I can do this.
"Elinore!" My mother's shrill voice pushes itself through my thoughts. I pick up my two suitcases and begin the walk down the stairs. Today, I will fly on a plane for the very first time. Actually, I suppose there will be a lot of firsts for me in the coming months. I do not know if I am ready for them, but either way, I'm on my way. Once I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see my family waiting for me, rather impatiently.
"Why do we even have to say goodbye to her? She'll be back in a few days. It's not like the prince will like her." My sister mutters just loud enough for me to hear.
"You're just jealous, Amy. It's not my fault that I was picked, and you weren't." I look my sister squarely in the eyes. This is enough to set my father off.
"You think that you're so high and mighty?" He screams.
"Dad, you know that's not what I meant."
"You know that we're the ones that keep a roof over your head. You'd be nothing without us, and Amy's right, with that attitude, you'll be back within a few days. Hell, probably within a few hours."
"Why would you say that? You know that I'm excited about this."
"Oh, shut up. I don't want to hear another damn word." He slams the door and leaves. I know that he won't be coming to the airport to drop me off. It's just as well. I know, as well as I know my own name, that I won't be coming back here. One way or the other, I refuse to return to this house of misery. Despite this, tears come to my eyes as we pack the car. I'm going to miss my mother and my two sisters.
My mother, Lucy, Amy and I pile into the car. The drive is quiet, except for my mother's tears. I want to comfort her, but to say I'll be back just wouldn't be true. I rub her shoulder until we arrive. Usually, there would be a huge goodbye celebration thrown by the people of the province. Unfortunately, after the prince consort died, this new selection has been rather hurried.
"Goodbye, Ellie. I love you so much. Be sure to write us lots of letters." Mom hugged me and kissed my forehead, "I'm sorry that your father isn't here. I'm sure that he'll regret it."
I hold back a comment that would reveal how hurt I was and instead say, "I'm going to miss you too mom." I hug both of my sisters. Amy squeezes me more tightly than normal, which is her way of saying she's sorry. It isn't quite enough, but I accept it and squeeze her back.
"Ellie, I'm certain that the prince is going to love you. I want to hear all about it!" Lucy smiles at me. I nod and wave at them as I leave them behind to board the plane. Thankfully, the airport is not very crowded, which makes this slightly easier. Nonetheless, I am exhausted by the time the plane takes off and I sleep through the entire flight.
The selection makeovers are in full force by the time I arrive with the girls from my province. Since I was sleeping, I didn't have the chance to meet any of them. A woman comes and grabs me with a notable amount of force and guides me into a chair. Unlike the late Queen America, who remained rather unchanged after her selection makeover, I am excited to become a different person. I am tired of being my father's daughter. At least this way, I don't have to look like her anymore, even if I'm still technically the same person.
"What's your name, girlie?" My stylist asks. She's tall with jet black hair and seems graceful, even in her uniform.
"Elinore, my name is Elinore. What is your name?" I ask curiously. She smiles at me.
"My name is Jill. Now where would you like to start? I have a few suggestions." Jill moves briskly onto business now that she knows how to address me.
I point to my dark brown curly hair. "This is the only thing I need to stay the same. You can dye it if you like, do whatever you want, but please don't straighten it. It's the one thing that I need to stay the same." I look up at Jill again. She nods and begins working on the makeover.
Three hours later…
I look at myself in the mirror. My dark brown hair is shoulder length now, with red highlights. My nails are painted an emerald green and my eyebrows have been plucked to give them some shape. I'm wearing a strapless tea-length dress that matches my nails. I also have quite a bit of makeup on, which I suppose will take some getting used to.
Jill glances at me. "Are you ready to meet the prince, Lady Elinore?" She asks me. I hesitate, then nod. She gestures for me to go through the doors on her left. I walk towards the doors and accidentally bump into one of the selected. I look down to meet the green eyes of this short blond girl.
"I'm so sorry! I've been kind of out of it today." I murmur.
"Hey, if anyone gets that I do. I'm Beth!" Her happiness and enthusiasm are almost contagious.
"I'm Elinore," I start to say," but I'd rather you call me Ellie. That is, if you don't mind?" I say to her.
"Well come on then, Ellie, let's go in." Beth links her arm with mine and I take a deep breath as we walk through those doors toward the prince.