. '& yo" are &o"n to #e !yin%*20:or %oo ness( sa)e, America(s ne$er e$en ha a #oy&rien ?2 +om sai .0That(s ri%ht.2 ' %ra##e that rope, hopin% it wo"! en this isc"ssion. 0 ery%oo . '(!! -"st nee yo" to si%n this &orm to con&irm yo"r statement.2 ' ro!!emy eyes #"t o#eye . ' was %!a '!!4a e iste , consi erin% that this $ery !anha near!y #een t"rne to r"##!e, #"t these re%"!ations were startin% toma)e me &ee! !i)e ' was s"&&ocatin%, !i)e there were in$isi#!e chains )eepin%me own. Laws a#o"t who yo" co"! !o$e, &orms a#o"t yo"r $ir%inity #ein%intact/ it was in&"riatin%. 0' nee to %o o$er the r"!es with yo". They are $erystrai%ht&orwar , an yo" sho"! n(t ha$e a har time comp!yin%. '& yo" ha$eany 5"estions, -"st spea) "p.2 He !oo)e "p &rom his stac) o& &orms an ma eeye contact with me. 0' wi!!,2 ' m"m#!e . 08o" cannot !ea$e the pa!ace o& yo"rown accor . 8o" ha$e to #e ismisse #y the prince himse!&. E$en the )in%an 5"een cannot &orce yo" o"t. They can te!! the prince they o not appro$eo& yo", #"t he ma)es e$ery ecision on who stays an who !ea$es. 0There isno set time!ine &or the Se!ection. 't can #e o$er in a matter o& ays or stretchinto years.2 08ears 2 ' as)e in horror. The tho"%ht o& #ein% %one that !on%set me on e %e. 0Not to worry. The prince is "n!i)e!y to !et it %o &or $ery !on%.

This is a moment &or him to show his ecisi$eness, an a!!owin% the Se!ectionto ra% on oesn(t !oo) %oo . "t sho"! he choose to ta)e it that way, yo"wi!! #e re5"ire to stay &or as !on% as the prince nee s to ma)e his choice.2+y &ear m"st ha$e shown on my &ace #eca"se +om reache o$er an pattemy han . S)inny, howe$er, was "n&a6e . 08o" o not arran%e yo"r times withthe prince. He wi!! see) yo" o"t &or one=on=one company i& he wants it. '& yo"are in a !ar%er socia! settin% an he is present, that is i&&erent. "t yo" o


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not %o to him witho"t in$itation. 0Whi!e no one e pects yo" to %et a!on% withthe other thirty=&o"r contestants, yo" are not to &i%ht with them or sa#ota%ethem. '& yo" are &o"n !ayin% han s on another contestant, ca"sin% herstress, stea!in% &rom her, or oin% anythin% that mi%ht iminish her persona!re!ationship with the prince, it is in his han s whether or not to ismiss yo"on the spot. 08o"r on!y romantic re!ationship wi!! #e with Prince +a on. '& yo"are &o"n writin% !o$e notes to someone here or are ca"%ht in a re!ationshipwith another person in the pa!ace, that is consi ere treason an isp"nisha#!e #y eath.2 +om ro!!e her eyes at that one, tho"%h that mi%ht #ethe on!y r"!e that worrie me. 0'& yo" are &o"n #rea)in% any o& '!!4a(s written!aws, yo" wi!! recei$e the p"nishment tie to that o&&ense. 8o"r stat"s as oneo& the Se!ecte oes not p"t yo" a#o$e the !aw. 08o" m"st not wear anyc!othes or eat any &oo that is not speci&ica!!y pro$i e &or yo" #y the

pa!ace. This is a sec"rity iss"e an wi!! #e strict!y en&orce . 0On :ri ays yo"wi!! #e present &or a!! Capita! Report #roa casts. On occasion, #"t a!ways withwarnin%, there wi!! #e cameras or photo%raphers in the pa!ace, an yo" wi!!#e co"rteo"s an a!!ow them to see yo"r !i&esty!e with the prince. 0:or eachwee) yo" stay at the pa!ace, yo"r &ami!y wi!! #e compensate . ' wi!! %i$e yo"yo"r &irst chec) #e&ore ' !ea$e. A!so, sho"! yo" not stay at the pa!ace, anai e wi!! he!p yo" a -"st to yo"r !i&e a&ter the Se!ection. 8o"r ai e wi!! assistyo" with &ina! preparations #e&ore yo" !ea$e &or the pa!ace, as we!! as he!pyo" see) new ho"sin% an emp!oyment a&terwar . 0Sho"! yo" ma)e it to thetop ten, yo" wi!! #e consi ere an E!ite. Once yo" reach that stat"s, yo" wi!!#e re5"ire to !earn a#o"t the partic"!ar inner wor)in%s o& the !i&e ano#!i%ations yo" wo"! ha$e as a princess. 8o" are not permitte to see) o"ts"ch etai!s #e&ore that time. 0:rom this moment on, yo"r stat"s is a Three.20A Three 2 +om an ' #oth e c!aime . 08es. A&ter the Se!ection, it(s har &or%ir!s to %o #ac) to their o! !i$es. Twos an Threes o &ine, #"t :o"rs an#e!ow ten to str"%%!e. 8o" are a Three now, #"t the rest o& yo"r &ami!yremain :i$es. Sho"! yo" win, yo" an yo"r entire &ami!y #ecome Ones asmem#ers o& the roya! &ami!y.2 0Ones.2 The wor was &aint on +om(s !ips. 0Ansho"! yo" %o to the en , yo" wi!! marry Prince +a on an #ecome thecrowne princess o& '!!4a an ta)e on a!! the ri%hts an responsi#i!ities o& thattit!e. 7o yo" "n erstan 2 08es.2 That part, as #i% as it so"n e , was theeasiest to #ear. 0ery %oo . '& yo" co"! -"st si%n this &orm sayin% yo"($ehear a!! the o&&icia! r"!es, an +rs. Sin%er, i& yo" co"! -"st si%n this &ormsayin% yo" recei$e yo"r chec), p!ease.2 ' i n(t see the s"m, #"t it ma eher eyes we!!. ' was misera#!e at the i ea o& !ea$in%, #"t ' was s"re i& ' wentthere on!y to #e sent #ac) the ne t ay, this chec) a!one wo"! pro$i e "swith eno"%h money &or a $ery com&orta#!e year. An when ' %ot #ac),e$eryone wo"! want me to sin%. '( ha$e p!enty o& wor). "t wo"! ' #ea!!owe to sin% as a Three '& ' ha to pic) one o& the career paths o& a Three,' thin) '( teach. +ay#e ' co"! at !east he!p others !earn m"sic. S)innyco!!ecte his &orms an stoo to !ea$e, than)in% "s &or o"r time an &or thetea. ' wo"! ha$e to interact with on!y one more o&&icia! #e&ore ' !e&t, an thatwo"! #e my ai e; the person who wo"! %"i e me thro"%h %ettin% &rom myho"se to the sen =o&& to the airport. An then * then '( #e on my own. O"r%"est as)e i& ' wo"! show him to the oor, an +om consente , as shewante to start inner. ' i n(t !i)e #ein% a!one with him, #"t it was a short


