#dang my photoshopping skills ain't that bad

[naomi-lafleur]

Arriving in Angeles

 Thanks to @tracie-beauchamp, @aileen-hollingsworth, and @anastilinskii!

I could barely see from all the camera flashes shining in my eyes. It was finally the day of my send-off. This was the biggest crowd of people that I’ve ever seen. I was wearing a white blouse and black pants (as it was mandatory for all the selected) with a Nemophila in my ear. It was the national flower of Waverly. After awkwardly standing on the stage for five minutes, the mayor finally spoke.

“We are here today, to send off the beautiful daughter of Colette and Théodore Lafleur, the new Lady Naomi Lafleur! Let’s give her a round of applause!” 

Some people in the crowd were booing and screaming about how unfair it was that a Five got chosen, while the rest were cheering as loud as they could. 

“We wish you the best of luck! Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in sending off Naomi Lafleur, our favorite Daughter of Illea!” he said to end off his speech.

It was time for my farewells. I went over to Étienne first, where he gave me a hug. He kept telling me that he couldn’t be any prouder. 

“Yes, yes, yes, I know. I’ll miss you, too. Remember to feed Edgar! Love you, bro,” I said.

Next was Victoire and Lucien.

“Try not to get into any fights with each other, alright? Don’t make it too hard for mom and Étienne. I’ll miss you guys so much and I’ll try to write letters to you as much as I can. If you need any help while no one is home, go find Zara,” I said as I embraced them in a big hug.

Finally, my mom kissed my forehead. 

“You have no idea how proud I am of you. Just have fun, okay? And remember this, ma fleur, c'est dans le besoin qu'on reconnaît ses vrais amis. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Don’t become friends with the girls who aren’t going to be there for you when you are in need. I am going to miss you more than you can imagine, ma chere. Oh, and I heard that Chef Baguette will be cooking while you’re there! Tell me how good his food tastes! Je t’adore!” 

“I’ll write to you guys as soon as I get there! I love y-,” was all that I managed to say before I was pushed into the car. I looked back at my family from the window as I started to break down. 

I’d heard the sad news from one of the officials in the car with me. Apparently, one of the selected was shot by a rebel at her farewell ceremony. I think the name was… Azalea. She was from Hansport, which was right next to Waverly. It made my stomach hurt. She was the youngest of all of the selected. What if those rebels were going to get me next? What if that was me? R.I.P Azalea Archer

I was brought to the the Waverly Airport, where I got to take a private plane to Sumner. Once all five girls got to Sumner, we would all take the same airplane to Angeles. I sat in the private jet alone while the other officials were getting ready for take off. 

I should probably memorize the other girls’ names. Hmmm… First we have…  Ana Stilinski from Hudson. Next, there’s… Aileen Hollingsworth from Dominica. Then there’s Patricia Beauchamp. How are they so pretty?! Hopefully they’re nice as well.

The airplane was ready to take off now. This was the first time that I’ve been on a plane since I was six years old. I started to feel  really queasy. It’s alright, Naomi. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Don’t worry. I closed my eyes for a few minutes. When I opened them, I was in awe. I looked out the window and my jaw dropped. The sky was absolutely incredible. I immediately took out all my paint brushes and started to draw an outline. 

Once we landed in Sumner, they rushed me to the other side of the airport. I was the third one there. Tracie and Ana were already there waiting for me and Aileen.

“Hi, I’m Naomi!” 

The first girl waved. “Patricia, but call me Tracie.” 

“Cool! So where are you from, Tracie?” 

“Whites, but officially Sumner. There have been a problem with my letter... Anyway, what about you?” 

“How's it like in Whites? I live in Waverly and it's usually pretty cold”

“If it's pretty cold in Waverly, it's deadly cold in Whites! But I will miss it” 

“I'll make sure to wear lots of layers next time I go to Whites then!”

“It's worth it, the landscapes are wonderful!”

“So how old are you?” I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

Wait, wait, wait. You already knew all this, Naomi! Once we started talking, I forgot all their castes and ages.

“16, but I'm gonna turn 17 in March.”

“I am 17, my birthday is in May,” Ana finally said.

I guess she was just a little timid earlier. I can’t blame her, I was scared that this conversation would become awkward.

“Does it mean I am the youngest person of this selection? My sister hopes I will stay long enough to celebrate my birthday in the palace, she's insane” 

“Oh, you have a sister as well? Older or younger?” 

“Older, she's 26. Do you have siblings?” 

