This is my first selection fanfic hope you like it!
I slammed my book shut. I had just finished the selection series again for the millionth time. I was past counting by now. It was one of my favorite book series along with Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Divergent. They were my top four but there were many other books that I loved. I was an over obsessive fangirl. Yes I admit it, I am a fangirl. My main fandom is the Harry Potter fandom but The Selection and Divergent are tied for second. The book that I had just finished was The Crown, the last book in the series, about Maxon and America's eldest daughter Eadlyn. I layed back in my bad savoring the moment. Sure there were points in the books were I wanted to murder the author and scream at the characters but in the end after many tears and squeals I would finish the books.
As I looked across the room at the other five selection books I noticed something different about them. They looked shiny and if I stared straight at them I could almost see a soft glow around them. I picked one of them up and inspected it, it looked normal and everything was in place, so why did they look different? Suddenly a voice rang out through my room. It must have been speaking a different language because I had no idea with it was saying. The garbled words stopped as soon as they had started and the book that I was holding started to glow. It went dark. I was flying through nothingness and my mind was racing. Where the hell am I? My legs hit a wooden floor with a crash and I sat up to look around. I was in a small room with one window and a desk with a chair but not much else. Around me were a suitcase and a bunch of bags. As I looked closer I realized the they were my bags and when I opened them inside were clothes, books, my phone and charger plus a whole load of other stuff. Where was I and why did I have all my stuff with me? I heard a noise from outside the door and slowly opened it up to see what was there. I was met with a empty living room that had two couches and a tv. Wondering where the noise could have come from I looked out one of the windows and I was met with a strange sight. There were buildings everywhere of varying degrees of shabbiness but the thing that stood out the most was a billboard in the distance that read "Time for the 4th Selection! Will Prince Maxon find true love?" I almost passed out when I read the billboard. This couldn't be, I couldn't be in Illea, that was like 300 years in the future! I was in a mix of feelings, sadness, confusion, happiness and pure fangirl. Then I broke down. I was 300 years in the future and my family, friends and everything I knew was gone. Well that wasn't completely true. I knew Illea pretty well actually, a result of reading The Selection so many times. I sat down on the floor and closed my eyes. I was in Illea. I needed to find a way home but for now I was going to make the best of my bizarre situation. I was inside a book. How could this happen. As I looked over at my bags I realized that whatever or whoever sent me here meant to keep me here for a while. I had loads of stuff so I could stay here for a while. The first thing to do was figure out where I was. The province and whose house I was in. Before I went outside I found the bathroom and looked in the mirror just to check that I looked decent enough and that my flying through space, time and paper hadn't done anything. However when I looked in the mirror my reflection didn't look like me. My face was thinner and longer and my acne was gone. My hair was the same length but a slightly lighter color. It was then that I realized how tall I was. I had grown at least six inches and had filled out a little more. I looked older. But how? I was only thirteen. Me going through whatever I just went through must have done something. I opened the front door and was greeted with a big envelope on the front step. It looked important but the weirdest thing about it was that it had my name written on it in big fancy letters, Alex Harper. I picked the envelope up and turned it over in my hand. At once my eyes bulged and I went back inside the house to open it up. This could not be happening to me. This was a entry form for the selection! I opened it and read the first piece of paper, it read " To the house of Harper, The recent census has confirmed that a single woman between the ages of sixteen and twenty currently resides in your home." That couldn't be right I was thirteen not between sixteen and twenty. But as I locked at myself it make sense I certainly didn't look thirteen. After a little bit of thinking I concluded that I was stuck in my seventeen year old's body but retained my mind. For the second time now I left the house and tried to find out what province I was in. After a couple of blocks I came across the longest line of people I had ever seen. Assuming this was the service office where I would submit my form I looked at the building a sign said "Waverly Service Offices" so that's where I was. Glad that I wasn't from a province that a major character came from I quickly went home to fill out the application. As I walked back home I was absolutely giddy. I had the chance to meet America! I mean and Maxon as well but America in my opinion was amazing and she was my favorite character. As I was filling out the form I came to the area for my caste. What caste would I be in. What caste was I in, in Illea. I would probably be either a tree or a five since three's are writers or teachers and five's are musicians and artists. In the end I put five since art and music has always been my passion. I wondered if this would lower the chance of King Clarkson choosing me but at the moment it didn't really matter. For special skills I put drawing and the violin, also under languages I put english and spanish. After I was done filling out the form I went over to the room that I arrived in and fully unpacked all of the stuff that came with me. In the end I had clothes, all of my favorite books and I was ecstatic to see that I had all of the selection books, they would really come in handy, my phone, its charger and earbuds, my violin and sheet music, all of my art stuff, a lot of money, my instant camera and film and toothbrush toothpaste type stuff. It looked like whoever sent me here was pretty nice to me but I still wanted to go home if I could. After searching through all of the clothes that I had (and some weren't even mine) I picked out a white collar shirt and high waisted black pants with black flats. I put my hair up into a messy ponytail on top of my head and headed out the door.