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was waitin%.2 0:or what 2 What co"! possi#!y #e worth waitin% &or 0:or thera&t.2 That was an iss"e. 't was har to )now whether to wish to #e ra&teor not. 'n '!!4a, e$ery nineteen= year=o! ma!e was e!i%i#!e &or it. So! iers werechosen at ran om twice a year, to catch e$eryone within si months o& their#irth ay. 8o" ser$e &rom the time yo" were nineteen "nti! yo" were twenty=three. An it was comin% soon. We( ta!)e a#o"t it, o& co"rse, #"t not in area!istic way. ' %"ess we #oth hope that i& we i%nore

the ra&t, it wo"! i%nore "s, too. 't was a #!essin% in that #ein% a so! iermeant yo" were an a"tomatic Two. The %o$ernment traine yo" an pai yo"&or the rest o& yo"r !i&e. The raw#ac) was yo" ne$er )new where yo" wo"!%o. They sent yo" away &rom yo"r pro$ince, &or s"re. They ass"me yo" weremore !i)e!y to #e !enient with peop!e yo" )new. 8o" mi%ht en "p at thepa!ace or in some other pro$ince(s !oca! po!ice &orce. Or yo" mi%ht en "p inthe army, shippe o&& to war. Not $ery many men sent into #att!e ma e ithome. '& a man wasn(t marrie #e&ore the ra&t, he( a!most a!ways wait.

8o"( #e separate &rom yo"r wi&e &or &o"r years, at the $ery #est. At theworst, she( #e a yo"n% wi ow. 0' -"st* ' i n(t want to o that to yo",2 hewhispere . 0' "n erstan .2 He strai%htene "p, tryin% to chan%e the s"#-ect.0So what are yo" ta)in% to the pa!ace 2 0A chan%e o& c!othes to wearwhene$er they &ina!!y )ic) me o"t. Some pict"res an #oo)s. '($e #een to! 'won(t nee my instr"ments. Anythin% ' want wi!! #e there a!rea y. So that!itt!e #a% there, that(s it.2 The room was ti y now, an that #ac)pac) seemeh"%e &or some reason. The &!owers he( #ro"%ht !oo)e so #ri%ht on my es)compare to the ra# thin%s ' owne . Or may#e it was -"st that e$erythin%seeme pa!er now * now that it was o$er. 0That(s not m"ch,2 he note . 0'($ene$er nee e $ery m"ch to #e happy. ' tho"%ht yo" )new that.2 He c!ose hiseyes. 0Stop it, America. ' i the ri%ht thin%.2 0The ri%ht thin% Aspen, yo"ma e me #e!ie$e we co"! o it. 8o" ma e me !o$e yo". An then yo" ta!)eme into this amn contest. 7o yo" )now they(re practica!!y shippin% me o&& to#e one o& +a on(s p!aythin%s 2 He whippe his hea aro"n to &ace me.0What 2 0'(m not a!!owe to t"rn him own. Not &or anythin%.2 Aspen !oo)esic), an%ry. His han s c!enche "p into &ists. 0E$en * e$en i& he oesn(t wantto marry yo" * he co"! * 2 08es.2 0'(m sorry. ' i n(t )now.2 He too) a &eweep #reaths. 0 "t i& he oes pic) yo" * that(!! #e %oo . 8o" eser$e to #ehappy.2 That was it. ' s!appe him. 08o" i iot?2 ' whisper=ye!!e at him. 0' hatehim? ' !o$e yo"? ' wante yo"/ a!! ' e$er wante was yo"?2 His eyes we!!e"p, #"t ' co"! n(t care. He( h"rt me eno"%h, an now it was his t"rn. 0'sho"! %o,2 he sai , an starte hea in% to the oor. 0Wait. ' i n(t pay yo".20America, yo" on(t ha$e to pay me.2 He went to !ea$e a%ain. 0Aspen Le%er,on(t yo" are mo$e?2 +y $oice was &ierce. An he stoppe , &ina!!y payin%attention to me. 0That(!! #e %oo practice &or when yo"(re a One.2 '& it ha n(t#een &or his eyes, ' wo"! ha$e tho"%ht it was a -o)e, not an ins"!t. ' -"stshoo) my hea an went to my es), p"!!in% o"t a!! the money '( earne #ymyse!&. ' p"t e$ery !ast #it o& it in his han s. 0America, '(m not ta)in% this.20The he!! yo" aren(t. ' on(t nee it an yo" o. '& yo" e$er !o$e me at a!!,yo"(!! ta)e it. Hasn(t yo"r pri e one eno"%h &or "s 2 ' co"! &ee! a part o& himsh"t own. He stoppe &i%htin%. 0:ine.2 0An here.2 ' "% #ehin my #e ,p"!!e o"t my tiny -ar o& pennies, an po"re them into his han . Onere#e!!io"s penny that m"st ha$e #een stic)y staye %!"e to the #ottom.


