Last thing I remember, from all the excitement, is falling asleep on the Fray's couch. I prop myself up on my elbows and stare off into the distance.

I still cannot believe what happened last night. Ouch! Was that just a pillow?

"Wake up sleepy head." Karla yells

"What was that for?" I glare at her.

"You need to get ready. The guards come to pick you up in an hour." Mrs. Fray interjects.

"Alright, I'm getting up." I groan. It doesn't take very long for me to get ready since everything I have is in the backpack I brought with me. The Frays make breakfast with some of my help (I cannot cook). All I do is set the table and vacuum because why not? Right after we finish, there comes a knock at the door. I assume it's the guards and open it.

"I need you to win The Selection for me." Shane quickly says

"What? Shane why are you here?" I was not ready for him to come.

"That doesn't matter. I have to go. Nobody can see what's inside of the package I gave you, open it when you get to the castle." And with those last words he ran down the street and vanished.

Well that was a little bit shocking. He must be in trouble, I've got to help him.

I close the door and sit down when another knock comes, "Oh, come on." I groan. I reluctantly open the door and this time it was the castle guards. "Are you Miss Analise York?" one of them said.

"Yep, that's me" I reply

"We have come to get you for the leaving ceremony. Pack your bags and we will wait for you here." The head of the group says.

"I've them right here" I say as I grab my backpack.

"I can take that" The blonde says.

I run back inside and promise to Karla that I would write to her each week. Thank goodness I didn't cry because that would have been embarrassing in front of the castle guards. We head out the door as I wave to the Fray family.

I hope I get to see them again, but first I've got to get through this leaving ceremony.

My parents never watch the broadcasts, even if it is a requirement of our citizenship. Come to think of it, they were never too fond of the monarchy. That's what I have going for me, if they didn't watch the broadcast then they wouldn't know I got picked. My family doesn't have any friends either, so I can get away in time. Without them knowing what hit them.

Let's hope nobody came to the ceremony, but that would never happen.

We pulled up next to the stage in the middle of the town square. Literally everyone was there! I guess once you're picked everybody wants to be your friend. I'm pushed up on the stage and I walk over to the announcer. "Analise York, everybody!" he shouts into the microphone. I here screams and clapping, I really am famous now.

"We would like to present you with this bracelet to remember where you came from." The announcer says to me. Then the town craftsmen walk over with this small blue box. I pick it up and open it to find this nicely woven, leather bracelet on the inside. All along the leather are multicolored beads of many varieties woven into the bracelet. One of the craftsmen walk over, pick up the bracelet, and put it on my wrist. It fits perfectly! I nod a thanks to him and he backs into where he was before.

"We are going to be rooting for you throughout The Selection and hope for you to be our next ruler of Illea!" and with those last sayings from the announcer, I am lead into the limo on the side of the stage.

I would have never thought the people of this town to be kind.

Before I know it I am escorted to a plane filled with my competition. Everyone scans me when I enter, apparently they don't deem me as competition because of my appearance. I'll show all of them that I can measure up to any of them, any day. I walk over and sit down by the skinny brunette in the back. She looks up at me and smiles when I next to her. She must be from one of the poorer castes by the way she acts, so I decide to say hello first. "Hi, I'm Ana. What's your name?"

"Courtney from six" she replies shyly.

"I like your skirt. Is it handmade?" I say trying to start conversation.

"Yeah. My mother made it before she passed away. She said that it would always give me luck, that's why I wore it today. So I can make friends and impress the Prince." Courtney explained.

"Wow, I wish my mother knew how to sew."

"Aren't you from three? Why couldn't your parents buy you any variety of skirts?"

"Just because I am in a wealthier caste doesn't mean my parents care about me." I snip back.

Courtney looked at me with a sad expression and that ended our conversation.

So much for making friends. Calm down Ana!

"Everyone take a seat and fasten your seatbelts as we begin our decent into the castle courtyard" the pilot instructs. Everyone obeys the orders and we all look out our windows in awe as we descend into the castle grounds.