His Identity

No apology. No explanation.

Evelyn's POV

I wasn't surprised when I couldn't sleep. I had never been this alive and awake. 

It's a miracle how one night and one tiny action can turn your whole world into absolute bliss. Without knowing it, I was daydreaming about romantic dates, lazy afternoons, sweet picnics, travelling together and every other possibility. I tried to wipe the ridiculous smile off my face but it claimed its domain, refusing to vanish away.

When the giddiness didn't fade away the next morning, Mar started giving me suspicious glances. However, she didn't question the sudden lift in my mood. Saving it for later, I assumed. When it was much peaceful for her pile of questions to exhaust me until I pass out in annoyance. 

I continually anticipated the next moment I could corner Alec just for myself. I'm a very possessive creature. I missed the way he held my hand and played with my hair. I even missed his annoying mischievous smirk. Heaven help me...

Later that afternoon, when I didn't get to capture even the slightest outline of Alec, I started to get anxious. I was calculating possible scenarios while pacing in front of the girls' restrooms. I was doing the gatekeeper job for Mar because her stomach couldn't digest the tuna salad we had for breakfast. 

"Come on. I waited for fifteen minutes now!" complained this little girl who was waiting for her turn. She was really getting on my nerves.

I gestured toward the empty stalls that she could use instead of ruffling my feathers. "Kid, look, there are other stalls."

"But I only use this one!"

She pointed at the one Mar was in and stomped her tiny feet. Her stubborn attitude and small build horrifically reminded me of Abbe. I couldn't take it anymore. 

"Please, can you use another just this once? My friend is really sick." 

"In your dreams blondiee," she scoffed.

Mar came out of the bathroom stall and I handed her the mouthwash. The kid rushed past us, sticking her tongue out at Mar. 

"What's up with that dude?" Mar splashed water on her face and cleaned her mouth. "I swear to God, if they ever give us such rotten salads again-"

Perhaps some other day I would have enjoyed my best friend's obnoxious rants and bickerings. But today? I'm afraid my mind was elsewhere. All my thoughts were occupied by you-know-who. 

Marlene snapped her fingers in front of my eyes. "Earth to Evelyn, are you even listening dearie?" 

I didn't need to look at her to know she was smirking. Luckily, I was saved by the loudspeaker in the hallway outside. "Attention, please. All the trainees please report to the arena in ten minutes."

Marlene sighed in exaggeration. "This day couldn't get any merrier."

***

Unfortunately, Mar was right. My bubble of absolute euphoria burst into a puddle of anxiety.

In the middle of the arena was a podium. There were five separate chairs for the teachers and instructors on its left. To the right, thirty chairs were arranged in six rows, five chairs each. A massive touch screen was set behind these arrangements within clear view for everyone. 

I knew what it was the moment I stepped into the arena. They are going to reveal our results for stage two.  

As usual, boys stood on one side and girls on the other, leaving a narrow path in between like in an assembly. Slowly, one by one filled in and I was sweating. Mostly because of the nervousness than the heat and the lack of air conditioning.