Chapter 16 - Coral

Many girls in black and white dresses like mine, I walk towards the sound and they drag me with them. I go with the flow, and I look at my competitors around me.

Lots of people look excited, as if they've waited their whole life for this. Maybe they did.

Others just look nervous, and it's for a good reason.

A few people, like me, just look really confused.

I jump as someone taps my shoulder. I turn and look at a girl behind me. I glanced at her hair, which I've gotten used to doing.

Her hair is in a simple,yet elegant ponytail, that sits at the top of her head. I noticed that it's just gray, like mine. Like most peoples', actually.

The girl walks in stepside me and says, "Hi. Sorry to bother you, but you look like someone who won't yell at me for asking a question." Her voice is a bit melodic and sweet.

I nod. " I generally don't yell at people, unless I have a good reason."

The girl clearly looks relieved to hear me say that. "Okay good. Because I wasn't entirely sure. Well, hi. My name is Kate, but you can call me Katie, or Kate"

"Hi Kate. I am Scarlet. What's your question?"

"Um, well, I was just wondering, how do you stay calm during this? I mean, I'm kind of freaking out, but you look calm. You're not even sweating a little! How do you do it?"

"How come you're not asking The people up there, who can actually give you good advice?"

"Yes, but they're mean, and I'm already sweating just thinking about it."

"That's fair. Before I answer that question, you have to answer a few of mine. First, what do you know about this challenge?"

"Just that it will only end when there are 20 people left, and that our job is to basically just stay as pretty as possible."

"All right. And what are you worried about in this competition?"

"Um, just staying pretty, so I can pass, not dying, of course, and not disappointing my parents. They want me to try to do well."

I smile. "You'll do great, I just know it. Besides, your parents will love you even if you fail. That's what they're there for. To pick you up when you fall down. So there isn't any reason to worry. Just take a deep breath to cool down. Then you'll be fine."

She smiles. "I thought you said you didn't have any good advice."

I chuckle. "No more than that."

We walk a little farther and then the horde of girls stops. The room has many tables, each with a vase of flowers, and two or three chairs, but one is always empty. Then, people seem to recognize someone, and sit across from them.

Overhead speakers announce that we are allowed to have a quick talk with someone we know. For most people that's a parent or sibling. I glance around and spot James and Adam.

As I make my way towards them, Adam gets up and walks off. I sit in the chair, albeit a little uncomfortable in the dress.

"He just needed the washroom." Says James, pointing his thumb in the direction Adam went. He then shifts, squirming slightly in a seat and I see a pink blush at the base of his neck, as he avoids my eye contact.

I quietly clear my throat. "So... Someone said I have to stay pretty to finish the competition. Is that true?"

The pink on his neck gets higher as he turns and looks at me for the first time since we got here. He stares at me for a moment longer, then shakes himself slightly, clearing his thoughts, and bringing him back to the moment. "Oh. Right. Um, I'm honestly not sure. I would assume so, but you shouldn't take my advice. They should tell you what to do, though. All I know is that it won't end until there are 20 people left."

Voice on the speakers overhead cut off James' next words. "All participants in this challenge, please make your way to the door with the security, and make sure you get checked off the list. Yes, please make your way out the door labeled exit, or we will have to remove you from the room. Thank you." A click sounds at the end when the lady is finished talking.

I stand up to go, but James says, "Wait." I turn to see him with his head tilted, inspecting my face. "Something's missing."

His eyes go wide and I can practically see the lightbulb over his head flash bright. He takes a flower from the pot on the table, snaps most of the stem off, and puts the white flower in my hair. He gently pulls the braid, and wraps the flower inside it, making sure it won't fall out.

My temple tingles from where he touched it, as if his hand was still there. I see him blush again, and feel my face heat up too, but not from embarrassment. I'm not sure what it is.

"Well, good luck! I'll see you after." And with that, we part ways. I quickly catch up to the girls, and I silently thank Charlie and Caroline that they didn't give me heels.

I find Kate in the crowd, and she looks nervous. I see her watching a few girls in the front, who all look calm and collected, and very graceful. I'd even bet they're all wearing high heels,

"Is something wrong?" I asked her gently.

