Inspired by The Selection trilogy, Prince Sky has to pick one of girls chosen from the Lottery to be his wife and the future Queen. Sky and Brandon switch places so Sky can see who would love him for him and who wants the crown. What happens when Stella begins to fall for the fake-prince and Sky begins to fall for the spiteful Bloom who didn't want to be in this contest in the first place?

So, this is my second fan-fiction, and I really wanted to publish it to see if I should continue... Don't worry, I'm still working on Tuneless, but I have a mini-writers-block, so I thought I might as well get the first chapter out for this story. I have a third idea for a fanfic, also, but that one needs some serious work as well as thought. I'll probably start it after I finish Tuneless...

Btw- Sorry it's been a while since I've uploaded. I've been on serious vacation time. It IS summer! LoL

Yes, I got the inspiration for this fanfic from The Selection trilogy, by Kiera Cass, which btw is AMAZING! While Bloom and America are both red-haired (I just noticed that...) and the beginning is definitely like that story's beginning, don't worry, it'll be a lot different... :D Anyways... R&R

-BB

Bloom POV

All eligible girls that lived in Eraklyon, that also fit the criteria of age were required to enter the Lottery. Those who had husbands were exempt while those with boyfriends were excused if they so chose. Needless to say, many a break-up occurred for the Lottery, since nearly every girl who had even the slightest chance had already gladly signed themselves up.

That only left Stella and I, from our group of girls. Flora was totally in love with Helia, Tecna and Timmy continued their shy relationship, Layla was happy with her arranged marriage to a prince of her home world, Nabu, and Riven and Musa were totally in love- they just wouldn't admit it.

So here Stella and I were, awaiting the announcement that was scheduled to come on the national news on the TV in but moments.

I tucked some of my red hair behind my ear out of nervousness. I seriously did not want to get chosen. While Stella was ecstatic to be part of the Lottery, since she found Prince Sky to be 'dreamy,' I was focused more on how this Lottery was most likely totally rigged. Why did we have to send in a picture of ourselves and fill out a lengthly application that asks practically everything about you? Here I was, though. I had to submit my application with no complaint or of the like. This is where I've lived my whole life. I had to abide by the law. Well, that, or get arrested, or fined, for money I do not have, at the very least

"Who is better for the Princess of Solaria than him?" Stella asked, staring dreamily at the picture of the brown-haired Prince Sky. "He is perfect!"

I rolled my eyes. "Stella, wasn't the whole reason for coming to live here not to be treated like a princess?"

Stella flipped her long golden-blond hair. "Well, yeah, but that doesn't mean he isn't perfect for me."

I let the conversation drop as the news came on that would reveal if your fate was to be one of the chosen.

The screen showed the royal family, that consisted of King Erendor, Queen Samara, and Prince Sky. Then the camera swept across the rest of the royal officials, knights, court, and any other person in the humongous room. Almost everyone looked anxious, with a few notable exceptions, for those who either looked bored or smug. What caught my attention was one of the knights. He had shoulder-length blond hair, and he looked the most nervous of anyone in the huge throne room. His blue eyes shifted from the the King and Queen to the Prince and back again.

I couldn't help my curiosity about this seemingly irrelevant observation.

My attention was suddenly grabbed by the prominent yet friendly voice of the famous Jedidiah, who was known for his hosting of famous events throughout the dimensions. He brought out something good from everyone with his easy-going, everybody-is-my-friend nature. Having good-looks and a clear, articulate voice that makes you want to listen is a plus, too.

"Hello, all! And welcome to the Official Lottery!" He used his hands very dramatically.

A round of applause was heard around the throne room on the TV.

Jedidiah held up his hand with a serious look. "Yes, yes. I know." He took a deep breath. "Oh, whatever." He waved his hand, then grinned. "I'm super excited, too!"

There were some light chuckles that we heard from throughout the large room on screen. Stella laughed too. I couldn't help but smile.

"Now, getting straight down to business, the lucky winners will now be announced. Remember, this is the first time anybody, besides the King and Queen, and those on the Official Lottery Selection Committee will see who these princess-worthy 25 lucky ladies are!"

Another round of applause circulated throughout the room.

"The first young lady who could very well be your future Queen is.." Jedidiah waited but seconds before a picture of a long-haired dark brown-haired girl appeared on the large screen beside him. She had really dark brown-almost black- colored eyes, matching her toned, tan body. Her clothes were tight enough to suffocate her.

"Wowza! She is beau-ti-ful!" He sounded out each syllable.