“I have a younger sister named Victoire. She's only 8 years old, along with Lucien, her twin. So we're the younger ones of the selected, I see. I thought Azalea Archer was the youngest. Did you hear the unfortunate news?” 

“Younger twins, it is not always easy I guess. Yeah, just before my farewell ceremony. I can't believe it. She has been shot because she was only a selected, this is unfair”

Ana gasped. “Oh my god! I didn't know it!” 

“It is so sad. I overheard it from one of the officials who were driving me to my first plane”

“Nobody told you Ana? That's strange.”

“Luckily, no other selected were harmed by the rebels though. Anyways, what are your hobbies?"

“Studying physics in general, or looking after my nephew,” Tracie shrugged. 

Wow, she must be really smart. Keep calm, Naomi. Don’t make yourself too awkward.

“That's cool. I like painting or practicing Taekwondo... How about you, Ana?” I added, trying to include her in the conversation.

“Taekwondo? Remember me to stay away from you or not to get you angry!” she responded. 

“Hahaha, don't worry. You both seem nice and it's usually pretty hard to get me angry.”

“Sometimes I say something before thinking about it, I need people like you who don't get angry,” Tracie giggled.

“I like playing the violin, and hanging out with my friends,” answering my earlier question.

“Are you in caste five as well?” I asked.

“No I'm a Three, but I really like the sound of the string quartets,” she said. 

Why did I assume her caste? I already knew she was a three!

“I know what you mean Ana. It's pretty relaxing,” said Tracie.

“Hahaha, I speak before thinking a lot too,”  Ana responded.

“Finally someone who knows what I live every freaking day!” 

“Cool! I love listening to string quartets as well. I can sort of play the viola but it's not my expertise. The ukulele are where my skills are at,” I chuckled.

“My brother-in-law can play the ukulele that's a funny instrument,” Tracie added.

“Did you bring it?” She asked.

“Yeah, they only allowed me to bring my special ukulele after I begged them to,” I replied.

I saw a redhead walking towards us.

“Did someone say ukulele?” She asked.

“Hi, you must be Aileen! I'm Naomi,” I said to greet her.

After the introductions, we boarded the plane.

“Is this your first time flying?” I asked Aileen.

She shook her head. “I've traveled ever since I could walk.” 

Wow, I can’t imagine having to travelling that much in my life.

“Really? What caste are you in? The only other time that I've traveled is when I moved to Waverly from France!” I said.

“Oh you come from France, Naomi? I have family there!” Tracie stated.

“You have family in France? I moved when I was around six, so I barely remember anything from then. I'm really tired. Sorry... *yawn* I'm going to take a nap, guys. Wake me up when we get there!” 

“Okay, good nap Naomi,” said Tracie.

Aileen nodded. I fell asleep right away.

Right when we got into the palace, we each had to take our ‘Before’ photos. After my photo was taken, a lady named Clementine, gestured me into a chair.

“Hi, you’re Naomi, right? I’m here to give you your makeover along with Matilda over here. Do you have any questions or shall I just start?” asked Clementine in a harsh tone.

“Um… You can begin,” I said.

“Now what can we do with her hair?” whispered Clementine.

“Hmmm… Should we dye it or cut it shorter?” asked Matilda.

“I quite like her hair. I think we should just cut it shoulder length and curl it a bit”

“Yeah, we can do that. Let’s begin!”

Matilda started to trim my hair while Clementine worked on makeup and nails. It was really rushed. 

“Ugh, your nails are absolutely horrid. How am I supposed to work on these” Clementine said in disgust.

Once I was finished with the makeover, I looked at the mirror. I thought that Clementine and Matilda did absolutely amazing and I started to feel more confident.

I was brought to my room where I met my three maids. 

“Hello, Lady Naomi. I’m Aurora, this is Eleanor, and that is Lavender! We will be your maids for the duration of your stay,” said Aurora, 

“You can just call me Naomi. It’s nice to meet you three!” I responded.

“We have a few dresses for you to pick here. We are supposed to bring you back downstairs to take your ‘after’ photos.” Lavender said.

There was a rack of lovely gowns behind them. Eventually, I chose the simple gray one with some black heels. They brought me downstairs where I lined up to get my photo taken.

 Once I was finished, I went to my back to my room, where I met Mila. Her room was right next to mine and she seemed quite kind. We exchanged some smiles and introduced ourselves to each other. I was getting tired so I went inside and got ready for bed. As I tried to fall asleep, I then realized how competitive this would turn out… but I was ready.  

One of us will become the next queen of Illéa. May the best girl win.