Hey!!!

Sorry for the long delay. Our computer broke down and was needed to be repaired but at least I'm able to update.

I made this chapter long, just to make up for the short chapters before this.

And my sister suggested that I could make the story in different point of views of the characters (POV). So I tried it. Tell me if it works.

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(Allison's POV)

Tension around us is rising by the second. The entire audience were silent, obviously anxious for the results. It's Thursday – the first elimination night. At first, I felt confident of my performance. Last night I sang 'Give In to Me' by Michael Jackson; a very unfamiliar song suggested to me by Kris. I originally picked the song 'Beat It' but, apparently, Anoop already chose that song. After listening to Kris' suggested song, I actually liked it. The judges thought that I made the right decision on choosing the song. But right now, I'm starting to doubt my performance.

My eyes dropped on Adam, who's sitting right beside me. I recalled the awkwardness between us yesterday. Neither of us forgot the kiss(for my part, it's impossible to forget that immaculate moment). We barely spoke or even looked at each other. I guess we just don't know how to react around each other. A fraction of me wished that he hadn't kissed me. But the other part of me thinks that half of my life would have gone missing if that didn't happen.

As my eyes continue to linger on him, I saw, for the first time, a nervous expression on his face. His rendition of 'Black or White' is way superb that it never dawned to my mind that he could be eliminated. After all, Paula already predicted that Adam would be at the Finals. But, during this current situation, no one felt safe. And the fact that two of us are going home tonight doesn't help either.

"Allison," Ryan Seacrest called out my name, snapping me out of my trail of thoughts. I stood up, everyone's heavy stares at me. But what weighed the most is the one gave by Adam. "You are safe." It felt like a huge thorn was pulled out from me. The crowd went wild but I can't hear a thing. I immediately sat before I could even faint.

Adam was later called and was announced safe, which is not much of a shocker. What really surprised me is when he embraced me as soon as he sat back beside me. The hug only lasted for a few seconds but the awkward pause seemed to last forever. Maybe he's just as shocked as me. What he did is obviously not what he planned. But the fact that he's safe still left me ecstatic. I still have the chance to spend at least another week with him.

Then the storm cloud that blocked my sunshine of happiness came. I was open-mouthed when Jasmine was later proclaimed in the bottom two. Tears forced their way out as the host announced Jasmine's elimination from American Idol. But I prevented them from falling, refusing to cry. I guess I just don't want people to see me breakdown.

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"How do you feel when you were announced safe?" a reporter inquired.

I, together with the other 10 remaining contestants, am currently stuck in the interview arranged by the producers. Jasmine and Jorge on the other hand, are packing their things up back at the Mansion. The questions asked are the usual ones: what I would do after Idol, how much my life changed after joining the contest, et cetera, et cetera… Maybe I'm just bored with these type of things.

"Um, I'm really relieved to still have the chance of competing in the show. But, at the same time, very heartbroken to see two of our friends go." I replied candidly.

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When we got home, there are no signs of either Jasmine or Jorge. I searched everywhere, hoping I could at least say my good byes to my friend one last time. But my efforts were wasted. Finally, I decided to go back to my room. As I went through the door, I saw a piece of paper neatly folded on my bed, my name written on it.

I quickly opened it and read with my eyes. It says:

Dear Allie,

Sorry, I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. I'll miss you so much. Say goodbye to Lil for me. Promise me 3 things:

1. Stay as long in the competition as possible.

2. Kick Megan's butt.

3. Beat her from having a certain eyeliner-wearing, black-haired rockstar for herself.

'Til we meet again outside the competition. Update me with everything and everyone. Know what your heart wants and go after it, no matter what it takes.

Your friend,

Jasmine

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(Adam's POV)

She needs me now, I thought. Ever since Jasmine got eliminated, Allison has been very distant from the other contestants, especially me. Well, maybe it's because of the kiss we shared the another day. I swear I didn't know what came into my mind that made me kiss her. But I liked it. A lot. But now I'm regretting that I did that. I just wished she'd talk to me again. I miss her sweet voice, her contagious laugh, her heart-melting stares. I miss her. I can see she's in pain. What kind of girl wouldn't cry when her friend leaves. And that's the problem. She won't cry. She just keep her emotions inside her. She doesn't let her tears fall from her eyes. I saw these clearly because I was beside her when Jasmine was declared eliminated. She was shaking.

I was running around the house, asking everyone I passed if they saw Allison. But everyone said they have no idea on her whereabouts.

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Suddenly it hit me. I know the one place she goes when she has some thinking to do. I grabbed a bagful of chocolates and headed to the pool area and as expected, she was there. She's sitting at the edge of the pool, swaying her feet in the water.

"Hey," I started. The sack of chocolates behind my back.

"How'd you know I'm here?" Allison quietly asked, her eyes on the water.

I shrugged and said, "Instincts, I guess." I walked towards her. Sitting beside the red-head, I landed the bag on her lap, saying, "You might need these. It will make you feel a whole lot better." I know that chocolates are Allison's top comfort food.

She lifted her eyes to me and said, "Thanks. That's thoughtful of you."

A few silent moments went by, Allison still hadn't touched the bag of chocolates.

"You could cry, you know." I looked at her in the eyes.

"Huh?" Allison did not understand what I'm trying to say.

"I said, you could cry. You don't need to keep those tears from dropping." I pointed out.

She stood up and turned her back from me. "I just don't want people to see me cry. I don't like them to think of me as, you know, weak. My age doesn't make many people think that I'm mature enough. But I am. And if I'm going to act like a child, then no one will take me seriously." Her voice was soft, emotions were pouring out from her as she related.

"No one thinks of you as immature. Just look at you. You're only 16 and yet you already know your goals and dreams. Not many people can do that." I went to her and made her face me. "And crying doesn't make you weak. It's an outlet of your feelings. You have to shed a tear every once in a while. Don't think of what other people thinks. All that matter is what you think, what you feel."

Allison then found herself crying on my chest, obviously she had been storing a lot of tears behind her eyes. Her hands dropped the chocolates oh the ground. She hugged me and continued her crying. We just stood like that for a few minutes.

She later pulled out, signaling that she's feeling better. I grabbed my handkerchief and lend it to her. As she wiped her tears, she softly said, "Thanks."

"Anytime."

She went back to sit on the rim of the swimming pool. She patted the space beside her, a gesture that she wants me to sit beside her again.

I grabbed the bag on the floor and sat with her.

She just stared on the horizon. Finally, she said to me, " Why'd you do it?" She rested her head on my shoulders.

"Do what?"

"Kiss me."

My eyes widened in surprise, not sure how to respond. I inhaled deeply. "Honestly, I don't really know. It just… happened." I related. And I liked it, I thought but have no intention of saying it out loud. The kiss already caused us enough awkward moments that I don't know how much worse it would be if I tell her how I exactly feel, how I love her. "Let's just forget about it ever happened." I proposed, in an effort to make her disregard the kiss. But, deep inside, I'm heartbroken. Heartbroken by the fact that I could never have her. That she could only be my friend, nothing more.

I waited for her response but received none. It wasn't too long when I found out that she already fell asleep. The crying might have caused her to be exhausted. I can't help but look at her angelic face. She always look so innocent is her sleep. I sighed as I carry her back to the inside on the house. This reminded me of the time when she blacked out, when those men tried to harass her. I always thought of her as fragile and helpless. But after tonight, I could now see her as a strong-willed and brave young woman, ready to fight for her dream. And that's what I love about her.

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Sorry for putting less Megan and Kris moments in this chap.

Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate it.