Once I got to the service offices it was time to wait in line. The line took about half an hour so soon enough I was ready for my picture. I knew this wasn't random, it was a carefully selected bunch of girls with just enough outliers to make it seem like a lottery. The camera flashed and my picture was taken, all I could do now was wait for the results to be announced.
Those next few weeks were pretty fun and I really settled into my house. I had enough money to not need to work but life as a seventeen year old took a little getting used to. I was actually pretty good at acting four years older than I actually was, this came from years of watching people and reading books, I knew how to act older than I was and I knew how to hide my emotions. I built a routine of getting up in the morning and going out to the market in the square before the sun rose and getting food for the day. Then I would eat breakfast and practice my violin. After that I would do whatever I wanted which usually was reading. I needed to read and memorize every last detail about the upcoming selection. I drew a little fanart at times, but it decided to trash it because it would be creepy if someone were to see it.
I gathered some pretzels in a bowl and sat down on the couch. Once I found the public access channel I turned the volume up and started watching the report. I still can't believe I'm in Illea this is just crazy. I'm about to watch the report! The national anthem played and Gavril Fadaye walks on stage. My eyes immediately shot to the corner of the screen where I see Maxon! As in Maxon Schreave, the prince of Illea! I was bouncing in my seat anticipating the announcements of the selected. I couldn't wait! They talked about the war for a little but you could tell that they wanted to get it over with and announce the girls. I remember this scene from the books where America is shaking and to be honest I feel like shaking myself even though for the most part I knew what was going to happen.
"Wise words my Queen, wise words. And with that, let us reveal the thirty-five young ladies chosen for the Selection. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the following daughters of Illea!" Gavril's voice snapped me out of my daydream. They were going to show who got selected!
"Miss Eleyna Stoles of Hansport, Three." Oh. Well she didn't make it that far. It was funny how I knew who would win and what would happen. But I knew I couldn't tell anyone lest change something important. I stared back at the screen, if I remember correctly the girl from Waverly was going to be called now. "Miss Alex Harper of Waverly, Five." OMG I was picked. Out of the thousands of girls in Waverly I was picked. My phone started ringing and it didn't stop for days.
People started coming to talk to me about everything from security measures to health and clothes. Everyone was surprised when I said I was an only child and my parents died in a car crash about a month ago. It was a story that I made up to explain why I was alone. One day before I was going to leave for the palace and tall skinny guy arrived to talk to me and I immediately recognized him from the books. Dear lord, I thought this is going to get awkward.
"I am here to go over some last minute rules and regulations with you about the selection. First your body is now property of Illea and you will have to take these vitamins and keep in good health. Second I need to confirm that you are indeed a virgin." He spoke fast and sharp but I stiffened when he asked the question even though I was anticipating it. "Of course I'm a virgin!" I replied, I knew that I looked seventeen but in reality I was only thirteen and that question was very awkward.
"Also one last word, you should now turn down the prince if he wants anything. It would not be wise to deny him anything. Good day Miss Alex." And with that he left. I knew that that wasn't true but it still made me mad. Who was he going around telling false things about Maxon! I mean I only knew he was lying because I'm from a different world and know exactly what's going to happen, but nobody else does! That part always pissed me off in the book and now it just happened to me! I swear to god if I'm going to find out why we said that, or who told him to say that.
I woke up and it took me a couple of seconds before I realized that today I was going to the palace. I decided on black flats and then put on the uniform that they gave us. I brushed my teeth then went back into my room to pack my bag. After a lot of putting stuff in only to take it out I was left with some simple clothes even though I knew they would provide me with everything, all of my books, mainly because they wouldn't have these at the palace and I needed them to get through my life and especially this. I also brought my polaroid camera, sheet music and my phone. I wasn't going anywhere without that. There was a car to take me to the airport when I stepped outside.
At the airport there were more people than I thought possible. I didn't know anyone in this world yet all these people were smiling at me. I didn't have family or friends to send me off so I just went into the airport and got on the plane. It was a normal plane ride. One of the other girls was going crazy and I couldn't help but remember that there was someone that had her description that left early. Once the plane started on it's decent I stuffed my phone away, I didn't want anyone to see that I had a phone that didn't exist in this time.
The palace was even more magical in real life than the books. Its yellow walls shimmered in the Angels sun. I followed some maids into the palace while mentally preparing myself for the makeover that was about to happen. I had never put on makeup in my life, now it's going to be an everyday thing?! This is probably the worst part about all of this. I have to dress fancy for everything!
Silvia, rushed me over to a line where they were taking the before pictures. It felt like the bachelor, almost. I got seated in a barber's chair when maids suddenly surrounded me filling my nails, brushing my hair and doing other things that I don't even know why they did. Once they were done with the initial cleaning a tall man came over and sat down in front of me. I recognized him from the books, he was going to try and change me. Honestly I didn't mind changing but not for this. No I wanted to be myself here.