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0Those were a!ways yo"rs.

8o" sho"! "se them.2 Now ' i n(t ha$e anythin% o& his. An once he spentthose pennies o"t o& esperation, he wo"! n(t ha$e anythin% o& mine. ' &e!tthe h"rt comin% "p. +y eyes %ot wet, an ' #reathe har to )eep the so#s#ac). 0'(m sorry, +er. Goo !"c).2 He sho$e the money an the pennies into

his poc)ets an ran o"t. This wasn(t how ' tho"%ht '( cry. ' was e pectin%h"%e, -arrin% so#s, not s!ow, tiny tears. ' starte to p"t the -ar on a she!&, #"t 'notice that !itt!e penny a%ain. ' p"t my &in%er in the -ar an %ot it "nst"c). 'tratt!e aro"n in the %!ass a!! #y itse!&. 't was a ho!!ow so"n , an ' co"! &ee!it echo in my chest. ' )new, &or #etter or &or worse, ' wasn(t rea!!y &ree o&Aspen, not yet. +ay#e not e$er. ' opene the #ac)pac), p"t in my -ar, ansea!e it a!! away. +ay sn"c) into my room, an ' too) one o& those st"pipi!!s. ' &e!! as!eep ho! in% her, &ina!!y &ee!in% n"m#.

CHAPTER I

THE NE T +ORN'NG, ' 7RESSE7 myse!& in the "ni&orm o& the Se!ecte ; #!ac)pants, white shirt, an my pro$ince &!ower3a !i!y3in my hair. +y shoes ' %otto pic). ' chose worn=o"t re &!ats. ' &i%"re ' sho"! ma)e it c!ear &rom thestart that ' wasn(t princess materia!. We were set to !ea$e &or the s5"are

short!y. Each o& the Se!ecte was %ettin% a sen =o&& in her home pro$inceto ay, an ' wasn(t !oo)in% &orwar to mine. A!! those peop!e starin% whi!e 'i nothin% more than stan there. The who!e thin% a!rea y &e!t ri ic"!o"s, as' ha to #e ri$en the two short mi!es &or sec"rity reasons. The ay #e%an"ncom&orta#!y.


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etermine to o this we!!. ' wo"! #e the #est o& "s, the Hi%hest o& the Lows.'t %a$e me a sense o& p"rpose. America Sin%er; the champion o& the !owercastes. The mayor spo)e with a &!o"rish. 0An Caro!ina wi!! #e cheerin% on the#ea"ti&"! a"%hter o& +a% a an Sha!om Sin%er, the new La y AmericaSin%er?2 The crow c!appe an cheere . Some threw &!owers. ' too) in theso"n &or a moment, smi!in% an wa$in%, an then went #ac) to s"r$eyin%the crow , #"t this time &or a i&&erent p"rpose. ' wante to see his &ace onemore time i& ' co"! . ' i n(t )now i& he wo"! come. He to! me ' !oo)e#ea"ti&"! yester ay #"t was e$en more istant an %"ar e than he ha#een in the tree ho"se. 't was o$er, an ' )new that. "t yo" on(t !o$esomeone &or a!most two years an then t"rn it o&& o$erni%ht. 't too) a &ewpasses o& the crow #e&ore ' &o"n him. ' imme iate!y wishe ' ha n(t. Aspenwas stan in% there with renna "t!er in &ront o& him, cas"a!!y ho! in% heraro"n the waist an smi!in%. +ay#e some peop!e co"! t"rn it o&& o$erni%ht.renna was a Si an a#o"t my a%e. Pretty eno"%h, ' s"ppose , tho"%h shei n(t !oo) a #it !i)e me. ' %"esse she( %et the we in% an !i&e he( #eensa$in% &or with me. An apparent!y the ra&t i n(t #other him so m"chanymore. She smi!e at him an wa!)e away to her &ami!y. Ha he !i)e hera!! a!on% Was she the %ir! he saw e$ery ay an was ' the %ir! who &e himan showere him with )isses once a wee) 't occ"rre to me that may#e a!!the time he omitte in o"r sto!en con$ersations wasn(t simp!y !on%, #orin%ho"rs o& in$entory. ' was too an%ry to cry. esi es, ' ha a mirers here whowante my attention. So, witho"t Aspen e$en )nowin% that '( seen him, 'went #ac) to those a orin% &aces. ' p"t my smi!e #ac) on, #i%%er than e$er,an starte wa$in%. Aspen wo"! not ha$e the satis&action o& #rea)in% myheart anymore. He( p"t me here, an ' wo"! -"st ha$e to ta)e a $anta%e o&it.

