Chapter 1- Taylor Cortez
The bitter cold air of Dakota caused my finger tips to go numb as I walked up to the local elementary school. I stepped up the concrete steps towards the front door, nodding in greeting at any teachers or students who I passed. I pulled a ring with all of my keys on it from my bright red winter coat, the warmth from my pocket providing very brief pleasure. I fumbled with the keys, desperately trying to control my shivering hands. I was almost late to work, but I would imagine that any other girl in Ilea between the ages of 15-19 would be as well. Prince Kyle's selection was just announced on the report, and I was ecstatic to have the opportunity of participating in a competition to become the wife of a man whom I had watched since the day I was born, 17 years ago. I finally managed to jam my key into the lock and I turned the handle of the door, putting all my weight into heaving it free from the ice that glued it to the doorframe. I shook the snow out of my curly blonde hair as I stepped into a tiled hallway, with doors every 10 feet or so decorated with art made by the kids. I walked towards the last door, light and laughter emanating from it. As an after school job I helped tutor kids of the elementary school.
"Hello everyone!" I exclaimed, entering the classroom. The group of kids I helped tutored consisted of about 10 students, with ages ranging from 6-10, and they are all students of the elementary school.
"Taylor!" the kids in the room shouted, running up to me with beaming faces.
"You're almost late," sniped Rosemary. Since she is the oldest kid in the group, she walks around like she is much wiser than everyone else, even me. She also is sassy and moody, but I have worked with her since she was only 6 so she, like the rest of the kids, has a special place in my heart. I love children dearly, which is what lead me to start this after school tutoring program. Usually my best friend Ophelia comes and helps me, but she has lots of work tonight for a class in school.
"I'm sorry Rose. Next time when I enter the room, either offer me a box of chocolates or get rid of that attitude," I scolded, smiling to let her know I was kidding. I scanned the room for Mrs. Whitney, a teacher at the elementary school. She teaches 2nd grade, and helps advise my program.
"There you are, the kids have been waiting for you," said Mrs. Whitney, getting up from the of the chairs that surrounded the few tables littered throughout the classroom.
"Sorry again, but I wanted to hear with my own ears the announcement of Prince Kyle's selection!" I said, my voice getting louder with excitement.
"Plus, I would never miss anything that has to do with my boyfriend," I muttered to myself, the image of Kyle that popped up in my mind causing my heart to start rushing.
Suddenly, there was a high-pitched "ewwwww, boys" from my right. I groaned as Ella, a energetic 6 year old, covered her ears and skipped away. I chased after her, tickling her until she collapsed onto the furry blue carpet laying in one of the corners of the classroom.
After lying on the carpet with Ella waiting for the last of the students to trickle in, I stand up and make sure all the kids are sitting at their designated tables. Mrs. Whitney and I get them started on their work and I walk from table to table answering questions and offering advice. I loved the look on the children's faces as they solve a difficult problem or finish a writing project. When I am older, I hope to be a teacher or any other job that works with kids.
'If I don't become queen...' I think to myself, feeling a rush of pure happiness from that little imagination of mine.
The tutoring session today goes by quickly, and before I knew it the kids were packing up their bags and giving me a hug or high five on their way out the door.
"Good work everyone! I will see you next week," I said as the kids filed out. I noticed Ella was still sitting in the classroom, a thick picture book in her hands. I walk over curiously and glance at the title, The Story of Queen America and King Maxon.
"I wish I could wear pretty dresses like this lady gets to wear! If only I was old enough to marry the prince!" Ella exclaims.
I smile lightly, finding it funny how similar her wish is to my own. Queen America is a hero and a idol to almost all in Ilea, remembered for the greatest achievement during her reign: the abolishment of the caste system. No longer is society separated by petty numbers, and the majority of the population, now several generations later, is able to live harmoniously.
"You know, if I get into the Selection, I promise to bring you to the palace and let you wear all the fancy dresses you want," I said, tucking one of her red locks behind her ear.
I help Ella out of her seat and watch her retreating figure as she skips down the hallway and out the back door. I turn to put the book away, gazing longingly at the picture of the palace on the front cover.
I lock up the classroom and step outside, observing the snow coming down in thick waves. Donning my bright red winter coat once again I trudge through the gathering snow the four blocks to my house. Way back when the caste system was still around, my mother told me my family was a three. This means that we are decently well off, living comfortably in a cozy house near the center of town. Some families, like mine, still have family members with jobs or professions that would have been appropriate for their caste. My father is a lawyer, and my mother owns her own tutoring program for kids with disabilities. She is an inspiration for me and helped me get started with my own program.
I climb the wooden steps leading up to my front door and stomp the snow off my favorite boots before entering my house. I shake out my coat, hanging it on one of the useful hooks right inside the door.
"Mom, dad, I'm home!" I call as I set my bag down in the kitchen. I take in the smell of my dad's chicken noodle soup cooking on the stove and the warmth from the fire place burning in the living room across the hallway.
"Hey Taylor," grumbled my older brother, Nolan, as he stomped past, heading in the direction of the living room and plopping down on the fluffy brown couch that occupied most of the small room and turning on the TV. Of course the channel that turned on was of news reporters discussing Prince Kyle's selection and some famous celebrities who they think will get chosen.
"Rough day?" I ask as I follow him into the living room and sit down next to him.
"You don't even know. Dad made me follow him around today as he did all his lawyer stuff," my brother eloquently said. He is only two years older than me, and it is my father's dream for Nolan to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately for him, isn't too keen about the idea and prefers to watch sports instead, despite his lack of athletic ability.
I hear a crash come from the hallway and my mom cursing lightly and unsurprisingly my younger twin brothers Wyatt and Wesley come bounding into the living room from the direction of where the crash came from.
"HEY TAYLOR!" They shout and jump on the couch, taking a spot on either side of me.
"Guess what dad made for dinner?!" they both said in unison.
"Hmmm that's a tough one... chicken noodle soup?" I guess, grabbing the remote from Nolan and bored started clicking through the channels on the TV.
"How did you know?! C'mon Wes, let's go see if Stripes can figure out what's for dinner," said Wyatt, leaving with Wesley in search of our cat, Stripes.
My mom enters the living room holding a big, creamy, envelope, with the royal Ilean seal keeping the envelope closed tight.
"Look what came in the mail," my mom said, setting down the letter on my lap.
"My application for the selection!" I scream, energy instantly flowing into my body.
I grab the letter and sprint out of the living room, down the hallway, and into my room. I scan my cluttered desk for a pen, eventually finding one and plopping down on my bed. I tear open the envelope and excitedly pull the form out that could change my life forever. I quickly fill out the form and stuff the sheet back in the envelope, regretting my urgency earlier in tearing open the envelope. I carefully lift the ruined envelope off my purple comforter and walk into the kitchen, stuffing it in my bag. Tomorrow I will go to the admissions office in town to hand my chance of my dream coming true in to some lady who clearly could be better spending her time doing something else. I eat dinner quickly and bid goodnight to my family, restlessly trying to fall asleep, my excitement chasing away any tiredness. Eventually though, exhaustion got the better of me and I drifted off to sleep, a certain prince occupying my dreams.
A/N Hello anyone who happens to stumble upon my story. I am a 15 year old girl who happens to love the Selection by Keira Cass (She owns this wonderful world!). I decided to take a stab at writing fan fiction. I appreciate any feedback, since this is my first story ever! I had previously had about 6 chapters up but I am going through and slowly rewriting them, and I am starting with chapter one! Inspiration for characters in on my profile.
-Hannah