hurts my ears!
“What’s her name?” I asked Demetrius under my breath.
“Anna.” He breathed back, still chuckling. Anna spoke again.
“Well after showing Carlos how gravity works, I then had to show Demetrius over here why not to put hands on a girl who doesn’t want it.” She shrugged. My father actually started laughing.
“Why?” He chuckled, clearly amused by her charisma. I was mesmerized by it. She was so interesting.
“I wasn’t going in here with a dress pinker than Paris Hilton’s wardrobe, and Demetrius made a pass at me so I showed him how to kiss the floor instead of me.” She shrugged. I started laughing then, imaging him on the floor at the mercy of her. Demetrius scowled at me.
“Not funny Kia! She’s good!” He defended his wounded pride. I patted him on the back and I saw Anna looking at me. Her mouth was slightly ajar, and I couldn’t help but look back.
Even though she was only wearing common clothes, she still looked more beautiful than any other girl in this room. Because hers was natural.I heard a throat clear and she looked down embarrassed. I looked up to see my mother and father grinning knowingly at me .
“Well, let’s get started shall we?” My father announced. Anna then held up her hand.
“Excuse me? King person? I need to go home.” She said. No! She couldn’t go now! She seemed so much more interesting than the others! My father furrowed his eyebrows,
“Why dear?” He asked. She sighed.
“I wasn’t supposed to be here. I came here on some stupid radio contest. I went into that building when I saw these other girls go in because I thought they sold girls clothes in it. So I was mistaken for another girl.” She explained.
My face fell. I looked at my father and silently begged him to figure out a way for her to stay. I knew it was selfish, but she was the only silver lining I had seen so far to this ridiculous completion.
He looked at me and sighed.
“Um…?” He trailed off.
“Anna, but people usually call me Red.” She answered. Some people chuckled.
“Well, Anna. I’m sorry you were put in this predicament, but we have to keep this quiet. We don’t want the media finding out, so I’m sorry but for the time being, you must stay here, until we sort this out.” He said. I felt a small smile creep up to my face. Anna’s jaw dropped.
“What?! I don’t belong here! Find that other chick who skipped out! I’ll keep my mouth shut I promise! I need to get back to school, and then there’s my mom and my friends!” She rambled on and on, losing steam as she goes. There was silence as she thought it over.
“How long?” She asked with a resigned voice. My father sighed; he didn’t like it when people under his roof were upset.
“The competition is around three months long. The tradition is using 15 girls. So I will ask you to participate and in the end it will be my son’s decision.” He said. She looked confused.
“What is this competition anyways?” She asked. Oh wow, she didn’t even know about that yet!
“Every generation as far back as this country began the eldest son in the royal family has to choose his bride out of 15 girls chosen for him by his parents. Each girl no matter what gets one night with him. If he likes or takes interest in one or more of them he can choose another night to get to know them better. In the end he will chose a bride and future Queen of this country and be married by the end of this competition.” He explained. She was silent for a few moments.
“Well, at least I don’t need to worry about him choosing me.” She chuckled. I didn’t though; she had every right to worry. I think I can win her over with my looks and charm. Hopefully.
“She’s great huh?” Demetrius whispered in my ear. I nodded in agreement. And then my father started to ask questions to the