The Choosing Game

Flight to Hell

Lilliana's pov:

I never thought i would be here.. I cannot believe that after all i've been through they would make me do this, i am so angry and hurt. They knew how this would affect me yet they made me do it.

I really did not want to be here. And don't even get me started on whoever is on this choosing board. 'arggh!' i thought i made it clear i didnt want to be a part of there little game. It made me wonder what the other girl's that didn't get chosen did or didn't do.

'Sofia and i ran into the house with Nate chasing after us, giggling like mad men.

We came to a halt with mom and dad standing by the living room door "well i'm glad you all are in a good mood" dad said as Nate ran inside the house, yelling "you two are dead to me" causing us both to burst out laughing and hide behind mom and dad.

"Alright thats enough!" Mom says firmly "everybody should sit down we have news" she adds.

We looked at each other panting and went into the living room. "We got word back from your interview Lilly" mom said making my tummy crunch.

"Does the king want her head on a spike for that God awful performance?" Nate jested making Sofia burst into a fit of laughter.

Mom shushed them both while i knocked his head and pinched her arm "ouch" she screamed moving away from me. "It isn't my fault that you have the attention span of a twig, you hard headed mule" she mumbled under her breath, before i could retaliate Mom shot something out there.

"You Have been chosen!" My mother said with an excited squeal "God knows how but you have been chosen"

I felt the blood drain from my body "what?! But how?"

Mom pinched the bridge of her nose shaking her head "God works in wonderful ways"

"I am not going" i stated.

Here i was on a flight to meet my dome. A flight to hell. I don't think i can ever forgive them for making come here. I can't do this, i don't want to do this.

'I was sitting in my room and i could hear mom shouting, saying i'm going to put her in shame, be the death of her.. blah blah blah. She has a flare for drama and my dad, he just put up with it which encourages her to keep acting this way. I know he loves her and all but this behavior of her is toxic, most especially to me.

Well not this time and i did not care if i bring shame to the family name, i am not going. I could here my dad trying to calm her down. There was a knock on my door.

I really didn't wanna see anyone "go away!" And then another knock followed by Nate's voice "i just wan't to talk" he didn't wait for an answer he just opened the door and walked in with Sofia trailing behind him.

They both sat down and said nothing. I kept reading my book and said nothing too. Nate cleared his throat "Lilly i know how you feel about this but maybe its not all that bad, you know" i kept my eyes on my book.

Then sofia started " would it be so bad if you fell in love again? Would it be terrible?" She let out a shaky breath and continued " we all miss him too but we found ways to let go of the pain but you haven't. You need to stop hurting yourself" her words cut deep into my heart.

I could feel tears sting in my eyes but i still refused to look up.

"Do you think he would want this for you?" She added.

With that the tears i was holding back broke free. She was crying too "i do not know what he would have wanted for me! I don't know anything but this; i hated how much it hurt when he left, how much it still hurts and i don't want to ever feel like this for anyone else ever again"

Nate moved closer to me and took the book out of my hands which made me look up "we all know that he never meant to hurt you, if he had a choice he would be here with you right now but Lilly he didn't have that choice and this prince would be lucky to even get to know you," he paused and held onto my hands "you're amazing. Believe me i am your brother, i sometimes wonder what the hype is about you" he chuckled at his own joke "the prince would be crazy to get to know who you really are and not like you"

"its time to let go and start afresh and maybe being away from here will help. Please just think about it" his eyes turned sad "it hurts me to see you like this" he kissed my forehead, stood up took sofia's hand and they walked out.'

My flight landed at the private part of the airport where a limo was waiting for my arrival. My mom, Carlos and sofia packed two sets of suitcases for me. I was so angry at them that i didn't care what was inside the bags.

The suitcases were transferred into the limo. I put on my sunglasses to avoid the glare of the sun, walked out of the plane and made my way to the car and i made my way to the grand palace of Arindele.

'A few hours after Nate and sofia left, Dad walked in. "Hey bunny" he said softly as he took a seat on the bed.

"Hi daddy" i sat up on the bed.

He looked hesitant to talk but did anyway " baby.. You know we love you and only want what is best for you"

here we go.."dad-" he cut me off "no let me finish" "what if this was your second chance and because you are so stubborn you let it pass you by? How will you live with yourself then?" He sighed "i'm not scolding you. But you have to open up to the possibilities of life. So with that we are making you go. And its our final decision" he said firmly. My blood was boiling with rage.

