So Sorry for the long time no update thing. I had a lot of stuff to do last month, and I was really really busy. Besides that, I promised you all longer chapters each time I take a long time and I didn't disappoint. I love the characters in this chapter. A big thank you to all people who reviewed last chapter and to the people who submitted. I decided that I'm going to open submissions till I reach the announcement of the Selected (Which is going to occur at about chapter 9 or 8.) So I'm not going to limit the number of girls to 25. If you want to submit more, go ahead. Same goes for everyone who submitted before.

(I was actually planning on including a third one but the Chapter got way out of hand and I found myself in the 19th page…So I decided to Include Eris Von Justice in the coming chapter)

Now onto the Next two selected:

Katerina Yasmina Winslow Submitted by: WolfofStark

Lacey Nichole Taylor Submitted by: XOStarBrightXO

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And Nothing will stop me…

Katerina Yasmina Winslow

"I told you a hundred times, I will not be sleeping with clients. I thought this was the deal from the very start!" Katerina fumed at the disgusting pig of a man that she works for. It's bad enough that she has to work as an escort, but to sleep with clients? Directly breaking the country's law? No, this shit won't go down if Katerina had her say in it.

"Deals change, I've been receiving less than favourable calls from clients that you've been disregarding their orders. I will not have you tarnish my reputation. I've got the best girls, you will sit still, do your job, be pretty or whatever the fuck they want you to do and bend over your knees when you're asked or you could get the hell out of my face."

Katerina looked silently at the man not saying anything, and then she calmly took off the diamond earrings she's given to "make herself pretty" for clients and threw them on the desk. She took the cheque laid out in the table. The last one she'll receive from this place

"Consider this my resignation then" Katerina looked at the man who looked her up and down cruelly and snorted and got back to counting the money on the table.

"Oh and girl…" Katerina looked back to find him smiling a sinister smile. "Don't you ever think about coming back here!"

Katerina said nothing. She calmly left the building and went down in the streets leaving Marcus yelling his head off with more profanities. It was already too late, and she had only half an hour to spare before curfew. She began walking down the familiar path back to her home, all the while thinking of an explanation to tell her parents. Telling the truth was out of question, her parents have no idea that she works as an escort. Only her brother knows; and he detests it enough already and if anything, he'll be delighted about these news. Her parents, however, think she works as a waitress in a diner. If they know about her being an escort her mother might fall ill and her father might forbid her from getting out of the house. Heaven knows they need the money she makes, and if she's stuck at home, they might not afford to send her younger sisters to school next year.

Katerina began having a headache from thinking too hard. It's hard enough to think about the consequences of what she just did. She knows that she might not find a job easily, but she knows that she would've never been able to sleep with the clients. The thought alone disgusted her.

Katerina walked in silence until she reached the very beginning of her neighbourhood, she placed her hands in her pocket only to find her sister's Rania's Walkman. It was old and ratty but her sister loved the thing to death. It supposedly kept her locked into the world of music. Katerina can't for the life of her figure out how the hell Rania manages to get the CDs needed; her sister just laughs it off every time she asks. The Walkman is old though; it once belonged to their great grandmother Mimi who died long before her mother immigrated to IIlea. It was liable to break down and stop working at any time, but seeing how upset Rania was when it started ruining the CDs instead of playing them, she told Rania she'll try to get it fixed. Absentmindedly, Katerina forgot to drop it off before she went to work. As she wondered what she'll say to her sister when she gets home, a bright neon sign of the local hardware store greeted her at the beginning if the street and she felt a smile slip into her face.

"Well Rania, it must be your lucky day. At least one of us is lucky…" Katerina mumbled to herself as she pushed to door open. She was met by an eerie silence and she started feeling uncomfortable until a sharp clinking sound was heard from above and she jumped from the sudden noise.

"Ay, hello there...Sorry dear, didn't here you come in. I must be getting old…"

He chuckled and Katerina felt herself smiling despite being quiet alarmed. The man, while his way of entering; up on a ladder attached to the wall which quiet weirdly slides horizontally using two levers, is actually remotely different, he appeared quiet harmless. Katerina could detect the laugh lines on his face, and his eyes held a simple twinkle, and they shone behind his spectacles.

"Well, how may I help you in this wonderful evening? I must say, I never get visits from ladies quiet remarkably pretty as you are…" The man was smiling kindly, the twinkle in his eyes more evident and Katerina couldn't help but smile.

"Yes, um, I was wondering if you'll be able to fix this…" Katerina took out the Walkman and placed it on the counter. "It belongs to my sister…I know it's old but please try your best with it, my sister loves this thing to death and well…we have no other means to get her something like it."

The man just smiled and nodded, he lowered himself and brought the Walkman to his eye-level. His face took an astonished look and he looked back up at Katerina who was waiting for him to tell her that it's no use.

"Oh dear…where in heavens name have you gotten this? I haven't seen this prototype since I was a child...It must be over 50 years old! You're saying it belongs to your sister?"