"We have to talk about your image" he said with a no-nonsense tone.
"Ok.." I said seeing what he had in mind for me.
"Well, lets see. You're tall and have light hair that I'm assuming is natural?"
"Yes"
" Ok well I think we could go for funny and bright, how does that sound" It sounded like Marlee and I did not want to be the center of attention like she was. I wanted to be nice of course but my aesthetic was not sunshine and rainbows. I was a Ravenclaw, I was Dauntless, I was not bubbly.
"Well, I don't want to change myself. That's not exactly the point of this competition is it. We want to be like for who we are, not who you want us to be.' I knew what he was going to say before he said it.
"Oh my, do we have an individual here!" he sang. I wanted to punch him in the face. I hated when adults did that. After seeing my glare of distaste he agreed to just make me look nicer. After he left girls swarmed all over me put lotion on, cut my hair a tiny bit. I told the girl who was doing my nails to just do a very light pink nail polish. Almost not noticeable. Once I was done I got ushered over to a rack with some dresses. I picked a dark blue one and Silvia gave me a pair of kitten heels that were a light bronze color. I was feeling very ravenclaw at the moment. I was done with my makeover. Time to meet everyone else. My eyes scanned the room and immediately found America. She really was very pretty. Next to her was Marlee who was almost radiating sunshine. I made my way over to them. "Can I sit with you guys?" I asked
"Sure" answered Marlee
"I'm Alex"
"America"
"Marlee"
"This place is crazy. I thought my skin was going to fall off after what they did to me." I said, knowing America's distaste of maids cleaning her at the beginning.
"I know, but I do smell like dessert so that's nice." America said. We talked about our makeover and the planes then we got to the subject of home.
"Well I'm from a family of five, so my house is pretty crowded." America said smiling like she always did when the topic of her family came up.
"What about you Alex?" America asked. I tried to push away the thoughts that I may never see my family or friends ever again and pushed forward.
"I'm an only child and my parents died in a car crash one month ago. I never had any relatives so I have no family." I said with a shaky voice. My parents weren't dead but I was never going to see them again. It was like they did. Them and everything I've ever known.
"I'm so sorry Alex" Marlee said putting a hand on my knee. It was nice to finally have people to talk to after weeks of living on my own. Before we could talk about anything else though Silvia came back in and told us that we were going to go to our rooms.
My room was gigantic. The walls were a light blue and there was a balcony!
" This is your room and you get three maids" Silvia said before exiting my room.
"Hello Miss, my name is Amelia and this is Sophia and Elizabeth."
Amelia was a tall with brown hair and brown eyes, Sophia was almost the opposite, with her light blond hair and bright blue eyes. Elizabeth looked like she was in charge despite the fact that Amelia introduced her, she had light brown hair and grey eyes. I can't believe I have maids!
"Ummm can you help me unpack?.." I asked, really not feeling comfortable with ordering them around.
"Yes, of course." Sophia said and took my suitcase over to the small dresser and started unpacking it. I sat down on my bed and closed my eyes for a second. I am in the selection. I am in a book. I am 13 stuck in my 17 year old's body. Fuck. Meeting Maxon is going to be weird. I need to calm down asap. I went over to where Sophia was "Excuse me but can I get something from my bag?"
"Yes, of course!"
I reached over and took out Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, it was probably the only thing that could calm me down right now.
"Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four Privet drive were proud to say that they were perfectly normal thank you very much." I sat down on the bed and started reading about the boy who lived. I only realized how much time had passed when Elizabeth interrupted my reading.
"Miss, It's time for you to get changed for dinner." Ugh I remembered I have to change clothes like twenty times a day now. Amelia opened up my closet and took out three dresses.
"Which one would you like to wear?" she asked. The first dress was a light yellow and looked like Belle from beauty and the beast's dress. I ruled it out immediately. The second was a blue dress that looked like the one on the cover of The Selection. I ruled it out because blue was America's color and not mine I didn't want to mess up any major or minor changes in the plot and cause a different ending. That was something I had to be wary of. I could change or do something stupid to change the story. Maxamerica was my OTP! The third and final dress was a strapless black dress that had pink, purple and white flowers creeping up from the bottom. I loved it.
"That one" I pointed at the black dress and they started getting to work on retouching my makeup and picking out jewelry.
"Please go very light on the makeup and jewelry"I asked hoping that they would listen.
"Done" I heard Sophia say. I looked in the mirror. This was the first full length dress I had ever worn and I was amazing. I looked dauntless and even Christina couldn't have picked a better dress. My makeup was light (thank goodness) and the only jewelry they gave me was pearl earrings with a matching pearl necklace. The pearls were spaced out so they looked like they were floating on my skin. I looked like me, but way better looking. Like damn son! I look fine! Time to go meet all these bitches. (cough* cough* Celeste in the first book)
The next chapter will be out as soon as I write it