Dedicated to @ventglacial for the cool cover. Many thanks. :)

CHAPTER 19

  "My life is totally ruined," I exasperated and flopped on my bouncy bed.

"It's not that bad." Nessa tried to make me feel better.

"It is bad," Ria contradicted earning a glare from Nessa.

"If you guys haven't realized yet, I have no talent at all." I sighed.

"Nor do I."

Ria and I gave Nessa a "no shit" look. Everyone knew she could sing except her. The girl could sing like a soprano in an opera house. The only difference with that was she only sings in the shower.

"What?" She asked us, probably wondering why we're giving her an almost WTF look.

"I might have remembered you singing like a nightingale while you take your shit time in the bathroom," I said, giving her a clue.

"Sometimes I wonder how you manage with that tiny brain of yours," Ria added sarcastically as she sat next to me.

Nessa slapped us both on our shoulder. "You guys are so mean! Okay I may have a little talent in singing but that's not the problem here. Clarissa what are you going to present for the talent show?"

The question I dreaded finally clawed out of its cage. Talent show? What does that have to do with anything? Why does it have to be the next challenge? Damn it, I'd rather join Tarzan in the forest rather than wear something frilly and make myself look like a clown in front of royalty. Tragic I know, but that was the only thing I could think of.

"I really don't know, I might have to ask my adviser Carlos about it."

"Yeah I think you better," Ria agreed.

With that thought, I left the room groggily. I was so happy when they had arrived earlier but now I wished they stayed there for another day so I didn't have to hear their dreadful news--the second challenge which you might have known already as the talent show. Cheers.

Ria and Nessa explained to me the details about it and the summary was: 1. I'll be presenting on the last day (thank god).
2. Nessa and Ria will be presenting the day before mine. Nessa will sing while Ria will paint while I go to a corner and be emo because I'm pathetic.
3. There will be judges who'd rate us and I don't think I need to analyze how much they would give me because if I'm them, I'd rate myself zero.
4. Those who want to watch can come and I'm pretty sure Gavier would be there to add more embarrassment to my life.
5. I'm going to lose this challenge. In summary: I'm f*cked up.

I know I may be too pessimistic at the moment but I'm just being realistic here. Sighing, I trudged my way to Carlos' room. The hall was empty and quiet and I thank god for that, I wasn't in the mood for a staring and glaring competition.

Carlos was his usual self; on the chair squabbling on a piece of paper while ocassionally glancing on his computer. His room was neat and organized; books perfectly aligned on the shelves, paper stacked together in cabinets, folders binded in a book holder behind him on the table, even his pens were on straight rows on his desk. What a neat freak.

"What is it now Clarissa. Please don't tell me you got in trouble again" He looked at me critically, stroking the short stubble on his chin.

"What do you think I came here for?" I retorted, smirking.

"Maybe serve me some coffee?" He asked hopefully.

"You wish." I sighed and sat on the chair across him. "I don't have a talent."

"What do you mean?"

"I have nothing to present for the talent show."

Carlos closed his eyes and sighed. "That's a big problem. Not even a single instrument?"

"Nope."

"Dancing?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Singing?"

"Nope, unless sounding like a dying cat is a talent."

"Speaking in any language could work or poetry."

"Nuh-uh."

"Fine, modelling?"

"What? How is that a talent? That's so boring."

He shrugged. "You've got no choice. You weren't born in a royal family."

"Thanks for making me feel better."

"You're welcome." He smiled then tapped his chin again. "Think harder, there should be something you could do."

"I'm not really sure I fit in this kind of talent field."

"Everyone has talent. Clarissa don't you have a natural gift? Something you've always done before?" He smiled like he hit a jackpot.

"I'm not really getting it. I'm loading at the moment."

He chuckled. "I'm not telling you. It's too obvious. Now scoot, I have work to do."

"What?! You're kicking me out?! You're supposed to be my adviser."

"I have a right to speak and not to speak. This is your challenge. I'm not going to think for you, my job's only to advise you. Besides if you're not getting what I mean right now then you need to study more. This--this is laughable. Use your common sense Clarissa."

"Okay, you've gone to the best to the worst advisor in the world. I don't understand what you're saying right now."

"You will soon."

I was too engrossed in thinking what he had meant, I didn't realize his hand was pulling me out of the door and out of his room.

"You're really not going to tell me? Come on Carlos." I pouted.

"Goodbye Clarissa. Have fun in your next challenge." He shut the door at my face. Jerk. I should get another advisor, preferably more macho and someone who would treat me like a queen.

As I drown in self pity and misery, looking down and thinking hard at what Carlos said, I heard sniffling. This sound alerted my senses because it wasn't just anybody's sniffles. It was Nessa's, no doubt about it.

I looked up and saw her running on my way. She was covering her eyes so she hasn't noticed me yet. Worriedly, I stopped her with my arms as she was about to fall. Something was definitely wrong. Nessa never acted like this. She had always been the most cheerful out of us. And the fact that she was acting the opposite made me cringe and more angry. I'm so going to punch whoever did this to her.

"Nessa why are you crying?" I asked as I held her shaking shoulders.

She finally looked at me then flinched away as if I was fire. "Oh my god. Sorry Clarissa, it's nothing. Please just pretend you didn't see anything. Please."

"What is it? What happened?"

"Really it's nothing." She tried to smile but was obviously failing. "I'm okay."

I thought hard for a second. She was running towards me away from what was behind her. Whatever was happening behind made her like this.

I glanced behind her and what I saw made me gasp out loud, my eyes could have burst out of its sockets if it was physically possible.

Right behind Nessa was Lucas and he was not alone. Anastisia's arms were wrapped around his neck, his arms around her waist, their mouths on a heated lip-lock session.

Oooh shiz. I can't believe Lucas is doing this?! What does it mean? I know I'm killing you guys with this scenario. Sorry I'm always leaving you guys hanging, I promise I'll try to give a closure with the next one.

Sorry for the late update as well. Apparently I'm the queen of procrastination. My blood type is B,  so yeah, forgive me. :D

And don't worry this is bound to happen. I'll give you guys a clue, it's connected with why Lucas recommended her to the academy. ;)

I'll try to update sometime next week if my schedule allows or I might be encouraged if I get lots of votes and comments for this. Lol xD

Thank you guys so much for reading and waiting patiently for the next chapter. I feel so blessed with such awesome readers even if I'm a crappy author. :)

Okay I'm going to end this. Bye guys, love ya lotz.