Chapter Three
The next few days all pass in a blurr. Officials come and go, making me sign things about rules and I don't remember anything exept the fact that I signed something that stated I was a virgin, and a non-written rule about never, ever, under no curcumstances, must say no to the Prince, whatever he's asking for. These are the only two things that my mind registered. Oh and that I have to take vitamins from now on, too. The mind can be pretty wierd sometimes.
Finally the day of my leaving comes up. I have to wear a very short black skirt – I've never wore something so short! – and a white short sleeved shirt. I button it to the top. I hate it when to much skin is visible, and my legs are practically bare. At least I can cover my skin with the shirt. We can choose the shoes. I wear my black comfortable flats I wore for the picture (wich weren't seen, by the way), but at least it is something from home I can take, since from now on I will be dressed only with palace clothes. I just took and extra outfit for the day I'm kicked out. I wish I could wear something blue to go with my eyes, but I'm not allowed. We're all dressed the same.
There is one more thing I have to do before heading to the airport. I have to say goodbye from a stage with the Mayor of the town: My Show off. And it is all going to be filmed. Not Live, but it is still going on screen later on.
I don't know haow many people came, but the Town Square is packed. I don't know that many people. I guess they're juste curious. I scan the crowd, looking for familiar faces. I spot my Mom and Dad to the right, then Ben near them with Sue on his shoulders. Kate is also on somebody's shoulders, and it's Thomas. Oh God. Why is he here? And Bob is over there, too. The mayor is looking at me expectantly, like waiting for an aswer or something. But I didn't hear anything…
"What?"
He smiles, puts his arm aroun my shoulders and says "Hey, Somebody's nervous here! I said: Are you exited to go to Angeles?"
"Um, yeah, sure." I stammer.
"Would you like to say something to you fans down there before leaving?"
My blood goes cold for a second. I cannot think of anything to say… "Um, Goodbye?" The Mayor explodes in laughter and the crowd follows. I smile hesitantly, But the Mayor has already led me out of the stage on to the ground where my family and friends are waiting. I hug Bob, and then Thomas. Then I go to my Mom. "Stay yourself, okay? Don't let them change you in something you're not, okay?" She is almost crying. "Okay, Mom." And I hug her tight. Then Kate and Sue both hug me at the same time, screaming hysterically, but not sad at all: they want to see me go and become the next Princess. Yeah right.
My Dad comes next and he hugs me without saying anything. I think if he does he is going to cry. And we don't want that on TV. Lastly, Ben comes and hugs me so tight I can bearly breath. "Knock him dead, okay? Make him fall so much in love with you that he'll forget there are 34 other girls, okay? I love you, sis'!" I can feel he's about to cry. "Dont' cry Ben, please! Be strong for Mom and the girls. I love you too." And we stay there embraced like we are never going to see each other again. The Lady who is to take me to the airport makes us break appart. "Young Lady, I hope this young man here is not your boyfriend. Your not allowed that, you know?" Ben and I break appart and we both look at her. But we look so much alike with our black hair and blue eyes nobody can mistake us for anything else than brother and sister. "Oh." Is all she says.
She leads me to the car, and off we go. I look through the back window and see Ben growing smaller and smaller. After an hour drive, the airport is into view. I travel with two other girls, the one from Clermont, Grace Philpps, and the one from Carolina, Evelyn Turner. I'm the last one to arrive. My goodness. Grace is even more beatiful in real life! I can't get my eyes of her! And Evelyn looks like a Barbie doll! I didn't know it was possible to wear so much make-up. And here I am, trying to get my skirt to stay in place and to not let it go further up. Evelyn looks like she was born with a mini skirt and high heels.
"Ah, there you are Ladies! Follow me, please!" We follow the man to the airplane. I'm so nervous, I never flew before. Evelyn sits by herself in front of me, but Grace comes and sits next to me.
"I'm so nervous! Are you?"
"Oh yes, I say, I never flew before."
"Neither have I… and about meeting the Prince"?
"Yeah, I guess I am. I'm still not realising it's really happening, actually." I stare outside the window as we take off. I watch as the ground leaves us and we rise ubove the clouds. A few hours later, I feel the plane descending, and I look through the window again. The ground is coming at us fast. Grace is watching, too, and she takes hold of my hand. She's as nervous as I am. The landing goes smoothly and the plane stops. We are led outside, and Oh my goodness it's warm here. We are directed to a white Limo that is wating for us. We go in and sit. But we don't leave yet. I think we might be waiting for a few other girls.
Sure enough, ten minutes later three other girls, whom I don't remember from the Draw (due to my numbness) enter the car, and we're off. This time, heading to the Palace itself.