Paige's POV:
All the teams walk out onto the stage hand in hand.
I'm in the middle of Ali and Lily. We're holding each other's hands tightly. I hope we win. It would be the best thing to happen to us. We've been through a lot together. And accomplishing this together will make our friendship seem even more put together.
I look out into the crowd of people applauding all of us. I smile at Harry and the group before I see something...someone farther in the back of the crowd. I squint my eyes, but I can't see anything.
"And the winner is..." The crowd is silent as Justin opens the card and reads the name. Ali nudges me in the side and smiles excitedly at me, I smile back, but I believe I'm about to throw up.
Justin turns around and looks over at me, his frown shows more emotion than the tears about to fall down my face.
"Amber!" Is the only thing I hear as my whole world turns silent. All I can hear is a tiny buzz being played in the back of my head as I see Amber jump up in excitement with her group.
They won.
They beat us.
And the worst thing is...they cheated.
Ali and Lily are looking at me, watching me cautiously. I look at them, watching their mouths move, but all I hear is...silence. I can't bare to look over at Harry. He will look so sad, and probably be disappointed in me. We tried all we could to beat Amber, but she had to cheat. She couldn't just play an equal game.
This hurts. I hurt. I just want to crawl under my covers and pretend that I didn't even compete in this contest.
As my hearing comes back, I notice everyone leaving the stage. The crowd in front of me have almost left the auditorium. I can't move. I'm stuck in this spot, and I can't seem to find a way out.
"Paige?" Ali says. I notice some tear stains on her cheeks and I notice some on Lilys face too. I don't say anything as I bring my hand to my cheeks. I feel hot, wet tears fall fast.
"I'm a failure." I whisper. As I lick my chapped lips.
"No you're not. Come on, let's go." Ali smiles weakly as she rubs my back.
Lily and her, lead me to back stage. I sit down and drink some water. This can't be happening. It's not fair. After all I've worked for. I prayed too! This isn't fair.
"I know, but it happens, Paige." Lily speaks.
I guess I said it out loud.
"No, I don't want this to happen. It's not fair. Amber didn't even want this as bad as I did!" I yell, breaking into tears half way through my sentence. I put my head down on the table as Lily and Ali rub my back. They know how much this meant to me. I'm glad they're here.
"How is she?" I hear Harry ask.
"She's pretty bummed." Lily answers.
I feel Lily and Ali stop rubbing my back. I guess Harry told them he wanted a minute with me alone. My theory is correct as I feel a large hand rub up and down my back.
"Baby," Harry whispers.
I lift my head up. His features look saddened as he takes in my appearance. I wipe under my eyes as I climb onto his lap like a little kid. He laughs lightly as I curl up and he holds me there.
"I'm sad." I state truthfully as I welcome more tears to fall.
"I know. I'm so sorry, baby." He says, kissing the top of my head.
