"Eleanor?" I heard a voice… Shayla's voice and felt her shaking me. "Eleanor? Oh thank heavens. I thought they'd have to give up your spot to some other girl because you died of a heart attack!"
"Huh?" I looked around and forgot for a moment what had just happened. I saw my family around Shayla, and Shayla right above me.
"Oh honey!" My mother moved next to Shayla and caressed my face.
"Thanks guys," I sat up and smiled. "I'm fine now. Really."
Everyone backed off and let me breath. I got up and hugged Shayla. The excitement was over and now I was in a state of almost shock.
The night ended with Shayla and I talking through the night and planning what to bring. She said she is going to bring a picture of her family and friends, our friendship bracelet, and her blanket. I said I was going to bring my favorite book, our friendship bracelet, my really old teddy bear, and a picture of my family. Shayla stayed over at my house, but had to leave early in the morning.
The next morning, after Shayla left, our house was filled with officials. Outside my house there were tons of press people to report on the bookish timid girl from Fennley. Some officials told me everything I'd ever need to know about being in the palace. Others wanted to take pictures. The majority brought forms for me to sign. One to verify everything I wrote on my form was true, one to make sure I wouldn't break any rules of the competition, one to say that I was actually a 3. I signed my own name so many times I sort of forgot how to sign it in the end.
Slowly, after about a week the people started leaving. One by one they packed up the papers into their briefcases and headed out the door. Finally, I could go to my room and enjoy some silence. I read a few books and drew a diagram of a possible piping that might work.
Shayla came over that night and we could finally talk to about the Selection together.
"Eleanor?" Shayla asked.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"I'm nervous." Shayla said quietly.
I laughed.
"What?" Shayla said a little loud.
"Shayla Hinterscher? Afraid of a boy?" I teased.
"Well… whatever." She smiled and rolled over.
Although I teased the tension in my heart was building up like a dam. I didn't sleep at all the following night. I kept imagining meeting the prince, and then imagining messing up or fainting again and being sent home. The rest of the week went the same way. Shayla stayed over every night and we both fell asleep, holding each other's hands. I didn't know if Shayla felt the same way, but I was terrified of losing my very best friend to a world of chaos.