0La ies an %ent!emen, p!ease -oin me in sen in% o&& America Sin%er, o"r&a$orite 7a"%hter o& '!!4a?2 the mayor ca!!e . ehin me, a sma!! #an p!ayethe nationa! anthem. +ore cheers, more &!owers. S" en!y the mayor was atmy ear. 0Wo"! yo" !i)e to say somethin%, ear 2 ' i n(t )now how to say nowitho"t #ein% r" e. 0Than) yo", #"t '(m so o$erwhe!me , ' on(t thin) 'co"! .2 He c"ppe my han s in his. 0O& co"rse, ear %ir!. 7on(t yo" worry, '(!!ta)e care o& e$erythin%. They(!! train yo" &or this )in o& thin% at the pa!ace.

8o"(!! nee it.2 The mayor then to! the %athere crow o& my attri#"tes, s!y!ymentionin% that ' was $ery inte!!i%ent an attracti$e &or a :i$e. He i n(tseem too #a a %"y, #"t sometimes e$en the nicer mem#ers o& the "ppercastes were con escen in%. ' ca"%ht Aspen(s &ace once more as my eyesswept the crow . He !oo)e paine . 't was the po!ar opposite o& the &ace he(worn with renna a &ew min"tes a%o. Another %ame ' #ro)e my %a6e. Themayor &inishe spea)in%, an ' smi!e an e$eryone cheere , as i& he( -"st%i$en the most inspirin% speech )nown to man. An s" en!y it was time tosay %oo =#ye. +itsy, my ai e, to! me to say my &arewe!!s 5"iet!y an #rie&!y,an then she( escort me #ac) to the car that wo"! ta)e me to the airport.


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e$eryone thin) it a!! came own to #ea"ty +ay#e it i . +ay#e Prince +a oni n(t nee a wi&e to spea) to, -"st someone to !oo) pretty. ' act"a!!yshi$ere , consi erin% that as my &"t"re. "t there were many %ir!s m"chmore attracti$e than me %oin%.


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e citement o& the crow ha &a e , an now ' was &ace with the horri&ice perience o& &!yin%. ' wo"! #e tra$e!in% with three other Se!ecte %ir!s, an 'trie to %et contro! o& my ner$es. ' rea!!y i n(t want to ha$e a panic attac) in&ront o& them. '( a!rea y memori6e the names, &aces, an castes o& a!! theSe!ecte . 't starte as a therape"tic e ercise, somethin% to ca!m me own. 'i the same thin% with memori6in% sca!es an #its o& tri$ia. Ori%ina!!y, ' ha#een !oo)in% &or &rien !y &aces, %ir!s ' mi%ht want to spen time with whi!e 'was there. '( ne$er rea!!y ha a &rien . '( spent most o& my chi! hoop!ayin% with


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smi!e %rew wi er. 0' on(t thin) so. ' mean, ' can ha$e a #a temper at times,#"t my sister is a re hea , an she(s as sweet as can #e.2 With that wesett!e into an easy con$ersation a#o"t what %ot "s ma an what a!ways&i e o"r moo s. +ar!ee !i)e mo$ies, an so i ', tho"%h ' rare!y %ot to seethem. We ta!)e a#o"t actors who were "n#eara#!y attracti$e, which seemestran%e since we were o&& to #e +a on(s pac) o& %ir!&rien s. Ash!ey %i%%!ee$ery once in a whi!e #"t ne$er more than that. '& she was as)e a irect5"estion, she( %i$e a #rie& answer an %o #ac) to her %"ar e smi!e. +ar!eean ' %ot a!on% easi!y, an it %a$e me hope that may#e '( come o"t o& thiswith a &rien to show &or it. Tho"%h we ta!)e &or pro#a#!y ha!& an ho"r, thetime &!ew #y. We wo"! n(t ha$e stoppe ta!)in% e cept &or the istinct so"no& hi%h hee!s c!ic)in% across the &!oor. O"r hea s a!! t"rne in "nison, an 'hear +ar!ee(s mo"th open with a pop. There, wa!)in% towar "s, was a#r"nette with s"n%!asses on. She ha a aisy in her hair, #"t it ha #eenye re to match her !ipstic). Her hips swaye as she wa!)e , an each &a!!o& her three=inch hee!s accent"ate her con&i ent stri e. @n!i)e +ar!ee anAsh!ey, she i n(t smi!e. "t it wasn(t #eca"se she was "nhappy. No, she was&oc"se . Her entrance was meant to inspire intimi ation. An it wor)e on!a y!i)e Ash!ey, who ' hear #reathe an 0Oh, no2 as the new %ir! wa!)ec!oser. This person, who ' reco%ni6e as Ce!este Newsome o& C!ermont, Two,i n(t #other me. She ass"me we were &i%htin% &or the same thin%. "t yo"can(t #e p"she i& it(s somethin% yo" on(t want. Ce!este &ina!!y reache "s,an +ar!ee s5"ea)e o"t a he!!o, tryin% to #e &rien !y e$en in the mi st o&intimi ation. Ce!este mere!y !oo)e her o$er an si%he . 0When o we!ea$e 2 she as)e . 0We on(t )now,2 ' answere witho"t a hint o& &ear.08o"($e #een ho! in% "p the show.2 She i n(t !i)e that at a!!, an ' %ot aonce=o$er &rom her. She wasn(t impresse . 0Sorry, 5"ite a &ew peop!e wanteto see me o&&. ' co"! n(t he!p it.2 She smi!e wi e, as i& it was o#$io"s she wasmeant to #e worshippe . An ' was a#o"t to s"rro"n myse!& with %ir!s !i)ethis. Great. As i& on c"e, a man appeare thro"%h the oor to o"r !e&t. 0' heara!! &o"r o& o"r Se!ecte %ir!s are here 2 0We s"re are,2 Ce!este rep!ie sweet!y.