"It's fine. They're just mean people." I had the feeling that she wanted to use a stronger word than me.

I just nod in understanding and say, "I know what you mean. Where I lived, some people were just... the worst."

The girls all stopped, and I tried to see why. I stand as high as I can, and look. To my disappointment, I am slightly too short to see anything.

Then, everyone slowly gets sorted into lines, as directed by four people, shoving everyone to make them go wherever they're supposed to be.

I get pushed near the front, next to people around my height. The girl to my right looks so confident, it feels as if she's already won. The girl to my left, though, looks on the verge of tears. She trembles, and I can just hear a very soft whimpering. I know it's none of my business, but I can't just leave her like this, even if we are competitors.

"Hey," I whisper softly, carefully nudging her with my elbow.

The girl turns shocked and questioning eyes, "W - who are you?" She asked quietly.'' Do I know you?"

I shake my head. "I don't think so. I just couldn't help but notice that you looked nervous."

She trembles a bit, but it's less than before, and the tears seem to have disappeared for now. "Yes," she says, nodding. "I wasn't scared before, but after the visit from my brother, he..." She pauses and swallows. "He said some things."

I don't know what "things" she's talking about, but it isn't much of my business anyway.

Instead I ask, "How were you calm before? I know that I myself, along with a few other people, are currently freaking out inside."

It's not exactly the truth, but I found that people generally talk more when they think they're helping and being 'A Hero'. Either that, or some people are really modest.

Just as I hoped, she smiles and says, "I just thought about my name, Coral Waters, and water can be calm and peaceful."

"Your name is coral? That's cool."

"Well, Scarlet is a cool name too."

"How do you know my name?" I ask, more curious than suspicious.

She blushes, realizing she'd been caught. "It was you who talked with the prince in the race, right?"

"Oh," I say, slightly taken off guard. "I didn't realize that was a big deal."

"I'm glad it is you. I wasn't sure with the shape of the mask. But it is a big deal." Coral says nodding, nodding her head enthusiastically with this expression. "All the other girls are jealous, though some don't recognize you without the hat on."

I smile a little, feeling like a superhero with a secret identity. "Then good thing for the pin," I say, fingering my magical hair clip.

"Yes, well, it also means it's harder to recognize others too. Except for some people."

"Who?"

"People who basically have servants. People like Chloe over there," she says, pointing to the girl surrounded by a horde of other girls, all staring at her in a trance-like state. "She's the most popular person that isn't royal, though she's the closest thing most are going to get to royalty. Her mom has one of the best clothing stores, second only to Charlie's."

"Wow. I hadn't realized she was such a big name! She made this dress, I think. It fits perfectly, and it feels great."

"Yep. That's probably hers then."

"Charlie is nice though. I always expect rich people to be mean, and live inside a large, expensive house, not a small one."

"Wait." She says with a look of disbelief. "You've been inside her house?! Have you met her brother?"

"Umm... Yes. Why?"

"You have?!" Coral's eyes go wide as ping-pong balls. "He's the most amazing guy on the planet! He's also super cute!"

I try really hard not to roll my eyes, but I sigh instead.

"What?" Coral asks, sound and concerned.

"It's just that I feel like you're making him sound better than he actually is."

"What are you talking about?" She sounds more curious than angry, which is a good thing.

"Well," I start, trying not to sound mean, but still get my point across. "You're making him sound like this perfect guy that's always nice, but the first time we met, he was so rude. He knew that I was new and didn't know much, but he got all annoyed when I asked questions. He's much nicer now, but still."

Cora stays quiet during my short speech, and I'm worried about what her reaction will be.

"Huh," says Coral. That's it. Nothing else. I was expecting more.

"Huh what?" I prompted.

"It's just that I honestly thought you were going to say something much worse about him. Everyone else I've asked over the years said something similar, like how he was great and still needs work, but you, so far, I've given him the nicest speech. Or they fangirl over him way harder than I did!" We laugh as I imagine every TV show ever way the girls and boys Fangirl/fanboy over the hot, rich boy.

Before I can continue chatting with my new friend, an official-looking lady with jet black hair walks up to the front and starts speaking. Her voice comes through the speakers, but she already has everyone's attention.

"Welcome to your second game."

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