Saturday, Atlantean Royal Palace

I yawned. A make-up artiste from a modeling agency was trying to gel my hopelessly stick-up hair. And trying to give my shoes a little stilt so I won't be shorted than some of the girls. I'm wearing a Ralph Lauren suit and had some Giorgio Amarni perfume sprayed on me.

I mean, hello? I'm a thirteen year old nerd. Thankfully they didn't give me a tux. But the suit's not much better. And who says that the girls won't wear high heels?

"Finally! Your highness is now presentable!" the make-up guy shouted. I glared at him.

"Michael, they're waiting for you," Uncle Roy called.

I sighed and stood up. I'm going to make a fool of myself. I mean, I haven't fallen in love before. Not even a crush. Because I went to a genius's school in New York, and girls and boys do not seat together. And now I'm in a boy's school in Atlantis. The only girl I see everyday is Lia.

I walked into a private seating room, all decorated nicely. I sat down and waited.

First comes Alexandra Alastair, a fellow Atlantean artist. Alexandra entered. She had punky pink hair. I supposed all artists are enthusiastic about colours. "Hiya, Mike! What'cha doing? Your place is groovy!" Then she giggled. "I designed this dress myself? See that motif? It's a mosaic pattern from…"
She's TOO enthusiastic, I mean. What do I want to know about her idol, Leonardo da Vinci? I only want to study his mathematical formulas. Not his artwork.

Alexandra took my silence for consent. "You like Leo? Good! We can discuss about him together, when we're—"

Time's up, Ms. Alastair. Next!

Oh boy, next is Amelia. Lia's step-sister and cousin. The modeling bimbo. Amelia walked seductively over to me. Her skirt is four inches above the knees!

"Hi, Michael," she drawled huskily.

Damn! Why does my throat constrict? And my lower body feel so…weird?

"Tell me about yourself. I love to hear your voice," she whispered in my ear.

I gulped. "Th-thanks…" Why do I sound like a squeaky pip?

She began to massage my shoulders as I stuttered out about my love of the environment. "I wore perfume from The Body Shop just for you! It does not use animal parts!"

Thankfully, the session ended soon. I could be relieved of her

strong perfume smell. Then came Ariana.

She launched into a native Atlantean song, her sweet voice so melodic. And she's so sweet! Always blushing. And she's timid. Like me.

And then, Lia.

"Hey, Cal," she said. She was wearing T-shirt and jeans. Not even bothering to wear a dress.

"Hi, Lia."

"How's your evening?" she asked.

"OK, so far. But Alexandra's a tad enthusiastic," I said.

Lia laughed. "Good luck."

And the evening went on. Jocks, cheerleaders, smart girls, dumb blondes, ugly girls, pretty girls, you name it. Of course, I'm not choosing them by looks.

Finally! Sixty minutes later, the interview is finished. Time for the rose ceremony.

I faced the girls in front of me, they looking expectant, me feeling relieved. At that moment I fully appreciated the guys who had been bachelors before me. I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I'm pretty sure that I would.

"Alexandra," I said as I picked up a rose. "Would you like to get to know me?" Alexandra squealed, rushed at me with a kiss on my cheek, took the rose, and bounced away. She on sugar high or something?

I continued giving out roses to everyone except Melissa Myron, Candace Titus, Anastasia Alexander, and Xanthe Xerxes. I will never marry a temple helper in Atlantis, I'm a Christian. And fisherman's daughter? I hate people who overfish, they upside the eco-system. And a rugby athlete? Needless to say, I'm hopeless in sports. I don't exactly fancy a muscled girl beating me up. And a perfume maker? God, I'm allergic to perfume!

I smiled sympathetically at Melissa, Candace, Anastasia and Xanthe. "I'm sorry, but you're not my type. I wish you good luck in the future. Goodbye," I said.

They all hugged me and then walked away. Xanthe was even crying! I feel go guilty, but relieved at the same time.

One rose ceremony down, two to go.