THE AMOUNT OF excitement that buzzed through the halls the next day made Sophie nauseous.  Brightly glittered signs had appeared from thin air and decorated the stone hallways of the Academy. Each had a name and face that she didn't recognize. The signs reminded her of homecoming week back at her old school, and the desperate war that sizzled between the crazy girls that wanted to be crowned queen. 

Stands were set up along the entrance of the dining hall, where cookies and buttons were handed out. Sophie didn't understand it. Nominations weren't supposed to work like this; you were supposed to save this kind of crap for when you were actually nominated and needed a lot of votes. 

"Are you listening to me, Sophie?" Tabatha asked. The duo walked side by side down a hallway toward the dining hall for dinner. 

Sophie glanced at her. "Not really." 

Tabatha scowled. Sophie beamed at her sheepishly and Tabatha rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry. I am just trying to make sense of this," Sophie explained. She gestured toward the twinkling posters and then frowned at Tabatha. "Why is this crap up now?" 

"It's a little weird, isn't it?" Tabatha laughed. "You just have to remember that these girls are fighting against the rest of the student body for nominations, including the guys. Nominations are just as important as votes, and even harder to get. Everyone wants to participate in The Mating Game. "

"I don't," Sophie grumbled. 

Tabatha nudged her with her arm. "It really isn't as bad as you make it out to be." 

Sophie didn't respond. Her gaze scanned over the tables that had been set out today. A small burst of shock made her pause as she noticed Eli, surrounded by a crowd of the crazy girls, laughing cheerfully. Tabatha noticed her pause and followed her gaze. "Ah," she said, "Looks like the prizes are making their rounds today."

"Does this always happen?" Sophie asked. 

"Of course," Tabatha responded with a chuckle. "Why else would the girls be so desperate to get nominated?"

Sophie harrumphed. Her eyes widened as Eli glanced up, his caramel-and-hazel eyes immediately finding hers. She arched an eyebrow at him when he held her gaze. He winked. She rolled her eyes.

"Let's go get some food," Sophie said. Tabatha snickered and allowed Sophie to drag her toward the entrance of the dining hall. Sophie watched from the corners of her eyes as Eli excused himself from his harem and broke through the crowd. 

"Save me a seat," she sighed as Eli approached. 

Tabatha pursed her lips and gave Sophie a look from over her shoulder as she entered the dining hall. Sophie stepped away from the door so that she wouldn't be in the way and turned to face Eli. His mismatched eyes seemed to glitter in the lamp-light that illuminated the hallway. 

"I've been looking for you," he said. 

"I can't imagine why." 

Eli beamed down at her. "I have to admit. I'd hoped you would be out here too, trying to get a nomination," he said, and gestured toward the girls behind them. Sophie followed his gaze and scowled as she realized the girls seemed to be eavesdropping. Eli laughed at her expression.

"Sorry to disappoint," Sophie muttered as she returned her gaze to Eli. She suddenly realized what she was doing; this guy was a stranger to her, she'd only ever talked to him once and it was one of the weirdest experiences she'd ever had. She couldn't explain why she'd even stopped and assumed that he wanted to talk to her. Her cheeks blazed with embarrassment. Her gaze narrowed and she nodded toward the dining hall. "I'm going to go get some food now."

Eli's eyes widened in surprise. 

Sophie entered the dining hall and hastily found Tabatha. Kitty hovered around the table, her silver tray in hand. She wore a scowl. 

"Where are the twins?" Sophie asked as she slid down into her seat. 

Kitty glanced at her. "Probably arguing over something insignificant." Sophie arched a brow as the pink haired girl slid into a seat. She flashed a smile at Sophie. "So, Eli, huh?" 

Sophie blinked. "No." 

Tabatha pouted. "What do you mean, no?"

"I mean no," Sophie insisted. She folded her arms across her chest and shook her head. "I don't know what you think is going on between us, but there's nothing happening. We've hardly talked." 

"Then why did you send me away?" Tabatha leaned closer. She rested her elbow against the table,  her cheek pressed against her palm. Her eyebrows arched as a smirk tugged at her lips. 

Sophie scowled. "I don't know what came over me," she admitted. And she really didn't. Sophie didn't understand why she'd sent Tabatha away. It just happened before she could stop it. 

Tabatha hummed. Kitty pursed her lips, and then asked. "Are you sure that nothing is going on between  you two?" 

"I'm sure," Sophie said firmly. She brushed her hair out of her face and focused on Kitty. 

Kitty was focused on something behind Sophie. Her lips twisted with an amused smile. She opened her mouth as if she was about to speak, and then pressed her lips together. Tabatha followed her gaze. Her eyes widened. Sophie turned around in her seat, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

"I don't think Eli knows that," Kitty said finally. 

Sophie almost chocked on her saliva. 

Eli had entered the dining hall, his charming smile locked onto his face. He skirted around from table to table, chatting with the occupants. Whenever he stopped at a table, he'd point to Sophie's table, making it obvious that he was talking about her. 

But that wasn't what Sophie was focused on. It was the television that had been situated above the entrance doors. Tabatha had told her about them; the televisions were put up along the halls and inside the dining hall so students could keep up with the progress of the games. The television screen was split into two colors: sky blue and pale rose pink. 

It was the list of the students had had already been nominated. The list was small; only one female and two males had managed to get enough nominations. 

Sophie stared at the lone female name. "This is not happening," she whispered. 

"I hope you don't mind," a familiar voice broke through her horror, and Sophie looked behind her. Eli stood at her table, gaze locked onto the screen. His gaze flickered down to her, his lips twisted with amusement. "My friends recognize beauty when they see it." 

Tabatha made a choking noise. Kitty's mouth fell open. 

Sophie stared at him. "Why would you..." she trailed off. The shock and horror of it all had messed with her brain. She could hardly form a coherent thought. "Your friends?" 

Eli nodded and gestured toward the sectioned area for the Night Class. A group of guys seemed to be watching them, and one winked at Sophie when she glanced over. Another lifted a glass. Each wore a devious smirk that matched the one Eli wore. 

She looked to Eli. 

Her heart stopped in her chest when he leaned down and brushed his lips against her cheek. Then he turned around and started to walk toward the Night Class section. He glanced over his shoulder and called, "I really hope you win, Sophie. Good luck."

The amount of glares that fixated onto Sophie was ridiculous. She sunk down in her seat and flushed a bright red color, frustration sizzling through her veins like a second blood. Tabatha pursed her lips and looked like she was fighting a smile. 

Kitty grinned at her. "You're one lucky little bitch." 

Sophie finally formed a coherent thought. 

"I'm going to kill him," she whispered in horror.