CHAPTER 2

My two days left of freedom went by so quickly. I was now at Portland airport ready to fly all across America to California. This was the first time I was leaving Maine, my hometown, and I was excited for that. I couldn't wait to leave and explore another place although I doubt I would get time to explore another city. My family; Aunt Rose, Josh and Sophie were here to say goodbye. I had already said goodbye to Josh and Aunt Rose but Sophie had me locked in her freakishly strong arms of hers, especially for a thirteen old.

"I'm going to miss you, Annie."

I smiled back at her, "I'm going to miss you to, but I'll be back soon sweetie. They probably won't like me and will send me straight back home."

She gave me a look, "No, you have to stay, you have to stay and you have to marry Xavier Matthews."

I chuckled, "I doubt that would happen sweetie, but I guess I'll try."

She gave me her famous puppy dog look, "Promise?"

I sighed, regretting as soon as I said, "I promise."

After that, they let me go, and I boarded the plane with my tiny hand luggage which held my iPod Classic, my kindle, and Papua cream.

Within three hours on the flight I had fallen asleep to Resolution by Matt Corby and the story Paper Towns by John Green.

I felt a slight tug on my shoulder and looked up to see a caked face flight hostess.

"We've arrived in LA," she said in an extremely thick American accent.

My eyes fluttered open to see the dimmed cabin of the aeroplane. I made my way out of the plane and once picking my bag up from the baggage check went out to the main part of the airport. Out of about twenty people holding signs, there were three men dressed in suits who looked like FBI agents. One of them was holding a sign with my name on it. I gulped before making my way over.

As I approached him he gave me a look over and asked, "Annabelle Kennedy?"

"In the flesh,"

I think he rolled his eyes at my answer but I couldn't tell as his shades were covering his eyes.

"We just have to wait a moment miss for two other girls who were on your flight."

I sigh but stand patiently next to him.

Five minutes pass when I see some blonde girl making a scene. She was wearing pink stilettos with a check pink mini skirt and white tank top. Her bleach blonde hair was straight but fell messily down. All in all she was gorgeous, except for the fact that her face was caked in make up and looked like Regina George and Paris Hilton put together.

"I'm Lindsay Norman," she said in an ever so snobby voice.

I sighed, "this is what I'm going to have to deal with," I think to myself.

I see the FBI guys look at each other before one of them shakes his head. I smirk to myself knowing what's going on in their heads.

After another few minutes, which I listened to Lindsay complain constantly about what was taking the other girl so long, I zoned out until I saw a beautiful African-American girl making her way towards us. Her eyes were lit with amusement and she just screamed humour. I knew she was going to be a nice girl instantly.

When she reached us she said, "I'm sorry I took so long. There was a drug bust right in front of me and the police wouldn't let me through." She swept her hand through her dark curly hair.

One of the guys chuckled, "That's alright Ms. Carter. We are in no rush."

I knew he said that just to spite Lindsay.

The pretty girl turned to me and grinned, "Hey, I'm Rose."

I couldn't help smile back, "I'm Annabelle, well Annie to most people."

She smirked, "Too bad you don't have red hair; that would have been great."

I laugh and realised she didn't introduce herself to Lindsay on purpose. Lindsay raised an eyebrow before thrusting her hand out, "I'm Lindsay Norman, daughter of Walter Norman, CEO of the mall of America, from Minnesota."

Rose shook her hand but as soon as Lindsay turned around she rolled her eyes which made me laugh out loud.

Finally we were led out to the limo which drove us to The Mansion from which the show would be held.

We drove for about an hour until the car stopped outside a five metre high gate. The driver punched a password in and the gates automatically opened. He drove down the long drive way which reminded me of the mansion from Richie Rich.

It pulled to another stop outside a pair of giant double doors. Right in front, there were 90 something teenage girls lined up ready to make their entrance. The plan was to walk down the path up to the doors which would open and where Xavier was waiting. You would shake his hand and say your name and something about you.

As we stepped out of the car I saw the camera crew and the stylists to one side. There were girls who were screaming and some who were even crying.

The FBI guys who weren't actually in the FBI led us over to the registration table. Lindsay pushed her way in front and registered quickly and afterwards I went and received my number from another caked faced lady in the front. She glanced at my appearance up and down and raised an eyebrow. I realised I was wearing simple light blue skinny jeans, a black T-shirt with a guitar on the front with rolled sleeves and white converses. I realised I was the only girl dressed in jeans. Even Rose was wearing black tights with ballet flats. I shrugged not really caring what I looked like and she rolled her eyes at me and handed my number which was to be pinned somewhere on me. I was number 98 and Rose was 99.

We lined up and while the girls at the front did their walk through girl number 100 turned up. Finally, after being under the boiling sun for three hours it was my turn. First of all though, I was tired. I was exhausted from flying from across the country and jet lag was catching up. Next, I was fed up with amount of times Elliot, the director, had to cut and do over an intro and how he would yell at each girl. And lastly, I just did not want to be here so put all three factors together and you could tell I was in a pissy mood.

When Elliot called my number he ever so politely said, "Move your ass ninety-eight!" I death stared him before he yelled at me, "You look like a virgin from a nunnery in the 70's! Keep walking and smile."

Was he kidding me! Just because I was the only one wearing jeans and sneakers while the others were wearing skimpy dresses or skirts. Not all of them but most of them. Didn't the packing list clearly state modest clothing!

