It's tomorrow. The Selection. My selection. I don't want it. I didn't ask for thirty-five men from who knows where to live in my home, use my facilities, compete for my heart. The whole idea just sickens me. Are selection's even supposed to be for girls? I don't think so. But unfortunately, mom and dad had a girl. Not a boy. And so, what they call a 'reverse' selection will begin tomorrow.

When their faces popped up on the screen, dad told me to pay attention, to pick the few you know are going to stay there for a while. Just as he had picked out mom, intrigued by her vibrant red hair, and a few other girls, of course. No one stood out to me. Not one face. They were mostly Fours, then a few Threes, and a couple of Twos. Hardly anyone lower than a Five was selected. They were all tall, dark, and handsome, yeah. But no one caught my eye. To tell you the truth, they all seemed rather obnoxious and conceited.

I am certainly not ready to have to meet them tomorrow, they all arrived tonight. There was no crime against my walking about to meet any of them, but I locked myself in my room, allowing only my maids to enter with my dinner and then exit once more. Samantha lingered a while longer, before I asked her to leave. She may be my best friend, but she's still a maid. Taught to follow my orders.

Before laying down on my humongous, overly comfortable bed, I tie back my stick straight, strawberry blonde hair, and sigh. I constantly tell myself that whatever happens tomorrow will happen, I'll meet my favorites, perhaps. Send home the ones I dislike.

I shut the lights and dive for my bed, closing my eyes. They open almost immediately. Who am I kidding? I can't sleep right now, I'm going to be sick. I turn onto my stomach and close them again. Go to sleep, Juliette. I tell myself. You have a big day tomorrow. After about an hour of tossing and turning, I'm restless. I stand and walk into my bathroom, splashing some water on my face. Perhaps I'll get a late-night snack, then bring it back here and watch a movie. The idea couldn't sound better to me, and so I place my tiara over my messed-up hair, and exit my room.

The guards outside my doors all hustle around me. "You're highness! Are you all right? Is there anything we can help you with?" I roll my eyes and walk past them, ignoring their questions. One grabs my arm before blushing and taking a bow.

"I apologize miss, but I must ask where it is that you're going at this late hour."

I wave him off. "The kitchen. I'm hungry, Officer...?"

"Ledger. Kane Ledger."

"Whatever," I shake my head. "I'm hungry, Officer Ledger. Now if you would please unhand me so I might get a plate of oreo cookies, I would be ever so grateful."

He notices his hand, still upon my arm, and blushes furiously once more before removing it a taking a step back. "My apologies, your Highness."

I shrug and turn my back, starting down the hall. "Good night, gentlemen." I call over my shoulder, though I know they'll all be there when I return.

Reaching the kitchen, I relax a bit. Finally, some privacy. The chefs would all have gone to bed by now. I push open the doors, and walk to the shelf that holds the cookies, not bothering to flick on the lights. I almost immediately notice something amiss. I am most certainly not alone. I quickly but quietly move to the other side of the kitchen, pressing myself up against the wall. Could it be rebels? No. Not possible. There are too many guards in the palace nowadays... And yet, I'm worried.

I hear rather clunky steps thunder through the kitchen, as a shadow of a man appears in the dark. I don't know what possess' me, but I leap out from the corner and throw a side kick into the man's chest, positive he is a rebel. He falls back with a startled "Oof!" giving me time to turn on the lights and look down on him.

"What is your business here?" I ask, not able to meet his eyes.

"Who the bloody hell do you think you-" a thick accent starts, before our eyes lock and he stops immediately. "Lord," he mutters, wiping what looks like cookie crumbs from his face. "This is not how I planned we'd meet, your highness."

Oh, God. I should've known. It's one of the selected. I frown. "No, this isn't a very pleasant meeting, is it?" I reach down and offer my hand to help him up. He takes it and smiles lightly, shaking his head. "What exactly are you doing down here at-" I glance at the clock. "One fifteen in the morning, eating cookies in total darkness?"

His cheeks fill with color, but his dark eyebrows raise slightly."What were you doing here at one fifteen in the morning, reaching for the cookie cabinet in total darkness?"

I roll my eyes. "Arrogant thing, are you?" I ask, and he smirks. "Well if you must know, I can't sleep. I'm getting a snack. You may leave now," I say, walking past him back to the cabinet.

"Where'd you learn to kick like that?" He asks, ignoring my dismissal.

I grab the package of oreos. "None of your business."

"Oreos. Are they your favorite cookies?" He takes a seat on a high chair across from me. "I love oreos. But oatmeal rais-"

"Would you PLEASE leave. I'd like to be alone."

"...But oatmeal raison. Those are definitely my favorite." He finishes, acting as though I said nothing at all. I gasp in frustration.

"My God! Just be quiet!"

The young man frowns, and reaches out his hand for me to shake. "I'm sorry. My name's Aaron. I have trouble keeping my yap shut."

I shake it half-heartedly. "I noticed" I reply, grabbing the milk from the fridge.

"Shouldn't the maids be helping you right now?"

"Shouldn't you have left by now?"

He shrugs,standing up. "I suppose I'll meet with you again tomorrow, Princess."

"Perhaps." I say, happy to have him leaving. "Hopefully you'll learn some manners by then." I mutter too quietly for him to hear.

"Good night." He bows, and then leaves.

I place my cookies and milk on top of a tray before leaving as well, taking it up to my room. I make it about three feet out before a whole lot of maids flock up and grab the tray from my hands. I sigh and lead them upstairs. "I can take it from here" I grab the tray before they can object, and walk down the hall, being sure to thank them.

I nod at Officer Ledger and a few other guards before slamming my door shut. I take my tiara off and place it on my bedside table, sitting down with the tray of cookies to my other side.

I rub my temples, glancing at the time. One forty. I turn on my favorite movie, Amadeus, and eat a few cookies before feeling my eyes get heavy. I put the tray on the floor, and almost as soon as my head touches the pillow, I'm asleep.