Katerina nodded her head and smiled at the man, "Yes, well, it belonged to my great grandmother but my mother brought it with her when she moved here. She gave it to my sister as a birthday present a couple of years ago."

The man nodded and looked at the ratty thing again in astonishment. "Well child, I'm sorry to tell you that I won't be able to work on this thing."

Katerina's face fell the moment she heard "I'm sorry", her sister will be devastated.

"Oh so, there's no mean of it ever being fixed?"

The man looked up and shook his head quickly. "Oh no, no, I meant to say that I won't be able to fix it. This prototype needs someone who could be delicate with it. I could ruin it if I try to work on it. Oh no, the only who would be able to work on it is my nephew Mario."

Katerina smiled brightly at the man, "That's wonderful, when can he finish it?"

The man smiled at Katerina and shook his head, "I'm afraid dear that Mario won't be able to work on this at all until after at least two weeks from now…"

Katerina blinked and looked at the man questioningly. "Well, if you don't mind me asking, why can't he work on it? Is he sick?"

"Oh no, no. He's on his honeymoon. With the selection coming up, you know girls, the lot of them think they've got what it takes to enter, and they lose sight of the people who really love them. Well, my Mario didn't wait for his Christiana to leave him. He proposed to her after the announcement was made, they got married three days ago."

Katerina looked confused again. She has heard about the selection, but the information she knows is limited to filling out the application and taking a picture at the post office if you're interested. The day the announcement was made, she was working late; attending a ball with an established Businessman who needed a desperate date after he caught his wife cheating on him with their driver.

"The Selection?" Katerina wondered out loud. The man though, took it as sign to talk about the whole thing.

"Oh yes, you must've heard about them Selections. a lot of kids enter every time one of those is announced, you know, in hopes of becoming princesses and all, but a lot more are just doing it as a way to get easy cash to their families, heaven knows they send a lot of money to the families of the selected."

Katerina's head snapped at that last sentence and her brow furrowed, "Easy cash? What are you talking about? What makes you think so?"

The man smiled, "Well, back in the day when I was about your age, a girl from our neighborhood was selected. She was a seven, mind you, but right after her selection, she was immediately upgraded to a three. I heard that her parents where sent about 7500 dollars in compensation because she was taken. Man, these were a lot of money back then. Last I heard that during Prince Osten's selection, about 10 years ago, the money was almost doubled! Heaven knows how much they send these days…"

Katerina stood there flabbergasted. When he first mentioned the 7500 dollars, she was gaping, but after hearing that 10 years ago they were doubled; she almost let her sister's Walkman fall on the ground from the shock.

"Doubled? That would make it more like, what? 15000 dollars?" Katerina was still in shock and the man sighed and smiled.

"Oh yes, maybe even more this time. They might reach 20000 dollars. And you know what? Even though that girl, the one from my neighborhood, got sent home, she was an instant celebrity the moment she set foot outside the castle. She was sent there a 7 but she returned a 2. A quirk of being selected as an Elite; one of the 10 favorites."

Katerina was still staring wide eyed open mouthed, and the old man, whom she learnt from the tag on his clothes is named Mr. Whites, began talking again. "As a matter of fact, have you heard of Agnes Crystal?"

That pushed Katerina out of her reverie and she shook her head to regain her bearings and nodded it. "Off course, who doesn't know Agnes Crystal? She's only the most famous mystery writer in all of Illea." Mr. Whites smiled.

"At the time of her selection, she was known as Agnes Craven."

Katerina felt her eyes widening again. "You mean to tell me…that Agnes Crystal was a…"

"A Selected, off course dear, she was a Selected and she was a favorite. Also she was the only seven ever known to be able to reach the Elite stage. Mostly sevens are never selected, and when they do, they get eliminated fast. Let me tell you, the moment Agnes was sent back to her province, she was honored like a true hero. She was the farthest one to ever reach that stage, and a seven too, oh the people were delighted with her. Besides that, being in the selection for too long helped her, you see. During the selection she got to know one of the girls and she became her best friend. A girl that would be later be known as Lady Amberley Shreave. When she was out of the selection, Agnes legally changed her last name to Agnes Crystal and two months out of the selection, she became a bestseller. She was honored multiple times by the king and she's now married with two children and eight grandchildren. She off course married someone even higher a caste than her, ending up with a professional Football player."

Mr. Whites smiled at Katerina who was still clearly not out of her shock, "it's still hard to imagine that Agnes Craven who used to scrounge for tips from the people in the local diner would now become Agnes Crystal."

Katerina looked up even more surprised, this time; she can't even believe that she managed to find her voice. Shock was clearly evident in her tone,

"Wait, she was a waitress?"

Mr. Whites shook his head sadly.

"Actually my dear she wasn't even a waitress, she worked at a nightclub, and was a borderline prostitute. When people would tell her story, they would say that if she wasn't selected she would have ended up as a full-fledged prostitute. You could say that being selected saved her life."

