Celia
As Friday (and therefore The Report) approached I found myself doubting my decision.

I skipped dinner again on Thursday, asking my maids to bring me some food in my room as they had quite a lot over the last month. Apparently, tonight was one step too far, as I had just dismissed my maids, telling them I could get myself ready for bed when there was a knock on my door. 

My maids allowed the person into the room before leaving.

I was sat out on the balcony, gazing out across the gardens, so I didn't even bother to look back into my room to see who had entered. It wasn't until the person sat down on the other chair that I looked around to see who had joined me.

"You weren't at dinner today," said Aspen, his chocolate brown eyes- so similar to my own- staring at me, whilst I continued to look straight ahead at the forest.

"I didn't feel like it," I said.

"You haven't been at dinner in weeks."

"I didn't feel like it," I repeated.

"I've hardly seen you at all," Aspen said.

"I've been..." I trailed off, unsure of how to explain everything that had been on my mind recently, "I've been getting used to the idea of- well of being royalty."

"I understand," he said, even though there was no way he could possibly comprehend how overwhelming everything was, "it must be crazy. You've lived a whole life and now you've been told that everything you knew was a lie."

I nodded, finally turning away from the gardens to look at him.

"Aspen-"

"Call me AJ," he said, "everyone does, it's too confusing if people call me Aspen, then General Ledger and I both look around."

"AJ," I started again, "I'm sorry that I haven't made any effort to get to know you or Shalom. This last month has been insane-"

"You don't need to apologise to me for anything," said Aspen, "it's not like I've made much of an effort with you."

"Yes, but you had sixty-nine other girls to get to know."

"Sixty-eight," he grinned, "I already know Amelia."

"Yes, well you've got to narrow all of that down to one and all I've got to do is say hello to two people, but I couldn't bring myself to because I thought that if I met you out of the context of the Selection then this would suddenly be real and I wouldn't be able to keep convincing myself that it's just a bad dream."

"Is it really that bad of a dream to have?" Aspen cocked his head slightly.

"It could be worse," I admitted.

Aspen gave a small smile. It was a wonder to me how he always looked so comfortable, no matter what situation he was in, he was the complete opposite of me and apparently of Shalom, whom I had not seen looking comfortable anywhere since I had arrived here.

"Anyway," Aspen said, "What do you want for Christmas?"

"What?"

"The correct term is 'excuse me'," Aspen teased.

"You sound like my mum," I groaned, making Aspen laugh.

"It's all from Silvia," Aspen complained, "years and years of etiquette lessons!"

"Well I suppose I forgive you then," I said.

"So what do you want for Christmas then?" Aspen asked again.

"I don't know," I frowned, it had slipped my mind that Christmas was right around the corner. The Selection had started a week after the Princes' birthdays (which I suppose was also my birthday now, which would take some getting used to).

"That's not very helpful," Aspen rolled his eyes, "give me a clue. Mum and Dad are freaking out about what to get you as well, it's quite funny if I'm honest."

"I really don't want anything," I shrugged.

"Hmm, what to get the girl who wants nothing," Aspen stroked his chin, pretending to think deeply, "a mystery if ever I found one."

"Well, what do you want then?"

"I'm not going to be difficult like someone," he gave me a pointed look.

"Hmm, what to buy the boy that has everything?" I teased him.

"Well, I like drawing," Aspen said, "perhaps you could find me some new materials? Something I haven't tried before?"

"I'll give it a go," I laughed, "whilst we're sharing hobbies I love gardening, perhaps you could get me some seeds so that I can grow my own little garden here." 

"Would you like that?"

"I would."