The Choosing

By: Malori Salamango

Today was final the day. I was so excited, but also scared. What if I didn't meet the one? What if I do meet him and make a complete fool out of myself? What if I think he's the one, but he doesn't feel the same way about me? What if? What if? What if?

"Nicole," I heard my mother call.

"I'm right here Mom," I said coming out from behind my bookcase. Lucy and Mary ran over to me to get me dressed. It always sort of bothered me, but Mother seemed to be fine with it. Why shouldn't I?

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"So, so, so, so scared. What if I didn't meet the one? What if I do meet him and make a complete fool out of myself? What if I think he's the one, but he doesn't feel the same way about me?"

"What if you meet the one and he likes you back?" she asked me.

"I don't think that would happen," I said.

Lucy came up to me showing me my new dress. It was cream colored and beautiful.

"Oh, Lucy, it's perfect. I love it!" I told her.

"You say that about everything," she said giving me one of her smiles.

"America!" I heard someone call. Mother ran out the door.

"Maxton, I'm right here!" she called back.

"Nicole," she said. "They're here."

"Mom," I said nervously. "I don't think I can do this."

"Don't be silly. I believe you can."

Just then Father walked in. Isabelle and Jayden were running around his legs. "Have you seen your brother?" he asked me.

"Which one?" I reply.

"You know who I'm talking about," he says smiling. "Are you nervous?"

"Were you?"

Father said, "A little." as Mother said, "No."

"Okay, so Dad was a little nervous, Mom wasn't, and I'm like a train wreck. Perfect."

They both laughed. That seemed to be the only thing I was good at. Making people laugh. But I wasn't thinking about that. I was thinking about the boys that were coming. Questions I had been battaling for weeks coursed through my brain. What if? What if? What if?

"May is coming over tonight," Mom told Dad.

"Really? I can't wait to see her," he said with a smile. The reason Mom and Dad were togwther waas because of Aunt May. Because she didn't cry. I want to have a relationship like Mom and Dad's. A friendship that evolves int something more. But that just can't happen. It wouldn't be right. My luck is as good as gone.

I was taken out of my train of thought when Anne came in. She curtsied before she began. "Your Highness, they're here."