Katerina remained silent for a moment then looked at Mr. Whites who was watching her silently, smiling all the while.

"You know, I never really knew the selection could change people so much."

Mr. Whites just smiled kindly, the twinkling in his eyes now becoming the more and more evident "People? Honey, the selection changes lives."

Katerina smiled at Mr. Whites and looked up to find the time nearing 12, realizing that her family is expecting her, Katerina smiled brightly at Mr. whites and held out her hand for him to shake.

"Oh sir, I'm sorry to have wasted your time, but I'm very late. Could you perhaps keep this until your nephew comes back? I wouldn't bear going back home to my sister with it still broken."

Mr. Whites smile and nodded his head. "Oh dear, don't you say that. It was nothing. You actually helped pass the time. Heaven knows, it gets really lonely in here."

Katerina smiled one last time and turned to leave, before she opens the door though, she heard Mr. Whites again.

"Lady? I'm sorry dear, but I haven't caught your name." Katerina turned to the man and smiles at him.

"Katerina. Katerina Yasmina Winslow" Mr. Whites' smile became more pronounced. He nodded his head.

"Well Katerina Yasmina Winslow, I really hope to see your face when they mention the selected. You'll do them good."

Katerina smiled. "Thank you, sir. For your time and for…well, taking the time to tell me all of that."

"Oh it's okay dear, I'm telling you this place is lonely, you helped pass the time if anything."

With one last smile toward the old man, Katerina left the store and continued down the path to her house, now clearly lost in thought about what the man told her.

Could it really happen to someone like her? Could she actually be selected and manage to raise all that money to her family?

Katerina shook her head as all the questions whirled in to her mind. She looked up to finally find her rundown house that's located at the end of the street. She hastily entered, trying not to alarm anyone with her appearance. She normally arrives at six in the morning. Arriving six hours early would surely raise her parents' suspicions. She walked silently and watched herself as she climbed the stairs, already having mastered the art of climbing them without stepping on any creaks. She managed to reach her room but before she enters, the voice of her parents made her curious and she decided to check it out, knowing that both of her parents slept early on.

Katerina slipped slowly and crouched in the hallway facing her parents' bedroom, their voiced significantly getting louder.

"…What am I supposed to do? I can't ask Katerina to work another job; her job is tearing her up inside already. But if this keeps going, that's the only thing I could think off. Oh Damon, this is just too hard, how are we going to keep up till next month? How are we going to get food?"

Katerina heard her father sigh and strained her ear just a bit, knowing that her father is much quieter than her mother.

"We'll figure something out Seraphina, we will, I can promise you. Even If I ended up taking another job."

Katerina held back a sob as she heard the helpless tone in her father's voice.

"Damon, you already work three jobs! Are you planning on sleeping?"

"I'll do whatever it takes so I would be able to provide for the Family"

Katerina tried hard not to let the sobs escape as she heard her parents stressing over their financial situations. It's the same as every month, but the level of desperation in her father's voice this time was like no other. She silently got back up and headed over to her room that she shares with her sisters. She looked at their beds to find them sleeping angelically, not a care in the world. If she looked carefully she could find faint stress lines in her younger sister's Rania's face who began working the afternoon shift in the nearby diner. It made her feel helpless as she watched her younger sister going to work every day. She never wanted Rania or Selena to work. In their parents' eyes, it was bad enough that the two older kids; Graham and herself were working to provide for the family. They didn't want the babies of the family to get roped into this as well.

Katerina dropped into her bed facing the ceiling and slowly she closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her eyes fell on the selection form lying on her desk. She took a deep breath and remembering the old man at the hardware store; she reached out and took it. After staring at it for a couple of moments, taking a deep breath she took a pen and began writing down her info. As she wrote down all her info, the voice of old Mr. Whites floated back into her mind…

"Well Katerina Yasmina Winslow, I really hope to see your face when they mention the selected. You'll do them good."

"Prince Kendrick, you better watch out. I'm here to win, and nothing will stop me." Katerina whispered more to the world than to herself. The selection for her isn't the princess game, it's we have to survive game. And she isn't prepared to lose that.
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Lacey Nichole Taylor

"This Year we have plenty of Hopefuls but the one person that catches all eyes is certainly Lacey Nichole Taylor"

"She sure is a Hopeful Gale; Lacey Nichole was the three time winner of the Junior Bells Beach Surf Classic of New Australia when she was 13, 14 and 15, she also made herself known by placing 2nd in Rip Curl pro, also in Australia."

"Even when her family moved to Illea, John she never stopped Surfing, this girl has Sea salt in her veins. Don't forget that she also placed 1st two years ago in Billabong Pipeline Masters. Only to be demoted to 2nd place last year hitting a score barely smaller than US Champ Vanessa Jade."

"Well Gale, Seeing her now, I think Lacey is off to an incredible start. This day is her lucky day, sources tell me that Joel Garcia is in the stands watching and is looking for Fresh talent to join his Surfing team."

