For those of you who don't remember, the girls left in the competition as of last chapter were Carlee, Celeste, Hayley, Christine, and Amberly.

We are all gathered downstairs, staring at the doors to the hospital wing. Me, Celeste, Hayley, and Christine joining hands and all hoping for the best. We four girls, all from different walks of life, holding each other's hands, four girls who if not for this competition, might not have ever met. But right now, the only place I want to be is with these girls. We have become friends over this competition. Amberly was my best friend. "No. Don't say was. Is. Is." I think. Over and over in my head, I see Amberly's face and telepathically tell her to stay alive. It must have worked, or maybe I'm just crazy, but the door props open a sliver, and a nurse beckons the royal family inside.

Jacen looks at us before going inside. The door shuts softly behind him, and I crumple. I fall to the floor, holding my head in my hands. The other girls gather around me, but I can't be moved. They finally leave me alone and I cry softly into my hands, letting my tears pool in them before dripping to the floor. I am so lost in my mind, I don't hear the door to the hospital wing open, and Jacen come out and the next thing I know, he has me by the waist, and is walking me into the hospital wing. I cover my eyes and prepare to see Amberly lying out on a bed with all life gone from her eyes. But I stop in my tracks when I hear a voice.

"Hey, Carlee." It says. 

"No, no, no." This can't be happening. I am not hallucinating. She is gone. Don't trick me. 

"Carlee." It says. Jacen pulls my hands from my eyes. I cower a bit at the light, but when my eyes adjust to the light, I see Amberly sitting there. Alive. Talking. Smiling. At me. Alive. Talking. Smiling. Alive. Talking. Smiling. My mind goes in circles before I actually understand what is in front of me. I let out a large whiff of air and I didn't realize I wasn't breathing. Amberly is alive. My tears begin to fall softly, and Amberly reaches out to me. I give her a hug, and the last thing I remember is her hugging me back.