Theodosia's POV

I walked along the streets of Fennley towards the movie theater. I was going to catch a movie with my friend Margaret, but as fate would have it that's not where I ended up. It had been a completely normal day: me doing nothing all day for the job of my dreams, directing, is a career of a three and of course I was born into a family of twos. As was normal the rest of my family was completely absent from the house. They all were doing something with their lives as twos. I continued to not know what to do with myself so I just relaxed at home doing whatever I pleased. Sooner or later I'd have to figure something out but I would worry about that later.

Walking to the theater, I passed an alley and almost passed it when I heard a thud of something dropping. I tried to see what it was but all I could make out was a dark lump looking thing on the ground. I looked up and down the street to make sure no one suspicious was there and then carefully made my way down the alley. The item I'd seen turned out to be a bag with some books spilt out of it. I bent down to examine in and picked up an old dusty book that was falling apart. The title was faded so I turned it to look at the spine. It read The Founder of Illéa. There was a red sticker on the bottom of the spine that caught my attention.

"Restricted section of the Fennley Public Library," I read aloud and my eyes widened in surprise. No one was allowed in the restricted section of the library, not even the librarians. I knew I shouldn't but I still proceeded to open the book. Before I could even read the first word someone seemed to come out of nowhere from behind a dumpster. "I'm going to have to ask you not to read that," he advised threateningly with a gun pointed at my head.

I let the book clatter to the ground backing up until I hit the wall. My mind was racing so fast I couldn't begin to comprehend why this man was pointing a gun at me. Or was he even a man? The more I stared at him, granted in complete terror, the more I began to think he was more my age. He had ash brown hair and dark brown eyes, I couldn't help but notice how he was handsome. There must've been something wrong with me though, who in their right mind would think the guy pointing a gun at you was remotely handsome.

It probably wasn't smart to start talking to him but it was the only think I could think to do. "Now, why would you be pointing a gun at me? Why do you even have a gun?" The boy seemed surprised I dared to talk, "Don't you think it's unwise to chat with me right now?" I shrugged in response, "Don't you think it's unwise to shoot a girl with a powerful family of twos?"

He let his arm fall to his side while staring at me in wonder. "You're certainly something else." I just looked at him feeling a bit of confidence coming back, "Well it worked. You're not pointing that at me anymore. Besides, you wouldn't shoot either way." This boy could clearly not wrap his head around my comfort in this situation, "Don't test me. What makes you so sure?"

I glanced at the gun quickly, "I doubt it's even loaded." His mouth popped open but he shut it rapidly. He then shook his head with a bit of laughter, "My you're clever. What's you're name?" I thought for a moment whether it'd be wise to tell him so I just gave him my nickname, "Theo." He nodded, "It's only fair I tell you mine. I'm Beckham." I couldn't believe he trusted me to tell me his name, a minute ago he was pointing a gun at me. But there was just something about him that was keeping me standing there rather than running for help.

"You still haven't told me why you have a gun," I reminded him lifting a finger to point at it. He started twirling it on his finger, "As you said it's not even loaded." I put my hands on my hips and glared at him. "I'm not going to tell you why." I rolled my eyes then bent down and snatched up the book I dropped and his bag quickly. He had very stupidly left them on the ground for me to see. Beckham jerked when I moved but wasn't quick enough. I had noticed a lighter in the bag, pulled it out, and threatened to burn everything if he came closer. Clearly, these books were of some worth to him.

"So, now will you tell me why you have a gun?" I questioned and he grumbled. "I was on a mission to get them from the library." My eyebrows knitted together, "A mission for who?" He took a deep breath, obviously worried I'd burn the things he worked so hard to steal, "For the Northern Rebels. I'm a Northern Rebel."

My eyebrows shot and at that point my confidence level dropped. All I wanted to do was bolt, rebels were bad news everywhere. Beckham threw his hands up trying to get me to stay. "I won't hurt you. None of us will. That's why the gun wasn't loaded. We don't want anyone dead. We only want what's best for the country."