"Well good luck to all surfers, I have to warn you guys all that at the highest level of competition, there are no free rides. We begin with our first round of competition. And there's the horn. The first heat is underway."

Lacey tried to block the chatter coming from the stands, especially the ones made by the TV people. She doesn't really need to be reminded of her failure last year. It's etched in her goddamn memory for all eternity. She calmly placed the surfing board on the water and began sailing her way to the middle of the water, waiting patiently for her turn. When she hears the horn, her overthinking mind comes to a halt and she dashes towards the water using her hands as a paddle. Nothing is on her mind except the fact that she's about to show her passion to everyone around her. The crowd doesn't exist, the noise the TV Producers do doesn't exist anymore, and it's only her, the water, the waves and her ability to do magic when they're combined. Riding a wave is like a bird riding on the wind. You can feel nature's energy in the waves as you catch it. You cut through the water and glide effortlessly. Sometimes it bends around you so you can ride inside. It's almost a spiritual feeling of being closer to what made us. Then, just as quick as it came, it dies on the shore. You're hooked, and can't wait to go catch another! Lacey knows what she's feeling and every time she experiences it, she feels like she's dreaming.

As she surfed and surfed, catching the biggest wave of the season, she didn't even get lost in the noise of the people surrounding or the people cheering her on, she was focused on one thing; the wave and the fact that it will end soon.

Just as soon as It came, it was finished and Lacey found herself coming back to shore amidst all the cheers of the people around her, the hysterical screaming of her proud mother made her smile deeply and as she looked up she could see the proud smile her father always saved for competitions like this. She knew then and there that this is the best wave she's caught in a long time. She knew that the competition was in the bag now.

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"Can you believe that? Wow, Gale, looks Like Lacey hit the Jackpot this wave"

I could certainly believe it John; a surfer like this is quite capable of doing anything"

"And there you go folks; advancing into the finals by 2/10's of a point, the big story, Lacey Nichole Taylor. She was looking for an 8.2 and scored a 9 on her last wave. She'll be wearing Green out in the lineup with her good friend, wearing Black, Kylie Kaser. And their competitor whose also rumored to be their rival, Vanessa Jade in White; also, in Yellow, Amara Blanks, in Blue; Sierra Statford, and in Pink; Tessie Pike.

"It's quiet known that the judges are looking for some progressive surfing today Gale"

"That's right, John. They'll have a 25-minute heat, be scored on 10 waves, but they'll keep their best two waves for the final score on the zero to ten point range. And there's the horn and the heat is underway."

Lacey jogged away from the shore as they were announcing another competitor's name in the mic. She didn't care anymore, all she cared about was the fact that she managed to impress the judges, and she always knew that if her father gave her that encouraging smile of his, she was on front. She knows that she made it.

"Well honey with a face like yours, I highly doubt that you'll be chosen for the selection. Maybe you should try to join Miss Garbage Illea, maybe then there is a huge chance you'll win"

"But-but-bu"

"But-but…don't but me honey, that's just my advice. You wanna get rejected? Cause you will get rejected unless you get a nose-job, a boob-job and some kind of adjustment to your face before taking that photo that will be sent to the castle. My mother is a model, I know face proportions, and yours is blowing it. Have fun in your life."

Lacey knew from the sound of the sobbing that was followed inevitably by the sound of the clattering of things to the floor that she found Kylie, and inevitably, also Tanya. Kylie could easily write down "Bullying all creatures" as her favorite hobby that she does in her free time in her resume. Lacey knows that Kylie only does that to feel better about herself. She claims bullying is her outlet to escape from reality. Because when your parents use you as weapon to fight each other you have to use anything to let go of your anger. Lacey was with her on that, and quite frankly, she never stood up to her and told her to stop bullying people. It's not like she's bullying Lacey. Why should she care?

"Ripper bitch, what's up? I bail you to catch my wave, and I come back to find you all kicking a little girls coit. What's she done now?" Lacey exclaims sort of dramatically to Kylie, her thick Aussie accent revealing her to her two best friends.

"First of all, I can't understand shit of what you just said. And second of all, she was all up in my jam, asking me about how I did my surf and how I did my tricks. And then she's all about how she's gonna enter the selection. What the hell is up with that? Did somebody tell that freak that I'm her shrink now? Why the fuck would I care about her extracurricular activities that include going to suck up to the royal family to be their darling's son daughter in law?"

Lacey could barely contain her laugh when she replied, "Chick, that's a lot of rambling 'n' you're being a wee bit dramatic. So what, a chick is excited give her that. 'n' besides she's a fan. Humor her. Anyway, I'm not here to bust your coit for kicking another whiny bitch's bottom. Did you all see my last surf? I was awesome wasn't I?" Lacey was sure to give them a smirk and a wink. She wasn't joking about being awesome, but she doesn't like to appear too cocky about it, memories of her fucked up fall last year were still etched in her little brain.

