The Competition

Yelena

-Forward to Thursday , a month later-

I've been scrolling through Instagram since I got here. My phone rings and Natalia's name pops up. It's been a month since the incident at her house. "Yes? When are you coming? We have P.E. at eight thirty and it's already eight twenty-five," I yawn, tired. "Please no, for God's sake, why did they switch foreign language with P.E.," I hear Viktor cuss over the phone. "Morning sunshine," Carson says, scaring the hell out of me. God. The heart attack he just gave me as he hugs me. I see Natalia hang up. She greets me with a heartwarming hug and I try to ignore Victor's gaze. He still remembers...

-❦-❦-❦-

The moment we set foot in the girls' locker room, all of our phones start ringing. A message was sent to me from an unknown number in VLA. An invitation to a party. "I'm not the only one who got it right?" one girl asks excitedly. "We all got an invitation!" Natalia sings happily. It was sent to all the girls - "the boys got one too," she adds. Nevermind, everyone's invited. Well... it would be my first time at a party. I doubt I will be allowed to go out. But what im happy about is that we only have two periods today. I'd say its even useless to let us come to the academy.
"Stop daydreaming and put your shoes on, girl" 
"I'm too tired to do anything after yesterday," I sigh. "About yesterday..." she starts and I freeze. "Yes?" "I was woken up by a door slamming, what happened?" I look forward as we walk into the hall. "Nothing, don't worry, let's go, we were allowed to entertain ourselves today"
"Let's play basketball then, I'm so excited about the party"
"I don't think I can go..."
"Why?"
"I've never been to a party before."
"Let's get ready at my place then, I will lend you some clothes," she smiles.

-❦-❦-❦-

I haven't seen Carson and Viktor since P.E., and I certainly won't see them until...Major.
The last time we worked, the liquid spilled all over the place. We have to start all over again. Over the last month, we didn't get to finish the project. God save me. And I'm late again, everyone's here except Professor Albert. It's not surprising that Carson is here, for I don't know how many times since I joined the Academy. The moment his eyes land on me, he whispers something to his friend and pats him on the back. Hell no. Carson is about to leave when the professor appears and tells us that this period is canceled as well?