The Choosing Game

Hallucination

Lilliana's POV:

"You and Eric huh?" I said for the tenth time not quite believing my ears.

"Yes. Eric and I" Emily repeated rolling her eyes at me.

"So how long has this been going on and when are you going to tell Alex about it?" i asked eagerly, i wanted to know everything.

"Calm down! It's all relatively new and we are only going to give it a try not elope. And as for telling Alex, i will leave that to Eric" she explained calmly.

"Ok fine but what if Alex has feelings for you, do you think he will let you go just like that? i mean it is forbidden to go after a Lady from the choosing" i stated.

Emily laughed at me and all my yapping "Oh Lilly, i don't think the prince will have any problem letting me go" she sang.

"Hello! Where have you been all these months that he has been keeping me hostage?" i asked her, a little bit over dramatically.

She stopped what she was doing and turned to me, she let out an exasperated sigh "You know for a super smart, aspiring doctor, you could be so dense at times!" She exclaimed.

"What are you on about?" i looked at her like she had lost it.

"Alex!" She said as if that should mean something.

I hissed, she knew i hate talking about things in code "seriously? Even you cannot be that naive Lilly. The man is in love with you and everyone knows that. Well everyone but Alex and Lilly! Why do you think those girls are after you like that?" she asked. My stomach turned violently at that.

"D..don't be silly." I wanted to dismiss her, i really just wanted her to shut up and not say things like that.

"ok" She thankfully let it go.

..............................

Since Sasha got eliminated for her crazy dancing, i have always been worried that either Emily or i will be left with Ruby and Amy and yesterday my nightmare came alive.

When Emily got eliminated yesterday I was outraged. She had to plead with me to calm down and be happy for her, she truly cared for Eric and it all happened so fast for everyone. I was happy for her at first now I'm mostly sad because I will miss her dearly. Which left me with feeling mad towards Alex.

So he does favors and he couldn't let me go. I'm so mad. I left the elimination room yesterday without saying a word to him. I was not only angry, i felt myself slipping into depression and i knew what it was about. It was about Nick, this week marks three years since he left..

"I'm going to miss you. Please don't leave me here all alone" I said tearfully. I hate goodbyes that's why I don't get close to people. Apart from Sophia, Emily and Anna are the only girlfriends i have ever had, they are the only friends i have made in forever.

She stopped packing and hugged me tight "I'm just one phone call away and I'll always be here for you" she said with her voice breaking.

"How will i cope in this place? With those girls?" i let the tears out, i could not imagine myself living here for one more day with just Ruby and Amy.

A knock came through the door. We called to come in and Eric poked his head in. "Hey! Well, if it isn't my two favorite girls" he entered completely and walked to where we sat and pulling me in a hug.

"I can't believe you are taking my Emily away" my emotions are all over the place "it's not fair.." I started leaking again.

"I'm sorry.. I know it isn't the same but i'll be here" he said his eyes full of pity towards me.

"No its not! You going to be too busy and you'll leave me to the vultures. This time around i'm not only gonna hit them just don't say i didn't warn you" i warned, i was truly angry.

He chuckled lightly and hugged me again "Alex will be here to protect you"

"No he wont and you know it! He is going to go back to being his usual arrogant self, i'm sure of it!" I protested tears streaming down my eyes. OMG stop it you stupid hormones!

He and Emily comforted me for the rest of the day until it was time for her to go home. Anna joined us in taking her to the airport and we all hugged and cried when she boarded the plane. She and Eric had an emotional goodbye too.

By the time we got back to the castle i felt drained both physically and emotionally. I went straight to bed and slept the whole day because it was either that or crying the whole day.

..............................................

“Wake up!" I heard faintly in the back ground of my dream.. I just shrugged it off and turned to the other side. I felt someone shaking me "wake up! Wake up" ugh! I opened my eyes and rolled myself on my back. Just as i suspected, Anna. It was eight in the evening what could she possibly want?

"What do you want?" I said with a groggy voice.

"Alright grumpy calm down.. I just wanted to tell you to get ready" she said in a chipper tone.

"What for?" I asked feeling annoyed.

"Group date with my brother" she said sadly know how much i hate group dates. plus i was in no mood for any activity.

"No! I'm going to pass" i said pulling my blanket up to my chin

"You know it is mandatory for everyone to attend" she said.

I noticed she was dressed up. "At least you are coming too. It will be more bearable for me" i sighed.

She gave me an apologetic look and sighed "i'm not coming with you. I have a date with Jason now."

I complained the whole time i was getting ready. Anna walked me out and left. I spotted Alex by the car, Amy was leaning in whisper something in his ears.. I felt a metaphorical sharp object pierce my heart, my blood heating up to boiling point and my i felt something shatter deep inside of me. Why?