"Girl, you were awesome. I wish I could surf like that. You'd definitely win this season and Vanessa what's-her-fucking-face could just eat the dirt. I'm telling you, I ain't down with that bitch on the number one stand again. So you'd better win or else it would be your ass on the line"

Lacey rolled her eyes at her friend and sat down next to Tanya who was still engrossed in her phone, giving an occasional squeak whenever an alert of a new message sounded.

"Again with the dramatics. Chick, don't you like, give it a rest? 'n' Tanya stop with the air-head phase 'n' join the fucking living environment. Who the hell are you talking with?"

Tanya looked at them, blinked twice and then heard another alert and gave another squeal and looked down at her phone.

Lacey raised her eyebrows and ran her hand through her hair before looking at Tanya. "Oh hell no Tanya, you know what, give me that dog 'n' bone! What is wrong with you, are you like talking to Jackson Pitt or something? Stop being so damn blonde 'n' look at me!"

Tanya looked at Lacey confused and then looked down at her curly hair before looking up at Lacey "But, I'm blonde? And what Dog? I gave Coco Chanel to Maverick to walk before I came here..."

Lacey and Kylie looked at each other before bursting out laughing.

"You know, you're a real Einstein Tanya."

Tanya looked at both of them for a moment before narrowing her eyes and snatching her phone from Lacey's hand then adding a small high-pitched; "I am NOT"

Lacey and Kylie burst out in giggles again, with Tanya joining in afterwards excitedly asking them where the Joke is.

"The Joke pretty much is said every time you open your mouth Sweetie." Kylie says after she managed to control her laughter. Tanya looked at herself confused before shrugging and turning back to her phone.

"So, tell me; did you see what's-her-face perform already? When I got called in I only had one person before me, you know, that Lettie girl or whatever. The one who has braces covering half of her face."

"Tessie Pike, Kylie. You guys have been training together since preschool. I just met her three years ago 'n' I know her on a first-name basis. Is first name basis that hard to manage?"

Kylie shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Well Brace-face doesn't really contribute much to my life, why would I find space in my memory to memorize her name? I could just settle for brace-face. Her face is engraved in my memory already so it won't take any extra space."

Lacey shook her head at her friend's way of thinking. She was used to Kylie already and even if her way pissed her off, her way of thinking doesn't exactly bother her much to the point that she would actually attempt to call her out on her behavior.

"Ugh speak of the devil guys, why didn't you mention Someone like Greyson Trey or something. At least he has a six pack and he's good to look at!"

Lacey and Kylie looked at each other and raised their eyebrows at Tanya's sudden outburst.

"Tanya Sweetie, remember what we talked about? This little thing about thinking before speaking because sometimes you say irrelevant stuff? We talked about this before."

Lacey laughed about this as Tanya frowned for a moment before looking confused.

"We did?"

Lacey smiled at Tanya before finally spotting who Tanya was referring to and finally understood what she meant.

"Hey Kylie, don't tease her as much. She does have a point."

Kylie looked bored at Lacey who was still staring at the direction where Tanya first gestured to.

"What are you up to now?"

Lacey nodded her head towards the direction, "Look who's charging at us like a fucking Bull who's seen a red sheet."

Kylie finally looked at where she's gesturing and frowned before smiling sinisterly.

"Oh fun, let the games begin."

Lacey smiled at Kylie and looked up just in time to find the whore in white, AKA, Vanessa Jade join them.

"So, you guys actually came back? I mean when I heard your name Casey I thought it was a joke. But apparently you like humiliation more than you let on because you came back after I beat your ass last year."

Tanya looked confused at Vanessa before frowning at Vanessa. "It's Lacey not Casey and you very well know that."

Vanessa rolled her eyes, "Please blondie, don't talk to me, I actually could see my own IQ deteriorating the moment you start opening your mouth."

"If you're such a bigshot why don't you pick on someone your own size, bitchface."

"Sorry Juvie, I don't have time to give you counseling session right now. I'm busy dealing with your joke of a friend here."

Lacey didn't even frown; she leveled Vanessa with a stare of her own and rolled her eyes. Comebacks to Vanessa's snarky comments are close to becoming a full-time job.

"You know the biggest joke is your face 'n' your existence. I seriously feel sorry for your parents because they didn't use protection 'n' now they're stuck with you."

Vanessa's face reddened a bit before she regained her composure. "Says the so-called Australian chick who thinks she's a big-shot. You think you're wanted here? It's your kind who caused the strain in our resources. I personally think that you should just go back to the garbage that you came from."

Lacey's expression didn't falter; she just raised her eyebrows at Vanessa and smirked lightly. "You know I feel sort off sorry for you, it's not every day when you have a face like a bucket of smashed crabs, you're a few roos loose in the top paddock, you're a jit junkie 'n' you're as useless as norks on a bull. It's actually really sad to think about all your bonza features when there's practically none. so if I must go back to the trash I came from, you must go ahead 'n' find yourself a bonza old piece of dog crikey 'n' bury you self underneath it. It would be a perfect place for someone who's a polecat."

