Wow. I think to myself. My mouth drops open and I feel a little bit strange. How is my little sister able to tell me these things? If anything I am the one who is supposed to tell her that when she is sad. If anything mother should be the one who tells me these kind of things. Bella must be really growing up.

" I understand." I say, hoping that Bella doesn't say anything more.

" You better, cuz you're way better than any of the girls here." She looks proud of herself.

It must have been a few hours until we are at the front of the line. There was a lady there and she asked me a few questions such as:

Name: Clary Connally.

Age: Seventeen.

History: I was born and razed a six. A few of my realities died last year because we didn't have enough money. We all try our best to work hard so that our family can have more food, and a better life. I don't care if I was going to die working, I just want the best for my family.

After answering the questions the lady took a picture of me. I tried to smile but there was nothing to smile about. Bella was smiling at me and with that I am able to give a small smile.

" You look so, what that word again?" Balls jokes. " Oh yes, beautify."

We laugh as we walk, Bella telling me about how all the Two's looked as if they were all clowns. She was right. The all looked pretty funny though.

0O0o0O0

The night of the report was on tonight. Two whole weeks since I applied for the Selection. This is it. We are all going to see the girls, and one of them is going to be our future Queen.

As the Report started I take my seat next to Mary and Even. Bella has taken a seat next to dad. She is holding his hand and telling him about the Two's that she saw a few weeks ago. Dad laughed and so did everyone else

" Hello Illia." Harold says as the royals walk in.

" Hello Harold." Queen America says with a smile come on her beautiful face.

" How do you feel about the Selection?" Harold says as he looks at Prince Matthew.

Prince Matthew looks at the Harold with a smile. " Well, I have to say that I'm quite excited about it. Dating thirty five girls in just a short time, how fun."

The crowd starts to laugh. How is that even funny? He is going to enjoy this and I know it.

" Then let the Section, begin." Harold says

With that a picture of a girl with Golden blonde hair with bouncing curls at the end, blue eyes with a mixture of green, rosy cheek and she also has got dimples. She was truly beautiful.

" Annabeth Rosalinda Riddle from New Hampshire, a Four."

Next is a picture of a girl with her brown hair out into a neat long brown ponytail. She also has nice hazel eyes and dimple's as well.

" Jennifer Grace Wright of Columbia a Four."

Next was a picture of a girl who I wish I look like, but Faith had to be curule. She has pitch black hair, pale skin and icy blue eyes. She's going to be considered one of the most beautiful girls in the Selection.

" Eve Allegro of Carolina. A Five."

Next is a picture of a girl with long blond hair put into a fishtail braid, he bluer eyes shining and barely smiling. I took me a minute to realize that the picture is me. As my family sees the picture the all so wild.

" You did it, you did it, you did it." Bella yells jumping up and down. " I knew you would though."

The rest of the night was great. We watch the rest of the Report and after that we talked about the Selection. Bella and Mary were so happy that u thought that they would do something stupid, but they don't.

" Go to be." mom ordered us. " We have a big week ahead of us."

This is from The Selection by Kiera Cass

THE NEXT WEEK WAS FULL of officials swarming into our house to prepare me for the Selection. There was an obnoxious woman who seemed to think I'd lied about half my application, followed by an actual palace guard who came to go over security measures with the local soldiers and give our home a once-over.

Apparently I didn't have to wait until getting to the palace to worry about potential rebel attacks. Wonderful.

We got two phone calls from a woman named Helena—who sounded very perky

and businesslike at the same time—wanting to know if we needed anything. My

favorite visitor was a lean, goateed man who came to measure me for my new

wardrobe. I wasn't sure how I felt about wearing dresses that were as formal as

the queen's all the time, but I was looking forward to a change. The last of these visitors came on Wednesday afternoon, two days before I was to

leave. He was in charge of going over all the official rules with me. He was

incredibly skinny with greasy black hair that was smoothed back, and he kept

sweating. Upon entering the house, he asked if there was someplace private we

could talk. That was my first clue that something was going on.

"Well, we can sit in the kitchen, if that's all right," Mom suggested.

He dabbed his head with a handkerchief and looked over at Bella. "Actually,

anyplace is fine. I just think you might want to ask your younger daughter to leave

the room." What could he possibly say that Bella couldn't hear?

"Mama?" she asked, sad to be missing out.

"Bella darling, go and work on your painting. You've been neglecting your work a bit this last week."

"But—"

"Let me walk you out, Bella," I offered, looking at the tears welling up in her eyes.

When we were down the hall and no one could hear, I pulled her in for a hug.

"Don't worry," I whispered. "I'll tell you everything tonight.

Promise."

To her credit, she didn't blow our cover by jumping up and down as usual.

She merely nodded somberly and went away to her little corner in Dad's studio.

Mom made tea for Skinny, and we sat at the kitchen table to talk. He had a stack

of papers and a pen laid out next to another folder with my name on it.

