27Taylor Hames (2, Athlete, Angeles) POV
The sweltering Angeles sun beats down heavily on my back as I stare at the Soccer ball lying in front of me on the grass. I take a deep breath before running forward and curving my foot just so. My foot gives a satisfying thump as the ball curves and soars into the goal. Perfect.
I take a moment to wipe the sweat from my brow and wander off towards the metal bench located on the sidelines. My water bottle sits there, and I lift it up, taking a long drink. It really is a scorcher, the perfect weather for Soccer.
"Taylor! Tay!"
I whip around, my brown ponytail flying as I spot Alice, grinning wildly, jogging over to where I stand. Good god. Not today, Satan.
"Hi, Taylor! Practicing for the league finals? Me too, I've been at it all day. I just thought I would stop by and say hi," Alice squeaks in her high pitched tone. I slowly angle myself away from her, hoping she will take the hint and leave me alone. She doesn't. What a genius girl.
She also doesn't seem to be finished yet, "Do you want to practice together? I mean...if you want to….."
I take a deep breath, running a finger through my ponytail. "No, Alice, I really don't want to do that. Could you leave me to my practicing? I have things to do."
Alice startles at my words. Honestly, I'm surprised. Did she honestly think that I would practice with...her? Still she seems resigned. Good. I haven't said anything stupid…
"I'm sorry I barged in, but I think it could be really fun…."
Well. Scratch that. "Good god, Alice, take a hint! I've found puddles deeper than you. Now could you please let me practice. Goodbye!"
I sharply turn around and start walking back to the field, not noticing Alice and not caring about her either. I wish I wasn't so harsh, but she's just so happy all of the time! I can't deal with it.
I fish the ball out from the goal and give it a swift kick. It's aim is true. I'm going to crush it at the finals.
"Taylor! Come inside, dinner is ready!" I could recognize my mother's voice even from out here.
"On my way!" I dribble the soccer ball out to the shed near the edge of our Soccer field. I swiftly pull open the door, and punt the ball in. Perfect.
Being sure to grab my water bottle on the way, I jog to the door where my mother stands, hands on her hips, with a smile on her face. She puts her hand on my shoulder.
She smiles and takes her hand off my shoulder, seeing how sweaty it is. "Hurry up and shower, I have a surprise for you."
"Sure. I'll be in soon," I say, moving past her into the foyer of our house and upstairs into my room. I remove my uniform and step into the shower, letting the cold water run over me. When I am finally done I shut the water off and step into a pair of simple sweatpants, a t-shirt, and sneakers. I re-do my ponytail and quickly run down the stairs and into the dining room.
Mom waits on one end of our lonely table, drumming her fingers on the mahogany surface. When I appear she smiles, a smile that I love to see. I return it with half of my mouth and sit down in my seat, beginning to eat. There is only silence at the table for awhile. I look up to see Mom staring at the empty seat at the table's head. Dad's seat.
Dad died when I was born. I can only remember him a bit, mostly his laugh. I loved how it could fill up a room. After he died I became an athlete, mainly to distract myself from it.
I need to stop thinking about Dad. Not now.
Mom starts to speak just in time, "I was watching the report last night while you were at softball practice, and it was announced that Prince Wyatt will be holding a Selection, along with Prince Jameson in Imperia. I think that It would be very good for you if you entered."
I slowly put my fork down, keeping my eyes on my Mom's face. The Selection? Really? Would I get picked? Would I hate everyone? Probably true. Should I enter?
"How would it be good for me?"
"Taylor, you need friends. I see you with people, but you brush them off, you aren't close with them," Mom puts down her fork to address me more closely, "When I was younger, I depended on my friends. They were like family, and even though I try, I can't give you that. I have full confidence that the Selection will."
Friends. Depending on friends. Could I even do that?
I suppose it is worth a try.
"Ok. I'll enter. I probably won't be selected."
Mom pushes the form towards me, along with a pen. I take a deep breath and begin to fill it out.
Selection, here I come.
Adrienne Rose (Inventor/Philanthropist, Swocia) POV
Click, click, click. My high heels loudly click as I make my way down a busy Swocia street. All of the passerby don't stop to notice me, they are too wrapped up in their own affairs. I try to walk faster, but seem to be running into people left and right. I hate being late, especially for a meeting of Their Hope. It is truly something that I care about very much, and I hate being tardy for it.
Finally, I reach the door of our space. We have a room in one of Swocia's many sky-high skyscrapers, on the 5th floor. I hurry inside, my high heels smacking against the marble floor. I hear choruses of "Hello, Miss Rose," and "Good Afternoon, Miss Rose." No time to be friendly today, I'll try to say hello on the way out.