I saw Stella narrow her eyes.

He nodded, touching his ear piece. "This girl right here sure leaves an impression, being a professional model, scoring in the top quarter in her grade at her school, and volunteering regularly at an orphanage. Her name is Melissa Goode."

"Next, we have this little ball of sunshine, pun or no pun." A picture of a petite short-haired blond that sported warm light chocolate colored eyes took Melissa's place. She wore a rainbow tie-dyed T-shirt with a pair of ripped jeans, much more modest than the first girl. Her bright smile reached practically from ear to ear. "Her name is Sunny Monroe!"

"Sunny has tons of pets, as well as friends, and anybody who's ever met her has to admit: This girl is as friendly as fun as you get." Jedidiah nodded his approval.

Jedidiah continued to go through name after name. A few others caught my attention, like Diaspro, but other than that, I was focused more on the fact that with each name that wasn't mine, the more relieved I felt. On the other hand, Stella became more anxious with each name called that wasn't hers.

Now the 24th girl was about to be brought up. The instant her picture was brought up, Stella jumped up and squealed in delight so loud, I almost fell off my chair. My ears were ringing all through her introduction, but I saw how Stella seemed to be smiling at this moment more than any of the other girls, even Sunny. She nodded her own approval during it all.

The ringing in my ears faded for the last, 25th girl to be introduced. I gripped my jeans and stared at the screen intensely. Not me. Not me. Not me. Not me. Not me.

Suddenly there were sparks. The screen in the throne room that was showing the pictures of the girls went black, while the lights around the room it was in flickered. Whispers erupted throughout the room, even with the lights returning to normal.

"Well, it looks like this 25th girl doesn't want to be named" Jedidiah joked. He was met with chuckles and giggles throughout the room.

Stella laughed too. "Hey Bloom, it's almost like the 25th girl is you."

I nervously let out a laugh that sounded more like a snort.

"It looks like we'll be back with the 25th girl after a few technical difficulties have been resolved." He saluted us and then a few commercials began playing, adding to Eraklyon's hundreds of thousands of girls' worry and nervousness.

Finally the screen switched back to Jedidiah in the throne room. "Hello, and welcome back, all! The question on everybody's mind right now is the 25th girl! Isn't everyone dying to know?" He motions with his hands and he is met with a huge round of applause. "Even when King Erendor had his Lottery, nothing went wrong. To have technical difficulties in this magical and advanced world is almost unheard of! I have a strong feeling that this 25th girl will be famous..."

He once again touched his ear-piece, paused a moment and nodded.

"For now, let's see what the royal family and some others have to say about the candidates so far and the unknown, mysterious 25th girl!" Jedidiah fist-pumped. "First, let's talk to the soon-to-be in-laws!" He jogged up to where the royal family was sitting. "Any comments on what's happened so far?"

The Queen answered him. "All of the young ladies shown have been quite lovely. I too am wondering what this 25th girl looks like."

Her husband nodded. "Yes, I am very happy for my son, especially with all of these outstanding candidates to be his future wife."

It could've been just me, but his parents seemed a bit overly polite. They have not singled out any candidate, except for the 25th girl, of course. Then as Jedidiah moved onto the brunette prince, and the camera moved from them just after the couple clasped hands and looked at each other, I understood. They did not want to pick any favorites just yet if they could be sent home on the first day.

"So, Mr. Bachelor Prince... What do you think about these ladies?"

It seemed odd that Prince Sky didn't look as nervous as I thought he would've. He answered some questions, but gave away no favoritism whatsoever. I felt like he kept on glancing over toward the group of knights that were lined up close, that included that nervous-still blond boy that had caught my attention.

Jedidiah then began interviewing some other people around the room. Finally, he came to the blond boy I had had taken note of. "Your name is Brandon, right?"

The knight nodded slowly.

"I heard that you are very close to Prince Sky. Do you have any comments on any of the girls?"

I guess that explains why they kept looking at each other- that blond knight and the Royal family that is. Still, that kind of bugs me.

Brandon did not seem any less nervous than before. He opened his mouth but then was relieved when Jedidiah suddenly exclaimed, "It's fixed?"

The host turned to Brandon and smiled apologetically. "Sorry..."

Brandon shook his head quickly. "It's fine!"

"Now, the moment everybody's been waiting for... Drum-roll please!" He drum-rolled himself by patting his legs, along with almost everyone else in the room. "The 25th Girl!"

Suddenly the picture of a cyan-blue-eyed redhead that looked all too familiar...