Thursday, Atlantean Royal Palace

"God, are you still moping around?" Lia bursts inside my room without knocking. It had been a day when I was informed that I have to choose a fiancée soon. For god's sake, I'm only thirteen! What do they want? Do I have to participate in polygamy and all? I'm all for monogamy, but I'm too young!

"Go away!" I sulked.

"Heh heh, hey, Cal, you know what the wedding will be like? They'll follow the Macedonian custom of lying on the couch naked while eating, and cuddlingtogether—" Lia snickered.

I bolted up straight. What?
Lia, seeing my face, smirked. "Relax, Cal. Atlanteans are way more sophisticated than that. As a matter of fact, the ministers had a vote, and they want you to gain more publicity by going to choose a fiancée by entering a reality TV show. I'm sure you've heard of it, it's called 'The Bachelor'."

OMG. I think I'm going to faint…

"Anyway, here's the list of women for you to choose. Five of them. If you want women in New York or anything, just tell me." Lia flounced out of the room.

List:

Alexandra Alastair, 17, Atlantean, artist

Amelia Atlanta, 15, Atlantean, model

Anastasia Alexander, 18, Macedonian, athlete (rugby)

Antoinette Ambrose, 17, Greek, journalist

Ariana Theodore, 14, Atlantean, student

Aurelia Alexandria, 13, Atlantean, student

Candace Titus, 12, Roman, fisherman

Cora Tyron, 9, Greek, student

Crystal Damien, 13, English, hotel concierge

Cynthia Dennis, 13, American, interior designer

Daphne Elias, 11, Isreal, student

Dionne Eugene,12, Greek, student

Eleanor George, 13, Australian, Actress

Irene Gregory, 12, American, dancer

Isis Xenos, 9, Atlantean, student

Jacinda Julius, 13, Roman, Roman Royalty

Kara Marc, 8, Atlantean, student

Lois Marcos, 10, Roman, Official's daughter

Melissa Myron, 12, Atlantean, Temple helper

Nicole Stephen, 13, English, slight English Royalty

Phyllis Nigel, 12, Atlantean, restaurant chef

Sophia Otis, 10, Atlantean, student

Vanessa Urian, 12, Greek, winery inheritance

Xanthe Xerxes, 12, Persian, perfume-maker's daughter

Yolanda Sebastian, 16, English, BA in science

What the? From 8-18? I'm only 13! And how do you expect me to marry practically an adult, or a small girl? It's paedophilic! And people from all over the world! Is it going to be on air?

Luckily, all strangers. Never met them. Wait, AURELIA?
Lia? The Lia? What?

"Lia!" I shouted. My shouts echoed around the hall.

"Yes, yes, it'll be aired on major TV lines around the world. Like, real-live telecast. In BBC, Channel NewsAsia, WB, you name it," Lia said exasperately.

"Why is your name there, too?" I asked.

Lia scowled. "I didn't ask for it! They put me there 'cause I'm your secretary!"

I frowned. "In that case remind me not to take on a female secretary."

Lia was furious. "Hey, I thought we're best friends! What's a little reality TV show doing, destroying our bonds?"

"Sorry, Lia. I'm just…frustrated. I don't want to do this," I apologised.

Lia nodded. "I know. It's all their fault."

It is.