"Thanks!" I call over my shoulder, walking quickly for the fear that Jacqueline would see me running.

I practically jump up the steps, the large doors looming ahead of me.

Finally, I think, back in a place where I belong.

Just three months ago I was walking slowly up these steps with dread, now I'm walking in as if I'm coming back home from a long trip.

And that's what it feels like, too.

Like a part of me has been missing, but it was here all along.

Each step brings a new thought to my head. Each thought proves to me that I can belong, and I can be happy. That's what The Selection is all about, right? Finding true love so you can be happy. I'm happy...I must have true love, right?

That's a rhetorical question. Please, for the sake of my feelings, don't answer.

The now familiar butlers open the door for me as I race into The Palace. The windows let in streams of light, the beautiful marble floors have intricate hand-made rugs running in paths down them. The stained glass of the dome above me in the foyer shines colors, making them rain down on me and stain my hair, clothes, and body. The air radiates happiness, energy, and grandness.

I sigh deeply after I breathe in the vanilla like scent that covers everything.

As I come to my senses, I hear voices, whispers, giggles, and laughs. Sure signs of the rest of The Selected. And for once, I don't resent it. The girly attitudes don't make me angry. It feels...right. The piece of me that has been lost is finally returning. I feel more alive than I have in weeks.

Little did I know, I would lose that feeling in less than ten seconds.

With a spring to my step that only pure happiness can bring, I walk down the hall towards the voices. I see a cluster of The Selected, getting closer and closer together until the center, which I assume contains Alexander.

Poor guy.

Everyone is so engrossed in the noise that no one notices me coming up. I see Hope, Eleanor, and Cece standing nearby, with faces aghast at the sight in front of them. I laugh under my breath at their exaggerated expressions.

The excitement wears off on me, and I find myself going closer to the circle instead of my friends. After all, who's really the one I was thinking about non-stop today?

"Hey!" I call, "Cou-Excuse me, can I- may I please ge-urgh!" The girls won't budge, and I push my way through to the center.

Suddenly everyone gasps, and I wonder if I did something wrong. I look around frantically, but I don't understand, so I still wear a grin on my face as I...

look into the center and...

see...

Alexander and Bridgette...

kissing.

I gasp, but as my reaction is delayed, I'm alone. Déjà vu?

And I feel alone. The warmth I was wearing around me like a dress of comfort disappears in one quick poof! No one knows I'm here, knows I'm seeing this.

Until Alexander roughly pushes Bridgette away, from what I realize now was a stunned state. "Never do that again," he says to her, glaring at her. Bridgette tosses her hair over her shoulder, but too late. Everyone saw how she reacted. Scared, fearful, surprised, hurt, embarrassed, shamed, and...sad. All these emotions make her seem more human, more like me. I can't help feeling a little pang of sadness for her. Empathy.

His eyes scan the crowd, looking for someone. I shrink back, knowing from my now self conscious state that he would never look for me.

But then his hard eyes meet my scared ones, and his soften with kindness and caring.

"Clarissa. Oh, god, I've missed you." I freeze even more at his words, probably looking like a human ice cube by now. He walks closer to me, and all the other people go out of my vision. It's just me standing at one end of the tunnel, and him at the other.

And I think we are finally reaching each other.

He pulls me into a tight hug, wrapping his arms around me and breathing into my hair.

I take the metaphorical step towards him, and hug him back. In a soft voice than only he can hear, I say, "You too."

He gently lets go of me, but keeps an arm around my shoulder. My face is on fire as I look out at the girls staring at us.

Us. I can finally say that, right?

"Ladies, please go to your rooms now and rest. I understand that all of you have had a stressful and tiring morning. Welcome back to the Palace!" He smiles at me as the girls walk away begrudgingly to their rooms. Eleanor looks back as Cece turns and winks at me and Hope gives me a smile.

I laugh silently, and turn in Alexander's hold. "Hey," I say softly.

"Hello," he says, and gives me the most sincere smile I've seen for a while, full of hope.

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Hi!! I really hope you liked this chapter! sorry again for the shortness!  Remember to vote and comment, it doesn't take a long time but means a lot! 😉