The man sort o& me!te a !itt!e, yo" co"! see it in his eyes. Ah. So this washer %ame. The captain pa"se a moment an then snappe to. 0We!!. La ies,i& yo"(!! -"st &o!!ow me, we(!! %et yo" on the p!ane an o&& to yo"r new home.2

The &!i%ht, which was rea!!y on!y terri&yin% "rin% the ta)eo&& an !an in%,!aste a &ew short ho"rs. We were o&&ere mo$ies an &oo , #"t a!! ' wanteto o was !oo) o"t the win ow. ' watche the co"ntry &rom a#o$e, ama6e at

-"st how #i% it a!! was. Ce!este chose to s!eep thro"%h the &!i%ht, which was asma!! mercy. Ash!ey ha a &o! o"t es) set "p an was a!rea y writin% !ettersa#o"t her a $ent"re. That was smart o& her to pac) paper. ' #et +ay wo"!!o$e to hear a#o"t this part o& the -o"rney, e$en tho"%h it i n(t inc!" e theprince. 0She(s so e!e%ant,2 +ar!ee whispere to me, ti!tin% her hea towarAsh!ey. We were sittin% across &rom each other in p!"sh seats in the $ery &ronto& the sma!! p!ane. 0:rom the moment we met, she(s #een nothin% #"t proper.She(s %oin% to #e to"%h competition,2 she sai with a si%h. 08o" can(t thin)a#o"t it that way,2 ' answere . 08es, yo"(re tryin% to ma)e it to the en , #"tnot #y #eatin% someone e!se. 8o"($e -"st %ot to #e yo". Who )nows +ay#e+a on wo"! pre&er someone more

re!a e .2 +ar!ee tho"%ht that o$er. 0' %"ess that(s a %oo point. 't(s har to


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not !i)e her. She(s aw&"!!y )in . An so #ea"ti&"!.2 ' no e in a%reement.+ar!ee(s $oice roppe to a whisper. 0Ce!este, on the other han *2 ' wi enemy eyes an shoo) my hea . 0' )now. 't(s on!y #een an ho"r, an '(m a!rea y!oo)in% &orwar to her %oin% home.2 +ar!ee co$ere her mo"th to hi e a!a"%h. 0' on(t want to ta!) #a !y a#o"t anyone, #"t she(s so a%%ressi$e. An+a on(s not e$en aro"n yet. '(m a !itt!e ner$o"s a#o"t her.2 07on(t #e,2 'ass"re her. 0Gir!s !i)e that They(!! ta)e themse!$es o"t o& the competition.2+ar!ee si%he . 0' hope so. Sometimes ' wish*2 0What 2 0We!!, sometimes 'wish that the Twos ha an i ea a#o"t what it &e!t !i)e to #e treate the waythey treat "s.2 ' no e . '( ne$er rea!!y tho"%ht o& myse!& #ein% on the same!e$e! as a :o"r, #"t ' %"ess we were in a simi!ar p!ace. '& yo" weren(t a Two or

Three, it was -"st $aryin% sha es o& #a . 0Than)s &or ta!)in% to me,2 she sai .0' was worrie that e$eryone wo"! -"st #e o"t &or themse!$es, #"t yo" anAsh!ey ha$e #een rea!!y nice. +ay#e this wi!! #e &"n.2 Her $oice !i&te withhope. ' wasn(t so s"re, #"t ' smi!e #ac). ' ha no reason to sh"n +ar!ee or#e r" e to Ash!ey. The other %ir!s mi%ht not #e so !ai =#ac). When we !an e ,the air was si!ent as we wa!)e the istance &rom the p!ane to the termina!with %"ar s at o"r si e. "t once the oors were opene , we were met withear=shatterin% screams. The termina! was &"!! o& peop!e -"mpin% ancheerin%. A path ha #een c!eare &or "s with a %o! en carpet !ine withcoor inatin% rope #arriers. At re%"!ar inter$a!s a!on% this channe! were%"ar s, !oo)in% aro"n an io"s!y an poise to stri)e at the &irst hint o&an%er. S"re!y there were more important thin%s they sho"! #e oin%L"c)i!y, Ce!este was in &ront, an she starte wa$in%. ' )new imme iate!y thatthat was the ri%ht response, not the cowerin% ' ha #een consi erin%. Ansince the cameras were there to catch o"r e$ery mo$e, ' was o"#!y %!a 'ha n(t #een !ea in% the pac). The crow was wi! with -oy. These wo"! #ethe peop!e we !i$e the c!osest to, an they were a!! !oo)in% &orwar tocatchin% the &irst %!impses o& the %ir!s comin% to town. One o& "s wo"! #etheir 5"een some ay. ' t"rne my hea a o6en times in a matter o& secon sas peop!e ca!!e my name &rom a!! o$er the pac)e termina!. There weresi%ns with my name on them, too. ' was ama6e . A!rea y there were peop!ehere3peop!e not in my caste or &rom my pro$ince3who hope it wo"! #eme. ' &e!t a !itt!e ro!! o& %"i!t in my stomach that ' wo"! !et them a!! own. 'roppe my hea &or a moment an saw a !itt!e %ir! presse "p a%ainst therai!in%. She co"! n(t ha$e #een more than twe!$e years o! . 'n her han s wasa si%n that sai RE7=HEA7S R@LE? with a !itt!e crown painte in the corneran tiny stars e$erywhere. ' )new ' was the on!y re hea in the competition,an ' notice that her hair an mine were $ery near!y the same sha e. The%ir! wante an a"to%raph. esi e her, someone wante a photo%raph, an#esi e him someone wante to sha)e my han . So ' went practica!!y ownthe entire !ine, t"rnin% aro"n once or twice to ta!) to peop!e on the othersi e o& the carpet, too. ' was the !ast one to !ea$e, ma)in% the other %ir!s waitat !east twenty min"tes &or me. F"ite honest!y, ' pro#a#!y wo"! n(t ha$e !e&tas soon as ' i e cept the ne t p!ane o& Se!ecte %ir!s was comin% in, an itseeme r" e to o$er!ap their time. Gettin% into the car, ' saw Ce!este ro!! hereyes, #"t ' i n(t care. ' was sti!! sort o& in awe o& how '( a -"ste so 5"ic)!yto somethin% that ha &ri%htene me on!y moments #e&ore. ' ha ma e itthro"%h my


