I looked down at her painted hands. They were always this way. Nothing was special about this day. Nothing that should be important, like family, or actual love. No, this was the day the girls for the selection were chosen.
My mother was so persistent. It was her only chance to move up casts. I was the youngest sibling. My two older sisters were already married. Selina married a three, it was surprising considering that we were fives. But when I see her with him I know that she doesn't love him. Eureka got a four and I think she loves him. Though I've never been good at reading Eureka.
I poked my head out of the living room, which doubled as my studio. I didn't really like painting, not really. But it was what I was best at. My mother lacked a five… talent and barely got any jobs as a singer so I was the main source of income.
"Wren. Where are you? It's about to start!" My mother excitingly shouted for me. I sighed. It was a mystery we were related.
When I walked into the room I saw my mother, and Selina sitting on the floor in front of a small screen.
"Come on, the King's making his speech." Selina was visiting for a week. I half expected it was an excuse from living with her husband.
As the King spoke, I zoned out. I wanted nothing more than to go back to my painting, but both my mother and Selina seemed so excited for something that wasn't going to happen. I couldn't really get selected.
"Wren, pay attention. Their calling the selected!" My mother snapped her fingers beneath my face.
"What? Oh. Right." I turned back to the screen.
Face after nameless face flashed in front of me. Their names flew out of my head the second they entered it. All I noticed was the casts. Twos, threes, fours, and the occasional five. Then something happened. Something went wrong. So, so, horribly wrong. My name was called.
There were shouts as my sister and mother screamed of happiness. I went numb. My picture flashed up. I had my usual long, dull black hair and pale skin. My ice blue eyes were wide with the novelty of entering. My mother had managed to find some lipgloss. With a start I realized that I looked remotely pretty.
And then I was brought back to the present. My mother seemed to be thanking destiny and sobbing over my shoulder. My sister was still yelling and hugging the screen.
"You have saved us all." My mother said, stroking my hair.
I might have saved them. But someone still needed to save me.