America
"So you're really the Princess?"

"How long have you known?"

"What are the King and Queen really like?"

"Has Aspen mentioned me to you?"

Marlee and I sat in a corner of the Women's Room watching the selected girls clammer around Celia, who had just seated herself in the women's room for the first time since the report two days ago. 

The Women's Room was bustling with activity, what with the movement of so many excited girls and the maids who were around the edges of the room putting up Christmas decorations. 

"She looks overwhelmed," said Marlee, "should we save her?"

"I think someone else has that under control," I replied.

"Give her some room, she's not a zoo exhibit!" Amelia told the other girls, who scarpered like scared cats. Amelia sat down beside Celia, and the two began talking, with interruptions by the only girl who hadn't left when Amelia shooed away the others, Cammie Jules, who reminded me so much of Natalie that I wanted to laugh.

"It's so funny that they were friends before we even knew who Celia was," observed Marlee, who was also still staring at Amelia and Celia.

"Well, soon they might be sisters!" I elbowed Marlee, "has she told you which one it is yet?"

"No, I still can't get it out of her," Marlee sighed, "at this rate, I think I'll find out with the country."

"She's just as impossible as Carter," I laughed.

"Don't remind me," Marlee shook her head.

"Do you have any idea where Lucy is?" I asked, wondering where my friend was. Lucy normally joined us on Saturdays in the Women's Room, and recently the three of us had greatly enjoyed observing the selected in the Saturday exploits.

"A maid told me this morning that she wasn't feeling well," said Marlee.

"I hope she feels better soon, it's Christmas! She can't be sick at Christmas!" I laughed slightly, still worried for Lucy, and making a mental note to send someone to check on her later.

"She still has five days, I'm sure she'll be feeling better by then," said Marlee, "how are the preparations for Christmas coming along anyway?"

"It's manic!" I admitted, "all of my family, Maxon's family, the Illeas, the Selected and all of their families! I don't think the palace has ever seen a bigger Christmas!"

A maid entered the room, and I caught a glimpse of Aspen and Shalom in the corridor before the door closed.

"I'll be right back," I told Marlee, I got to my feet and walked out of the room to see why they were outside. 

"-calm down," Aspen was saying, "hi Mum."

"What are you two doing out here?" I asked, "you can come in if you want to?"

"No," mumbled Shalom, "we're doing another elimination, we just sent in word with that maid to bring the five girls out here."

"Really?" I asked, "you're cutting it down to Twenty Eight?"

"Yes," replied Shalom.

"They're not a fit," shrugged Aspen.

"When one of them is you'll know," I told them.

The Women's Room door opened, and five excited looking girls, whose names I still hadn't managed to learn excited.

I smiled at the girls and inclined my head to them before re-entering the Women's Room, leaving my two sons to deal with five women who were surely about to start crying.

I really should start paying attention in class- I have ALevels in six months... Oh well, I'm just gonna keep publishing chapters from class because I'm a rebellious bitch.
Remember to vote, comment and be amazing!
~Em xx