Friday, Atlantean Royal Palace

This evening, all the girls from Greece, Rome, Persia, Israel, Macedon, England, Australia, and America will be arriving to Atlantis. They had randomly asked for girls aged 8-18 to have a lucky draw to see which twenty-five girls were chosen. I supposed it's just coincidence that I was picked. I mean, all the girls have to enter the draw. Just not everyone in the whole continents of America, USA, parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia, Australia, and Atlantis was chosen.

Altogether, nine girls from Atlantis are chosen. Four Greeks, three Romans, three English, two Americans, and one Persian, Israelite, Australia, and Macedonian girl completed the list.

All the girls were expected to live together. They give us rooms according to alphabet. So I'm with Ariana Theodore, a fellow Atlantean one year older than me. She loves to sing, and is a redhead. At least that's better than staying with Amelia. I wonder how her roommate is coping.

I sneaked to their doorway and listened. Pretty soon I could hear them talking.

"Hello. I'm Alexandra Alastair, and I like Art. You?" Alexandra was apparently trying to make conversation. Needless to say, Amelia is not in the least interested in girls who like Art rather than fashion.

"I'm Amelia Atlanto, the daughter of the Advisor to Prince Michael," Amelia said loftily. I bet she meant 'illegitimate daughter'.

"So you're the illegitimate charmer everyone's being talking about?" Alexandra asked excitedly. I smiled.

"What did you call me?" Amelia thundered.

"Illegitimate charmer. I thought you liked being called that?" Alexandra asked.

I sneaked away before Amelia could erupt. Ha! That'll make her furious.

I went back to my room and checked out my itinerary while Ariana is singing in the bath.

8am-9am: Breakfast with the Prince

9am-10am: Private meeting of 10 minutes with the Prince, so you can get to know each other better.

10am-10.30am: Rose ceremony. 4 contestants will be disqualified

10.30am-12pm: Touring of Atlantis's temples and museums

12pm-1pm: Lunch

1pm-2pm: 11 girls will go on a ride with the Princeon Atlantis's first airbus

2pm-3pm: 10 girls will join the Prince for a swim.

3pm-3.30 pm: Rose ceremony. 2 contestants will be disqualified.

3.30pm-4pm: Tea

4pm-6pm: Visit schools of Atlantis and learn its customs

6pm-7pm: Supper

7.30-8.30: Rose ceremony. 2 contestants will be disqualified.

9.30 : Free Time

That's busy. Three rose ceremonies in one day. Then a boring tour of the temples. I hope there's new stuff at the museum. I rather join the swim than the airbus thing. I mean, I have my own airflyer (yup, Cal gave it to me as a present for saving his life). Why would I need to ride an airbus? Then the school thing. Can't we skip the customs? I'm an Atlantean! I lived here. This hectic schedule is worse than school's.

Then Ariana came out of the shower, smiling. "The shower is free."

"Thanks. Nice singing," I said. She had sang some native Atlantean song.

Ariana blushed. "I was hoping to dazzle the Prince with my sweet voice."

I don't know why, but an irrational feeling of jealousy overwhelmed me. Why? I don't like Cal like that.

We chatted a little while about our friends and families, where we went to college and such. The camaraderie was easy, but reserved. Like we were comparing ourselves to each other. Like, which guy won't like a sweet-looking girl who can sing to a tomboy with a voice deeper than the guy?

"So what do you think he's gonna be like?" Ariana asked.

"He may be a prince, but he's really nice to people and clever and reads a lot. He wants to be a vet and save animals, or join Greenpeace," I said.

Ariana smiled. "Nice guy."
"Excuse me, but I gotta go take a shower. Nice chatting." Why am I so standoffish? Is it because it's the first time I talked to a nice girl who doesn't always talk about make-up and clothes?