The Selection (1x1 with AnnaCat17)

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Jakob tried to smile a bit. He send Maisie into the room, staying out in the hall with Matteo. "Why did you want to talk with her?" he asked, a bit nervous but not for that reason.

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo shrugged and looked down the hall at Vice's room. "I wanted to understand why you here so i asked her why she put you in the selection. A lot of things are screwed up right now and i just wanted one thing to make sense." He sighed tiredly and ran a hand through his hair forcing himself to be reminded that he was still covered in dried paint. "I think i should just try to get some sleep." He looked over at Jakob tiredly. "Im sorry for interrupting you two earlier. Hopefully you two can get back to your game now."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"Don't be sorry. I wanted to see you. I wanted to apologize for earlier. I...shouldn't have responded the way I did." Jakob swallowed nervously, taking a small step closer. He felt jealous, at the glance to Vice's room. Was he going to see him afterwards? "Can I ask something of you?" he asked hesitantly. "I..like you a lot. And if you figure out that I'm not the person for you, could you tell me? I don't want to be dragged along in this, thinking that I could have a chance if you've already decided that you don't want me. I just think it would be a little easier for me if I knew right away."

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo looked at him confused, not fully understanding what he meant. "Dragged along in what? Jakob, you had me promise not to flirt with you like i do the others. Im leaving you alone like you wanted until you decide you want to go home." His heart sunk. Was that what this was? Was Jakob tired of dealing with him and wanted to go home? He immediately felt tears bloom in his eyes and he looked away from him. He was too exhausted for this. He couldnt lose Jakob too, not along with everything else. "No. If this is you saying goodbye then no. You are forbidden to go home yet. Its only been a few weeks so just toughen up. Im doing what you want so you can just suck it up and stay here for a little longer." He couldn't look at Jakob. He was furious with him too now. Why did he have to pick today to decide to put his foot down?

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

"I changed my mind. I would very much like you to flirt with me." Jakob watched him sadly. "I don't want to leave. I'm just telling you that when you decide you no longer want me, to tell me inside of letting it continue. I don't want to get hurt more than that's inevitable."

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo looked over at him as he nervously picked at a piece of paint on his arm. He took in Jakob's sad expression and how nervous he had been when he returned with Maisie. He couldnt understand why he was suddenly changing his stance but he was worried it was for the wrong reason's. Jakob had seen the worst things in his life. He had seen him weak and sobbing on the ground, he had been shown that his big brother was battling cancer, and he knew better than anyone Matteo's doubts about the selection. He didnt want this to be pity or a sense of obligation but he feared it was. Tentatively he took a step towards Jakob and rested a hand on his cheek. "You are an amazing man, Jakob." He said in a slow, even voice that forced his own emotions away. "I want you to be able to find someone who you can fall in love with and who becomes your reason to get up every morning and i look forward to getting to see the excitement on your face when you see them enter the room." He ran his thumb over Jakob's cheek as he searched his eyes. "You deserve nothing less than perfection so don't you dare, even for a moment, settle for anything else." He softly kissed his other cheek and forced himself to take a step back, releasing a shaky breath. "Now if youll excuse me, ive been up all night and smell like a hospital so i really need sleep and shower. I hope you and Maisie have a fun day together."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Jakob leaned his head into Matteo's hand, gazing over at Matteo. "Why can't that be you?" he whispered, his gaze soft as Matteo stroked his cheek. "I want you." He closed his eyes as Matteo kissed his cheek, sadness surging in his chest. He ached for his affection. He wanted to be the center of his world. He just stood there as Matteo took a step back, just watching him. He didn't know what to say in response. He didn't want him to go, but he knew he should take care of himself. He didn't trust himself to speak.

