AFTER that, Asmeen completely avoided her parents. It didn't take much, as most of her time was spent in training. She only slept in their house, really.

It was the fourth-last day. Honestly, only four more days to go. Dara and Osoric weren't going easy on them at all—Asmeen wasn't sure whether they meant for them all to be worn out before the final day. It certainly seemed like that.

Elyn had taken to mothering her and Wylla, in a very strange turn of events. She reminded them to drink water all day long, made sure they ate enough—she'd really become like Wylla, minus the cheeriness, now that Wylla was getting even more tired. It wasn't often Asmeen could see the resemblance between the twins, but now she did.

Asmeen could barely sleep, even though she knew that getting enough sleep was especially important now. In seventy-two hours, they'd be doing the final challenge. In ninety-six, she'd either be a Flower Child or she wouldn't. She felt butterflies in her stomach every time she looked at Dara. She tried not to look at Aven.

Today was a strength challenge. It was, again, a partner event, and Asmeen would be lying to say she wasn't frustrated with Aven at times, or that he wasn't at her. There was a lot—too much, Asmeen would say—of running. She hadn't realized she had that much stamina, even though she'd trained hard for the strength round this time.

She hoped the next few days wouldn't involve strength challenges as well, because they knew for sure by now that the last day involved one. Some other trainees had confirmed, with Flower Children and Children of the Night that they knew, that the original rumor of a combination of all their challenges was in fact true.

So, that was great. Asmeen...she just wanted it to be over with. But the day seemed to crawl by. Especially since it was a strength challenge that day, it felt like it would never end. Asmeen was in so much pain by the time the sun had set she just laid down on the grass and breathed.

All around, she could see other trainees just sitting down, or gulping down water. Aven was sitting a bit away, his eyes closed. Asmeen closed her own eyes, letting the cold air wash over her. At least because they'd run so much, they didn't feel too cold. Now, though, her body was rapidly cooling as the wind hit her sweat. Even her dress was soaked.

"Get up."

Asmeen opened her eyes to see Elyn standing over her, coated in sweat as well, but stone-faced. Wylla was sitting behind her.

She groaned.

"Get up," Elyn repeated. "We have to get home. It's dark, and I'd like to go to bed."

"Only three days left," Wylla murmured, gazing at the stars above. She was clearly in her own world.

Asmeen sighed and heaved herself up into a sitting position. "No one else is going home. We won't get into trouble if there are still trainees outside."

"I'd rather not find out," Elyn said plainly. "Get up."

Asmeen pushed herself upright as Elyn turned to Wylla, ordering her to do the same. Wylla did, looking more exhausted than Asmeen had ever seen her. She supposed all of them looked the same way. At least there were only three days left.

Bjóll, there were only three days left.

The words kept repeating in her mind as the three of them began walking towards their house. There were only two days left. Asmeen didn't think she'd be able to sleep. She'd barely eaten today, even with Elyn's scolding during their afternoon and evening breaks for meals.

Elyn opened the door, and they walked in silently. Thankfully, this time neither of their parents was there. Asmeen wasn't sure she'd have been able to handle if they had.

Everything was getting to be too much. The fact that training was ending, the anxiety and pressure that came with, what was going to happen with Aven, with her sisters—and the future. If she didn't get in, she'd have to join her father's trading business.

To some extent, he'd always made her aware of this. He'd been teaching her little things for years, when it became apparent that she wouldn't make it into the Flower Children—even though now she was so close—Asmeen had just been in denial. She'd never particularly wanted to join her father's business. Especially now that it wasn't going at all well.

She'd have no option, but, if she failed. She wouldn't be allowed to sew, at all, because her father had problems with that. She wasn't sure what she'd do. All she could do now was pray that she'd make it—but that meant that Aven would fail. They'd always known that only one of them would make it, though.

She was scared.

Even once they got into bed, and the candle was snuffed out, Asmeen couldn't sleep. Neither or her sisters could, she knew. They were tossing and turning as much as she did. She could make out Wylla's wide-open eyes in the moonlight from the window.

Finally, she said, "I can't sleep."

Wylla sighed. "Neither can I."

Elyn, predictably, was the last and most reluctant to respond. "I can't. But I want to."

"I'm scared," Asmeen admitted, her voice small in the room.

The twins were silent for a moment. Then Wylla said, "So am I."

"I am too," Elyn said, her voice more miserable than Asmeen could ever remember it being. Maybe in the darkness, and since her back was to them, as they couldn't' see her face she was letting some of her emotions into her voice.

"I don't know what's going to happen," Wylla said, turning her to face Asmeen.

"Especially to us," Asmeen said softly. "I keep worrying about me and Aven, but I don't think I'd be able to stand it if the two of you made it in and I didn't."

"I keep worrying about that as well," Wylla said, letting out a dry laugh. "I remember being so excited when we found out that we'd all made it in this round of training, but now..."

"It almost makes it worse," Asmeen said, nodding. "It seems impossible that all three of us will get in. What about your partners—do you think they'll get in, or you?"

"My partner is really good," Wylla said, sounding like she'd already thought about this. "Between her and I...I don't think it looks good for me."

Asmeen wanted to tell Wylla to think positively—but how could she, when she herself couldn't? She could understand Wylla's concerns about her partner. Aven was as good, if not better, than Asmeen. She was pretty sure that, in the end, it would come down to pure luck.

"Elyn?" Wylla asked, after a moment of silence.

Elyn sighed. "I don't know. It's not like we can really do anything about it. We're working as hard as we can, but what happens will happen."

Asmeen nodded. "I feel so...strange. I don't want training to end, but I do at the same time."

"You don't want things to change," Elyn said.

"Yes," Asmeen said, ruminating over the words. Elyn had said it exactly.

"Things will change after training ends. Whether we get selected or we don't, things will change. We can just pray for the best outcome. I hope we're still on good terms with our partners and each other, and that we all end up doing what we love, and what's right for us."

That was probably one of the longest—and wisest—sentences Elyn had ever said, And Asmeen agreed. She knew things would change. If they were selected, of course, they'd leave their house and live a completely different lifestyle. And if they didn't...

"We'll have to join father's business," she said, shutting her eyes.

Wylla let out a small noise. "Right. I can't imagine doing that."

"What do you two want to do if you don't make it? Forgetting about the business." Asmeen asked. She didn't want to make them nervous, but it was something they all had to think about.

"I'd probably go back to working at the bakery," Elyn said, after a moment of thought. "And then try to find a better job, somewhere so that I can support us. I'd definitely have enough credentials."

"Right, because you got into the last round of training and everyone at the bakery thinks highly of you," Asmeen said, nodding. "Wylla?"

Wylla sighed. "I don't really know. I think I might end up joining father's company, just because I don't know what I want to do. I'm not really good at anything in particular."

Asmeen pursed her lips. She didn't want to say it, but it was true. Wylla had always been average—at studies, sports—training was the first time she'd seen Wylla truly excel. Honestly, Wylla's strength lied in making friends—or, rather, connections. She knew so many people.

It seemed Elyn was thinking the same. "I think you'd get a job somewhere where, you know, they need someone to make connections. You're good at getting along with people even if you don't like them. That's a handy skill to have. Like in politics. Improving relations with other cities."

"I suppose so," Wylla said. By the sound of her voice, she wasn't quite convinced.

Elyn clearly picked up on it. "Whatever it is, we shouldn't be thinking about it now. Just try to stay positive, and let's get through these three days," she said briskly, her tone shutting down any further conversation.

"You're right," Wylla murmured. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Asmeen said back, turning onto her side.

She didn't realize when she fell asleep.

See you next chapter!