I practically smack the elevator button out of it's socket. The elevator comes briskly and I step in. The elevator begins to push up, on its way to Their Hope.
I started Their Hope in my senior year of High School. I had started a blog, documenting some of the toughest years of my life, the years I spent with my parents. They were the most cold, emotionless parents you could ever meet, and they hit my brother and I. After the blog was started, I started getting emails about how other people were going through the same things I was. I started Their Hope with a few of these people here in Swocia, and it has become very important and special for me. Now, I can give kids like me what I never got, love and hope.
With a ding, the elevator alights on the third floor. The doors push open and I hurry out, rushing down the hallway until I reach room 247. I twist open the doorknob, amd smile at the sight I see.
About 12 or so kids are sitting in a circle, actually talking and laughing with each other. These scared, frightened kids are actually happy. I can't help grinning just watching them. One of my co-leaders beckons me over and I comply, entering the room and closing the door behind me. I take a seat on the carpeting, fully in my happy place.
The session is over too soon. The elevator slows to a stop and the doors slide open. It has begun to rain and the streets shimmer with droplets. Night is falling. Just outside of the doors, I see a familiar figure. He is tall, with brown hair like mine, and is standing outside, beneath an umbrella.
Waving goodbye to the secretaries on duty, I rush outside to give him a hug.
"What are you doing here, Carter? I can make it home alone." Carter smiles as I speak. He knows I don't really mean it, and that I would love his company on the way home.
"Thought you might like the company on the way home." He knows me better than I know myself. Figures. Carter truly did save me, becoming my legal guardian after Mom and Dad were taken into custody. I have always loved him, he is the person who I always told everything to, and I trust him completely.
Carter and I begin to walk together along the wet city streets, sticking close together under our umbrella. We move down the streets, arm in arm, until we finally reach our house. Carter dashes up the steps and folds up the umbrella. I follow him. He unlocks the door and I step inside the warm house.
We got mail today. I bend over to scoop it up from the floor. It is a bit wet from the rain, but still intact. I carry it in to the kitchen and dump our letters on the kitchen table. I open some cupboards and bring out a stainless steel pot, filling it with water set to boil. I take out some cocoa powder and put it next to the pot to put in after the water boils. I sit down at the table and begin to flip through the mail. I hear Carter enter behind me, and the sound of him shaking the cocoa powder into the water. I smile as I read.
Some bills, some mail for me from the patent office (I'll read that later), and a very interesting white envelope. I've never seen anything like it before.
I open the envelope with my thumb and begin to read the included paper.
To the Rose Family,
It has been confirmed by Imperia's first census that a single woman between the ages of 16 and 21 resides in this household. She is being given the oppurtunity to sign up for the Selection, a competition to compete for the hand of Prince Jameson of Imperia. You will find enclosed the form, which should be deposited at your local province services office, where photos will also be taken. We hope you will enter.
Best wishes,
The Imperian Royal Family
A Selection? Oh, of course. The prince is 19 and of age, it makes a lot of sense.
"Carter?"
"Hhm," he responds, bringing over two mugs of hot chocolate.
"Should I enter the Selection?"
"The Selection? For Prince Jameson?" he pauses to think. "Why not? He seems rather closed off, but you'll get to him."
I smile at Carter. He's right. Why not go for it? It'll be an experience.
I pick up my pen and begin to write
Someone's POV
As dusk falls, we approach the gate. The fiery orb of the sun is setting in the distance, coloring my Commander's face orange. She stares straight ahead, eyes on the sleepy border guards who are ready to go home after a long day.
Our car inches forward, and my heart picks up speed. My Commander sticks her head out of the car to speak to the border guard.
"Documentation, please?"
"Sure thing," she says, handing over our fake papers. The Imperian border guard gives them a once-over, then nods.
"State your business."
"Just a few musicians, coming through Imperia for a performance in Zorina." Perfect lie. In a way, we are musicians.
"Come on through," says the tired guard, waving us along. Our car pulls past the border. My Commander smiles.
"Guns?"
"Check." We all respond to her almost at once. I finger my pistol.
"Alright then. Let's blow this thing."
A/N: Hello hello! It has taken me so long to get this chapter out, so sorry for the wait. I really hope you like it! Thanks a million to Tis I, The Most Frenchiest Fry for Taylor and to SophieOfWoodsBeyond for Adrienne. Also, thank you to everyone who has submitted an Imperian selected! We now have equal numbers, and I'm so excited to start writing them! You guys rock!
Also disclaimer: I do not own the Selection universe and Illea, that belongs to Kiera Cass.
Thanks for reading, and tell me how I did with your OCs. Leave a review to tell me what you think!