With the most fake smile pasted on my face I marched down the stupid pathway surrounded on both sides with stupid lavenders and when I got to the stupid double doors which opened automatically I stopped suddenly when I saw the most attractive guy I had ever seen.

He had ash brown dark hair which was styled messily. His bright green eyes were filled with many different emotions. Annoyance, amusement, exhaustion... His tanned skin showed evidence of days at the beach while his buff muscles showed clearly through his white v-neck. Damn, he was better looking than I thought.

"Cut!" The voice of the stupid director cut through my thoughts, "You're supposed to speak, ninety-eight! Do over!"

I scowled at him before stalking down the pathway. When Elliot called action I marched down the pathway again, ignoring the cameras, and when the double doors opened for a second time I threw my hand before Xavier could say anything and in an extremely annoyed voice said, "Hi, my name is Annabelle Kennedy. I do not want to be here at all and suggest that I be one of the first girls you send home."

I walked past him leaving a confused but amused expression on his face.

An FBI guy found me trying to find my way through the maze otherwise known as hallways. It turned out that until the top twenty five we were all outside in the "backyard" sharing a caravan with five other girls before we could move into the mansion.

He led me to my large caravan and I immediately recognised Lindsay and Rose. As I approached Rose tackled me into a hug, "Thank the Lord you're sharing a van with me!" I chuckled and hugged her back.

She led me to the van and I looked around. There were two double beds opposite each other with a set of cupboards in between. There were ten cupboards in total and two of them each had our number. On the other side was a room which I assumed was the shower and toilet. Next to it was a large couch and a then on the other side was a single bed which Lindsay was lying on.

Rose introduced me to three other girls; Elise, Sarah, and Taliah. Sarah, I could tell, was evil. She was already friends with Lindsay and I knew they would get along with their sadistic ways; talking about Prada and what not. Thankfully she stayed in the caravan next door instead of ours. Elise was a little out there and spoke her mind which could get annoying while Taliah was the complete opposite by being extremely shy. I liked her instantly, although she didn't say anything, she rolled her eyes at Lindsay and Sarah.

I was on the top bunk on one side and Rose was on the other. I had shoved my full suitcase into both of my cupboards instead of unpacking. I would be leaving pretty soon anyway, due to the way I introduced myself to Xavier.

We were called for dinner in the cafeteria, ground level of the mansion. I noticed I was getting a lot of dirty looks from the girls in fact the only people who were not hostile was Rose and Taliah.

Afterwards Elliot commanded us to go to the conference room (AKA the Lounge room) for the debrief. Today and tomorrow we were going to be having our two minute interviews with Xavier to finally meet him. Since I was number 98 I would be tomorrow. As everyone left Elliot called, "98, I would like to have a word with you."

My heart jumped, hoping that I would be kicked off the show. As I approached he gave me a creepy, not necessarily seedy but still creepy smile.

"How's my little star?" He asked.

"What?"

Elliot raised an eyebrow at me, "Oh please, as if that publicity stunt yesterday wasn't planned."

I looked confused, "What publicity stunt?"

He narrowed his eyes at me, "Your greeting with Mr. Matthews. That wasn't planned?"

I shook my head, "No, I'm sorry but I honestly don't want to be on the show and I said it out of anger."

Now Elliott eyes were full of anger, "You don't want to be on the show, on my show! Thousands of girls would kill for your spot and now you're in headlines all over the country because of what you did yesterday. Someone who deserved to be in the headlines should have been but no Miss. I'm-too-cool-for-TV is news nationwide!!" he ranted, anger lacing his voice while I stood there shocked.

I was making headlines?

Maybe that explained the death glares from girls at breakfast.

When I went back to the cabin Rose saw my questioning look. She held up this morning's newspaper and on the front was a photo of me and Xavier from yesterday's greeting. The paragraph below said,

Turns out not everyone is happy to meeting the teenage heartthrob, Xavier Matthews. Yesterday the launch of the brand new TV show, The Search for Cinderella premiered where we got a glimpse of the girls competing and after going through the same introductions over and over again, one definitely stood out. Contestant, Annabelle Kennedy, stole the spotlight with her fired up introduction to Xavier Matthews. Kennedy greeted Matthews annoyed and declared that she did not want to be on the show and would rather be kicked off first with the coming eliminations eliminating half the girls. What will Xavier choose to do? Was it just a publicity stunt?

"Are you kidding me!?" I shout at Rose. She shrugs, unsurprised by my outburst and then laughed, "It's quite hilarious actually. You don't want to be noticed yet you're over headlines!"

I scowl, "I never wanted to be here! Who cares who his date is. He should be man enough to pick one without the show. All he wants is more fame and publicity for his already crap music!"

"Calm down sister," Rose said, "Elliot already hates you and I'm sure he'll influence Xavier's decision somehow."

I looked at Rose, "Did you want to be on the show?"

Rose shrugged, "Not really, I don't care if I win or not. I want to be an actress or a dancer and when my principal asked me I took the chance. This could be my big break. Well, not really since we're not acting but at least I'm getting my name out there.

"Fair enough," I say. I was still annoyed at the newspaper and Elliot and Xavier and most of the girls here.

"Annie, just enjoy it while it lasts. It's not every day you're going to be on TV. Think of all things you can do," Rose, the ever so wise one, said.

A/N: I hope you guys are enjoying this. Again, please fan, vote and comment x

Question of the update: What or who is your favourite band/artist/singer?

Mine is Matt Corby. He's fabulous.