I felt hurt and betrayed. I stood up "fine! Make me go but do not blame me for whatever happens there" i seethed and ran out of the room to the one place where i find tranquility.. The creek.'

After about a thirty minute drive, we reached the magnificent castle.

We drove up to the entrance and parked. Suddenly my door was opened and my suitcases were being off-loaded by servants. "welcome Lady Lilliana. I'm to escort you inside. My name is Joseph" said a tall man who looks like he is in his late 30's and has dark brown hair.

"Thank you" i said with a smile.

I took of my sunglasses, stuffed them back in my bag, smoothened my hair and with that we walked into the palace and arrived to a large room with a lot of people.

Some were sitting while some standing chatting. Joseph cleared his throat to get their attention they all turned to where we were standing "lady Lilliana of Elma has arrived" Joseph said. They all looked at me, some girls eyed me from head to toe like i disgusted them.

A woman with honey brown hair who looked around 30 came forward "hello. I'm May.. Queen claire's royal advisor" she said with her hand stretched out.

I shook it "well join the others. The royal family will be here to address you soon since you are all here." I smiled politely at her and went on.

I took a seat and said nothing.. The girls kept looking at me mostly with nasty glares. One with hot red hair approached me she looked so familiar. She had a thick layer of makeup on and a tight green dress and hills.

She looked like a life-size barbie, if barbie had red hair and wore skanky clothes. My point is that she looked so flawless. "Hi there. I'm Ruby Johnson" she stretched her flawless hand with perfectly manicured nails to me.

I shook it smiling "i'm Lilliana Jackson" i might be here against my will but i never brush people off due to my own problems.

She smiled back, i wasn't exactly sure the kind of smile it was. "Are you a part of the Choosing or are you here for some other reason?"

I squinted my eyes at her absurdity "what do you mean?" I asked. What other reason could there be?

"Well i did not know that short fat girls qualify as queen prospects" she said smirking.

I was shocked by her statement not knowing what to say."ignore her and she will go away, it is all just a sad cry for help" a petite brunette only a few inches taller than me said and Ruby huffed and left.

I smiled at her gratefully "hey. I'm Lilly"

"I'm Emily," she said, her smile was genuine.

"What is with the looks? Do i have something on my face?" I asked referring to the nasty glares i was receiving from the other girls.

"Your face is fine, they all just can't stand to see anything pretty except if it's their own reflections.. it's sad really" she shook her head.

"Indeed a sad way to live" i remarked. "What are we doing here anyway?" I asked.

"We are waiting for the royal family to officially welcome us into their home" she explained.

"Oh" i nodded.

we chatted for a few minute. She is nice.

I remember where i know that nasty creature from!! She won some beauty pageant in 2014 although I can't remember which. What am i doing here??? I asked myself. They girl's are all super model like, they all looked like they came from a catalog photoshoot.

The great doors bursted open, interrupting my thoughts. May came it with people that looked like the royal family. I have seen them on the television a few times.

"Ladies! Meet the Royal family" we all chorused "hello" and curtsied.

He stepped forward 'the prince' he was tall, with light brown hair that was nicely styled and his eyes were a beautiful hazel color.

Since these past few days whenever i thought about him, i would envision him as a pasty white robotic being, kind of like Edward from twilight but he did not look anything like that.

He was dress in a black tailored suit a white shirt and a gray tie.'the press didn't do his beauty justice' i thought to myself.

"welcome ladies and congratulations on making it to the final nine" i could hear some of the girls sighing, how pathetic and i saw him smirk snuggly.

"What a jerk" i thought to myself.

The King stepped forward and cleared his throat, the whole room dropped silent "We know all of you have traveled far from home and we appreciate it"

Then the Queen moved next to him, she looked warm an nurturing, i expected her to be like one of these girls but she wasn't. "I was once in your shoes and know all you will face but let me tell you weather you become queen or not, this will be your greatest service to your country" she smiled at the girls " we welcome you to our home, please come to us if you have anything you need. We are going to let you rest now Miss May will assign you to your rooms. Tomorrow the schedule will be posted for the activities."

"We wish you a pleasant stay and good luck" with that the king took her hand and walked her out of the room.