This is from The Selection by Kiera Cass

THE NEXT WEEK WAS FULL of officials swarming into our house to prepare me for the Selection. There was an obnoxious woman who seemed to think I'd lied about half my application, followed by an actual palace guard who came to go over security measures with the local soldiers and give our home a once-over.

Apparently I didn't have to wait until getting to the palace to worry about potential rebel attacks. Wonderful.

We got two phone calls from a woman named Helena—who sounded very perky

and businesslike at the same time—wanting to know if we needed anything. My

favorite visitor was a lean, goateed man who came to measure me for my new

wardrobe. I wasn't sure how I felt about wearing dresses that were as formal as

the queen's all the time, but I was looking forward to a change. The last of these visitors came on Wednesday afternoon, two days before I was to

leave. He was in charge of going over all the official rules with me. He was

incredibly skinny with greasy black hair that was smoothed back, and he kept

sweating. Upon entering the house, he asked if there was someplace private we

could talk. That was my first clue that something was going on.

"Well, we can sit in the kitchen, if that's all right," Mom suggested.

He dabbed his head with a handkerchief and looked over at Marlee. "Actually,

anyplace is fine. I just think you might want to ask your younger daughter to leave

the room." What could he possibly say that Bella couldn't hear?

"Oh come on mom?" she asked, sad to be missing out.

"Marlee darling, go and work on your painting. You've been neglecting your work a bit this last week."

"But—"

"Let me walk you out, Marlee." I offered, looking at the tears welling up in her eyes.

When we were down the hall and no one could hear, I pulled her in for a hug.

"Don't worry," I whispered. "I'll tell you everything tonight.

"Promise." she asked

To her credit, she didn't blow our cover by jumping up and down as usual.

She merely nodded somberly and went away to her little corner in Dad's studio.

Mom made tea for Skinny, and we sat at the kitchen table to talk. He had a stack

of papers and a pen laid out next to another folder with my name on it.

He arranged his information neatly and spoke.

"I'm sorry to be so secretive, but there are certain things I need to address that

are unfit for young ears." Mom and I exchanged a quick glance.

"Miss Leger, this is going to sound harsh, but as of last Friday, you are now

considered property of Illéa. You must take care of your body from here on out. I

have several forms for you to sign as we go through this information.

Any failure to comply on your part will result in your immediate removal from the

Selection. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I said warily.

"Very good. Let's start with the easy stuff. These are vitamins. Since you are a

Five, I'll assume that you may not always have access to necessary nutrition.

You must take one of these every day. You're on your own now, but at the palace,

you'll have someone to help you." He passed a large bottle across the table to me,

along with a form I had to sign to say that I had received it.

I had to stop myself from laughing. Who needs help taking a pill? "I have with me the physical from your doctor. Not much of a worry there. You

seem to be in excellent health, although he said you haven't been sleeping well?"

"Umm, I mean … just with the excitement, it's been a little hard to sleep." It was

almost the truth.

"I see. Well, I can have some sleep aids here tonight if you need them. We want

you well rested."

"No, I don't—"

"Yes," Mom interrupted. "Sorry, honey, but you look exhausted. Please, get her

the sleep aids."

"Yes, ma'am." Skinny made another note in my file.

"Moving on. Now, I know this is personal, but I've had to discuss it with every

THE NEXT MORNING, I DRESSED myself in the uniform of the Selected: black

pants, white shirt, and red violet in my hair. My shoes I got to pick. I chose nice green-white flats.

I figured I should make it clear from the start that I wasn't princess material.

We were set to leave for the square shortly. Each of the Selected was getting a

send-off in her home province today, and I wasn't looking forward to mine.

All those people staring while I did nothing more than stand there. The whole thing already felt ridiculous, as I had to be driven the two short miles for security reasons.

Marlee was my only solace. She held my hand and tried to inject some of her

enthusiasm into me. We were still linked when I stepped into the crowded

square. It seemed like everyone in the province of Kent came out to see me

off. Or just see what the big deal was.

Standing on the raised stage, I could see the boundaries between the castes.

Riley Stones was a Three, and she and her parents were staring daggers at

me. Jessi Green was a Seven, and she was blowing kisses. The upper castes

looked at me like I'd stolen something that was theirs. The Fours on down were

cheering for me—an average girl who'd been elevated. I became aware of what I

meant to everyone here, as if I represented something for all of them.

I tried to focus in on those faces, holding my head high. I tried to focus in on those

faces, holding my head high. I was determined to do this well. I would be the best

of us, the Highest of the Lows. It gave me a sense of purpose.

Holland Leger : the champion of the lower castes.

The mayor spoke with a flourish.

"And Kent will be cheering on the beautiful daughter of America and Aspen Leger

I took in the sound for a moment, smiling and waving, and then went back to looking at the people that I have spent my life knowing.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in sending off Holland Leger our favorite

Daughter of Illéa!" the mayor called. Behind me, a small band played the national anthem.

More cheers, more flowers. Suddenly the mayor was at my more cheers, more.