I take one look in the mirror, and grimace. My hair looks like I had just stuck my head in a vacuum. However, it would have to do, I think to myself. I simply could not be late.

Grabbing my skirts, I rushed out of my room, down the grey stone spiral staircase, and into the grand foyer. The grand foyer is my favorite room in the mansion. The walls were painted a shimmering gold, trimmed with eggshell white. A piano sat in the corner, the cover was a shiny black. The marble floor was so polished that I can see my own face in it. Though, that was probably not for the best, seeing how my face is flushed, and my hair looked even worse, if possible. I look at the floor once more, and am startled when I see the face of Charlie, my father. Slowly, my gaze traveled up from the floor, up from his shoes to face. Charlie wore a sharp black suit and black shoes. On his wrist was a watch that I knew would cover the cost of a commoner's family for months, if sold. Charlie's face was lined with tiny wrinkles. His whole face was a silent mask, except for his eyes, which radiated anger.

"You are ten minutes late. Care to explain?" He asked, or rather demanded to know.

I merely looked down at the marble once more, knowing it would be better not to answer.

"Today is the most important day of your life, and you do not wish to be punctual or beautiful? Isabella Marie Swan, dear, you are supposed to be a polished gem, but your hair is crazed, your face red, your dress rumpled. How is that to reflect upon us? The Swan family is a noble family, reaching back centuries. Why could you not be more like your sister Angela?"

"I apologize." I knew the lecture could go on forever if not cut off at the beginning. My older sister, the perfect daughter was never late, never had a stray hair out of place, and had a thousand suitors. I, however was none of those, and heard that everyday.

"Very well. Let us leave that behind for now and continue on to the Ceremony now." I knew that, however, behind those words, Charlie was still simmering mad. Briefly, I wondered how mad he could get, before snapping.

The Ceremony, which I was to attend, was probably the most important thing in my life. Every daughter born to a noble family attended the Ceremony once they turned 15. It would choose their place in life, and what she would pursue as a career. She would train with her mentor for 3 years until she turned 18, in which she would go out in the real world and start her own business, or stay with her mentor, or in the guild. The Ceremony was held annually every April, when the spring rains started, symbolizing a whole new start. I would either be chosen to become a healer, a dancer, a chef, or something equally important. My whole life had lead to this moment. My perfect sister-Angela- was chosen as an elite dancer, and now at the age of 19, dancing for the King himself. How could she not? Angela was beautiful. Her face was a mask of perfection. Her eyes, a deep turquoise danced with light, her nose, was just perfect- not to big, as I considered her own. Angela's lips were full and lush. Her cheekbones were high, her legs long. And her hair, oh her hair! It was a shiny light brown-or dark blond, depending, on the light.

The carriage drawn by four of my father's best horses bumped along the road, pulling me from my thoughts. In just a couple hours, my whole entire fate would change. I quickly fix my hair, pulling it back into the original French Twist. I peer out the carriage window; a light sprinkle of rain dotted the sky.

The coachman lightly tugged on the reins of the dapple-grey horses bringing the carriage to a smooth halt.

"This is where I leave you." He said with a gentle tip of his hat.

"Thank you for your services." My father tipped the coachman enough to probably provide for him for a month, and then began striding toward the large, Roman-inspired white building on her right.

I take a deep breath. I could do this, I thought to myself. Holding my heavy cream-colored skirts, I followed my father.

Upon entering the grand building, my breath was let out in a gentle sigh. It was beautiful. Gold tapestries hung from hooks on the walls. They were woven with such perfection they looked life-like.

There was no time to lose, however. Already I could hear the Ceremony starting.

We rush in, not a second early; just in time to hear the announcer start. The announcer's nametag read Jacob. "Hello, and welcome to the 132nd choosing Ceremony. 17 noble young women have gathered here today to find a worthy profession befitting their heritage and young beauty." A round of applause sounded around the room, mostly from the fathers and career mentors, but a couple girls joined in too.

