Hey guys! I'm back-ish. I know that some of you want me to finish my other story but it's on hold for now. This is a crossover-ish fanfic of Gallagher Girls and The Selection and I'm writing this with the help of two amazing people (let's have a round of applause for them because I wouldn't be able to do this without them).

Disclaimer: I don't own anything

When we got the letter in the post my mother was ecstatic.

'Mom, there is no way I'm doing this!' was my only reply to her enthusiasm.

'Oh Cammie," she sighed "Just imagine how fun it would be to meet Prince Zachary! What if you two fall in love with each other - it would be like a fairytale!' she said, going off into her own little fantasy.

I rolled my eyes. Not this again! There was no way I would let a prince even talk to me, let alone fall in love with me. Besides, I already had a prince, why would I need another one?

-—-

Leaving the room I sank into the nearest arm chair. Despite my resolve not to put my name down, a worm of unease had crept into my mind. Normally I wouldn't even consider doing something like this, but… My family needed the money and if I go the money provided could help feed us.

Stop stop! I forced myself to remember why I wouldn't, why I never would, for no amount of money. Josh! In Ilea, everyone has a caste. We are Fives - artists, and he is a Six- servants, which is probable the worst thing that ever happened to us. My mom would never forgive me for marrying down a caste, and definitely not a 6 all she wanted was for me to marry someone more important and "Prince Zachary" is perfect, I mean he is a One.

I sighed again. Why couldn't I have been born as a Three or Four, then we would have enough money to never have to worry about putting food on the table or heating the house in the bitter winter again, and I wouldn't even be contemplating entering this dreaded competition. I mean, my father is a brilliant artist and sculptor along with my sister, Amirah, but even with him working long hours to make ends meet we never have any spare cash. It's not just him though, me and mom spend every spare minute playing at shows or entertaining the stuck up members of higher castes, either singing playing the piano or the violin.

Thinking about work made me remember my older brother, Grant and at once my blood began to boil. He is also an artist like us but ever since he sold that wretched statue he developed a persistent infatuation with reaching one of the higher castes. He never looked back at us struggling along, our feet just brushing the top of the dirt.

Jolting me from my thoughts, I could hear my mom beginning to read, in her singsong voice from the other room, "The Selection is 'an opportunity of a lifetime' for 35 girls to have the chance to compete to become Prince Zachary's wife and to become queen of Illea. For the next two weeks, girls of all castes between the ages of 16 and 20 are welcome to sign up to the Selection. When that allocated time is over we will release the random selection of girls picked." I sighed why would she never just respect my own decision, I bet it was only my parents who were trying to persuade me to enter. Even after she had finished reading the letter her rant still hadn't ended, "Come on darling, do you really want to risk this family having to suffer through another cold, starving winter. We might not all make it" Ughh I hated it when she played the empathy card, the fact I knew she was right, and that I was being selfish was what made it even worse

Without saying another word I left the room, slammed the door, then walked upstairs to my room wrestling with my internal emotions. My room wasn't much, but it contain all my precious few belongings I owned in the world. When I pushed open the rickety wooden door the first thing I glanced over at, was a jar full almost to the brim with pennies. It didn't look like much, but every time I saw it I had to subdue a smile, it was one of the few remaining bright things in my ever darkening world.

Time crawled and it seemed to take an eternity for the sun to descend down the horizon. Finally when everyone appeared to be asleep I prepared to leave, slipping into be best top and leggings. Quickly I checked my appearance in the mirror. Once again my dirty blonde hair seemed to make my pale cheeks almost paper white in the moonlight, and all my only decent tee-shirt seemed to do was emphasis the bags under my eyes from the late nights performing the piano.

Suddenly a knock at the window could be heard and I could just make out a head of wavy brown curls. What was Josh doing here, he was supposed to wait for me. If my mum caught him, all hell would break loose, "What part of wait for my don't you understand," I cried trying to sound stern but with just the sight of him reducing my voice to jelly, it was incredibly hard. I mean it was impossible to stay angry with him for long, what with those twinkly blue eyes that shone even brighter in moon light.

"Look, I'm sorry!" He replied, "I heard about the selection,"

"Great now even you are going on about it, my mum hasn't left me alone, since we got that stupid letter through" with my voice trembling, I realised just how much stress I had been trying to put up with. On the verge of tears I poured out the events of the day as he tried to comfort me.

"Look Cam I wasn't going to tell you to put your name in. I was just going to say no matter what you choose to do we will always be together…"

Suddenly the door creaked open and my mums strawberry blonde head could just be seen peering around my door, her mouth open wide in shock!

"Cameron Ann Morgan" was all she could manage to stutter. Her face turned red as it filled with fury and disappointment, "How could you betray our family like this," still stuttering she turned towards Josh, "Out now, don't come back. You're not welcome here."

Muttering apologies under his breath Josh half walked half ran out the door. Just as it began to shut he shot me an apologetic look and mouthed sorry.

As soon as I heard the tell-tale click of the front door closing Mom turned towards me, her angry expression softening slightly, "I'm sorry I was so harsh, but you must know he is no good for you. If you end up with him you'll just end up hating each other, either when the money runs out, or you can't afford to feed your kids," letting out a sigh she finally met my eye, "If only you had told me about him earlier, we might have been able to work out some way around this where you don't get hurt. But I can't see any other way at the moment. I'm really sorry, I see how much you like him, but… You can't see him again!"

Hope you enjoyed that! Sorry for any bad grammar, spelling or punctuation. Oh, and please please please review! It helps us to improve! Have a nice day/night! xx

~ChameleonMaxerica21