Chapter 14 。 " I take it back , " Eliza says . " The two - hour makeup session isn't the worst part of this place , " she gestures towards Valerie with her chin- " she 18 . 1 turn back towards Eliza . " You know her - like personally ? " Eliza winces and nods . " We went to high school together and our families run in similar circles . " 1 shudder . " It's not just me , right ? She's truly an awful person ? " Eliza nods . " Oh , the worst . She makes Regina George seem like sweet little orphan Annie . " I snort at that as Eliza continues , keeping an eye on Valerie behind me . " Her specialty was forming cliques , and then turning the girls against each other . Then she'd sit back and revel in the chaos . " I wince . " She did that to you ? " Eliza shrugs , a pained look flashing in her eyes . Before she can offer the story , however , that icy smooth voice rings above us . " Eliza , " Valerie croons . " Hi . " Eliza forces a smile , nothing like the one she gave me earlier when we first met . " Hi , Val . It's been a while . " Valerie nods , flipping a perfect dark lock over her shoulder . " It has , and we've been here three days and you haven't made an attempt to say hi . " She cocks her head to the side and pouts . " Are you avoiding me ? " Eliza chuckles softly , but her eyes dart around like a trapped animal . I want to say something - to save my new friend from this awful human being , but Valerie hasn't even looked in my direction , locking me out of the conversation . " This has all just been a little chaotic , " Eliza offers weakly by way of explanation . " I haven't really had a chance to ... mingle . " Valerie scoffs . " And yet ... " she turns to me and gives a pointed look . I roll my eyes and say nothing . " Anyways , " - Valerie turns back to Eliza- " I'm here now . " She leans in and lowers her voice , but not low enough that I can't hear - which I suppose is intentional . " We should stick together , Liza . Only three girls will be Ashfords at the end of this . You and I know we're more qualified than any other girls here , so let's help each other . " She leans back and smirks . " An alliance , if you will . " Eliza looks thrown off - guard - and a little scared . I remember what she just said about Valerie forming cliques and watching them burn . Is that her plan now ? To destroy her competition ? " Oh , um ... " Eliza scrambles for something to say , unable to look Valerie in her eyes . " Val , that's nice of you , but- " " But she's already formed an alliance with me . " Valerie turns sharply , her eyes glinting . " Excuse me ? " I smirk , enjoying the anger on her face . " Eliza and I are allies . We're going to help each other become sister - wives ; right , Liza ? " Eliza looks like she's struggling to keep her laughter under the surface . " Um , yeah , sorry Val . " Then , for kicks , she adds insincerely , " Unless you're willing to join us ? Then the three of us could be sister - wives . " Valerie makes a face that suggests Eliza asked her to go swimming in pig blood . She scoffs incredulously . " You're not serious , are you ? " " This girl " -she points at me derisively- " has no chance of winning , and she'll only drag you down . " Eliza glances at me and smiles . " I think I'll be fine , Val . Thank you . " 1/3 Chapter 14 Valerie sneers . " You'll regret this . If you're not with me , you're against me . I intend to crush all my adversaries . " " I wish you all the best , Valerie , " Eliza says with such fake sincerity that I'm unable to stop a sharp burst of laughter . Valerie shoots both of us one last scathing look before sauntering away - probably to Eliza lets out her laughter in a large breath . " I can't believe that just happened . " I laugh , too . " Should that have felt so good ? " She nods . " Putting people like Valerie in her place ? Hell yes . " ok for more allies . Then she places her elbows on the table - a direct disobedience of one of our etiquette classes . " So , April , do you want to be my ally ? Future sister - wives ? " I grin , mirroring her position , imagining Easton , our etiquette instructor losing his shit . " It would be my absolute pleasure , Eliza . " 800 After free time , we have ball room dancing class . But instead of our instructor , Paul , Easton stands at the head of the room . He claps his hand once to get our attention . " Ladies , " he greets . " I believe over the last couple of days , you've paid proper attention to all your lessons in behavior , etiquette and general social graces . " There's a brief murmur of affirmation . " Good . Because in two days , you all will make your first public appearance . " The room erupts in excited murmurs , and even Eliza , next to me , lets out an eager gasp . But all the information does is make my palms slick with sweat . Public appearance . The whole world will see me - they'll hear the pathetic story of my sister and me and know that I have no business being here . I have no chance of winning . Easton continues talking , giving us information about the press conference , I throw my head back and close my eyes , counting my breaths in a bid to calm myself . When I open them , I freeze . There , on the gallery overlooking the ball room , stands Nathan . Leaning against the railing , he watches everyone below him , a passive expression on his handsome face . This is the first time I've seen him since that first day , and it feels like drinking water after a long hike through the desert . He's so beautiful , and standing atop the gallery , the light of the late afternoon coming through the window illuminating his features , he looks ethereal . I watch him watch the crowd , his gaze sweeping over the ballroom - then it lands on me . My breath hitches , and just like when he caught me , the surrounding sounds filter out till it feels like it's just me and him alone in the massive hall . He doesn't look away , and I couldn't even if I wanted to . So we just stand there - him high above me , an apt representation of our positions in life , staring and staring and staring . I wish I could tell what he was thinking . I wish I knew what he saw when he looked at me . Finally , he pushes off from the railing , standing to his full height . Then he turns away from me , and he's gone . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!