He spotted me and quickly moved away. He came towards me, my face hardened and my fist clenched. I quickly maneuvered my way past him and entered the car. I didn't once turn back to look at his face.

Alex's POV:

I felt a dull ache in my heart as she moved pass me right now and when i announced Emily was going home. I know she's angry but could she at least talk to me? It's not like she did not understand why i had to let Emily go.

I hate the silence, it is deafening! I told Emily about my feelings before she left.. The only advice she gave me was to be patient with her and i'm trying but its not always easy.

We got to the restaurant and got out. I can see the secret service trailing behind us. We received some threats concerning the Ladies yesterday, the head of the security is working hard to find where they came from and who Specifically, amongst the ladies it was about.

The security was doubled and i was still not at ease but the choosing must go on. We got to our table and Lilly was still in a mood. We made our order and chatted while waiting. I tried my possible best to involve her in the conversation but she kept getting annoyed and shutting me down.

After a while the food got here and we dug in but something rather someone caught my eye. Lilly.. She kept playing with her food which is so unlike her.

"Why aren't you eating?" I voiced out with a frown.

She didn't answer.

I sighed audibly.

"She has finally become a lady. It is a miracle!" Ruby mocked.

Before i could respond, Lilly pushed her chair back and excused herself. She dashed out of my sight before i could blink an eye. I turned and glared at Ruby who gave me an innocent smile. I decided to give her time to cool off.

Twenty minutes passed by and Lilly still hasn't returned. I was on edge. I couldn't concentrate on anything so i decided to check on her. I excused myself from the two snickering ladies and made my way downstairs. I scanned the room for her. It was so crowded i couldn't find her. I gestured one of the bodyguards tailing behind me to look around.

I got to the bar and my heart literally stopped. My Lilliana sitting on a bar stool with two guys each by her side pulling on her and trying to grope her. She was trying to push them but she seemed helpless against the two. I willed myself to move forward to where she was.

Everything happened so fast. I pulled on one of the guys off of her and threw him on the ground, i moved to the other guy and threw him over the counter. The bodyguards arrived to the spot in no time but my ears were ringing with anger i moved to the first guy punching his worthless face. One of the guards pulled me off him and told me to calm down. People brought out their phones and took pictures, i could not care less at the moment.

Lilly! Where is she? I spotted her by the entrance of the restaurant looking queasy. One of the guards was holding a cup with a barely touched virgin daiquiri in it, he brought the cup to his nose and smelt it.

"Poppy" he sneered. My blood boiled, anger rose to my heart and steam gushed from my ear.

"See to it that are taken to the castle cells and locked up until i decide what to do with them" i said in a stern authoritative voice. They nodded. I quickly made my way to Lilly, she had already stepped outside.

I hurriedly ran to her. She was walking around like she was going to fall. I reached for her and grabbed her. She turned and saw me, her eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. She leapt and hugged me tight. I was shocked to say the least. I hugged her back, tightly "You are going to be alright" i said and she started sobbing hard into my chest. My heart broke at that sound.

"Shhh its alright i have got you" i cooed trying to calm her down.

She pulled back after a minute and looked at me again. To my confusion she smiled and said " don't ever leave me alone please" i smiled and hugged her again, assuring her that i won't.

She pulled away again and looked at me this time with anger, hurt and betrayal swirling in her eyes. Then her eyes shifted again, she had a look that i could not quite register, before i could understand what was going on she leapt up again and mashed her lips against mine. Even in that moment i knew it was wrong bit i couldn't help kissing her back. Her lips were so soft like cotton candy clouds, like they would just melt into mine and she tasted like strawberries.

I was in heaven. I ran my hands through her beautiful, silky, golden locks.

That was a moment i never wanted to end but i was taking advantage of her state so i gently pushed her away. I closed my eyes as i felt my heart aching for her. I opened them to see tears streaming down her face. I moved to sooth her and explained to her why it did not feel right to kiss her like this even if she could not comprehend it now but she put her hand out gesturing me to stop.

"Don't!" She spat. I was confused "don't you dare come near me!"

"I'm sorry" i said trying to calm her down.

"No you are not! You left me! You left me all alone! You are not sorry!" Tears kept streaming down her face.. What is she talking about?

"Three years! And now you say sorry? How dare you!" What? I found myself asking.

"My heart is far far gone with you.. Why didn't you tell me? Why? Huh? Why?" I moved to her and she started hitting me. I just stood there frozen trying to figure out what she was saying or rather to whom she thought she was saying it to.

"You left me.. You left me all alone.. Did you not think that i deserved to know? I loved you for God's sake! Why did you do that to me, huh? I love you.. Dammit I still do!" she said breaking down completely. I hugged her tight letting her cry on my shoulder. She was sobbing but all i could hear was the sound of my heart shattering into a billion pieces.