“Come on,” Dad says with a lilt to his voice I already don’t like. “Tell me more about your guys’ alliance.”
I glance around the crowded bus pointedly and tap my mic. They’ve strapped our parents up with their own before we boarded, too. “Can’t right now. It’s not a good idea to talk strategy so openly.”
Dad’s whole face lights up. “Smart. Attaboy.” He leans in and whispers, although it’s unlikely anyone can hear us over the rumble of the road and all the overlapping conversations. “But give mesomething.Come on, I’m dying here.”
Knowing Dad, he’s not going to quit prying until I give him what he wants. But I’d rather jump out of the emergency exit right now than tell Dad about our little showmance. Actually, I don’t know which would be more mortifying: that, or letting him think we’re really together. Oh Christ, he’d definitely do something embarrassing if he thought that, like ask Seyoon what she sees in me. Or worse, give usbothThe Talk. It’s not below him. I know he would.
Maybe I should tell him the truth. But how, without anyone else figuring out what we’re talking about? I consider the safest way to convey at least a nugget of the truth. Enough to get him off my back.
“Do you remember Joanne and Vinnie from season one ofForest Feud?” I ask. They were two contestants who formed an alliance and ended up dating midway through the season. Dad nods; of course he’d know that. “This is less like that, and more like Yolanda and Matt.” The iconic pair from season fourteen, who pretended to be in love so they’d be voted fan favorite. It was a shitstorm online when it came out that they were just faking it the whole time—another reason Seyoon and I have to keep the cameras fooled just as much as our competitors.
It seems to click for Dad. “Wait, does that—”
“Dad,enough.”
I don’t know who’s more surprised, me or him. I’ve never been the type to put my foot down with him before. Dad’s jaw pops open, and I crumble. “Just… not here. The game’s still on.”
Dad blinks, then shuts his fallen jaw. “Alright,” he concedes. “I’ll leave you alone. For now.”
He ruffles my hair. Whatever—it’s the stylist’s problem, not mine.
After what feels like forever, we arrive at the private lot, then turn onto a different road until we reach a large, flat clearing. Entirely out of place among the nature reserve is the giant, wooden stage with a tall, metal backdrop adorned with velvet curtains. Stage lights encompass the roof, grazing the branches of the evergreens towering over. Four lecterns line the stage, each with a microphone, and to the side of the stage, there are five chairs. In front of thecurtain is a huge screen withForest Facts Frenzy!flashing in obnoxious letters.
My heart leaps. “That’s—”
“The challenge from the tenth season!” Dad finishes. We look at each other and grin.
We all load off. Our guardians are guided to the spectator seats, and we’re directed behind the lecterns, each with a red button and a tablet. Seyoon and I share one, of course. There’s an odd glaze to her expression she doesn’t shake off even as Garrett hops onto the stage and the cameras start rolling.
Welcome, contestants and families, to Forest Facts Frenzy!
For those not familiar, this is a fan-favorite trivia challenge from the show’s original run. You’ll be tested on your knowledge of the old seasons and iconic contestants who came before you, including yours truly. It’s fitting given we’re a reboot, right?
The format is straightforward. On each of your lecterns is a big red button. I’ll ask you a question, and the answer options will appear on the screen. The first person to buzz in gets to answer, but if you’re wrong, the rest of you get the chance to steal.
And now for my next demonstration of kindness: Each of you gets ten points to start. Blake, load ’em up.
Rewatching every season ofForest Feudmy whole life is finally about to pay off. This challenge was made for me. I seek out Dad, who looks as thrilled as I feel. He shoots me two thumbs-up from the sideline and mouths,You got this.It feels good to make him proud.
Blake, behind the setup of cameras, signals at one of the tech assistants. The sound of coins clanging against each other plays from the speakers above as the screens in front of our lecterns reflect ten points each.
There’s a short interlude for the videographers and camera techs to adjust their equipment from filming Garrett’s intro to the next section of the scene. Seyoon’s still pale, and it hits me why. I nudge her leg with my knee under the lectern.
“Hey,” I whisper. “You don’t need to be nervous. I know you haven’t seen the other seasons, but I got us. You can count on me.”
She scans my face. She chuckles half-heartedly. “I know you’re trying to comfort me, but your woeful gerbil eyes aren’t exactly reassuring.”
“Are you flirting with me?”
Seyoon barks out a surprised cackle, and I warm up a bit to have been the one to make her laugh.
She relaxes into a small smile. “Thanks, Dean.”
The production crew is ready. Blake, sitting in a director’s chair off the stage on the ground behind Garrett, signals for filming to resume.
“Campers, I’ll go easy on you for the first question,” Garrett says. He shuffles the notecards in his hands. “Ready? Who was the first person to winForestFeud?”
The answer options pop up on the big screen behind us as well as the tablet on our lecterns. My eyes quickly scan over each option in just a second or two. Easy—
