Clarke:

My name is Clarke Griffin. I live in Kent, Illea and I'm an only child. I'm also a three, which isn't the best caste, but it's better than others. I am seventeen years old and working for my mom as an intern in the hospital since I graduated last year because I was homeschooled. My mom is a highly respected doctor; but I have to add, that comes with a price. She's never around. Ever since I was little, a babysitter had to watch me because my father died of Coronary Heart Disease when I was three. That's the reason why Mom became a doctor. The only good part was, sometimes I got to go the hospital with my mom, and I could play with Wells, my best friend. He's the son of the owner of the hospital. I don't see him anymore though because we got into a fight after he told me he loved me. I told him that I didn't like him that way, so now it's completely awkward. We can't even look at each other at the hospital. Since he still goes there during the day because he is working to follow in his father's footsteps.

It certainly doesn't help that The Selection it coming up. That's this thing where thirty-five girls go to Angeles, where the castle is, and compete for the prince's heart. I, personally am not into that sort of thing. I believe that love should come naturally. But, according to my mom: It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Actually, everyone is saying that. I just wish they'd all shut up. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't, because the application deadline is closed. I'm just wish the day would go faster so everyone could see The Report, in which they select the girls, so all the stress can go away.

As the day goes by my mom is looking more and more suspicious. I don't know why. After what felt like an eternity, 4:00 came. So I have to go home and make dinner because, well, there is no one else, and my mom gets home at six. About an hour before The Report. We sat and ate dinner, while talking about work and also about The Selection. The main reason why my mom is so obsessed about it is because when she was my age there was a selection, but she didn't get picked and it crushed her. Eventually, 7:00 came, and we sat in the living room and watched The Report.

At first, King Pike just talked politics and how the rebels are getting more and more ruthless. Prince Bellamy sat directly to the right of his father with his sister, Princess Octavia next to him. As always there was the empty throne to the left of the king. It was Queen Aurora's. She died of cancer a few years ago. Finally, the moment has arrived: The king announced Gavril as he walked on stage. He talked about how The Selection was an extremely exemplary honor. He then began to call of the names in order, according to the regions of Illea.

First is Whites, and a person named Raven was called, a three. Next was Yukon, with a girl named Lexa, a two. Then there was Harper for Bankston, a five. Zoe Monroe for Hudson, another five. Maya Vie for Sota, a four. Next was Kent. I wondered who it would be. I didn't know many people because I am always working. I looked down to get a drink of water.

And that's when I heard it. "Clarke Griffin" being called on the TV. I almost spit my drink out. I looked at the television and there it was: A picture of me smiling ear to ear. It was when my mom told me that I got into the intern program. I always wanted to help people.

"Mom, how is that possible?" I say skeptically.

She looks at me, kind of scared for her life, "Um, Clarke, sweetheart, I kind of put your name in. I just thought that if you didn't get called it wouldn't be that big of deal and I'd get over it. But that obviously didn't happen. Now you get to go the castle and meet the prince!"

"You knew that I didn't want to do this. You went behind my back and lied to me." I stormed out to my room. I didn't even get to see the rest of the girls.

Next thing I know, people were knocking on the door. People from the castle here to prepare me for the fragile life there. They were measuring me from head to toe and making me sign papers.

All of a sudden, a man about thirty snapped his fingers in my face and said, "Hello, missy," in a annoying tone. That's when I realized he was the one measuring me, and that he had stopped.

"What?"

"I just told you that you could go pack anything you'd like to bring to the castle since you're leaving tomorrow. But you don't need any clothes because you are required to wear the dresses the castle provides you, but you may bring—"

"Dresses!?" I yell while everyone looks at me.

"I'm afraid so, yes." he says still with that annoyed voice. "But as I was saying, you are allowed to bring any of your personal belongings to decorate your room the way you like."

"Okay" I say as I head up to my room. I feel relieved that I am finally to myself. I packed a few pictures of me and my mom, one with Wells and I when we were still talking to each other, and the only picture I had of my parents and I all in one picture when my dad was alive. I know that it was incredibly dangerous to take something that important, but I needed him with me. Now I packed a stack of paper, a few pens, and some envelopes to write to my mom with. Next, I put a couple pairs of normal clothes, like jeans and t-shirts. I know that they weren't allowed, but I needed something to keep me attached, somehow, to my ordinary life. As soon as I as I got done packing, I hopped into bed and fell asleep so fast that I had no time to stress about anything else.

I woke up to the smell of pancakes. I walk into the kitchen and I see that my mom is actually making them. She hasn't made me pancakes since I was five. That's when I realized that she wasn't at work either. I sat down at the table in front of a plate that I assumed was mine.

"Good morning, sunshine." she says as she turns around to place a pancake on my plate. "Have a good night's sleep?"

"Yeah, why are you making breakfast?" I say skeptically.

"Is it so bad that your mother wants to make her daughter some pancakes before she leaves for the next few months?"

"I guess not."

She turns back around to the stove. "You are leaving at 10:00. You half to meet Mr. Kane at the place half an hour before."

"Who's Mr. Jackson?" I asked. There were so many people yesterday, I couldn't keep track of any of them.

"Are you seriously asking that? You know that he's the one who measured you."

"I'm sorry mom, but you know that I'm bad with names. Please don't yell at me. The last thing I need today is a fight."

"Your right, sweetheart. I'm sorry." she apologizes.

"We still have an hour together before you leave. What would you like to do? Anything."

"One last surgery?" I ask. I know, lame right? Out of everything, I chose to do surgery. But It's my passion.

"There is no doubt that you are my daughter." She says smiling.