Hello amazing readers! Chapter 12!
Jodi's eyes widen with surprise when she sees who it is.
Quickly she sinks into a curtsey, "Prince Maxon." She breathes.
I slap a hand to my forehead. Our date! I totally forgot! Wait, did he hear anything that went on in the room just now!?
My thoughts are all jumbled up and panicked, but Maxon, giving no sign that he heard the slightly heated conversation that went on just now, smiled at me cautiously.
"Lady Celeste." He says, as Jodi and Sarah quickly exit the room. "Are you ready for our date?" He asks.
I quickly collect myself, "Of course." I say brightly, like nothing happened, and I wasn't called a spoiled brat, and that it didn't hurt. Only, it did.
Shaking it off, I take Maxon's arm, and head off to our date. Maxon took me out on a movie date. I had to say, it was fun, yes, but also a little boring.
Maxon was a very nice guy, a little too nice and stiff for me, but nice nonetheless. But that's it, nice. I just didn't click with him.
After dinner tomorrow, all of the selected were going to interviewed on live tv on the report, and we were most definitely going to be asked questions about Maxon.
What was I going to say?
Maxon is nice and handsome and charming. That's it? That's what all of the girls were going to say, and I did not want to be like the other girls, I wanted to stand out, I wanted to be different, so that everyone would know who I am.
There was also the dilemma of my maids. I'm sure that know one knew about the problem I had with them, but still, Jodi probably told her maid friends, and now all of the maids probably hated me.
Well, you know what? I didn't care, what did having the maids' vote of confidence do to help me win the selection?
Nothing, that's what. The maids could say all that they wanted about me, but it wouldn't matter, because know one would believe them.
After Maxon returned me to my room, I had an hour until I needed to be downstairs for dinner.
Feeling restless, i went down to the mail room to see if I had gotten any mail from home.
I had.
I really didn't feel like reading the letter so I returned with it un opened back to my room.
Putting the letter face down on my desk, I shut the door to my room and take a nap on my bed.
My sleep was strange. I dreamt that I was in the selection, only that I had superpowers. I wielded these powers to kick out the girls that were left in the competition, except, that stupid America Singer was somehow invincible to my powers.
No matter how many times I tried to freeze her, she jut laughed at me, and blocked it. Getting mad, I flew at her, literally and smashes her right into the wall, well I tried to, at the last second, America slid from my grasp, and I was the one who got pummeled into the wall.
Dizzily, I stood up, and there was America behind me, transformed into a superhero. She smirked at me, and when I looked down, I no longer was a superhero, but a villain.
I was wearing all black and looked positively scary, said the mirror that America flashed at me.
When I saw myself in the mirror though, suddenly, I was trapped inside of it, and that's when I awoke.
Panting from my epic battle with America, I look at my alarm clock, and realize that in 2 minutes we're expected to be in the dining room, so I nearly sprint down the steps to get there in time.
As I take my seat, I avert my eyes from America Singer.
When the royal family entered, it was just the queen, no sign of Maxon, or King Clarkson.
A moment later, the king and Maxon walk in, talking in low voices, arguing I think.
Sighing the king waves for us to sit, as we had gotten up to curtsey, and he sits down himself next to the queen, giving her a quick kiss.
Maxon alone remains standing.
We all turn to face him, curious.
"Ladies, I have an announcement." He says standing up straight.
"I know you were all promised compensation for your participation in the Selection, however, there have been some new monetary allocations." He says.
Oh no, if he says next what I think he's going to say next...
"So, if you are a natural born two, or three, you will no longer be receiving financing. Fours and Fives will continue to receive compensation, but it will be slightly less than what it has been so far." He says looking at us seriously.
My mouth nearly pops open, but I was raised not to open my mouth like a fish when I was surprised, so I merely fume in anger.
Money was part of the deal! I'm paid to stay at this gorgeous palace, that's what this is!
See, my parents really wanted me to sign up for the selection, and of course, I did too, but, I'm a very smart girl, and so I told my parents that I didn't want to sign up.
My parents, naturally, were very shocked, but they're also a little stupid, and didn't catch onto my plan.
My mother begged me, but I refused. Finally, she said to me, 'What will it take?'
I pretended to think about it, and then I said, 'Money. I want 75% of the money we receive as compensation.'
My parents agreed, basking in money already, what was the harm in giving me some start up money for my self, this way they reasoned, they don't have to give me much money later, when I move out.
Well, this was so unfair! That was my flow of money! Cancelled, gone, down the drain!
Maxon isn't yet though, "I do apologize for any inconvenience, but I will explain this all tomorrow night on the Capital Report. And this is a nonnegotiable situation. If any one has a problem with this new arrangement and no longer wants to participate, you mat leave after dinner." He finishes, sitting down.
After that statement, murmurs go up and down to tables.
All of the girls want to know what it's about.
"Do you think it's a test?" Kriss wondered, "I bet there are some people here only for the money." She says to Tiny.
They both turn to look and Bariel and me.
I turn my head to meet their gaze, and give them a look that says, 'tell that to my face, bitch.'
Kriss whips her down when she sees my glare. Further across the table, Fiona nudges Olivia who looks up at America.
Hmm, it wouldn't surprise me if Miss. America had caused this.
Dinner is served then, and most conversation and speculation about this new development is ceased, most.
When I return to my room after dinner, I go slowly, not knowing what to expect, would I have all new maids, or just one to replace Kathy?
I didn't want to put Jodi and Sarah out of work, but at the same time, I didn't know if I wanted them being the ones looking after me and dressing me, knowing that they hated me slightly, or in Jodi's case, more than slightly.
Taking a deep breath outside my door, I turn the knob, and walk in.
Thanks to ChatterboxChipmunk for following and faving!
Athenachild101- Thanks for the suggestion! I will most definitely use it! And I'm sorry that I couldn't fit in a Marlee/Celeste encounter in this chapter, I will get to it in the next chapter hopefully!
agb1700- Hi
The Devil Wears Westwood- Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Kiren- Ha ha, it's so funny, when you posted the review, I literally watched Maleficent the day before!
HorseGalFangirl- Thanks for being honest!
miaforevez- It's nice to know I'm not alone ;)
Basedonthosebooks- I will think about it, actually...
Hello everyone! Basedonthosebooks suggested that I do two epilogues, one where Celeste dies, and one where she lives, what do you guys think? Tell me in the reviews!