The Selected

Two weeks after they applied for the selection the quartet of Lily, Zara, Ellie and Melody were all at Melody’s house for a sleepover and to watch the announcement of the selected girls. ‘Oh I can’t wait.’ Ellie started.
‘I hope it’s one of us.’ she said holding her friends hands as if it was good luck to do so. The broadcast began detailing how one girl from each of the forty eight counties will be selected along with two other girls chosen out of the remainder of the applicants bringing the total up to fifty and out of the fifty selected girls Prince Nicolas would narrow the number down from the Selected fifty to the Elite ten and finally down to the girl he chooses to mary. ‘Here we have Crowned Prince Russlle and his wife Princess Maria.’ the reporter states. ‘We are just moments away from the announcement of the selected.’ she continues.

The suspense continued to build as the girls huddled up together for the announcement. ‘And now is the moment you have all been waiting for, the announcement begins now.’ The reporter spoke. ‘From Bedfordshire we have Annie Backshaw.’ Prince Russlle began reading off the screen in front of the crowd. Maria and Russlle took it in turns to announce the selected county building up to the announcement of the selected for Norfolk. ‘From Norfolk is…’ Prince Russlle began as the girls squeezed each other tighter ‘Liliana West.’ he spoke as a picture of Lily came up on the TV which was met by cheers and squeals from her friends, they couldn’t be happier for their friends. ‘I would be surprised if Prince Nicolas doesn’t choose to marry her on the spot.’ Zara laughed out. ‘You should put that in a tweet Zara.’ Ellie suggested to which Zara complied.

Throughout the rest of the broadcast the girls discussed how Lily would win Prince Nicolas’ heart immediately with her wit and charm; they barely noticed all of the other announcements until they heard a familiar name announced. ‘The final contestant is Zara Carmen Vivian Bowker.’ Maria spoke. Zara was in complete disbelief, her name was called, her face was on national Television and that meant her grandmother would see it. ‘Oh shit.’ Zara exclaimed. Zara was conflicted; she didn’t know if she was ectatic or nervous. ‘Nana is gonna kill me.’ she said with her head in her hands. ‘Look Zara, she loves you and she will come to peace with it.’ Lily offered some amount of comfort to Zara. After the announcement both Zara and Lily’s phone’s were filled with notifications from all kinds of people and Zara’s included a call from her grandmother.

‘Zara, why didn’t you tell me that you entered the selection?’ Her grandmother questioned.
‘I thought you wouldn’t let me.’ Zara replied solemnly 
‘You are right, but there’s nothing I can do now.’  she stated. 
‘Sorry Nana.’ Zara apologised 
‘I hope you don’t ruin your reputation Zara.’ she said
‘Goodbye Nana.’ Zara stated. 
‘Goodbye Zara.’ she said while Zara hung up the phone.

*

In the week after the announcement both Lily and Zara were followed by eager reporters and the press desperate for even a crumb of news about the selection but to no avail as during that week both Lily and Zara were visited by palace officials stating the rules they have to follow before and during the selection. This included not speaking to the press unless palace officials set it up, how to dress, how to act, what to do and what not to do along with a whole other manner of rules they had to follow. After it was announced that both Zara and Lily would partake in the selection all anyone could talk about the pair of best friends who had both miraculously been selected. 

As the day arrived for their departure the pair said their goodbyes to their friends and families. ‘Rosie you better look after Jake.’ Zara started squeezing her smaller brother tightly and messing up his hair. ‘I will Zara, I promise.’ she vowed looking up at Zara as she then proceeded to reach out to her own brother and sister. ‘We will miss you know.’ Lily’s older brother said as their mother reached around and hugged her children. ‘Why am I not surprised that he’s not here to see you off.’ Lily’s mother moaned. ‘He never does anything.’ she continued off. Meanwhile Zara was saying goodbye to her family. ‘Don’t do anything stupid.’ An older lady spoke to Zara ‘Look after yourself Zara, take care.’ the older gentleman said hugging Zara. ‘Nana don’t worry she’ll get sent home on day one.’ Jake laughed out causing Zara to laugh in response. ‘Lily, Zara!’ a masculine voice called out ‘We are gonna miss you.’ he spoke gain. ‘Oh don’t worry Daniel, we will still message you and facetime you.’ Lily replied huddling up with her group of friends. ‘Ryan wished he could have been here too.’ the Blonde girl stated ‘Goodbye you idiots, keep in touch.’ the girl with tanned skin said.      

Across the country small processions took place in all of the hometown’s of the selected girls and Roseham was no exception. The streets of the average sized town were full to the brim of people, but not only the people of the town but also people from all over the country just to catch a glimpse of Zara and Lily with most of them missing out due to the hordes of people. The brunette pair were paraded around the highstreets like animals in a zoo; people gazed on in wonder as Zara and Lily waved at them from the carriage. The crowd roared with excitement for the girls as girls from their town had been selected. As the carriage pulled into Roseham train station the sea of citizens continued to watch on as the Roseham pair made their way onto the train.

Roseham train station was usually quite dusty and dusty but today it was as spotless as the day it was opened and there was only enough space for one platform which was filled up by a royal blue train ready to go to London, Liverpool Street. The three cariaged train had only a few passengers Lily, Zara ,an advisor and a handful of bodyguards as well as some belongings of Zara’s and Lily’s. ‘How long will it take to get there.’? Lily questioned the advisor looking towards her. ‘Two hours, two and a half at most.’ she answered walking out of the carriage leaving Zara and Lily alone.

The duo of Zara and Lily sat faced opposite each other as the train began it’s motion. ‘Zara, I don’t want this to ruin our friendship.’ Lily confessed peering at her friend with slight melancholy. ‘It won’t, It can't. I won’t let that happen.’ Zara responded smiling brightly back to Lily’s freckled face. ‘Please don’t feel like you can’t talk to me about your feelings Zara.’ Lily offered kindly. ‘Of course Lily, the same goes for you.’ Zara returned. Throughout the train journey Zara and Lily discussed what would happen to them throughout the selection just to pass the time. If it wasn’t for the other both of them would be bored to tears at that stage as there was nothing to do on the monotonous journey. They continued to chat for ages before they were interrupted by a knock at the carriage door. ‘We shall be arriving shortly.’ the advisor said. Upon arriving at Liverpool Street Station the girls were ushered into a car to take them to Buckingham Palace for makeovers and the beginning of the filming for the selection. Once in the car the journey to the palace was relatively short, being driven for less than ten minutes before their arrival. The car came to the Victoria Memorial before the gates of Buckingham Palace came into view. Both Zara and Lily were awestruck by the beauty of the palace. As the car stopped the two were escorted into the palace by footmen.