“Fuck you,” I bite. I’d leave if my limbs would cooperate.
“Mean, but understandable.” Garrett pushes the mixing bowl out of the way and leans forward. “I said tomorrow’s challenge is a race, yeah? It’s not identical to the one from my season—we’ve changed itup—but there’s still a fork in the final road. Like I said, I told Carter to go right. But you? You go left.”
“I’m sure you’d like that, asshole.”
“I would. Becauseleftis the quickest way to the finish line.”
My next insult dies on my tongue. “Wait, what?”
“You weren’t supposed to win—but I want you to.” Garrett pushes himself away from the counter. “You’re a fair player. Your mom was, too. I admire that. Jungeun never got a fair chance, so… I’m making sure you do.”
He sighs and finally reaches underneath for a muffin pan to scoop the batter into. “I know the kid’s my nephew, but Carter’s sportsmanship leaves something to be desired. Besides, like I said, I think we’re going to get funding forMoxley to the Maximumeven if Carter loses, so no sweat off my back. If we don’t, whatever. I’ll milk the Moxley Merch cash cow a little longer.”
I’m still stiff when Garrett loads the tray into the oven. He comes around the island and takes the list of questions from his pocket. “What you do with this information is up to you. Believe me or don’t, I get paid the same. Muffins will be done in twenty-five. Do me a favor and go record your final interview question so Blake doesn’t realize you’ve been missing this whole time.”
Numbly, I shuffle out of Garrett’s cabin and wait until he closes the door behind me before I unfold the list and carefully read the last question.
How do you want to be remembered?
CONFESSION TAPE, FINAL INTERVIEW—Seyoon Shin, Contestant
Talking to a camera is really awkward, you know that? They never mention that part on TV. But I really have to get this off my chest. It may be my only chance to.
[She sighs and rubs her hands over her face.]
Vendredi. I’msorry.I made you a promise I knew I couldn’t keep because I was afraid of losing you. I should’ve been honest about how I felt, I know, but I’m always scared that if I let people see the weakest parts of me, they’ll leave.
[She fidgets, dropping her eyes to her hands now.]
I did the same thing with another friend, too. Amelia. If… if you see this, I’m sorry. I promise to call and finally explain everything. We both know there’s a lot to talk about.
I know I don’t deserve it, but if you guys let me, I want to make things right. I want to be a better friend. I promise I can be.
[Her eyes get watery. She inconspicuously wipes them by rubbing them. She clears her throat.]
… And to my dad, who may or may not be watching. Whether I win this whole thing or not, it’s not because of youorin spite of you. There’s only one person I’m doing this for, and she’s already proud of me.
[Seyoon pauses, then smiles at the camera.]
A smart woman once told me winning isn’t the most important thing. I was too stubborn to believe her then, but I get it now.
I don’t want to be remembered as a winner. I want to be remembered as a fair player, a good teammate, a better friend. I hope people see this and remember me for my efforts. I hope they see that I tried. I hope that counts.
40
SEYOON AND DEAN, SWINGING AROUND IN THE TREES
DEAN
On the morning of the last day of camp, theForest Feudjingle blares at an ear-shattering volume from every speaker in the vicinity. I wake like I’ve been shot, jolting up so fast that I nearly fall off the bed. Luckily, I’m not in my top bunk—I faked a stomach bug yesterday evening so I could spend the night in the infirmary. Yes,alright,I’m hiding from Seyoon. Being around her is too painful right now. Besides… we have nothing left to say to each other.
“Wakey, wakey, campers! It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the final challenge!” Garrett’s voice streams in surround sound. “You have an hour to get ready to head to set.”
I linger in the nurse’s office for as long as I can, then quickly scarf down breakfast and get dressed, hoping I don’t run into Seyoon or Carter. Thankfully, the producers make it easy and chauffeur the three of us to the filming lot in separate cars.
We drive down the highway, pass the private property gates, and roll along a winding, gravelly road. I wonder what new section of the forest we’re going to traverse today, but surprisingly,the bus rolls to a stop in front of a familiar clearing. A few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you the difference between a maple tree and a pine, but after all this time out here, I instantly recognize this grouping of fir trees: It’s the same location where the Trailside Treasure Hunt challenge was held. I look up, and my jaw drops. High off the ground are lines of rope intricately woven between the trees.
It’s an obstacle course. Just like the one Dad competed in. Just like Carter said it’d be.