Vanessa wasn't sure what half of the words mean, but she knew that she just got insulted a lot from the looks on three girls' faces. Because Vanessa knew that Lacey must've told them all about Australian insults and from the looks on their faces, Lacey just opened the damn dictionary of insults and blew it right into her face. Just as she was about to reply though, a person jogging towards them caught all of their attention and Lacey's face went from a smirk to a frown in less than a second.

"Hey baby, Great wave.. You'll definitely win top prize again."

"Oh thanks, sweetie…I need a favor actually, Why don't you tell Lacey how fugly she looks, maybe she needs reassurance from someone who really got to know her well…"

Lacey wasn't sure what to say, it was the first time in her life where her tongue failed her. If it was only Vanessa she was dealing with, she had no problem lashing out and slamming her down. Meeting her nemesis in the arms of her ex-boyfriend though, is a whole other thing.

Max was smirking a slow smirk as he looked up and down at Lacey's body, making Lacey feel really insecure about herself after three whole months from getting rid of the feeling. Her toxic relationship with Max had a resounding effect on her and she still gets insecure about herself. Finding out just now that he's with her nemesis isn't helping and Lacey really felt like emptying her stomach.

"Oh how exciting, I'm really fascinated to say that I was right. Your taste is exactly the same as your face Slut-essa, fucked up and completely ugly. Yay!" Kylie actually added a fake clap, making Tanya laugh and Vanessa's face to redden.

Vanessa turned and looked at Lacey who was still staring at them and she smirked "cat got your tongue or is it surprise I see? You honestly thought that he was actually into you all those months you were together? Honey, he lost interest in you the moment he saw me five months ago in Billabong's junior's competition, and it's not really a surprise I mean, can't you afford a mirror at your place? Oh wait, I forgot that you're family isn't exactly a two in its own right and you have absolutely no Money…Oops, my bad."

Lacey didn't say anything for a moment before smiling a slow smile. "Congrats, now I see why you broke up with me, why I must thank god that I'm not exactly your type as it seems cum dumpster is your type. Bonza luck with her, it's actually kind of exciting to be dating someone who fell from the whore tree 'n' banged every guy on the way down. Bonza luck with that. Have a ripper fucking life together. Fucktards."

Lacey left them calmly and turned the other way, not showing at all that she was fuming deeply on the inside, she heard footsteps after and spraying of the sand and she knew that Tanya and Lacey joined her.

Before Lacey can actually open her mouth, Tanya gave her a fierce look so unlike herself, "Don't you dare let that low life, white trashy girl get the best of you."

Lacy smiled softly at Tanya while Kylie added offhandedly but completely serious, "Hey, can I go back and pound their faces? I've been looking for a good outlet for days."

Lacey laughed and hugged both of them who held her tightly, Tanya was about to open her mouth when the speaker sounded and they looked towards the podium.

"Now seeing that all of our finalists are done with their final waves, the judges are going to take a moment to decide on who won the latest championship and is going to take the 20,000 cheque home. Finalists, please join me on the podium."

Tanya and Kylie looked at Lacey excitedly and grabbed her hand and they raced towards the podium, Tanya wished them both good-luck before both Kylie and Lacey, hand in hand climbed the stage. To their right, they saw Vanessa smirking. Lacey heard Kylie muttering to herself "If only…" and she felt a grin coming to her face. She knew her violent friend would just love to hit Vanessa in the spot just to make people laugh at her and for it to happen on Live television is actually a bonus.

"The Judges have made their final decisions. Now let us congratulate our top three surfers. Coming in third place is Kylie Kaser!"

Lacey looked at her best friend who shrugged and hugged Lacey tightly, whispering to her in her ears "You've got it." Before shaking hands with John and taking her small trophy and standing on the third place block.

"In second place, with a relatively high score is, last year's championship winner; Vanessa Jade!"

Lacey felt the smirk rise in her face as Vanessa's face reddened as she went over and shook John's hand. She stomped to her second place block and placed a fake smile to the camera, but Lacey could obviously see her tight grip on the trophy and how her teeth appear tight-locked, telling her that all Vanessa wants is throwing the damn thing on John's head.

"And in first place, leading the whole competition with two near perfect scores in the 10-rides; Lacey Nichole Taylor everyone, ultimately winning the 20,000 dollars! Get up here girl and claim your prize!"

Lacey felt her heart burst with Pride as she placed a full-fledged smile on her face as she went over and shook John, Gale's and all the judges' hands before claiming her trophy and her cheque and joining the Kylie and Vanessa on the 1st place block. She smiled as all the camera's flashed from all direction and gave a wave to people. At this point nothing else mattered as she took a look at her Parent's proud faces, she blew a kiss to the crowd and walked down hand in hand with Kylie who calmly said that Lacey had no time for paparazzi as people swarmed around them, making Lacey smirk and laugh at the same time.

