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“Yeah,” she agreed. “I’m totally going to hell.”

Hayley walked with me as we crossed the street and made our way to Cole’s house. Angus had decided to take advantage of the fact that Cole lived in a ridiculously nice house, by using it for the main parts of the competition. Apparently, all of the selection ceremonies would be happening there and some of the group dates, including the first one tonight. It definitely worked for me, because it was only down the street.

It had been years since I’d visited the Kingston family’s home. I used to play there all the time as a kid, but that felt like a lifetime ago. My mom still visited Cole’s mom, but I hadn’t set foot in the house since high school started. Not even for one of Cole’s legendary parties.

“Well, I should probably leave you here,” Hayley said when we reached the front gate. I glanced at her and nodded, desperately wishing for a moment that she were in the competition with me.

“Wish me luck,” I said.

“Nah,” she grinned. “You don’t need it.”

I smiled warmly back at her, before taking a deep breath in and making my way up to the Kingstons' front door. I pressed the buzzer, and Cole’s mom opened the door almost immediately. Her hair was tightly pulled back, and she was still dressed in one of her work suits. Her eyes brightened when she saw me, and she pulled me in for a warm hug.

“It’s so good to see you, Madison,” she said.

“You too, Mrs. Kingston,” I replied. I was surprised by her reaction, but I didn’t mind the hug too much. Despite her formal appearance, Cole’s mom had always been really fun, kind and she gave great hugs.

She walked me in through the entrance lobby. “I’m so glad Cole’s got you in this contest,” she murmured to me as we walked. “I’m a bit worried some of the girls might be in this competition for the wrong reasons. I don’t want to see Cole get hurt.”

I smiled at how worried Cole’s mom was about her son, but I knew it was much more likely that he would be the one breaking hearts, not the other way around. “You don’t have to be too concerned,” I said in an attempt to reassure her. “Some of the contestants are my friends, and I know they’d never hurt Cole,” I replied.

“You’ve always been so sweet,” she said, a smile returning to her face. “I’ll be secretly rooting for you.”

I laughed and shook my head. I didn’t have the heart to tell her I’d be out before the week was through.

Mrs. Kingston led me out onto the back patio where most of the girls and half the film club were already waiting. Laurie glared at me as I approached, her eyes moving up and down my body as if it offended her somehow. She turned and started whispering to her sister. Brooke’s eyes flickered in my direction, but there wasn’t the same malice in her gaze as her twin had shown me. She almost seemed uncomfortable as she listened to Laurie’s whispers.

I felt a wave of relief when I saw that Teagan and Evan had already arrived.

“Looking good, Mads,” Evan said as I sat down next to him.

“You guys look great too,” I replied.

“I know,” came Evan’s response.

“Thanks, Madi,” Teagan said. Like the rest of the girls, Teagan was wearing a pretty dress. I probably should have listened to Hayley’s advice and worn one too, but at least I felt comfortable, and I knew Jake couldn’t disapprove.

Teagan was playing with the ends of her long blonde hair, just like she did every time she was preparing to go on stage. She always looked so perfectly calm before she performed, but this was her one tell that beneath the surface she was actually nervous. I was surprised that our little charity show even warranted her nerves.

“Any idea what we’re doing tonight?” I asked, trying to distract her.

Teagan shook her head. “I think we’re still waiting on Willow, but once she gets here, the film club said we’d get started.”

I looked around the patio, taking everything in. The film club already had three different cameras pointed at the small groups the contestants were sitting in. Cole was nowhere to be seen, but knowing him, he was waiting to make an entrance.

“You sure things haven’t already started?” I asked, nodding my head at one of the film guys who had a camera pointed in our direction.

“Maybe,” Evan replied. “Hey, Brett, make sure you get my right side. It’s my good angle.” I laughed as Brett gave him a thumbs up and continued filming.

“I didn’t know you had a bad side,” I said to Evan.

“Oh, everyone has a bad side,” Evan replied. “Well, except for you two girls, obviously. You’re both perfect.”

Teagan and I both smiled at his compliment, but then she shook her head and turned to me. “You know we’re both screwed if Evan here uses his charm on Cole?”

I laughed. “Totally,” I agreed. “No one can resist the powerful charm of Evan Anderson.”

“It’s both a blessing and a curse,” he said, nodding seriously as if it was a genuine struggle.