The Elite (Selection)

and Lucy on the bed. The balcony doors were open, and the delicious Angeles air wafted in. May fell into the palace look so naturally, her day dress hanging perfectly on her frame as she sat braiding parts of Lucy’s hair back and letting the rest fall free. I’d never seen Lucy without her hair pulled up tight into a bun. She looked lovely like this, young and carefree.
    “What’s it like to be in love?” May asked.
    Part of me ached. Why hadn’t she ever asked me? Then I remembered, as far as May knew, I’d never been in love.
    Lucy’s smile was sad. “It’s the most wonderful and terrible thing that can ever happen to you,” she said simply. “You know that you’ve found something amazing, and you want to hold on to it forever; and every second after you have it, you fear the moment you might lose it.”
    I sighed softly. She was absolutely right.
    Love is beautiful fear.
    I didn’t want to let myself think too much about losing things, so I walked inside.
    “Lucy! Look at you!”
    “Do you like it?” She reached back, touching the delicate braids.
    “It’s wonderful. May used to braid my hair all the time, too. She’s very talented.”
    May shrugged. “What else was I supposed to do? We couldn’t afford to have dolls, so I used Ames instead.”
    “Well,” Lucy said, turning to face her, “while you’re here, you will be our little doll. Anne, Mary, and I are going to make you look as pretty as the queen.”
    May tilted her head. “No one’s as pretty as her.” Then she quickly turned to me. “Don’t tell Mom I said that.”
    I chuckled. “I won’t. For now, though, we have to get ready. It’s almost time for tea.”
    May clapped her hands together excitedly and went to settle in front of the mirror. Lucy pulled her hair up, managing to keep the braids together as she made her bun, putting her cap on to cover most of it. I couldn’t blame her for wanting it to stay as it was a little bit longer.
    “Oh, a letter came for you, miss,” Lucy said, handing an envelope to me with great care.
    “Thank you,” I replied, unable to keep the shock out of my voice. Most of the people I expected to hear from were currently with me. I tore it open and read the brief note, its deliberate scratch completely familiar.
    America,
    I have found out belatedly that the families of the Elite were recently invited to the palace, and that Father, Mother, and May have left to visit you. I know that Kenna is far too pregnant to travel, and Gerad is much too young. I’m trying to understand why this invitation wasn’t extended to me. I’m your brother, America.
    My only guess is that Father chose to exclude me. I certainly hope it wasn’t you. We are on the edge of great things, you and I. Our positions can be very helpful to each other. If any other special privileges are ever offered to your family, you ought to remember me, America. We can help each other.
    Did you happen to mention me to the prince? Just curious.
    Write soon.
    Kota
    I debated crumpling it up and tossing it in the trash. I had hoped Kota might be getting over his caste climbing and learn to be content with the success he had. No such luck, it seemed. I threw the letter in the back of a drawer, choosing to forget about it entirely. His jealousy wasn’t going to spoil this visit.
    Lucy rang for Anne and Mary, and we all had a wonderful time getting ready. May’s effervescent attitude kept us all in good spirits, and I found myself singing while we dressed. Not long after, Mom came by, asking all of us to double-check that she looked all right.
    She did, of course. She was shorter and curvier than the queen, but she was every bit as regal in her dress. As we walked downstairs, May clutched my arm, looking sad.
    “What’s wrong? You’re excited to meet the queen, aren’t you?” I asked.
    “I am. It’s just …”
    “What?”
    She sighed. “How am I supposed to go back to khakis after all this?”
    The girls were animated, and everyone was sparkling with energy. Natalie’s sister, Lacey, was about May’s age, and they sat in a corner, talking. I could see how Lacey resembled her sister. Physically, they were thin, blond, and lovely. But where May and I were opposites personality-wise, Natalie and Lacey were so similar. I would have described Lacey as a bit less whimsical, however. Not quite as clueless as her sister.
    The queen made her rounds, speaking to all the mothers, asking questions in her sweet way. I was in a