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%oo =#yes, meetin% the &irst %ir!s, my &!i%ht, an interactin% with o"r mo# o&&ans. A!! witho"t oin% anythin% em#arrassin%. ' tho"%ht a#o"t the cameras&o!!owin% me in the termina! an pict"re my &ami!y watchin% my entrance on

T. ' hope they( #e pro" .

CHAPTER K

E EN A:TER THE S@ STANT'AL GREET'NG party at the airport, the roa s!ea in% "p to the pa!ace were !ine with masses o& peop!e ca!!in% o"t theirwe!!=wishes. The sa thin% was that we weren(t a!!owe to ro!! own thewin ows to ac)now!e %e them. The %"ar in the &ront sai to thin) o&o"rse!$es as e tensions o& the roya! &ami!y. +any a ore "s, #"t there werepeop!e o"t there who wo"! n(t #e a#o$e h"rtin% "s to h"rt the prince. Or themonarchy itse!&. ' was st"c) ne t to Ce!este in the car3a specia! one that hatwo rows o& seats &acin% each other in the #ac) an ar)ene win ows3withAsh!ey an +ar!ee sittin% to%ether in &ront o& "s. +ar!ee #eame as shestare o"t the win ows, an it was o#$io"s why. Her name was on se$era! o&the si%ns. 't wo"! #e impossi#!e to co"nt how many a mirers she ha .Ash!ey(s name was sprin)!e in there, too, a!most as m"ch as Ce!este(s, an&ar more than mine. Ash!ey, e$er the !a y, too) not #ein% a r"naway &a$oritein stri e. Ce!este, ' co"! see, was irritate . 0What o yo" thin) she i 2Ce!este whispere in my ear, as +ar!ee an Ash!ey spo)e to each other o&home. 0What o yo" mean 2 ' whispere #ac). 0To #e so pop"!ar. 8o" thin)she #ri#e someone 2 Her co! eyes &oc"se in on +ar!ee as i& she waswei%hin% her worth in her hea . 0She(s a :o"r,2 ' sai o"#t&"!!y. 0Shewo"! n(t ha$e the means to #ri#e someone.2 Ce!este s"c)e her teeth.0P!ease. A %ir! has more than one way she can pay &or what she wants,2 shesai , an p"!!e away to !oo) o"t the win ow. 't too) me a moment to"n erstan what she was s"%%estin%, an it i n(t sit we!! with me. Not#eca"se it was o#$io"s that someone as innocent as +ar!ee wo"! ne$erthin) a#o"t s!eepin% with someone to %et ahea 3or e$en consi er #rea)in%a !aw3#"t #eca"se it was #ecomin% c!ear that !i&e at the pa!ace mi%ht #emore $icio"s than ' ha ima%ine .

' i n(t ha$e a $ery %oo $iew comin% "p to the pa!ace, #"t ' notice thewa!!s. They were a pa!e ye!!ow st"cco an $ery, $ery hi%h. G"ar s werep!ace on top at either si e o& the wi e %ate that sw"n% open as weapproache . 'nsi e we were %reete with a !on% %ra$e! ri$e that circ!e a&o"ntain an !e to the &ront oors, where o&&icia!s waite to we!come "s.With #are!y more than a he!!o, two women too) me #y the arms an "shereme insi e. 0So sorry to r"sh, miss, #"t yo"r %ro"p is r"nnin% !ate,2 one sai .0Oh, '(m a&rai that(s my &a"!t. ' %ot a !itt!e too chatty at the airport.2 0Ta!)in%to the crow s 2 the other as)e in s"rprise. They e chan%e a !oo) ' i n(t


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"n erstan #e&ore they starte ca!!in% o"t !ocations as we passe . The inin%room was to the ri%ht, they to! me, an the Great Room was to the !e&t. 'ca"%ht a %!impse o& spraw!in% %ar ens o"t the %!ass oors an wishe ' co"!stop. e&ore ' co"! e$en process where we were %oin%, they p"!!e me into ah"%e room &"!! o& #"st!in% peop!e. A swarm parte , an ' saw rows o& mirrorswith peop!e wor)in% on %ir!s( hair an paintin% their nai!s. C!othes h"n% onrac)s, an peop!e were sho"tin% thin%s !i)e 0' &o"n the ye?2 an 0Thatma)es her !oo) p" %y.2 0Here they are?2 ' saw a woman comin% "p to "s,c!ear!y the person in char%e. 0'(m Si!$ia. We spo)e on the phone,2 she sai asa means o& intro "ction, then imme iate!y went to wor). 0:irst thin%s &irst.We nee >#e&ore( pict"res. Come o$er here,2 she comman e , pointin% "s toa chair in the corner in &ront o& a #ac) rop. 07on(t min the cameras, !a ies.We(!! #e oin% a specia! on yo"r ma)eo$ers, since e$ery %ir! in '!!4a(s %oin% towant to !oo) !i)e yo" #y the time we(re one to ay.2 S"re eno"%h, teams o&peop!e with cameras were wan erin% aro"n the room, 6oomin% in on %ir!s(shoes, an inter$iewin% them. Once the pict"res were one, Si!$ia #e%ansho"tin% or ers. 0Ta)e La y

