The Selection

Inspired by "The Selection" of Kiera Cass.

Author's notes: Hey guys! This story is The Selection, as you can see. It is an actual series by Kiera Cass but I mixed a twist of Gakuen Alice and my own style with it. If you get confused with random NUMBERS (such 'being' a One, Two, Three, to Eight), they represent the [ character ]'s place in the story's CASTE SYSTEM. ONE refers to the highest caste (royalty) and EIGHT to the lowest (slaves). I'm gonna provide the list on the bottom of this chapter to clear up confusion jic.

Also take note: I wrote this story when I was literally 11 years old. I just do minor revisions sometimes. I cringe at my writing too.

Disclaimer: GA is not mine, and so is the original The Selection.

"... And now, may we announce the beautiful, Selected girls who shall compete for our dear prince's heart!" Narumi Anjo winked at the camera. My mom, Yuka, squealed in excitement. So, the Selection, huh? I wonder who the lucky girls would be. I guess — and hope — I won't be one of them. Please, please let me not be one if them.

"Anna Umenomiya of Seika, 4!" A picture of a cute, pink-haired girl with clear freshwater-blue orbs popped in the screen.

"Wakako Usami of Teleporta, 4!" A girl with short, raven hair beamed through the television.

"Nonoko Ogasawara of Chemia, 3!" A smart-looking girl with blunt bangs and navy blue eyes lighted the screen.

"Luna Koizumi of New Flourish, 2!" A stunning woman with a beautiful smile, cold blue orbs and perfect blonde hair appeared. She looked absolutely beautiful — exactly the type of woman men would throw themselves at. The kind of person you'd see catwalking on a stage. How do you think I could compete with these girls, if ever I got in?

I looked over at the Prince Natsume, expecting him to be attentive because his wife is going to be one of the girls on the screen every 10 seconds. I find myself disappointed, only to find him yawning, not at all paying attention. Acting as if his future wife isn't going to flash on the screen any moment or as if he doesn't even know why he's here. Or there, rather, in the stage in which even some of his ancestors stood in.

Going through unnoticed by most, I saw the Queen elbow him and his little sister, the Princess pinch him. He rolled his eyes but nevertheless pretended to be paying attention. He obviously didn't like to be there.

I actually kind of pity him.

"Sumire Shouda of Pawling, 2!" A shiny, seaweed-haired girl appeared, sorta looking like a rich snobby Pokemon. Prince Natsume was still yet to budge from his position. Huh. Scowling as he was, I was starting to think his expression was more interesting to watch than the girls' faces. I was arranging my seat to have a better look at the prince from the television when suddenly—

"Mikan Yukihira of Sakuragi, 5!" A picture of me — beautiful, beaming, looking perfectly happy with my simple life here int he middle of nowhere — flashed upon the screen. This time, an explosion of cheers, wails and cries erupted upon the whole town and the next thing I knew, the entire neighborhood was trespassing our property and hugging — or more like choking — me.

You know I didn't ever want to be part of The Selection, but why did I sign up for it you ask? Oh, simple. It all started 2 weeks ago.

I was hiding in my room, trying to block every noise going around the house. But at least it stopped mom from bugging me about simply filling up a single form with one of a thousand chances of being selected. She thought it was worth a try.

While I was holed up in my shortlived solemnity, I tried to think of ideas to counter her arguments. So far, my solid collection consisted of honest opinions... which I knew quite well wouldn't sway her stubbornness even a slight bit. Looks like we know where I got my attitude from. I sigh, trying to be more creative. I'm used to quarreling with my mom due to both of our obstinacy, but not as heated as our argument this time. I didn't want to sign up. I don't care about being a royal. I don't want to be a One. I was fine from being a Five, which was three steps from the bottom of the caste system.

"Mikan," Mother called. I turned to look at her frail body by the door, seeming unable to contain herself. "Would it kill you to just fill up a single form? The Selection will not only be a wonderful opportunity for you, but for all of us. Don't you want to take even the smallest chance of giving us better lives? Think about your siblings, Mikan."

I turned back around to my desk, thinking. I was beginning to feel guilty. Of course I was only thinking about myself.

In all honestly, filling out that form might actually be something close to giving my life up. The Selection is more of a competition. All females, who are single, aged 16–20 are sent an application to fill out and return to the State Providence Offices along with taking a photo. Participation isn't mandatory, so it isn't necessary to fill it out if you don't want to. And I really didn't, but since mom exists and I have siblings whose futures I care about, I had to. The government says that they pick randomly, but it is rumored that they go through all the photos and filter out ones that'd look great on media. That's what I heard anyway.

"Let me... let me think about it."

. . .

I woke to the sound of mom's footsteps entering my room. Oh, seriously. I had an alarm clock, for goodness's sake.

