The Work of a Legacy

Chapter Twenty-One

January 1, 2010

Dear Orabela,
I was really disappointed when I found out that you have yet to get out of the 'mental hospital'. When you decide to stop making up fake illnesses and come back to your boyfriend, call me.
Love,
Jason

"Tonight on Chanced, we'll be eliminating four ladies off the show! Jason, take it away."

Jason makes his way to the front and scans the crowd of us, pausing to smile at a few and frown at one-me.

"Valerie, please come up."

She obeys, and for a moment you can almost hear the room holding its breath.

"Val, it's been... nice getting to know you. You're a great girl, but ultimately..." he pauses. "Not what I'm looking for. I'm sorry."

She purses her lips. "Whatever. I'm better off without you." Turning to us, she screams, "see ya never, losers! I hate every single one of you!"

Anna and I turn to each other and silently give the other an amused look.

Valerie walks the length of our line, shouting personalized insults at each of our faces. When she gets to Anna, she screams "GAY BITCH'. Then, she reaches me. "STUCK UP BITCH'. I raise an eyebrow.

Finally, we're able to move on.

"Erm, okay, then. Zara?"

Zara sashays over to Jason.

"Zara, it's been-"

"Save it, honey. I'll show myself out."

"She took that surprisingly well," Anna whispers to me, and I nod, impressed.

From the hallway, we hear an enraged scream.

"Uh, never mind."

Jason cringes, seeming afraid to continue. "Ahem... um, Carmen?"

Carmen doesn't bother to come up, but instead runs off in tears.

Jason sighs. "Alright. Last one."

Butterflies stir in my stomach.

If I get called right now, then everyone in my family is out of a job.

"Please don't take this personally-"

"Just say the name!" Steph screams.

He shifts uncomfortably. "Alright. The last person to be eliminated is...

Anna."

Anna jumps, and I can visibly see her skin pale.

"No..."

"ABSOLUTELY THE FUCK NOT." I storm over to Hank and yank him by the arm into his office. "Fix this."

"He wants what he wants, Stelara. There's nothing you can do."

"No. But there's something you can do."

"Maybe," he agrees. "But why would I? This is probably for the best."