Lacey was bombarded with sponsors from all direction the moment she went down from the stage. She saw Tanya running towards both her and Kylie and enveloped them in a hug. Nothing else mattered to Lacey right now. She was in her zone.

"Hey, whoa people, people! Let's stay professional! I'm her freaking agent. All offers to me! Pull your chequebooks and follow me!"

Lacey laughed as all the sponsors followed Kylie in tow. She looked back at her parents who were still waving around, pride shown in their faces. She took Tanya in her hand and went off to meet them. First person to spot her was her father who gave her a huge hug and congratulated her, her mother was next and she had tears in her eyes as she pulled her close causing Lacey to have tears in her own eyes as well. Her brother then in enveloped her in a large bear-hug and kissed her forehead.

"You were amazing little sis. We're all so proud of you."

"Thanks Curtis…For being here for me 'n' for that."

Curtis smiled softly, "Anything for you. You were perfect out there, you deserve it more than anyone who was on that damn podium." He ruffled her hair and stepped away to reveal Blake who smiled softly at Lacey.

"Congrats Lacey, you were really the best."

Lacey smiled, "Thanks Blake, I really appreciate that you came."

Blake smiled and Lacey turned away. It still hurt to see Blake without seeing her sister next to her. Blake was her sister's best friend, and you would hardly see one without seeing the other in tow. Sydney passed away a couple of years ago from Cancer and it was still hard to see Blake sometimes. Lacey liked her but she isn't close to her at all.

"Hey, Kylie is seriously acting as your agent; maybe you should go tell them that she's not serious before she fucks everything up…"

Lacey laughed and waved at her family before joining Tanya as they went over to Kylie who still seemed to be negotiating some sort of a deal with someone.

"Alright, alright. She's in, but we gotta see the billboards you want her to participate in coming soon. Or I'll be seriously thinking of investing my time in another sponsor."

Lacey laughed as the Sponsor from Spencer's Swimwear looked alarmed at the thought and gave a short nod to Kylie before congratulating Lacey and telling her that he's so excited that he would be working for her and then taking off.

"You scared the bloke half to death, how many sponsors have you treated the same way?" Lacey said laughing, Kylie smirked her sinister smirk and Lacey felt alarmed.

"Hey, I got you seven sponsors that way. It works like a charm, so I'm keeping it."

Lacey shook her head at her friend's spunk and was about to say something when a couple of footsteps alarmed her of someone else's appearance.

"Wow, Lacey, bitchface returned. So pray tell, how does second place feel? "

Kylie said to the still red-faced Vanessa. Vanessa though paid no attention to Kylie and looked at Lacey.

"Just so you know, Ugly duckling, that even after your big win, you're forgetting a little thing. Listen up, Even if you won a hundred competitions, remember that I will always have one thing that you will never have. Look in the mirror and aknowledge it fugly, I have a pretty enough face to attract anyone I want and actually keep who I attract with me, unlike yourself. So even if you're winning now, you'll never win at life. White trash"

Before Lacey could even think of a retort, she heard Kylie exclaim suddenly exclaim "That's it!" and in a second, she swerved her arms, catching Vanessa by surprise and punching her square in the nose. A resounding crack telling all of them that she broke it.

"You were saying?" Kylie turned to Lacey who was busy looking at Vanessa who was clutching her bloody nose and rolling on the sand in agony, yelling to anyone to call 911.

Lacey smiled slowly and shook her head while Tanya looked gingerly on the ground at Vanessa and then looked up at Kylie. "Hey Keke, remind me not to ever mess with you, I'm kinda attached to my nose."

Kylie smirked but looked at Lacey who was still lost in thought and gave her a fierce look, "You'll join Skank-face on the ground if you even think of believing a word she said."

Lacey shakes her head slowly and looks at Kylie and shrugs, "while I don't exactly believe her, she does make a straight point."

Kylie looks at her fist again and prepares to swerve it

Lacey shakes her head smiling, "Keke, stop being dramatic."

Kylie shakes her head, "If you want me stop being dramatic, stop listening to ridiculous bullshit."

The three of them start walking slowly towards the beach, the crowd was already dissipating and soon enough no one would be at the beach.

"It's actually kind off a downer that surfing season was over. We have nothing to do for the coming six-month."

Kylie shook her head snorting, "Well, if take bullying people and beating them up as a hobby, trust me, you'll days will never be boring." Lacey rolled her eyes as the three of them lay on the sand. Just when Tanya was about to open her mouth they were interrupted by the sound of arguing coming from behind them. Kylie and Lacey recognized the girl; it was one of their team-mates; Sierra Statford. She was joined with a handsome guy who looked a little bit older and he was red-faced and angry.

"You can't just do that Sierra! What about us? Does this mean anything to you?"

"Xander, I need to support my family! You know how it is! Jackson's leg being busted makes him unable to play soccer in the leagues like before. Savannah isn't winning any Gymnastics competitions because we can't afford any coaches and Dean and Hadley are too young! I was hoping I could win today but you know how that turned out. If the selection is the only way then I have to do it. Whether I like it or not!"

