Choose Your Prize (George Shelley/Union J)

Chapter Fourteen: Criminal

Back with the updates! I'm actually really excited to be sitting here typing to you all again. It's quite... thrilling? Anyway, in this chapter, you'll find out who started the fire. Many of you are on the right track...

Since there's nothing left to say, I hope you enjoy this! x

Chapter Thirteen

       Inhale. Exhale. Sit down. Whisper. Get worried. Control your tears. Inhale. Exhale. Calm down. Bite your tongue. Look around. Inhale. Exhale.

      "Are you out of your mind?!" Coralie shot up, screaming, about to attack Lucy right there and then. "I always new there was something fucking insane about you!"

       The security guards immediately jolted up to keep her held away from Lucy. If she had the ability to take one's life once, she would always hold that undeniably morbid power in her pale palms.

       Everyone was shocked, but I for one, was relieved. Relieved it wasn't one of the other girls. Relieved it wasn't George. They made Lucy pack up her things and she was brought to county jail immediately. It was sad, but comforting knowing she'd be locked away over one hundred miles from the rest of us.

       I was shaken up a bit, considering there was someone out their who hated us so much they would try to take our lives away. Then, all these questions rushed to my head. What if Lucy wasn't aiming for Molly? What if she wanted all of us dead, or even worse, just me?

       Anyway, there was no time to sit around and dawdle over what-ifs. This is what happened, this is what was real, and no matter what I did, there wouldn't be any changes. I was praying that we would not be told to leave the show, and I was also praying that the fans wouldn't leave our sides. Either way, things have changed for me, and it's okay.

       "Ingrid, let's go back to our room," Leigh shot up, as Coralie followed. I wasn't in the talking mood but I was going to have to work with it.

       When we were up there, none of us knew what to say. Looking towards Molly's unmade bed in the far left corner brought a mix of tension, confusion and sadness to each of us. Although the girls denied it, deep down we knew it was present.

        "What do we do?" Coralie sighed, her pupils dilating slowly as she gazed up towards the beige freshly painted ceiling.

       "What the hell do you mean?" I shot out, a little bit on edge.

       "Do we drop out of the competition?"

       "We are notfucking dropping out, do you hear me?"

       "Well, why not? We're missing a quarter of our group, someone whom was really important to the group."

        "Listen," I spat through closed teeth, "I worked for years of my life for this. If we quit now, we will have no future. We will be known as the X-Factor dropouts who did nothing with their lives and ended up working in flower shop down the road of Mulberry Avenue. Do you want your family to be disappointed?"

       "She's right," Leigh started to whisper, "You of all people, Cor, your family needs it. You need it. You can't lose the money now; not until you get it, at least."

      "Well I still think we should sleep on it. The next show is in six days, we still have time," she breathed out heavily, and lifted herself from her mattress.

        "I'm going out for some air," I announced, grabbing a coat as I noticed it was raining out.

       I took a long walk, turning left at every corner, not bothering to notice where I was heading. I didn't read any signs or listen to the cars honking around me. I started to sob and breathe heavily as I released the hood from my head. I let the cold droplets of the stunning rain crash violently against my shivering complexion.

         I sat against a corner to regain my strength as I had only eaten one hundred fifty calories in the past thirty-six hours. I felt someone come near me and take a seat. At first, I was frightened, but then I realized it was George.

        He tucked a blonde ringlet behind my ear, and watched my salty tear stained cheeks turn to dry. I looked to my left, and smiled at him. I just observed his face for a few solid seconds, until I realized it was completely silent. But it wasn't an awkward silence. It was one of those calming, sweet silences when you know that the person you're with is thinking of you while you're thinking of them. The only nervewrecking thing about these silences is the fact that you have no idea what they're thinking of you; you just know they are.

       "What do you think of me?" I spoke softly, "Personally, I think you're perfect. Now, I may not surely know the definition of perfect, but, whatever you is, that's what you are. Perfect. I never really thought perfect existed, but then I met you and suddenly the key would fit into the lock."

        "Ingrid, please..." He started, but I cut him off.

       "Whenever I'm with you, my breath is taken away. I know we have something going on between us, and yes, I'm not exactly sure what it is. But, whatever it is, I just want you to know that I'm fully into it. Oh, and if you want to bring it to something higher, I'm ready. Don't you agree?"

     He scratched the back of his head, and turned to me quickly, grabbing my small hand in his large one like a warm glove. "Well, actually Ingrid, that's what I wanted to talk about."

      "What is it?" I smiled warmly and honestly; something I haven't done in months.

     "I think- whatever we have going on, we should end now. It's too risky. I don't even know how I feel about you. I mean, you're a great friend and extremely attractive, but that's all you are for now. I'm sorry, but I need to be focused on the show... Can't we just, you know, wait?"

       I couldn't believe the words I was hearing, but I was still nodding. I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest and thrown into the oncoming traffic.

         "Oh," I whispered, "Okay, I get it. I really do."

         He grinned at me and held the stare for a few seconds before thanking me, and walking away.

        He left me alone, just like everyone else did. Somehow, it was still pouring rain as I continued to walk down the dark alleyways. All the shop owners were closing up, just until I had reached one small diner down the road.

         I opened the door and took a seat down on a stool by the cash. Then, I did something I hadn't done in over seven years, when my anorexia started. I ordered a burger, fries and a large shake and I continued to sit there and chew for what felt like hours on end, until I finished the entire meal.

          And oddly enough, I felt happy.

Was that a good enough chapter for you all?! I hope I didn't disappoint.

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