Page 96 of The Wrong Bachelor

“Angus allowed people to vote for you Sunday night and he never said you’d been eliminated on Monday. He just said you were sick and couldn’t make the ceremony.”

“What?”

“And then Cole said none of the contestants were eliminated,” she continued. “So, as far as the viewers are concerned, you still have a chance to win.”

I sat back in my seat and allowed her words to sink in. I liked hearing Hayley say I still had a chance, and I wished it was true. I knew it couldn't be possible though, because I had taken myself out of the contest.

Hayley slowed her car as we reached the police officer manning the entrance to the school. She lowered her window for him.

“Can I please have your names?” the officer asked, his gaze focused on a clipboard in front of him.

“Hayley Lawson and Madison Matthews,” Hayley responded.

The officer’s eyes lifted from his clipboard and briefly flicked to mine. “Go ahead girls,” he said. “And good luck tonight, Madi, we’re all rooting for you,” he added.

Hayley burst out laughing as we drove off. “Even the police force is enamored by Cadi,” she said.

“Don’t say that!” I replied, slapping my hand against her arm. I was beyond mortified, but I also felt guilty. So many people were supporting me, but they didn’t even know I was out of the contest. I felt like I had let them down. Mostly, I felt like I had let Cole and myself down. I should have believed him when he told me nothing happened with Laurie and I felt so angry with myself.

We parked close to the school gym, got out of the car and started making our way toward it. I wondered if Cole was already inside. I knew from all the gossip at school this week that he’d be selecting his final contestant live at the formal. I still didn't know how Hayley expected me to watch it. I was both dreading the moment and also desperate to find out who Cole's final choice would be.

“Madi?” Hayley came to a halt several steps ahead of me and turned to face me. I hadn’t even realized I’d stopped walking as we’d neared the gym. She closed the distance between us. “Don’t get upset now. I promised you that this evening would be all about fun. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

“Sorry,” I said, holding my hands up like I was being held at gunpoint.

Hayley laughed and shook her head at me. “Apology accepted. Let’s get inside and dance already.”

She grabbed my hand and dragged me into the gym. It was done up with fairy lights and shining stars hanging from the ceiling and loose balloons flitting across the floor. We had arrived late, so the dance floor was already packed.

Hayley didn’t hesitate as she pulled me into the midst of it all. I wasn’t sure if I felt like dancing yet, but it was better than moping by the sidelines. I felt like people were glancing my way as we walked onto the dance floor, but when I said as much to Hayley she laughed and told me it was just because I looked hot in gold.

I didn’t think it was that though. After we began dancing the stares started to lessen, but I couldn’t seem to stop the nerves I felt fluttering through my entire body as I waited for Cole’s announcement to come.

The nerves only grew stronger as the night continued. I kept glancing up at the stage, and my stomach dropped with fear every time I saw movement up there. I hadn’t spotted anyone from True Love yet, but I knew it was only a matter of time. Despite my best efforts, I was struggling to enjoy the dance. It felt like a countdown to certain heartbreak, and the longer I stayed the worse I felt.

“What’s wrong?” Hayley asked, catching sight of my face.

I shook my head, trying to stop the tears from gathering in my eyes. I didn’t even know who Cole was going to pick and already I was a mess. How was I going to handle it when he stood up on stage and announced his True Love choice? Nothing may have happened between him and Laurie, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t be devastated if he picked her or Teagan.

“Maybe we should go home and grab that tub of ice cream,” I said.

Hayley immediately came over and took hold of my arm. “Please don’t get upset. You’re supposed to be having fun.”

I tried to nod, but the motion just wouldn’t come.

“Look, the moment Cole arrives and makes his announcement I give you full permission to break down if you need to. But until then, you can’t let him ruin your formal. Let's just have some fun!”

This time the nod came more easily. Hayley was right. I needed to focus on enjoying my night. Cole hadn’t made his choice yet, and I could be worrying over nothing. He could pick Willow, for all I knew, which would prove he had no romantic interest in any of the contestants. The competition wasn’t over, but I was acting like it had already come to an end.

“You’re right,” I said, smiling at Hayley. “I’ll try to be less dramatic.”

“Promises, promises,” she said with a smile. I laughed along with her, feeling suddenly grateful for my friend.

We had only just started to dance again when the music was cut off mid-song. Everyone on the dance floor came to a standstill and turned to the stage as Angus jumped up to grab the microphone. He was joined by the rest of the film club and their cameras, which made my stomach drop. It felt like the beginning of the end.

“Welcome, welcome,” Angus shouted to the room.

Everyone cheered except for me.

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