"Mikan," Mom said. I grumbled something unintelligible. She always knew whether I was asleep or not. I sat up, trying to finger-comb my hay-stacked auburn hair.

"Yes, mom?"

"Let's you and I make a deal."

"A deal?" What kind of deal?

"If you try, even just try and fill the form," She bit her lip and smiled at me. "Your dad and I spoke last night, and we decided that you're old enough to go on your jobs alone. You play the piano as well as I do, and if you'd try a little more, you'd be nearly flawless on the violin. And your voice, well, there's no one better in the province, if you ask me. So, are you in or is it still a no?"

I was shocked. Speechless. We weren't rich and we had needs, no room for wants, yet they'll let me take the half and save it? Now signing up for something I have zero chance for is suddenly worth it. I returned mom's smile sincerely.

"Yes mom, thank you!"

And right after two weeks... the worst case scenario happened. I was indeed Selected.

In a matter of seven days, I would be off to the Capital of Alicea, to Alice City. I would start to live and learn to be a princess many can only dream to be, to compete for a crown I don't need, and to win a the heart of a prince I don't know. Handsome and heart-throbbing as he seems to be, Natsume Hyuuga just doesn't have any sort of appeal to me.

I'm going to miss everything— my mother, my father, my siblings, my life as a simple musician... everything.

WHAT WRONG TURN DID MY FATE COME ACROSS TO?!

Oh well. I guess it can't be avoided. I suck at being lucky.

This week was full of officials swarming into our house to prepare me for the Selection. There was an obnoxious woman who seemed to think I'd lied about half my application, followed by an actual palace guard who came to go over security measures with the local soldiers and give our home a once-over. Apparently I didn't have to wait until getting to the palace to worry about potential rebel attacks. How wonderful.

We got about two calls from a woman named Serina Yamada— who sounded calm over the phone, yet very businesslike at the same time— wanting to know if I needed anything that she has to prepare for my life in the palace, mentioning that she will be one of the Selected's instructors.

But so far, my favorite visitor was a lovely pink-haired woman called Misaki Harada. She came to measure me for mywardrobe. I wasn't sure how to feel about wearing dresses and gowns that were probably heavier than my small body, but Misaki was more than enthusiastic to tell me that I'd look great in one.

The last of these visitors came on Wednesday afternoon, two days before I leave. He was in-charge of going over all the official rules with me. He was incredibly skinny with greasy black hair that was smoothed back, and he kept sweating. Upon entering the house, he asked if there was some private place we could talk. It was my first clue that something was going to go on.

"Well, we can sit in the kitchen if want somewhere cooler," Mom suggested, pouring Mr. Skinny some tea. He dabbed his head with the handkercief and looked over at Youichi, who sat on the table across me. My brother scowled back at him.

"Actually, any place would be fine. I just think you might want to ask your younger son to leave the room."

How confidential would his words be to ask my most trusted sibling to get out of hearing range?

It wasn't Youichi's attitude be such a baby and cause a scene— he does it in a more discreet way. Youichi turns his smoldering charcoal stare to me. I sigh and escort him out of the room.

"Youichi." I call as soon as mother and Skinny were out of range.

"People should stop treating me like a child," he muttered darkly. "I'm thirteen."

"Maybe they thought you may not be ready for some, uh..." I stammered, trying to come up with an excuse my smartass brother would accept. "... teenage girly... you know, stuff."

I wasn't sure if he understood or if he was too pissed to care. Youichi rolled his eyes and told me Whatever, but I knew how much sulking he was doing on the inside. He turned his back on me and stalked up the stairs to his room.

Back to the kitchen, Mom and Skinny were having their second batch of tea. I poured a cup for myself and sat beside my mother. He had a stack of papers and a pen laid out next to another folder with my name printed on the cover. He arranged his information neatly and spoke.

"I'm sorry to be this secretive, but there are some things I need to address that are quite unfit for young ears such as Mr. Youichi's," Skinny wiped his face some more.

"He's thirteen. He would understand." Mom nods.

"Miss Mikan Yukihira, I know this might sound a little harsh, but as of last Friday, you are now considered royal property of Alicea. You must take care of your body from here on out. I have several forms for you to sign as we go through this information. Any failure to comply on your part will result to your immediate disqualification from the Selection. Understood?"

I nodded. Even mom did.

"Very good. Let's start with the easy stuff. These are vitamins. Since you are a Five, I assume that you may not have access to proper nutrition. You must take one of these each day. You're on your own now, but at the palace you'll have a lot of people to assist you." He passed a bottle across the table to me, along with a form I had to sign to say I have received it. "I have with me your health form from your doctor. It seems that you are in excellent health, except that you haven't been sleeping very well."

