It was later in the day, mid-afternoon, and Holland sat in the Women's Room with a pad of stationary and a pen. She was going to write home and tell them of her progress so far. Though, nothing too detailed, she'd save that for the phone Tobi had given her. Besides, she didn't even have anything to go on.

She clicked the pen and started writing.

Dear Dad and Jordi,

Sorry I haven't written yet, we got to the Palace late and after dinner I went straight to bed.

But I'll be sure to write you guys a lot during my time here. Hopefully it'll be a long one.

How are things at home? Is the restaurant good? How's the staff? Any new recipes made?

How's reading group, Jordi? Do you like your sub? I miss hearing you read to me.

Nothing much has been going on here. Though the food is to die for! French toast and bacon; chicken with yellow rice!

And for dessert: chocolate peanut-butter pie! Jordi you'd be in haven if you saw it!

I'll have to send you some.

I met the Prince today; I'll let you be the judge of that when it broadcasts tonight.

God, tonight! I'm still not used to being on camera. It's nerve-wracking. I don't know how people do it.

I miss you guys so much. Write me soon.

Love,

Raven

Holland folded the letter and put it in an envelope, she scribbled the address to the house on the back.

Picking up another sheet of paper she wrote to Tanisha.

Dear Tanisha,

I miss you so much! I kind of wish you were here right now!

The other girls are great—-I've met two who are very sweet; Veronica Steele and Camila Young—-but even so, they aren't you.

How's waitressing going? Is it long and grueling? Kind of glad I'm not there—-ha-ha!

Anyway, I met the Prince today, you'll be able to see me and all my humiliation tonight on TV. Joy!

Maybe you should've entered, you'd be so much better at it than me. You're funny, charming, and flirty,

you'd win everyone over.

You'd win this thing hands down.

Alas that didn't happen.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on all things Selection.

Love you.

Raven

Holland sealed the envelope and wrote Tanisha's name on the back.

She stood and walked over to the bin were the girls could put their mail.

Going back to her seat, Holland noticed Yvonne and Bella whispering to one another. They sat on another couch on the other side of the room; their heads together.

Yvonne said something and Bella snorted with laughter; Bella smiled and her eyes went to Amberley Hall. The girl sat on a lavender loveseat, quietly reading a book.

Yvonne looked at Amberley too and both she and Bella giggled.

What are they so giddy about?

Getting up from her chair, Holland walked over to the bookshelf that was a few paces away from where the girls sat.

With her back to them Holland pretend to look for a book and eavesdrop. She knew it was wrong but the way they were laughing at Amberley made Holland annoyed.

"Did you hear that her stylist had to redo all of her designs?" Bella whispered with a catty tone.

Yvonne snorted, "Yes! Apparently they messed up the measurements—they made them smaller instead of bigger!"

"Did you see her at breakfast? Talk about a pig!"

"Right! Like, excuse me, darling, those pancakes are for everyone."

They snickered loudly.

Holland clenched her jaw, why had she come over here if they were just going to piss her off?

"You do know why she's here, right?" Bella asked.

"No, why?"

"Because they needed to make this fair. If they just picked pretty girls people would get suspicious."

"Hmm, yeah, I can see that. But she won't last long. She'll be out of here by dinner." Yvonne said concededly.

"Like Nikolas would even go for her." Bella scoffed, "Round and gross isn't his type."

Yvonne laughed.

Holland couldn't take it, she turned around and walked over to the two girls, "What is your problem?" She snapped.

The girls gave her confused looks.

"What are you talking about?" Bella drawled, looking board.

"You know what I'm talking about. You're making fun of Amberley." Holland narrowed her eyes.

"Oh, are we? I thought we were just making accurate statements." Yvonne said sarcastically.

Holland rolled her eyes, "Just stop bullying her or you'll regret it." Her voice was smooth as steel.

"Really? And what are you going to do about it, Four." Bella said Holland's fake Caste like an insult.

"Yeah, are you going to serve us a lesson on kindness?" Yvonne tittered.

"Or make us bake 'I'm sorry' brownies and give them to her?"

The girls laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world.

Holland sighed, so much for her threat, "Just leave Amberley alone."

She turned around and walked back to her seat, hearing the girls' giggles all the while.

When her maids left her after settling Holland into bed, she slipped out of the covers and went over to her backpack.

Digging through it she found the phone that Tobi had given her the day she left Sumner.

It was a black, thin phone, no keyboard and had a camera on the back.

Holland knew a little about mobile telephones, only Twos and Ones had them. Sometimes Threes, and the lucky Fours. They used to be poplar long ago but they ran out of style; people had gone back to writing letters or using a landline phone.

Even so, if you had a mobile phone, you were seen as rich and important.

Or you stole one, like Tobi did. Holland thought as she turned on the phone.

The screen showed a background of a Raven (Holland rolled her eyes at that,) and small icons were dotted around it.

Holland pressed the message one and was taken to a screen that had zero messages in the inbox.

She clicked out of that and went to the contact icon. There was only one number and she was sure it led back to a similar mobile phone at Base.

She didn't want to get caught being heard—it was still early for everyone in the Palace to be asleep—so she sent a message.

Tobi. It's me, are you there? –H.

Holland waited with baited breath for Tobi to answer. She hoped she had gotten the right number. Then again, Tobi was smart, he wouldn't mess a simple phone number up.

The phone made a ping and Holland opened the message.

Yes! It's me, Holly. What took you so long to reach out? –T.

I didn't have time to, I got to the Palace late and then had to meet the Prince and act like I wanted to be here. –H.

You met the Prince? Already? Did you get anything good? –T.

No. Not yet at least. I was on camera and we had to have a stupid meet and greet. All I got was that he's never been to Sumner—or any Province I'm
guessing—and he talked about his brother, Anthony. –H.

Anthony? I forgot about him. –T.

Yeah, he's not one for public events, I suppose. Couldn't blame him, those cameras are awful! Also, he's second in line for the throne—something he's never going to get anyway—why bother showing your face when there's no need? –H.

True. Anything else from Prince Nikolas? –T.

No. But I'll try tomorrow. –H.

Good. Ask him about what he plans to do for his reign and then get back to us. –T.

Will do. –H.

Great. Good luck, Holland. We're counting on you. –T.

Thanks. –H.

With a sigh Holland turned off the phone and went over to her bed.

Grabbing the covers and pulling them to the floor, she hoped that Tobi was right to wish her luck.

A/N: Please lave a review I love, love, hearing feedback on my writing, it's a great motivator and i just love hearing from you guys! Thanks so much for reading, your support means the world to me :) xx