I'm so sorry! I can't believe I took this long to update! Good news though: I am officially out of Track And Field! SO I will be able to write way more! I hope you like this chapter! Remember, things are not always as they seem. (That is my new life motto btw XD ) ALSO! I decided to have a contest! You will submit a review of a chapter that you would like to see written! The best one will be written into an actual chapter! I really hope all of you will contribute, and submit those reviews!

And also, thank you to all those who asked me when I was updating! It's super nice to know you look forward to my updates! I REALLY LOVE YOU GUYS! YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW! 3

Stella,

It has been three months since I have seen you! I don't think I can be away for you for long! I'm getting homesick. I really do hope you can come visit the castle soon! It's amazing! It is so big! And the food is AMAZING! I really want for you to be here. I don't know if you have heard, but I was eliminated from Armin's selection. I'm not too bummed- we are still friends. And I think it's going good with Robin...not that I care… I feel pretty bad I thought they were going to be snobs like the people at home. Hopefully they won't act so crappy to me when I come back. I hope the money is being sent to you and not mother. How is she treating you? I can easily slip an anonymous letter to Robin about her if I need to. Hopefully I don't need to.

I Love and miss you. So much.

-Rin

I sign my name with a flourish and tear the page slowly out of my notebook. I fold it in half and stand up, just as the door knocks. I pull it open and step back.

"Anne! What a surprise! How is everything?" I say peacefully, setting my letter back down. Although I saw Anne just this morning as she gave us the boring lecture an Illea history, the last time she actually came to my room was the week following when Yuvia punched Ella in the face.

"Perfectly fine. Busy as always. I am here for a special reason though." I cock my head and raise an eyebrow. "It is nearing autumn, and as you should know, Halloween is coming up."

I nod. What is her point?

"Well, we are going to be holding a halloween masquerade ball."

My stomach flips. A ball? I have never been to one. I even forgot those still existed- must be a rich person thing.

"A...ball? Like, with dancing. And super fancy dresses?"

"Yes." I groan and pull a pillow to my face. I look up at Anne over the pillow.

"And there is a small...catch." she says.

I snap my head up. "Like...what"

"Well, since we are narrowed down to the elite, we decided we need to see what you can accomplish in a higher position."

Oh no.

"We have decided that you girls will be divided into groups and in charge of putting together the ball. Each group will be in charge of a certain section."

Oh no.

"You are grouped with...Lady Savannah and Lady Ella."

Oh no.

"Your group is in charge of foods. Appetizers, horderves, etcetera. The party is October 31'st. You have twenty-two days."

She looked at me, probably reading the expression of horror spread across my face. Heck, even I can see it, and it's impossible to see your own face.

"Your family will be invited too. Don't worry. There will be at least some people to socialize with."

She stood up to leave, tugging her skirt down, and readjusting her bowtie. She headed toward the door.

"But...Don't take this party lightly. A bunch of officials will be there. Ta Ta!" She pulled the door open. I listened to the click of her heels slowly fading as she swished around the corner.

I breathed in slowly, closing my eyes.

Oh no.

Down in the Women's room, girls were going ecstatic. We were supposed to be getting into our groups and working on the party. All alone at my table, I decided to people watch. Fantine, a feisty yet bubbly girl, was paired with Yuvia and Erin, who are apparently assigned to do decorations. Yuvia is practically laying across the table, pointing to a paper, on which Fantine is scribbling on. Erin is looking in a book, flipping through pages, occasionally showing pages to the others. Selena and Katie were assigned entertainment. Selena was huddled down in a corner, yelling across the room to Katie every once in awhile, wondering who else needed to be added to the invitation list. Katie was on a phone, obviously borrowed from Anne, looking up and calling multiple song artists.

And then there is me. Sitting alone in the corner. Where the hell is Ella? And Savannah? I'm sitting here grumbling, doing most of the work, looking through a borrowed phone of Anne's and finding ideas for recipes. It doesn't help that I have a total sweet tooth, and that all of the appetizers have been some form of mini-cheesecake or chocolate.

The door finally opens, and I look up.

"What TOOK you so long?" I stand up and usher Savannah toward the table. "I have managed to get some desserts we can serve. I can do those. You can work on finding some hordeurves, and I will find something for Ella to do...if she shows up."

Savannah nods. "Sounds great!" She says scanning the menu.