[AnnaCat17]

-six weeks later, Halloween-

Matteo leaned in close to the full length mirror, focusing on getting the fake fangs to stick to his teeth. He was excited about the party tonight but he couldn't help but feel like the feeling was getting muted every time he glanced over at Eleanor in the mirror. He didn't know if she knew yet but she had stolen Vice's heart from him. He had tried to act like everything was normal. He continued going on dates with all of the selected and continued to try to put on a good show for the cameras but every time he was with Vice he couldn't help but feel like h was losing more and more hope in the selection. When he kissed Vice he could tell that Vice's mind was no longer focusing on him but was elsewhere, most likely on Ellie. When he was with him, though Vice was still as stable and charming as ever he could feel space pulling between hem. He began to fear getting close to any of the selected in case Ellie decided she wanted them too. After a while he just stopped all activities making the party the first one in two weeks. He had sent three more guys home bringing the number down to 15 and none of them had seemed to mind too much having to go home. He sighed and took a step back from the mirror to look at his costume. He was shirtless, of course, and wore a cape with his black pants. He looked seductive and, just for an extra measure, messed up his own hair to add to the effect. He looked over at Ellie and smirked. "Think this will catch anyone's eye?" he teased, knowing full well even if it did no one would flirt with him, all of the selected still too start struck or scared to do much more than look. Once again he thought of Jakob's words in the hallways all those weeks ago. He still didn't fully understand them and wasn't sure he wanted to. The thought of Jakob feeling obligated to play his sick game made him feel cruel for how things had been with the selected but he still didn't know how to fix it. At least Pavel seemed to be on the upswing.

Vice was down at the party early, looking around at the decorations and the people getting ready. He was relieved for the distraction of tonight, having not liked being left to his own thoughts so much. He sipped his drink as he strolled around the ballroom, trying not o wonder what Ellie might be doing at that moment. He was dressed as a ghost in an all white suit with an excessive amount of white powder on his face and hands so he looked pale which was about as dramatic as he could bring himself to be.

Dacey was helping Gabel get dressed for the party, giggling happily every time he examined his own reflection. "you're cute. Don't worry Sir Gabel." She tried to assure him as she fixed the rounded spikes running down his back.

Gabel pursed his lips as he looked at the soft costume he was in. "Are you sure a dinosaur is a good idea? I feel like the prince will think Im an idiot or something." He said as he poked at the hood of the outfit.

Dacey giggled happily. "Trust me, the prince will like it."

[EchoOfShatteredIce]

Eleanor laughed, glancing over at him. "Definitely. They'll be all swooning over you," she teased. She fixed her costume in the mirror. She had wanted to go as a zombie, but didn't think she should be something so disturbing. So she was an angel, the wings folded along her back and a pretty white gown and a gold halo on her head.

Jakob bend down, fixing Maisie's princess costume. He would be focusing this night on her, solely making sure she had a good time. He needed a distraction from his aching heart, his constant fear that Matteo would be disinterested in him and send him away. He was going as "death", a long black cloak with a pointed hood, and a fake scythe. It was either that or try to match with Maisie's costume, and he didn't want to go as a prince or escort or something.

Lysander was nervous as he got ready, examining his reflection in the mirror. He was overly anxious about the party, half convinced he'd be the only one showing up in a costume or certain that his would be the lamest. He was going as a skeleton, with a black suit covered with fabric bones and wore a skull mask.

Abril was planning on making an appearance in the party, only to make sure everything was going smoothly. She would be spending most of her night with Pavel as he rested. She had barely left his side over the past few weeks.

Elliott hadn't been chosen to help out with the celebration. So instead of decorating the ball room or preparing for the guests, she went into the maid's room to make a phone call. She hoped that she'd be able to talk to Romeo and make sure he was alright. Eleanor, grudgingly, had told her what had happened to him.

[AnnaCat17]

Matteo chuckled but suddenly he couldn't hold his tongue any longer. "Ellie... do you honestly like Vice or are you just trying to get back at me for something?" His voice dropped off as he talked, scared of the answer and hoping she wouldn't lie.

Gabel went down to the party and joined Vice who chuckled at the sight of him. "Well aren't you a cutie?" Vice teased making Gabel blush. Vice glanced up at Jakob when he and his sister arrived. he smirked and sipped his drink before saying. "So I hear they will be shooting fireworks off tonight. Wouldn't it be great if a certain long haired fellow finally got to kiss the prince when they go off?"

Romeo was signing his release papers at the facility when his phone started to ring. He said goodbye to the nurse before grabbing his bag and heading out the door, answering his phone quickly before it went to voicemail. "Hello? This is Romeo." His voice sounded clear again, no longer weighed down by grief, and he felt better than he had in a long time making him feel even more excited to see his angel again.