Wow! There was an overwhelming amount of support so quickly for the first chapter that I was not expecting, I decided to quickly upload the next shorter one!

I'm new to this website, so if you want to see some of my other earlier works, check out my Wattpad: theToxicFangirl

I will update this story every Wednesday from now on!

What happened next was a blur of events I could hardly remember.

My family headed to the library the evening of Selection broadcast to watch it on the televisions there. We huddled around one screen, Mom clutching the twins and Gustav and Dad sandwiching me in between them.

The pair of announcers that broadcasted the royal news, nicknamed Bucket and Mulch, were on the set. They named off girls one by one, showing their picture and description, and the royal family's reaction. I couldn't bring myself to look at Prince Eret, I didn't want to. I didn't want to ever have to see his face.

Bucket and Mulch listed the girls by provinces in alphabetical order, so Dakota was close to the beginning. My mind was focused on feeling sad for being disappointed for my hopeful family, I almost didn't catch the announcement.

"And for Dakota!" Mulch cheered, his fat face colored red and looking jolly. It reminded me somewhat of Ruby, the little girl I met in line. That brought my thoughts to Jade, her sister. She was nice. I wanted her to win. I wanted Jade to have a wealthy, jewel-filled future. The one act of kindness she gave me had me thinking she was going to be a great queen.

"We have, oh my, an eighteen-year-old Seven, Astrid Hofferson!"

Wait.

My mind blanked. I barely registered the big smile that was, sure enough, mine, on national television, in front of the royal family and the entire country. I didn't see the royal family's reaction to me. I couldn't see at all.

I had been Selected.

My mother screamed, and the twins cried. My father gasped and shook me, and Gustav exploded, jumping over tables and knocking down chairs. The two librarians, old ladies with gray hair and thin glasses, looked over to see what was causing all of the ruckus. I guess they saw me, and my matching picture on the screen, because their eyes widened to the size of the moon.

My family crushed me in hugs. I was still wearing my tool belt, so my screwdriver and hammer were jabbing into my sides. Mom was sobbing, Dad was praying. Gustav was cheering, the twins were screeching. I wasn't happy; I didn't want this.

"It's her! She's the Selected!" the librarians gasped. People, mostly other Sixes and Sevens that were watching the other televisions, were confused until they saw me. People started crowding around me, cheering and crying and whooping and yelling.

Oh no.

The first ever Seven to be Selected. The poor mechanic girl with a messy blond braid and a greasy face. The girl in the tattered tunic and toolbelt. I was congratulated nonstop wherever I went. Lower castes were the happiest for me, whilst upper castes despised me. I knew they thought that their daughters deserved being picked. I found it was almost unsafe to walk to work, because I'd be attacked by a mob of either fans or haters. I stayed home.

Our shack was always occupied. Shiny, expensive looking cars pulled up and people in crisp suits would enter and ask me questions. I couldn't register what was happening most of the time. I often would pinch my arm, hoping to wake up from this nightmare. I wanted the twins to stop screaming at the strangers coming in. I wanted people to stop calling Mom, making her cry over and over. I wanted Gustav to shut up about his farm friends and how they said they always had crushes on me. I wanted it to stop.

A man, looking a bit more casual compared to some other people that would come in, came in with a purple folder with the Berk crest on it. Straight from the castle. Mom called me out of the bedroom to the main room, and ushered the boys in the house to the bedroom.

"Hello Mrs. and Miss Hofferson," greeted the main with dark, wavy hair that touched his shoulders. He wore circular glasses that made his dark eyes look less tiny, making his face have a strange look to it.. "I am Manord, and I will be delivering your last instructions to you.

"Miss Hofferson," he said, turning to me. "You have been Selected. You cannot back out of this, or let someone else take your place. Doing so would be a sign of rebellion, which is treason."

I shuddered. That was harsh. The government only had one punishment for treason- death. It scared me a little that I had been always thinking about finding Jade and giving my Selected spot to her. But I always remembered the money that would come with it, and I knew I had to do this for my family.

"As a Selected," Manord continued. "You have been promoted in your caste. You are now a Three."

I choked. A Three? All my life, I lived in poverty, hoping one day I might be able to make enough to have a sufficient amount of food on the table. I had prepared myself for a life of misery as a Seven. But a Three…

"Your family are still Sevens, only you are promoted," Manord said. "But you do get checks for each week you stay at the castle. I am also here to deliver your first payment." He opened the purple folder and pulled out a fancy-looking envelope. Again, right from the castle.

When Mom opened it, she about fainted. I peered over. It was at least six months' wages, all four of us combined. This, along with their constant work and me being at the castle, at least one week, would provide food for us for a long, long time. I wanted to cry, this was so much.

"You will wear this tomorrow, your choice of shoes." Manord handed me a black bag that obviously had clothes in it. He listed off some basic rules, like no assaulting other Selected, no leaving the castle, et cetera, but I couldn't hear. My eyes stared blankly at him and I nodded every once in awhile. It was so overwhelming.

Manord talked to Mom for a little bit, and she listened to him intently, having to wipe away her tears every so often. I stared into space, having to digest the fact that I won't see Mom every day. I wouldn't see Gustav, Dad, or the twins. I worried about missing their first steps.

I didn't want to miss my family, and I wanted to work to improve their lives for the better. I decided, after some weeks of collecting money for my family, I would do my best to get the prince to hate me so he would send me home as quickly as possible.

I packed my torn sneakers. I packed a photo of my family. I packed a notepad. Three items I was allowed to take in my bag.

I put on my work boots, the only pair of shoes I had except for my old running shoes, which looked quite disgusting compared to the nice black pants and white shirt we had to wear. I washed my face in a tub of warm water and I redid my thick braid.

I walked out of the bedroom to meet my awaiting family. I already cried my tears, I wouldn't shed any in front of them. I held them close, not saying any words. Mom had to break from the hug when one of the twins started crying. Gustav knew the drill; he started preparing a bottle in the kitchen area.

Dad wouldn't let me go. I knew. I was his little girl. The one who worked by his side forever. The one who made him proud. The one who was now a Three. He looked at me with a big smile.

"You look lovely. Now go woo that prince," he told me. I gave him a weak grin. I wasn't going to woo anyone, but I pledged to myself to make him proud.

A car picked me up with a driver that didn't speak. The drive lasted almost an hour, till I saw big planes soar through the sky. I watched them out the window in awe. In our town, planes didn't fly over very often, for we lived far from major cities.

The driver opened my door and handed me my bag. I took it and slung it over my shoulder. He led me over to another man in a black suit and sunglasses. The driver left me with this guard, and the guard escorted me through the airport.

People screamed when they saw me. Some held colorful signs. The guard had to push them away. They yelled my name, "Astrid!" they hollered. So many strangers from all castes knowing my name. Some flowers and candy were thrown my way. I gave my "fans" a smile, and I touched their outstretched hands. They took pictures and videos, something I had never imagined someone would be doing to me.

We boarded a plane, with plush seats and televisions on the back of the seats. I wasn't the only one on the plane, but there were few people. They all looked important in their posh clothing and gleaming briefcases. They shook my hand when I walked past. Even some of these important-looking people wanted my autograph.

The plane ride lasted around two to three hours, and I watched the world pass by below clouds out the window. It was a little nerve wracking- I had never been on a plane before. I took a pack of crackers from the flight attendants, but nothing else. I didn't have much of an appetite, even though I had barely eaten that day.

I felt like I finally was able to think, and so I let my thoughts consume my conscious mind. The more I thought, the more I realized. I realized my life would never be the same.