I use this time to glance around the room. Every single girl was dressed like I was. Beautiful dresses with gems costing a fortune coating the outsides, silk wrapping around it, and the intricate designs. I was one to appreciate beauty, and beautiful they were. The dresses, I mean. They were probably shipped in from faraway countries. Expensive jewelry hung from each girl's throats, wrists, and ears. On every girl's face was a load of makeup; pale foundation, glimmering eye shadow, dark mascara, heavy lipstick and blush. Bella preferred natural beauty, so her face was only lined with a bit of mascara and blush.

"On this gorgeous day we welcome 11 career masters. Please welcome Aro, Caius, Riley, Irena, Bree, Zafrina, Demetri, Alistair, Tanya, Felix and Victoria." Jacob started speaking again once the applause died down. "So let's get started!"

Slowly, each girl was called forward and examined by each career mentor for strong attributes that would serve them well, such as flexibility, beauty, and strength. It was very tedious work, each girl lasting on the stage for about 10 minutes.

Before I realized, Jacob called my name, and Charlie pushed me forward, mind you, and not very gently. I slowly climb up the stairs and onto the platform that served as the stage. The mentors circled around me at a distance, reminding me of vultures.

Slowly, each mentor came closer and peered at my face, pinched my arm muscles, and asked me a few questions quietly. Then they would step back and offer the next mentor a chance. When all of them finished appraising me, they stood quietly side-by-side. I knew this would be the big turning point in my life, and waited anxiously for the verdict.

Jacob turned to look at Aro, who did one last once-over of me before shaking his head. "She is too strong and too tall." I let a tiny sigh escape her. 1 down, I had 10 more chances to find a standing point, lest I would never find a career. I knew however, that the odds of her not finding a mentor were slim to none.

I glanced at Victoria, wondering if Victoria would choose me. But she too silently shook her head. "Her diplomacy is just not quite...there yet. I'm sorry."

Riley looked sorrowful, but quietly said "She seems too nice, or rather kind. The King's dogs are spirited, she would not bode well".

Irena was already shaking her head. "I apologize because this is a silly reason, but Isabella, you are just too beautiful for dancing. None of the other girls would match your profile, and therefore, you would not be suited for." Now I was getting nervous. If no one chose me, what would I do? MY sister had a big choice; all of the career masters offered her a position.

Bree and Zafrina were already stepping back from her, shaking their heads no.

I began to feel lightheaded. I needed to be chosen! What would I do? What would I do if not chosen?! The world around me began swooning in and out of view. That would be the worst humility ever, not being chosen for a career. Only 14 girls in the history of the Ceremony had never been chosen. Nobody ever heard from the 14 again.

The rest of the mentors mumbled different excuses, but in the end, they all rejected me. By then, I was so woozy I could barely stand.

My whole body shook as I exited the stage. When I reached my father, I knew his anger would be massive. Perhaps I should run away, I thought. Find another home somewhere. Perhaps work in a local bar of some sort until I saved enough for a apartment. I could sell her expensive jewelry, too.

My father pulled me along sharply by the arm out of the building long before the Ceremony ended. Quickly he hailed the carriage waiting for them. And soon they headed home.

After slamming the house door shut, he turned and glared at her. His face was consorted in anger. "How could you?! Now you have no hope for your future. I did not raise you to be a beggar. All you needed to do was charm the mentors. But you messed that up. You mess everything up, as you always do." For what felt like forever, his rage went on and on. Before he looked once more at her face, and smiled cruelly. "But now you get your share of what it feels like."

The last thing I saw was his fist connecting with my temple, and everything went dark.


Thanks for reading. Please review it and tell me if I am on the right track. If you feel like it.

Songs (these are the songs that I listened to while writing this):

Sledgehammer- Fifth Harmony

Counting Stars- OneRepublic

Take Me To Church- Hozier