Ce!este to station &o"r, La y Ash!ey to &i$e * an it !oo)s !i)e they -"st&inishe "p at ten. Ta)e La y +ar!ee there, an La y America to si .2 0Sohere(s the thin%,2 a short, ar)=haire man sai , p"!!in% me o$er to a seatwith a si on the #ac). 0We nee to ta!) a#o"t yo"r ima%e.2 He was a!!#"siness. 0+y ima%e 2 Wasn(t ' -"st me Wasn(t that what %ot me here 0Howo we want to ma)e yo" !oo) With that re hair, we can ma)e yo" 5"ite thetemptress, #"t i& yo" want to p!ay that )in o& thin% own, we can wor) thato"t, too,2 he sai matter=o&=&act!y. 0'(m not chan%in% e$erythin% a#o"t me tocater to some %"y ' on(t e$en )now.2 Or !i)e, ' a e in my hea . 0Oh, my.7o we ha$e an in i$i "a! here 2 he san%, as i& ' were a chi! . 0Aren(t we a!! 2

The man smi!e at me. 0:ine, then. We won(t chan%e yo"r ima%e, we(!! -"stenhance it. ' nee to po!ish yo" "p a #it, #"t yo"r a$ersion to a!! thin%s &a)emi%ht -"st #e yo"r %reatest asset here. Ho! on to that, honey.2 He patte meon the #ac) an wa!)e away, sen in% a %ro"p o& women swarmin% my way. 'i n(t rea!i6e that when he sai 0po!ish,2 he meant it !itera!!y. ' ha womenscr"# my #o y #eca"se ' apparent!y co"! n(t #e tr"ste to o a %oo eno"%h

-o# on my own. Then e$ery e pose #it o& s)in was co$ere with !otions anoi!s that !e&t me sme!!in% !i)e $ani!!a, which accor in% to the %ir! who app!iethem was one o& +a on(s &a$orite sme!!s. A&ter they were one ma)in% mesmooth an s"pp!e, attention was t"rne to my nai!s. They were trimme an#"&&e an the to"%h !itt!e pieces o& s)in aro"n them were mirac"!o"s!ysmoothe away. ' to! them '( pre&er not to ha$e my nai!s painte , #"t they!oo)e so isappointe that ' to! them they co"! o my toes. The one %ir!pic)e a nice ne"tra! sha e, so it wasn(t too #a . The team o& peop!e whowor)e on my nai!s !e&t me &or another %ir!, an ' sat 5"iet!y in my chair,waitin% &or the ne t ro"n o& #ea"ti&ication. A camera crew came past,6oomin% in on my han s. 07on(t mo$e,2 a woman or ere . She s5"inte atmy han . 07o yo" e$en ha$e anythin% on yo"r nai!s 2 0No.2 She si%he , %other shot, an mo$e on. ' hea$e a hea$y si%h myse!&. O"t o& the corner o&my eye, ' saw a -er)in% motion -"st to my ri%ht. ' !oo)e an saw a %ir! starin%into nowhere whi!e her !e% #o"nce "p an own "n er a !ar%e cape they(rape o$er her. 08o" o)ay 2 ' as)e . +y $oice shoc)e her o"t o& her trance.


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She si%he . 0They want to ye my hair #!on . They sai it wo"! !oo) #etterwith my s)in tone. '(m -"st ner$o"s, ' %"ess.2 She %a$e me a ti%ht smi!e, an 'ret"rne it. 08o"(re Sosie, ri%ht 2 08eah.2 She smi!e in earnest then. 0Anyo"(re America 2 ' no e . 0' hear yo" came in with that Ce!este %ir!. She(sterri#!e?2 ' ro!!e my eyes. Since we( arri$e , e$ery &ew min"tes the entireroom co"! hear Ce!este ye!!in% at some poor mai to #rin% her somethin% orto %et o"t o& her way. 08o" ha$e no i ea,2 ' m"ttere , an we #oth %i%%!e .0Listen, ' thin) yo"r hair(s $ery pretty.2 't was, too. Not too ar), not too !i%ht,an $ery &"!!. 0Than)s.2 0'& yo" on(t want to chan%e it, yo" sho"! n(t ha$eto.2 Sosie smi!e , #"t ' co"! te!! she wasn(t comp!ete!y s"re i& ' was tryin% to#e &rien !y or ho! her #ac). e&ore she co"! say anythin%, teams o& peop!ecame to wor) on "s, irectin% one another so !o" !y there was no way &or "sto &inish ta!)in%. +y hair was washe , con itione , hy rate , an smoothe .'t was !on% an a!! one !en%th when '

