Infinite (Unedited)

∞CHAPTER EIGHTEEN∞

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-photogenically is really cool and she writes great stuffs :3
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I run down the hallways back towards the cafeteria. The only sounds I hear are my shoes hitting the ground as I run, and the sound of my gasping breath. I stop in front of the cafeteria doors and contemplate whether or not I should go in.

I feel a knot of fear in my stomach. Why aren't we allowed to know what happened here when we leave? What could be so horrible that they put a person through all that pain? What threat do we pose to the ability keepers?

I stand by the doors and watch helplessly as people walk out with their groups of friends. They're talking and laughing; they have no idea!
I can't tell them. I can't tell them what's really going on, and not just because I don't fully understand what's going on, but also, what will happen to me if I tell? I'll be eliminated for sure, but if they're working this hard to keep everything a secret, what else will they do to the person who warned everyone?

Finally Jason, Nate, Melody, Carrie and Jen come out through the big double doors.

"Aria! Where were you? Everyone else who went to watch came back like a half an hour ago," Jason laughs.

I can't lie to them. I need to tell them. How could I keep this a secret from my best friends?

"Guys, I need to tell you something important. Follow me please," I swallow the fear.

They exchange concerned glances but still follow behind me.

* * * * *

"No, that can't be true!" Jennifer gasps.

We're now sitting on Carrie and I's beds and I've just finished telling them what I had found out.

"I believe it," Nate says looking straight at me. "I mean, have you guys ever met someone who had gotten the abilities? Have you ever even heard a story told by someone that had the abilities? Or even knew someone who knew them? Because I haven't."

"We've got to tell them all!" Melody says wide eyed.

"No!" Carrie explains calmly "We can't. We just all need to help each other so none of us are eliminated, okay? Just the six of us."

We all nod solemnly.

A loud voice comes over the speakers. "Chosen, please make your way to gymnasium 3. You have ten minutes."

"They know we know! We're gonna die!" Carrie gasps, the calmness completely gone.

"No, Carrie we're not gonna die. Poker faces on. We know nothing, got it?" Jason says with an almost stern expression.

"I don't play poker?" Melody says slowly.

"Metaphor, Mels. It means we don't show what we're thinking," Jen stands up.

"Oh, right. That makes more sense."

We stand up and head down the long halls to the gymnasium. On the way, we spot Clair and Shaun.

"Please don't see me please don't-" My whispered plead is cut off by Clair's shrill voice.

"Oh em gee! Isn't that cute, Aria and her band of misfits! I'm soooo surprised you made it this far without being eliminated! Wow, congrats!"

"Clair. Hi," I reply.

"That's all I get? A 'hi'? How about, 'oh Clair I don't how we did it either, we're clearly not good enough to win'"

"Actually, I'm quite positive we will win," Jen grins. "Don't worry, we'll let you know how it feels to win. I know it probably isn't something you're used to."

"Ohh dat sass," Jason whispers to Carrie and I, making us giggle.

"Jennifer. How lovely to see you again. I missed you and your ketchup coloured hair so much," Clair rolls her eyes. Behind her Shaun looks... Guilty? Is he actually sorry for what his sister is saying? No way...

"I love ketchup, thanks for the compliment," Jen says with clenched teeth. "You know I've been dying to tell you how-"

"Come on fireball, calm down," Nate interrupts her.

"I am calm! How could I not be, she just called me ketchup head. What's offensive about that?!"

"Mmhm," Nate guides her down the hall with Jason and Carrie following close behind.

"Bubblegum brain didn't want to go with them?" Clair nods at Melody.

"I- I - I um..." Tears fill Melody's eyes.

"Hey!" Shaun finally speaks. "Clair stop, okay?"

"Excuse me?" She screams at her older brother.

Melody and I hurry off and leave them to yell at each other.

* * * * *

Once we find a place to sit in the gymnasium, I head to the back to find Shaun. It doesn't take me long. He's standing against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. His blues eyes are darting around the room.

"Hey," I say as I walk up to him.

"Aria, Hi."

"Um, I just wanted to say thanks. Melody's kind of sensitive."

"Yeah, hey, no problem. I've been wanting to do that for a while actually, and when your friend started to cry..."

"Yeah. It was pretty cool of you to do that. To tell Clair to stop I mean," I say.

"You think?" He grins.

I smile. "Do you have a place to sit?"

"Nah, I'm just gonna stand here. I don't want to sit by Clair. She's still fuming."

"Well if you wanted to sit by us..."

"Really?" He looks sceptical. "I haven't exactly been the nicest person to you guys."

"Well you've never really been outwardly mean since we've been here either so, come on," I turn and start walking.

After a seconds hesitation he follows.