He arranged his information neatly and spoke.

"I'm sorry to be so secretive, but there are certain things I need to address that

are unfit for young ears." Mom and I exchanged a quick glance.

"Miss Connolly, this is going to sound harsh, but as of last Friday, you are now

considered property of Iléa. You must take care of your body from here on out. I

have several forms for you to sign as we go through this information.

Any failure to comply on your part will result in your immediate removal from the

Selection. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I said warily.

"Very good. Let's start with the easy stuff. These are vitamins. Since you are a

Five, I'll assume that you may not always have access to necessary nutrition.

You must take one of these every day. You're on your own now, but at the palace,

you'll have someone to help you." He passed a large bottle across the table to me,

along with a form I had to sign to say that I had received it.

I had to stop myself from laughing. Who needs help taking a pill? "I have with me the physical from your doctor. Not much of a worry there. You

seem to be in excellent health, although he said you haven't been sleeping well?"

"Umm, I mean … just with the excitement, it's been a little hard to sleep." It was

almost the truth.

"I see. Well, I can have some sleep aids here tonight if you need them. We want

you well rested."

"No, I don't—"

"Yes," Mom interrupted. "Sorry, honey, but you look exhausted. Please, get her

the sleep aids."

"Yes, ma'am." Skinny made another note in my file.

"Moving on. Now, I know this is personal, but I've had to discuss it with every

THE NEXT MORNING, I DRESSED myself in the uniform of the Selected: black

pants, white shirt, and red rose in my hair. My shoes I got to pick. I chose worn-out white flats.

I figured I should make it clear from the start that I wasn't princess material.

We were set to leave for the square shortly. Each of the Selected was getting a

send-off in her home province today, and I wasn't looking forward to mine.

All those people staring while I did nothing more than stand there. The whole thing already felt ridiculous, as I had to be driven the two short miles for security reasons.

Bella was my only solace. She held my hand and tried to inject some of her

enthusiasm into me. We were still linked when I stepped into the crowded

square. It seemed like everyone in the province of Kent came out to see me

off. Or just see what the big deal was.

Standing on the raised stage, I could see the boundaries between the castes.

Margareta Stones was a Three, and she and her parents were staring daggers at

me. Tenille Digger was a Seven, and she was blowing kisses. The upper castes

looked at me like I'd stolen something that was theirs. The Fours on down were

cheering for me—an average girl who'd been elevated. I became aware of what I

meant to everyone here, as if I represented something for all of them.

I tried to focus in on those faces, holding my head high. I tried to focus in on those

faces, holding my head high. I was determined to do this well. I would be the best

of us, the Highest of the Lows. It gave me a sense of purpose.

Clary Connolly : the champion of the lower castes.

The mayor spoke with a flourish.

"And Kent will be cheering on the beautiful daughter of Melody and Alex Connelly.

I took in the sound for a moment, smiling and waving, and then went back to looking at the people that I have spent my life knowing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in sending off Clary Connelly our favorite

Daughter of Iléa!" the mayor called. Behind me, a small band played the national anthem.

More cheers, more flowers. Suddenly the mayor was at my more cheers, more.

Back to my Selection

When I come to the airport I expect to be the only one there, but I see someone else. It is Eve. She is much more beautiful in person then she is on TV if I can believe it.

" Hi." she says with a big and welcoming smile.

I don't know what to say, but I just extend my hand for a shake, and I get a hug instead. She jus me so tightly that I think I'm going to die. She may not look it, but this girl is strong.

" Are you excited?" she asks happily.

I nod with a small smile. I hate when I come off shy.

" Why do you want to be in the Selection." The words come out before I can stop them.

She gives me a sad smile and sits down. " Seventeen years ago, I her parents Sky and Felici Allegro. I grew up to be a very intelligent and brave girl who was not afraid to speak her mind. With my beauty and charm (especially with the masses), I found it hard to make friends with other girls. I never really knew the reason on why girls just decide to hate me when they get just one glance at me. My best friend Camilla says they're just jealous of my "natural radiance and attractive outspokenness" she even said jokingly with the effect of me hitting her a bit hard on the arm. When I was thirteen I started accepting singing and piano playing jobs to help my father. Luckily for me, I was given a natural talent in singing and in playing the piano, which gave the other girls more reasons to hate her even more. Camilla's mother took both Camilla and me to sign up for The Selection, to be more exact, I was dragged by Camilla's mother to sign up for The Selection. Even though both Camilla and her mother knew that I was fully booked on that day, they still went through with their plan to take me and make her sign up. I was very angry when I found out what they were about to do saying that they dragged me out of work for a stupid contest, though I couldn't stay mad at my best friend and the person who was practically my second mother.

When I was chosen, I first opted not to go because of my family's condition, but with Luna, Camilla and her mother's persistence, I finally accepted."

Sorry I didn't update for a bit.