The all too familiar scene surrounded Eli's head like a swarm of bees. He'd been doing Reports since he was a baby. The lights, the makeup, everything was commonplace.
But this time was different. This time, a swarm of girls was sitting behind him in addition to his family. A swarm of girls he cared very much about impressing. What if he messed up on TV? He certainly had before. But back then, it had only been his family, the audience, and Starr or her grandfather, Kipling. With his family, they would mock him afterwards, but they would never actually mean anything. The audience didn't really exist to him-they were just a group of people that provided reactions when necessary. The blinding lights in his face made them disappear. And as for Starr and Kipling, they were just the Fadayes. Similar to his family.
But now he could sense the girls staring at him. Feisty, bitter Reina; sweet, caring Ava; beautiful, charismatic Sofie; mystical, wise Lia; mysterious, intriguing Gigi; intelligent, curious Viv; quiet, soft spoken Sage; powerful, accomplished Vela; intuitive, strong Ana; and creative, mature (while slightly unmotivated) Tricia. They crowded his mind, taking up space like water filling a fountain. Should he look back at them? Give them a motivating thumbs up?
He turned around, and there they were. Each getting fussed over by a maid or two. He smiled at their range of reactions, from Reina and Ava's obvious discomfort, to Sofie and Vela's natural confidence. He made eye contact with Vela briefly and gave her a thumbs up. She half smiled back, and returned the thumbs up.
"30 seconds," called the camera guy. Eli turned back around, and smiled at Starr. They hadn't spoken at all since arriving at the studio, which Eli found odd. Usually, Starr was full of life, chattering non stop. Today she was silent, staring at the camera as she waited for the start of the show.
"It's not the same," she said in a small voice.
It was foreign to Eli, and it tugged at his heartstrings. She sounded so weak, unsteady.
"I know, Starr," he said, "I know." He put his arm around her shoulders and rubbed her back. "But this is the start of something new, and it's going to become familiar. You just wait."
She smiled gratefully up at him. "I bet it will. I still need to meet those girls! They seem so nice. A lot of them are really interesting."
"Live in 3...2…" the camera guy waved his hand, and the two of them redirected their attention to the audience. Eli listened to the trumpet theme song play, and settled into his chair. He could do this. He was born to do this.
"Welcome back, Illea," Starr said, her chipper voice lacking its usual spunk. "We're coming to you live from the palace with our first ever Selection Report. We have Prince Elias here, as well as the couple dozen lucky young ladies from the various parts of Illea."
Eli raised a hand. "Hello, Illea! I would like to say now that I've selected my future wife." He felt the tension raise to the highest level possible before adding, "Or at least, narrowed it down to...hm...top 27."
Everybody laughed, and Eli felt his confidence boost. "I have spent this week talking, hanging out, and laughing with all the girls here. They are simply incredible, and I could not be happier with the Selection so far!"
This earned a cheer, and Eli could practically feel the girls glowing behind him. He turned around and winked, then faced the front again.
"On the other hand, I need to address a very serious issue before we continue. As you may notice, my entire family is not present. Our…" he choked, "...beloved sister, Stella, is...detained until further notice. Details concerning this matter will be made public if it is found necessary. If not, this is the last you will hear about it." He let that news settle in before smiling again, albeit a fake, plastic smile.
"But back to the Selection! Starr, take it away."
The Host grinned at him, her eyes filled with support and caring. Eli didn't know where this new girl had come from. Gone was the party girl, impulsive and ignorant. Was it possible that Starr had actually matured? The prospect was unlikely, but intriguing.
"We have a new system, this Selection," Starr announced. "Instead of asking questions willy nilly, we're going to focus on 2 of the Selected. This week, Eli has randomly chosen Vela Elliot and Jasmine Vasquez to be in the spotlight. Ladies, if you will, please join Eli and I at the front."
The crowd cheered wildly as the girls stood from their seats. Eli couldn't help but grimace at Starr's informal use of his name. The media already had enough crazy claims about their relationship. They didn't need any more fuel.
Starr grinned at Jasmine. "Lady Jasmine! How good to see you. I think we've met once or twice before. You're an actress in Columbia, right?"
"Yes, I am," Jasmine said, her voice carrying a lushious Southern Illean accent. "I was born and raised by the famous actors and directors, Marco and Sarah Vasquez."
Nodding, Starr said, "And you, Lady Vela, I feel like a lot of Illea knows your name, now! How is touring with Lyza treating you these days? Coming to the castle probably wasn't too much of a stretch, was it?"
"Well, not after the tour, no," Vela answered politely. "But I was raised in a poorer Five neighborhood in Panama. So compared to that, this place is heaven."
Clearing his throat, Eli said, "We have some questions that we'd like you girls to answer. We're sorry we couldn't tell you about this sooner, but Starr and I only developed this concept an hour ago. Hopefully, you'll be able to think on your feet."
What he didn't tell them was that he hadn't told them what they were doing at the Report on purpose. He wanted to test their reflexes, their adaptability. Just from the looks on their faces, he could tell who would be the more prepared of the two. Jasmine looked abjectly terrified, while Vela sat, her legs crossed, smug smile protruding a knowning confidence.
"If you were to become Queen, what would you use your platform for?" he asked. "Jasmine, you can start, if you like."
The blank, horrified look on the girl's face almost made Eli laugh. "Well-uh," she stammered, "That is an excellent question. I have been offered many platforms in my life. Great platforms. Terrific platforms. I have been so blessed by all the platforms I've been given. As such, I've always managed to make my voice heard. And I think the people really appreciate it. If I become queen, that's what I think would continue to happen."
"Not really the question, but a great answer nonetheless," Eli said, grimacing at Jasmine's slowly reddening cheeks. He tilted his head to look at Vela, who was discreetly cracking her knuckles as if getting ready to beat somebody into the ground. "You look rather prepared, Lady Vela," he said. "If given the platform of Queen, what would you promote? Demolish? Enhance? Create?"
Vela lifted her chin. "I have always been a firm advocate for Women's Rights," she said proudly. "Back in Panama, I started a small organization called 14 Cents, which focused on evening out the pay gap. If I were to become Queen, I would continue that program. It would be a blessing for women across Illea, I think. Do you believe in that cause, Eli?"
He was taken off guard. Vela wasn't supposed to be asking the questions here, was she? And she certainly wasn't supposed to call him that on TV. But the look in her eyes was so intense, her jaw unwavering, he found himself unable to do anything but respond.
"I have a mother, 3 sisters, and many female friends," Eli said, "as well as the lovely ladies that have recently entered the palace. They all have a dear place in my heart, and I would do anything to give them more opportunities in this world. I took a Women's and Gender Studies class about a year ago, which really opened my eyes." He grinned. "I would be honored to have you fight for that cause, whether you become Queen or not."
The light in Vela's eyes as she smiled back at him stirred a familiar feeling in his heart. Invigorating, challenging, lightning quick. That's what this Selection had been so far.
And he was loving every second of it.
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Here's the next one! I wanted the Reports to work like this so that I can have a specific girl focused on. It's nice to get to know them a little better like this. I personally love Vela and what she works for. She's SUPER cool, thanks so much to Smiley! Next chapter is almost ready, and will be released tomorrow night. Thanks so much to all of you who are still reading my story, it means SO MUCH to me.