I chose to lie. A little. " Umm, I... was just so excited, you know! It's been a little hard to sleep with all the stress these days." It was the truth, minus the excitement part. The past days were whirlwinds of stress with all the preparations being made.

"Ah. I see. Well, I have here some aids to help you with sleeping if you need them. We would want you well-rested. Moving on. now, I know this is too personal, but I have to discuss it with every contestant, so please don't be shy." He paused dramatically. "I need confirmation that you are still a virgin."

Upon the word, I nearly puked and mom's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. SERIOUSLY? If Youichi was still in the room, he would no doubt bolt immediately. I'm not getting any more comfortable either.

"Are you serious?" I choked. Why can't they just believe whatever I wrote in the damned registration paper or at least send a woman, like Misaki or Serina-san to confirm... this is so... awkward...

"I'm afraid so. If you are not, then we need to know immediately."

By this time, my mother was laughing.

"I know the law, sir. Of course I am!"

Skinny gave me some kind of look. "That's good to hear, because if you were found lying..."

"Please sir, Mikan never even stood next to a boy within a meter of distance." My mom assured him. I didn't know how she found it funny. "I'm not sure if the prince would approach her either, she's just so... I don't know...

"Exactly," I said, giving my mother a pointed look, praying for this topic to close.

"Very good. I only needed you to confirm your statement." I rolled my eyes but obeyed anyway. I was glad Alicea existed, considering that this very land had nearly been turned to rubble, according to my small amount of historical background, but these regulations were starting to make me feel like I was suffocating. Like being a part of royalty meant having silver chains holding you down.

"I need to go over the rules with you. They are very straightforward,and you shouldn't have a hard time complying. If you have some, speak out the questions now if you please."

He looked up to make an intense eye contact with me. I swallowed my bile.

"I will," I mumbled.

"You cannot leave the palace grounds of your own accord. You have to be dismissed by the prince himself to do that. Even the kind and queen cannot force you out. They can tell the prince that they disapprove of you, but only he can make the decision on who leaves and who stays.

"There is no timeline set for the Selection. It may last for days, weeks, months, or could also probably stretch into years. This would test the prince's decisiveness as well."

"Years?" I asked in horror. Isn't that way too much? The thought set me on edge.

"Not to worry, dear. The prince isn't likely to drag it for a very long time. The prince is not a person of socialization, so it might take a while for His Highness to know you better. But if he chose to take it that way, you will be required to stay for as long as the prince makes his choice about you."

The fear I felt must have made its way to the nerves on my face, because mom reached for my hand and patted it soothingly. Skinny, however, was unfazed.

"You do not arrange your schedule with the prince. It should be he who would arrange them with you. If he seeks for it, then he will arrange a one-on-one company with you. If you are in a larger social setting, that is different. But you do not go to him without invitation. Understood?"

"So far, I do."

"Good. Moving on. No one would really expect you to easily get along with all the other thirty-four Selected girls, but you are not to fight with them or sabotage them. If you are found laying hands on one of your fellow contestants, it will result to your instant elimination from the Selection.

"Only only romantic relationship will be only with the prince. If you are found breaking this rule, the offense is considered treason and is punishable by a death penalty. If you are found breaking a written law, you shall receive the punishment set for that offense. Being a Selected does not put you above the law.

"You must not wear any clothes nor eat any food unless it is set by the palace. This is a security issue and will be strictly enforced. On Fridays you all shall be present for all Alice Capital Report broadcasts. On occasion, but always with warning, here will be cameras or photographers in the palace, and you should be courteous and-"

"Okay, okay, okay, Mr. Skinny. What are the other essentials?"

"Your family shall be compensated for every week of your stay in the palace. Other things about this shall be explained before you leave."

He handed mom a slip. I didn't bother see the digits, but mom's expression told me that it was enough for a year of needs. And a little of wants. Money for princessing in the palace. Cool. It was like I signed up to be sold off. Insert intense eye-roll

"Should you make it to the top 10, you shall be considered as an Elite. Once you reach that status, you shall be required to learn about the lifestyle of a Queen. You are not permitted to seek further details before that time.

"From this moment on, you are officially a Three."

Mom and I choked.

"A Three?!" Mom exclaimed.

"Yes. Twos and Threes retain their castes, but Fours and below tend to struggle with their lives after the Selection. If you have been chosen to be the prince's bride, you and your family shall all be Ones as part of the Royal Family."

"Ones..." The word was faint upon my mom's lips.

"Any more questions?"

"... None, sir."

"Good. I shall be taking my leave then... but one last thing. This isn't exactly a rule or whatsoever, but it would be unwise if you ever would dare turn the Prince down on anything. Anything he asks of you, do not turn him down."

The door closed. Mom was humming. I was quiet.

Never turn the prince down on anything?

What did he mean by that?

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