I woke up the next day when the light entered my room. Vivianne was opening the curtains, Hannah was in the bathroom, and Georgia was looking through my closet. In short, I woke up normally.

It's been 5 days since I last saw Tony alone. I'd see him on breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but that was it. He stopped taking me on dates and he doesn't even come to my room secretly. I'm not complaining, but he spends time with the other girls more.

I've been with him more than the other girls and this must only be fair. But what can I do? I'm just being honest here.

After I was dressed up, I went to the Women's room as usual but I didn't see my friends anywhere. So I sat down on a couch where no one was sitting, got a magazine, and waited for my friends.

I was reading an article about the Selection and there was poll there.

Who do you think will win the Selection?

1) Beatrice Rowell, Ottaro
2) Claire Venice, Bonita
3) Bloom Parker, Labrador
4) Gayle Sawyer, Kent
5) Iole Eudora, Angeles
6) Harmonia Fawn, Belcourt
7) Carmel Green, Sota
8) Julianne Evans, Clermont
9) Ashley Potter, Hundson
10) Aisha Stanford, Atlin
11) Natalie Porter, Dominica
12) Irene Harp, Waverly
13) Catherine Grover, Denbeigh
14) Elena Avalore, Zuni
15) Margarette Weasley, Baffin
16) Violet Francisco, Midston
17) Harriet Wilsons, Carolina
18) Diamond Brown, Whites
19) Lucy Smith, St. George
20) Louise Martinez, Likely
21) Leigh Spar, Sumner
22) Diana Carps, Paloma
23) Dianne Dane, Hansport
24) Mary Harrington, Sonage
25) Clover Fray, Bankston
26) Jane Prude, Yukon
27) Christine Ramirez, Lakedon
28) Mae Jackson, Honduragua
29) Isabella Nelson, Dakota
30) Daphne Granger, Panama

I was fifth? Fifth. Oh my goodness. I AM FIFTH!

This made me ecstatic along with the fact that Claire was second. A smile was visibly on my face.

"Hey, Haidee. What are you looking at?" Jane asked.

I showed her the article, "It's a ranking they did of us selected."

She grabbed the magazine and searched for her name and had a sad smile, "I guess nobody wants me to win. I'm in 26th for goodness' sake!" She plopped down beside me.

"Don't say that, Jane. They don't know what happens inside the palace. They never know, you might be queen." I told her and wiggled my eyebrows.

She laughed, "Stop that! I know I'm not going to be queen but it won't hurt to try."

I smiled, "That's the spirit."

"There you are! I've been looking for you everywhere." Mae said and pointed to Jane.

Jane raised her arms up, "What? I was just right here."

"Oh, hi Haidee!" Mae greeted me with a wave.

I smiled and waved back. She sat down on the couch in front of us.

"So I need to spill the story to someone. Would it be okay?" Mae asked.

Mae had been on a date with Tony yesterday afternoon. How did I know? He announced it at lunch time. Jane and I nodded.

"Okay, so he took me to the kitchen because he knows that my family owned a restaurant. He looked so hot wearing an apron!" She squealed, "So anyway, he put the apron on me and tied it for me. We cooked a meal for us and even had a food fight! That was so fun! It was hilarious seeing him covered in flour! I cracked an egg on his head too!" She laughed.

I smiled a little. I was happy for her, really, but I wasn't that happy. When my friends tell stories about their dates, I feel happy and even tease them. But when other people talk about their dates, I feel a little jealousy.

"That was so sweet!" Jane commented and squealed. "I wish we did that!"

"Why? What did the two of you do yesterday morning?" Mae asked.

Jane smiled and blushed, "It wasn't that special."

I smiled at her, "Come on, tell us."

She sighed, "Fine. He took me to the garden and when we got there, there was blanket on the grass and a picnic basket on top. We sat and chatted and oh my god, we laid down together talking. He looked so handsome! I would never get tired of seeing his face."

"That's so cute!" Mae gushed.

"What's so cute?" Diana asked and sat beside Mae.

"Jane's date with the prince!" Mae exclaimed.

Diana smiled, "Really? What happened?"

Mae told the story again with exaggeration making it more romantic than what it actually was.

"I think my date is more romantic, no offense though." Diana said.

"Tell us!" Jane prompted.

Diana smiled, "It was at dinner time. I know you all know because the two of us weren't present. He blindfolded me and lead me to a room. When he removed my blindfold, I saw a candlelit dinner at the middle. He looked so dashing under the light of a candle. I won't tell you all the details, though. After that dinner, he took me back to my room and kissed my knuckles before he left."

Mae and Jane squealed.

"Oh my god! That's so romantic!" Mae exclaimed.

Diana blushed, "He was so romantic."

"What about you, Haidee? Tell us about your recent date." Jane told me.

I smiledㅡbut it was obviously fake, "I haven't had a date with him lately."

Mae pouted, "That's sad."

I nodded, "I know but it's okay."

"I'm sure you'll get a date with him soon." Jane assured me.

Diana nodded, "Right. You were the first one to get a date with him, right? I'm sure he saw something about you. He even made the play just for you."