I stand up, tugging at my dark green day dress. "I'm going to go look for Ella." I walk swiftly out the door, looking around each corridor. Where is that bit-

"Where have you been?! You do know everyone was supposed to gather in the Women's room...And HOUR ago?!" I say, rushing fast toward the haughty figure of Ella.

"Well, I figured you don't need my help. You obviously got this under control, being from that lowly job area."

I laugh evilly, my voice tightening. "Oh. Oh no. I have work for you." I hiss through my clenched teeth. I walk fast up to her and grab her upper arm tightly. "Let's go on a little trip...shall we?" I narrow my eyes, pulling her behind me fast, ignoring her kicks to my legs, and he thrashing hard. I practically throw her down the set of stairs which I have gotten acquainted with quite well these past three months. The heat blasts against us, and I push her into the kitchens. The cooks turn around, looking at Ella in surprise, whispering among each other.

"Let's see how lowly this job is you uncultured swine." I smack a paper next to her of a recipe I planned for the party. "Make this."

"What the HELL?! I am not making that! You don't expect me to make food, do you?!" She screeches. She turns around and starts to dash towards the stairwell, but I grab her arm and whip her around and push her lightly toward the counter. She IS going to learn some manners today.

"Make it."

"No!" She slides the paper off of the counter and onto the floor. I walk over and pick it up. Keep it cool Rin, keep it cool.

Yeah, like that's happening.

"I am 100% sure that Armin likes me better than you. Which is saying something, because I am not even IN his selection. I am 100% sure you will lose this selection, and I am 100% sure you will have absolutely NO chance in even getting a fucking BOYFRIEND when you leave, because you have such stinking BAD MANNERS. Either act like a CIVILISED HUMAN, or go back to the pig stye you were BORN FROM!" I glare daggers at Ella. No, I didn't yell, thank you very much. I said it quietly, which I am sure made it 500% scarier. The next thing I knew, Ella was actually asking the chef's where she could find the flour. I think I hit a sore spot.

I smile silently to myself, and feel an arm wrap around my shoulders. I look to my left to see Draven leaning on me.

"Wow." He whispers, "You have tamed the wild beast."

I smirk and hold up a hand and we give each other the best high five humanly possible. We both watch Ella scatter around the kitchen like a drunken hatter and snicker as Ella splashes a cloud of flour onto her whilst trying to mix it. Her eyebrows, finally looking normal for once, were scrunched up in a frown.

We watched and watched. I was constantly aware of Draven's arm slightly touching my back. I still haven't tried to talk to him about the kiss. I think we both decided to subconsciously try and forget.

About an hour later, Ella was pulling something out of the oven. I don't even know what it is. That..that CAN'T be my recipe...It looks like she dropped it in a volcano. And had it pass through some radioactive waste along the way. Is that one...moving? I look at Draven in mock horror.

"I have created a monster…" I whisper in his ear, trying to sound afraid. He laughs and I walk over to Ella. SHe actually seems to have a hint of a smile. Look how 'lowly' cooking is now, Ella the Bitch. I wrap an arm around her shoulder and drag her over to Draven.

"And now Draven is going to happily eat one of your creations!" I say, gesturing to her black lumps in mini-pie tins. Draven's laughs turn to choking.

"W-what?!" He sputters. "You don't expect me to eat that do you? This is worse than eating rhubarb leaves! Look! That one is moving!" He backs away slowly, but I have him cornered. The moment he hits the counter, I snatch a pan and shove it into his mouth. Both Ella and I are on the ground laughing as we watch Draven clawing at his mouth and gagging over the sink. He reaches into his mouth and pulls something out.

"Is this...a paper clip!?" He screeches, throwing it away from him in disgust. "What the HELL Ella?!"

Our laughter dies down, and Draven walks away to go sulk in the corner.

"Whipe those tears I see, Draven! It can fall in the food and make it too salty!" I say, extremely loud so that the rest of the chefs hear.

Ella looks toward me. I am surprised when I hear her speak.

"Thanks." She says, forcing her frown back on. She tosses me the apron, and walks back up the stairs. "You still have to do all of the work though!" She calls out from the top of the stairs.

"Too late! I already did it!" I yell. Wait...what?

I groan in frustration. Maybe Ella won't be so bad from now on? I question to myself. I walk over to the counter to clean up. The moment I see the counter, I scream.

What.

The.

HELL.

ELLA!

The counter is cluttered with dishes. Food is baked on so much, I swear it is going to take years to clean off. On the counters, sugar and flour are caked on. The words "Idiot" are written in the white powder.

I am going to kill her.