"I LOVE you Sierra, please don't do this to us…"

"And I LOVE YOU. But there's nothing I can do about it. And being in love doesn't pay the bills. I'm so sorry…"

The three girls watched their teammate run away crying and the guy- Xander taking a stone and throwing it angrily in the water before stomping in the other direction. After a few minutes of silence, it was Kylie who spoke up.

"Well that was certainly fun to watch. What a fucking wimp."

Tanya laughed at Kylie's words but Lacey got a thoughtful look in her eyes that slowly turned into a full blown smile.

"You okay there crazy pants?"

Lacey looked up at both girls who held a questioning look in their eyes.

"I thought about something just now. You know, to pass the time."

"Partying?" Tanya said, already seemingly excited about the idea.

"No…I would join the selection."

For a while both girls looked at her weirdly until Tanya bursts out laughing and Kylie confusingly puts her hand on her forehead, "has the sun finally managed to fry your brains?'

Lacey batted away her hand and looked at them seriously. "I'm actually serious."

Tanya was still smiling though; "I still think it's a Joke, Keke. She's messing with us"

"I don't think so Tan-Tan, she actually looks serious..." Kylie gives Lacey another questioning look.

"What's all this about joining the Selection? Cause you actually seem serious."

"Why do both of you think it's a joke?" Lacey exclaims calmly.

Both girls exchange looks before Tanya looks at Lacey, "it's just hard to imagine you of all people in dresses and in jewelry all coupled with acting all royal and stiff. It's just not you."

Lacey rolled her eyes at the description. "For years the selection was made to make a chick that is nothing into everything, why would I be any different?"

Kylie shook her head and looked at Lacey, "it's not about that Lacey, I just think that you might be taking whatever Skanky McSkankerson said about you to heart and I don't like that."

Lacey shook her head at the idea, "I actually decided that because I really have absolutely nothing to do for the coming months. The next surfing gig is in about 6 months 'n' till then; we won't have enough money in our household. You know how it is Kylie; my parents aren't rich cable T.V presenters. My old-man is a former professional Surfer who's long and forgotten 'n' my old-girl was a professional swimmer who stopped swimming about 12 years ago. I'm technically the main source of income. If the selection can remedy that problem, I'm down with it. "

For a while, both girls didn't say anything, after a few minutes though Kylie started speaking. "I don't like this, but if you're through with it, I'll support you in whatever it takes. Just remember that if the all-mighty Prince turns out to be a douchebag who breaks your heart, I'm all down to go Kung-Fu Panda on his ass. I don't care that he's the Prince. Nobody messes with my friends."

Lacey smiled and hugged her friend and looked at Tanya who was looking at Lacey thoughtfully.

"Tan-Tan, are you okay?"

"I'm just thinking that if you want to apply for the selection, with this look, you've got no chance. Let's go over to my house. I'll prep you up my way."

Lacey smiled widely and hugged Tanya as well. The three girls moving in a faster pace towards Tanya's mansion which was actually situated on the beach and was a few minutes' walk.

Tanya easily worked her magic on Lacey the moment she went out of the shower. She worked on her makeup, her hair, and even waxed her body. When she was done, Lacey hardly recognized herself. She stood in front of the mirror and lightly placed a hand on her own cheeks, hardly believing that this is actually her.

"Are you done flirting with yourself, Chica? Cause you have an application to fill."

Lacey smirked at Kylie who while Tanya was giving Lacey a makeover, went over to Lacey's house and managed to smuggle her application, after Lacey told her that she doesn't want her parents to know anything about her decision right now.

"Here you go…Don't leave a space empty. At least, that's what they say in the guidelines on the other paper."

Lacey took the Application and went over it before writing down her information.

Full Name: Lacey Nichole Taylor

Age: 16 1/2

Province: Clermont

Caste: 2

Occupation: Professional Surfer

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 115 lbs.

Eyes: Coconut brown eyes

Hair: Elbow-length Straight dirty blonde hair.

Ethnicity: Australian

Skin Tone: Very, very, very tanned

Languages Spoken: English, French and a little Spanish.

Lacey looked up the moment she finished her application. She gave her two best friends' a-thumbs up and they ushered her quickly out of the room and they run all the way to the post-office who as relatively close.

When it came to Lacey's turn to have her photo, she looked up at the cameraman and remembering her latest victory, she gave her fullest smile as the camera snapped.

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How was that? I hope this VERY long chapter makes up for the late update. I'm really sorry for the long time I took. I'll try to update sooner next time. Please tell me what you thought in your reviews and a big thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter and Favorited the story and followed it. You guys gave me inspiration. A big thank you to everyone who submitted till now. I'm changing the rules; you could submit girls until I'm finished with the introductions. That will take me about five other chapters. So please submit! Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to tell me your thoughts in your reviews and your favourite(s) of the girls so far!