Chapter 19 Hope is a dangerous , dangerous thing to feel in this competition . Especially since Nathan seems completely indifferent towards me , Peter sees me as more of a piece of amusement than anything else , and Lancas ... Well , you could replace him with a fancy vase , and it wouldn't change much . So I take the silly , dangerous feeling , and I shove it down , down , down to the place within me where I keep all my anguish and tear and anxiety . Then I smile at Jessica . " I'm fine , just a little tired . Do you think you can help me undress ? " She nods , putting the phone away in her pocket . " Of course . " While Jessica helps me undress , Lucy assists June . Once we're out of the elegant but stuffy dresses with our hair free of all the pins and clips , I sigh in relief as some of the tension lifts . I tell the maids that June and I wish to nap . " We'll be back by five to help you get ready for the banquet . " " Right . " I resist the urge to let out an exaggerated sigh of frustration . Tonight , for the first time , the contestants will dine with the Ashfords . I push away that thought for now , already knowing that thinking too much about the coming event will stress me out more . After they leave , I crawl into bed with June , and my little sister curls into me , wrapping her arms around my waist tightly . I stroke her hair gently , humming softly as her breathing evens out . And then , just as my eyes close and I feel the sweet oblivion of sleep approach , June whispers , her soft voice barely audible in the quiet room , " I hope you win , too , " And I don't have the heart to tell my baby sister that people like us don't get the luxury of hope . === At five on the dot , Jessica , Lucy , and the usual stylist team help me prepare for the banquet . " What about June ? " I ask when no one moves towards her as usual . Lucy shakes her head . " She's not allowed at tonight's banquet . It's strictly contestants only . " That information makes me want to sit back on the bed in a huff , kick my feet , and demand that if my sister can't go , I won't either . But not only would a tantrum be juvenile , it probably wouldn't work , and I'll just cement my already - existing reputation as a troublemaker . So , with June watching me curiously from the bed , I let myself be groomed as usual , feeling the tension creep back into me with every dust of the brushes and every clip and pin put back into my hair . And afterward , when I step into another gorgeous dress , the tension coils tightly in my belly , informing me that it's here to stay - at least for the night . While I stare at myself in the mirror , studying the beautiful stranger looking back at me , June climbs off the bed and sidles up to me . Her big grey eyes take in my reflection , and she gives a wistful sigh . " You look beautiful , Spring . " I glance down at her , feeling a genuine smile tug on my lips . " You think so ? " She nods enthusiastically . " You'll be the most beautiful girl there . " I laugh , not believing her for a second , but just a tiny bit of tension leaves me , my little sister's words giving me a small confidence boost . I study myself in the mirror again , taking in my perfectly made - up face and the outfit the stylists picked for tonight . This dress is a rich dark red one - shouldered number . On the left , the sleeve is made of soft mesh and reaches my wrist , while my right shoulder and arm are bare , and a long slit on the right reaches halfway up my thighs . For a moment , I'm transfixed by the beauty and expert workmanship of the dress . It reminds me of something I designed once , a long time ago , and I wonder what it would be like if I'd had the opportunity to- Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!