I smiled less sadly, "I guess you're right."

Jane patted my back, "If he doesn't take you out any time sooner, tell me and I'll beat him up for you."

I smiled, "Thanks."

"Haidee!" Beatrice called.

I sighed, "I better go ask what she needs."

Mae looked at me with pity, "She's terrible."

"I know." I stated and went to Beatrice. "What do you need?" I asked.

She smiled at me. A sickeningly sweet smile, "Could you go get a cup of tea for me?"

Why me? "Of course." I said and left the room.

I sighed as I went down to the kitchen to get her cup of tea. I saw a maid getting a cup of coffee. It was Denisse.

"Denisse?" I said as I approached her.

"Yes, Miss Haidee?"

"Can I have a cup of tea please?" I asked.

She nodded, "Right away, miss."

"Thank you." I said.

I looked at the open door which outlooked the garden. I regret doing that.

On a bench sat Louise and Tony, holding hands. They were talking and Louise was blushing. They were laughing and playing with each other's hands.

I quickly turned away from the sight. The maid approached me and saw what I was looking at. She looked at me with pity.

She gave me the cup of tea with a sad smile, "Miss Haidee, you know you have an advantage against all of them right?"

I stared at the floor and nodded.

"Miss Haidee, it might be too early to say this but I know this will come true. You will be the one chosen." She said and took both of my hands in hers, "I know the prince likes you, Miss. I believe that you will win and make this country better than it already is."

I smiled at Denisse, "Thank you."

She smiled warmly, "Any time."

With a final wave of goodbye, I went back to the Women's room and saw Beatrice bragging about her date with Tony the other day.

"So I was like, you should go now, you need to sleep, and he was like if you go inside your room then I'll come back to mine. So I smiled and hugged him and he hugged me back. I said goodnight to him before he left." She said with her annoying voice.

"Beatrice," I called, "Your cup of tea."

She smiled sweetly, "Thank you, honey. Now go make another arrangement with Celestiana for Gayle and Carmel."

I sighed and nodded. Why was I agreeing? You might ask. It's because I don't want to start a fight.

I entered Celestiana's room to see her reading a book on her bed.

"Hey," I greeted.

She looked up from the book and smiled, "Hey, Haidee. What brings you here?"

"Beatrice wants me to make another arrangement with you."

She groaned, "She should hang out with herself."

"This time, she wants Gayle and Carmel to meet up with you." I told her.

"Oh my luck. Two other angels."

I chuckled, "At least they don't order you around and brag about their dates to you."

She sighed, "She tells me about her dates with him and how she fits the palace life perfectly."

I smirked, "I see you've been close."

She smiled, "Yeah. I even gave her the character of Madame Carp."

Then we both laughed loudly.

"So you were the one to give her that role?" I asked, still laughing.

She nodded, "Oh my! I can't forget her face! She thought she was the star!"

We laughed even more. After we calmed down, I spoke.

"I'll be leaving now. Don't forget about that meet up with Gayle and Carmel."

She rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah. Bye, hope Beatrice rots in hell."

I laughed, "I pray that everyday."

I left her room and this time, I went back to my room to avoid brats.

But depressingly, a girl was waiting inside my room.

"Finally!" She exclaimed and pulled me.

"What do you need, Irene?"

She rolled her eyes, "That's future-queen-Irene for you."

I rolled my eyes, "Just get to the point."

She glared at me, "We need to switch seats today. I want your seat."

"What?" I asked in shock.

She glared at me again, "It's just for a day! And don't even think of defying me. Or else I'll get the prince to kick you out."

I rolled my eyes, "Sure." If you can.

She smiled, "I'll make sure to reward you when I become queen."

I curtsied sarcastically, "That would be great, future-queen-Irene."

She smirked and left. Once she was gone, I jumped to my bed.

This day was tiring and it just started.

I took a nap before lunchtime to get rested. Hannah woke me up to tell me that I should get downstairs for lunch.

I groaned as I went down. I entered the room and already saw Irene at my seat so I sat down on her seat beside Isabella and Violet.

Could this day get any worse?

"Lady Haidee, why are you in that seat? Aren't you seated beside Celestiana?" William asked.

I gulped, "Irene and I decided to exchange seats for today."

William nodded, "Well then, It's nice to meet you, Lady Irene."

I could feel Irene smile sweetly, "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Prince William."

I almost rolled my eyes but I decided to just focus on my food.

"Lady Natalie, would it be okay to take you on a date this afternoon?" Tony asked.

Natalie smiled, "Of course, your highness."

"Lady Diamond, could I also take you out for dinner?"

Diamond smirked, "That would be great."

I sighed, he was still ignoring me.That night after The Report was the last time I saw him without anyone else being with us.

I felt neglected. I'd want to get his attention but I don't want to be like Aisha and Ashley who try so hard to get noticed. They wear plunging necklines to show their cleavage and I found it disturbing.

I ate my lunch silently and when I was done, I quickly excused myself and went to my room to just be alone.

Celestiana was right. I'd miss the silence.