came in3my mom "s"a!!y c"t it, an that was the #est she co"! o3#"t #ythe time they were one, it was se$era! inches shorter an ha !ayers. ' !i)ethose/ they ma e my hair catch the !i%ht in interestin% ways. Some %ir!s %otthin%s ca!!e hi%h!i%hts, an others, !i)e Sosie, ha the co!or chan%ecomp!ete!y. "t my atten ants an ' a!! a%ree that mine sho"! %o"nto"che in that epartment. A $ery pretty=!oo)in% %ir! i my ma)e"p. 'instr"cte her to %o !i%ht, an it was nice. Lots o& the other %ir!s !oo)e a !itt!eo! er or yo"n%er or -"st nicer a&ter the ma)e"p. ' sti!! !oo)e !i)e me when 'was one. O& co"rse, so i Ce!este, since she insiste "pon pi!in% it on. '(%one thro"%h most o& this process in a ro#e, an once they were one &i in%me "p, ' was !e o$er to the rac)s o& c!othes. +y name was han%in% a#o$e a#ar ho! in% a wee)(s worth o& resses. ' %"esse princesses=in=trainin% i n(twear pants. The one ' en e "p in was a cream co!or. 't &e!! o&& my sho"! ers,&it sn"%!y at my waist, an hit -"st at my )nees. The %ir! he!pin% me into itca!!e it a ay ress. She to! me that my e$enin% resses were a!rea y inmy room, an the rest o& these wo"! %o "p there as we!!. Then she p!ace asi!$er pin near the top o& my ress. +y name %!ittere across it. :ina!!y shep"t me into shoes she ca!!e )itten hee!s an sent me #ac) to the corner so 'co"! ta)e my 0a&ter2 shot. :rom there ' was or ere to one o& &o"r !itt!estations !ine "p a%ainst the wa!!. Each ha a chair with a #ac) rop an acamera sittin% in &ront o& it. ' sat own as instr"cte an waite . A womancame "p with a c!ip#oar o& in&ormation in her han an as)e me to #epatient whi!e she &o"n my papers. 0What(s this &or 2 ' as)e . 0The ma)eo$erspecia!. We(!! #e airin% one a#o"t yo"r arri$a!s toni%ht, the ma)eo$ers are onWe nes ay, an then :ri ay yo"(!! o yo"r &irst Report. Peop!e ha$e seenyo"r pict"res an )now a !itt!e #it a#o"t what was on yo"r app!ications,2 shesai as she !ocate her papers an p!ace them on the top o& her c!ip#oar .

Then she !ace her &in%ers to%ether an contin"e . 0 "t we want to ma)ethem rea!!y p"!! &or yo". An that won(t happen "n!ess they can %et to )nowyo". So we(!! -"st o a !itt!e inter$iew here, an yo" o yo"r #est on theReports, an then on(t #e shy when yo" see "s aro"n the pa!ace. We aren(there e$ery ay, #"t we(!! #e aro"n .2 0O)ay,2 ' sai mee)!y. ' rea!!y i n(twant to ta!) to camera crews. 't a!! &e!t so intr"si$e. 0So, America Sin%er,yes 2 she as)e -"st secon s a&ter a re !i%ht !it "p on the top o& the camera.08es.2 ' trie to p"sh the ner$es o"t o& my $oice. 0' ha$e to #e honest, yo"


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on(t !oo) !i)e yo" chan%e too m"ch to me. Can yo" te!! "s what happenein yo"r ma)eo$er to ay 2 ' tho"%ht. 0They p"t !ayers in my hair. ' !i)e that.2 'ran my &in%ers thro"%h the re stran s, &ee!in% how so&t my hair was a&terpro&essiona! care. 0An they co$ere me in $ani!!a !otion. ' )in o& sme!! !i)eessert,2 ' sai , sni&&in% my arm. She !a"%he . 0't is !o$e!y. An that ressrea!!y s"its yo".2 0Than)s,2 ' sai , !oo)in% own at my new c!othes. 0' on(ttypica!!y wear a !ot o& resses, so this is %oin% to ta)e a !itt!e %ettin% "se to.20That(s ri%ht,2 my inter$iewer sai . 08o"(re one o& on!y three :i$es in theSe!ection. How has this e perience #een so &ar 2 ' searche my hea &orsomethin% that wo"! escri#e how e$erythin% ha &e!t to ay. :rom myisappointment in the s5"are to the sensation o& &!yin% to the com&ort o&+ar!ee. 0S"rprisin%,2 ' sai . 0' ima%ine there wi!! #e more s"rprisin% ays tocome,2 she commente . 0' hope they(re at !east a !itt!e ca!mer than to ay,2 'sai with a si%h. 0How o yo" &ee! a#o"t yo"r competition so &ar 2 'swa!!owe . 0The %ir!s are a!! rea!!y nice.2 With one %!arin% e ception. 0+m=hmm,2 she sai , seein% thro"%h my answer. 0So how o yo" &ee! a#o"t theway yo"r ma)eo$er

t"rne o"t Worrie a#o"t anyone e!se(s !oo) 2 ' consi ere that. To say noso"n e snotty, to say yes so"n e nee y. 0' thin) the sta&& has one a %reat

-o# #rin%in% o"t each %ir!(s in i$i "a! #ea"ty.2 She smi!e an sai , 0A!! ri%ht,' thin) that(!! #e eno"%h.2 0That(s a!! 2 0We ha$e to &it thirty=&i$e o& yo" intoan ho"r an a ha!&, so that wi!! #e p!enty.2 0O)ay.2 That wasn(t so #a . 0Than)yo" &or yo"r time. 8o" can hea o$er to that co"ch o$er there, an yo"(!! #eta)en care o&.2 ' stoo an went to sit on the !ar%e circ"!ar co"ch in thecorner. Two %ir!s ' ha yet to meet were sittin% there, ta!)in% 5"iet!y. ' !oo)earo"n the room an saw someone anno"ncin% that the !ast #atch washea in% in. A new &!"rry #e%an aro"n the stations. ' was &oc"se on it ana!most i n(t notice +ar!ee sit own #esi e me. 0+ar!ee? Loo) at yo"r hair?20' )now. They p"t e tensions in it. 7o yo" thin) +a on wi!! !i)e it 2 She !oo)e%en"ine!y worrie . 0O& co"rse? What %"y oesn(t !i)e a %or%eo"s #!on e 2 'sai with a p!ay&"! smi!e. 0America,

Documents

The Selection - Kiera Class