[A humble brag goes wrong.]

"I can't believe this!" Anabela tossed her braids over her shoulders. "Why would he choose me?"

"Girl, just accept it already. Everyone wants to be in Captain Dylan's team. You're lucky you got chosen," Emilie sulked, nudging at the broccoli on her plate. Her reason was pretty plain: the guy she idolised so much had picked her best friend instead of her.

Dylan Solvanio was the typical main star everyone admired. He was skilful, charming and amiable, even guys worshipped him. What more was there to say towards her profound admiration towards the unparalleled captain? She had always dreamed to be in his team for the Games, and even after hours of sweat and blood shed, she could practically hear her heart shatter the moment his blue eyes landed on her, only to shift towards the girl beside her- Anabela.

Her friend didn't seem to sympathise. "I don't get it," she continued to gripe. "Out of everyone! What did I even do to be picked?"

Emilie's grip on her cutlery tightened. This was nothing new. She knew Anabela's big flaw- humble brag. The auburn-haired girl just couldn't resist herself. Although her eyebrows were knitted and lips downturned, she couldn't prevent the spark of pride that glimmered in her green irises. Emilie could tell- inside of her, the girl was practically swelling with hauteur.

Seeing her friend denying her happiness on other things was one, but boy, did it stab this round.

Now only did Anabela notice the shadow casted over Emilie's crestfallen features. She quickly realised her mistakes, and leaned forward to grasp her friend's hands. "Don't worry, Emi, I'm sure you'll be able to get in soon, too."

"...Yeah," smothering the jealousy flickering in her, she forced a smile at her friend. "I need to work harder."

Assured, Anabela nodded and eased back into her seat. She picked up her own fork and waved it in the air slightly. "Hey, I mean, look, it's not like I'm getting any different treatment from everyone else. Sure, it takes some time before I can officially join the team as a full-fledge member, but in the meantime, I'm still stuck here."

And here she goes.

"Have you looked at our schedule, though? Like, everything's so cramped, if you were me, even you would probably get bored from staring at his face for too long," she began to allow her tongue loose, words spilling out faster than she could actually think twice.

"Hey, Ana..."

"Jeez, and I'll barely have free time. Most of our breaks are barely enough just for a quick meal, shower, or six hours of sleep. If I had known this, I might even give up my place for you."

As soon as those words tumbled out, only did she realise her mistake. She quickly snap her mouth shut, but it was too late.

The cafeteria had gone silent, and everyone's attention was trained on her. The last of her words still resonated in the room.

Emilie could only slowly lowered her face into her hands. In the midst of her "rant", the prideful girl had let the fact that they were in public go over her head, and what's more, an entire cafeteria consisting of all the participants of the Nomination and most likely, a lot of Dylan fans.

And now she could only expect the worse.

"Hey... Anabela, is it?" A new voice rang out. Emilie straightened herself to glance at the speaker. It was a guy, whose back was still turned on them. Slowly, he rose from his chair. The screech of the chair against the floor sliced through the thick silence. "You were pretty lucky at the Nomination, but..."

He spun around, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a clasped fist. With sinking dread, Emilie didn't need to see what was inside to know. She remembered him. Kurt, another avid fan of Dylan, and one of the top scorers in the Nomination Challenge. His medallion gave him the terrifying power of an electric eel, which he gladly used to his advantage to bulldoze his way through his opponents.

He grinned, the savagery on his face instantly shooting spikes of ice in her heart. Anabela was no different, and she could only put on a wavering, nervous smile.

"If I beat you, does that mean you will willingly hand over your place in Captain Dylan's team?"

It was more of a declaration of war than a friendly question. It was no question everyone got the message, because more and more people began to rise, each taking out their own medallions.

"N-No...I meant..." Anabela stuttered, scooting out of her seat towards the door. But Emilie knew anything she said now was in vain. Her humble brag had gone wrong.

"Ana..." she could only breathe out in a small voice. Her friend turned her widened eyes towards her. She returned it with an equal look of terror.

"Run."

♧[19/5/2020]♧

Ah, just one of the days your brain goes blank and you can't come up with a concrete plot resulting in you just randomly spewing words.

I'll just leave this here and go-

:)