I was only comforted only a little by his words, "What do you need these for if you're a rebel?"Beckham put a hand through his shaggy hair, "The Northern Rebels only want to get rid of the caste system and make things better. To do that we need to reveal some secrets Gregory Illéa kept from us. Those secrets will be in a book somewhere. We thought it was at the palace but after years of searching they still haven't found it. We've searched everywhere though so it must be there somewhere." I looked at the stuff in my hands and dropped it at his feet. I didn't feel like he was trying to do anything bad. In fact, I felt as if he might have it right. Things needed to change in this country. I should know, I can't do what I love because of the caste system and some things just aren't fair.

"I don't suppose there is anyway I can help?" Beckham couldn't help but think he misheard her, "Excuse me?" I repeated myself slowly. Beckham thought for a moment and then said, "I don't suppose you've signed up for the Selection?" I snorted, "Ugh, of course not. Why would I want to?" He cleared his throat, "Well, we could use a spy in the palace."

I considered this, "How would you know I'd be selected?" A grin spread across Beckham's face, "Oh that wouldn't be a problem. We have connections."

Just like that, I was signing up for the Selection and I had become somewhat of a rebel. And, I might have been falling for someone I had only just met.

Lotus' POV

I returned the bows and arrows to their rightful spot after finishing the last lesson. As a three, I was an archery instructor. I had always loved archery so I loved getting to teach kids how to do it. As much as I would love to be a professional archer I was only a three and I'd have to be a two to do that.

I grabbed my bag and then began to make my way home tired from a long day of teaching. Most of my students were talented but there's a point where I just crash from being tired. I was fully ready to just go home and relax all on my own in the privacy of my bedroom.

When I entered the house my younger sister by a year, Rose, sat at the table writing something. I threw my stuff on a chair and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. "What are you doing, Rose?" I asked and she gave me a dirty look. "Why do you care?" I threw my hands up in surrender, "Just wondering." She huffed, "Look for yourself. You got one too." I saw a letter in the center of the table and picked it up. It was the letter for the Selection addressed to me. Instantly, I knew I had to fill it out.

It's not that I was all that interested in the prince. In fact I don't know the guy at all and odds are Id be terribly shy around him. However, if I was selected maybe my relationship with my mother would be healed. We just didn't get along. She hated that I had a job involving sports and reminds me of that every day. If I could get selected maybe that would change.

The form was easy to fill out. It was all basic information that everyone knew about themselves. I had it filled out in ten minutes and then went back to my room. I put the form on my desk so that I could go get my picture taken eventually. I'd never been so excited about a letter before. It would be amazing if this could patch up my relationships with my family.

While I was thinking my older brother, Aidan, walked into my room. "Feel free to knock," I teased him and he laughed. I was especially close with my brother because he was the only one in my family I got along with. He was always there for me.

"So you're entering the Selection then?" he wondered and I nodded. "Maybe it'll heal my relationship with mom." "Don't get your hopes up." I rested my chin on my hands, "Why does mom hate me so much?" He came over by my chair, "Well, because Rosalind is perfect." I snorted, playfully shoving him. "Geez, thanks."

"You can't let mom get to you though. You have me anyways," he tried to comfort me and I gave him a small smile. "I know. Thanks, Aidan." We hugged each other and he stroked my hair. Aidan was pretty much the only person I count as my actual family.

After we were done talking, Aidan sat on my bed and began to read and I began to paint on an easel in the corner of my room. Painting was something that just let me express my feelings and it made me feel better. I wasn't by any means good, but I enjoyed it. When I wasn't doing archery, I was painting. It made me feel better, and the more I thought about the Selection the more I dreamed about being chosen and my mother falling to her knees in front of me begging my forgiveness.

I'm back! I really wanted to get something up as soon as possible so sorry if this is a little rushed. I now have all of the girls and things will start to get rolling now. The girls will be at the palace soon enough. Thank you for all the girls, I can't wait to write about all of them. Thanks for reading! By the way, sorry for typos! I keep looking back and finding them everywhere. I've written mostly on my phone so spellcheck is killing me.