How can one thing change your life so much? Something so simple changes and it makes everything different. You just never think that it will be able to fit in a small envelope.

I got the announcement the day after my sister's 16th birthday party. My whole family had to travel to a different province because a family friend was currently taking care of my sister because my family couldn't since we are a family of Fives.

I have 5 siblings, Kara is the youngest with myself and my brothers, Levi and Quinton being next youngest. My mom didn't think that she could have kids when she was 18, and a new bride to my father, so they found a way and ended up with Evie and Ashter. But not even a year after they brought them in did they find out that my mom was pregnant with triplets. They thought that they could do it because Evie was old enough to work, so there would be a little extra money coming in. But two and a half years later mom found out that she was pregnant, once again. We knew that we couldn't give the baby what it needs, so my parents had a difficult choice to make.

Luckily my mom used to be a Four, but married a Five because her and my father are soulmates. That meant that she had some friends that were wealthier than we were that could take Kara in. Aunt Natalie couldn't have kids, so Kara was a wonderful opportunity for them to be able to start a family. Every year we get together and catch up, but sometimes once a year is just not enough. Mom is sad that she doesn't even know her own daughter so she'll make surprise trips, or Uncle Todd and Aunt Natalie will send Kara to us for the summer, which was always the best.

Now that Evie and Ashter are married and moved out I know that Uncle Todd and my dad have been talking about maybe letting Kara come back and live with us. I know that Todd hasn't talked to his wife first, because Natalie would never let Kara leave because her and Kara are best friends, and I don't think that she wants to give that up.

After the party my family gathered by the bus station to leave when Kara rushed over to announce that the royal family has finally announced The Selection and she is eligible to enter. Her excitement is clear by the way she is dancing in the snow-covered sidewalk. Not paying attention to her footing, Kara slipped on some ice that wasn't shoveled away.

"Kara! Are you alright?!" Mom exclaims, rushing to her side.

Kara seemed stunned that she was clumsy enough to fall, after all I was the clumsy one.

"I'm fine. I guess I was just so excited that this happened just after my 16th birthday. Maybe Hadley and I have more in common than I thought." Kara joked as she gave me a quick wink. She was always a funny girl.

"Well, I'm glad that you have this opportunity and wish you luck with your new life of clumsiness." I reply with a sly smile. That earned me a big hug right as the city bus pulled up.

"I'm going to miss you so much Hads! Please keep in touch." Kara whispered in my ear before she pulled away and waved as we drove away.

As soon as we got home I made an excuse to go outside and check the mail to see if I had received an announcement as well. It was the same day that Kara received hers, so why shouldn't I get one today too? I opened the mailbox, shocked to see nothing in it what-so-ever. Disappointment filled my stomach as I slumped back to the house to rehearse for a dancing gig I had tomorrow.

A sharp knock interrupted me in the middle of practice, scaring me to the floor. Annoyed that falling doesn't help my clumsy status, I get up and open my bedroom door.

My mom is standing on the other side of the door and doesn't hesitate to come into my room. It is a miracle that I get my own room, downstairs even, because the boys share a room. I guess that if Kara moved back we would have to share a room, so I may have to get used to it.

"Did you need something, mom?" I question her as she sits down on my wood, squeaky bed with used beige sheets and a light pink comforter. We don't have money to splurge on an unnecessary fanciful life style, so we deal with what we can get for as few dollars as possible.

"I was just checking in on you. You seemed upset that you hadn't received an invitation to enter The Selection, so I just wanted to make sure that you are all right," She replied in a calm tone. "You know that it will show up shortly. Sometimes it just depends on where you live when it comes to getting important mail like this. No need to worry." She continued trying to comfort me.

"I'm not upset." I stated, maybe a little too quickly.

"Don't you even try that! I know you better than any other person in the world. You can't lie to me like that. I know that you were looking forward to entering The Selection. But you need to remember that even if you get the application you would still need to get picked. It's a game of chance at first. I entered the selection when I was younger, and didn't get picked, and you need to be prepared for that." She explained as nice as she could.

I liked it when my mom came and talked to me about my problems. She always had helpful advice, and wouldn't lie to me with stupid fluff that I hear some parents tell their kids. I admire my mom in more ways than one. She is blunt, but tries to make the truth sound caring. She is also so beautiful. Sometimes I wonder why she chose to marry a Five when she could have gotten any Four, even some Threes, that she wanted. Her hair surrounds her face in frizzy ringlets like mine, except her hair is a light brown in comparison to my black hair. Her eyes are something different. One of them is a dark brown and the other is an amber color. It is mysterious and unique. Her looks help her land a lot of jobs, because who wouldn't want to see her dressed up and singing sexy songs in different languages for entertainment? Sometimes I wonder how I am even related to her. But then I remember that I have a dad and peace is restored to the Earth.

"Thanks mom. I'm glad you said that. I guess I needed a reality check. I was just jealous because Kara was so happy that she was old enough to enter, and she got an announcement right away, and I'm older than her, but she is in a higher caste, so she has a better chance at being picked. I am just worried that I am being selfish by wanting to get picked and not her." I finally finish my short rant and take a big breath."Oh, honey! You are not being selfish! Every girl wants to be able to get the chance to marry the prince of Illea! It's perfectly natural to want to be selected instead of someone else. I am just surprised that you aren't already married, you're so freaking pretty!" I brace myself for a friendly punch that mom always does when she compliments my looks. I sometimes wonder if she is complimenting me through her teeth because she knows that she is a total hottie."Alright. Well I should get back to practicing, you know that I have a performance tomorrow night. I love you, and thanks again for the advice." I say closing the conversation with a quick hug and walking her to the door.

"Ok. I love you too sweetheart." She smiled as she walked downstairs.