for, lover (Completed; editing)

Chapter 89

They're playing harder this year. Three people get eliminated not even two minutes into the game. A couple of them happen too far for me to hear who it was but when I hear Sandy stomp off through the leaves back to the entrance, I know Henry lost his teammate. It gives me more of a chance if he's down a person.

I stay in sector 4 for a few minutes, sunken down by the collection of bushes next to one of the trees. I shimmied my body in between them that the only way I'd be seen was if someone's flashlight was shining on the exact bush my foot is hanging out around. Peyton passed me and never suspected a thing. I had the perfect opportunity to tag her out but I got too nervous to move. I need to wait a little longer before I strike.

Rayna's scream erupts a few feet down from where I'm hiding. "Fuck you Henry!" She yells, followed by a fit of his maniacal laughter.

Henry's footsteps zoom past me and he's gone within seconds as Rayna exits the game. If Peyton and Henry are still in the game and Sandy and Rayna got eliminated, that means Tyler and Aaliyah must have gotten out first. It was probably on purpose so they could make use of their own time away from everyone else.

My teeth start chattering that I have to bite down on my jacket sleeve to keep from making noise. All the footsteps have distanced, giving the perfect opportunity for me to make a move. I don't want to take the easy way out by hiding the entire game, plus I'd much rather get this game over quickly so I can sit next to the bonfire.

I pull myself out of my little hiding spot that I had dug myself in and reach for my flashlight from the ditch, flicking it on just long enough for me to get away from the area. I'll be very impressed with myself if I manage to beat everyone, having started out on my own. Me and Miles were in the final stretch and were confident that we had won until Peyton popped up out of nowhere to claim the victory. She's sneaky as hell and I'm sure she has the same plan as last time. She's got a better chance of getting Henry out though.

I hate the pressure of this game. Every year we put so much of it for the chance of getting some expensive gift Henry's dad puts a pretty penny in along with the other parents. We know it's mostly Henry's dad which probably explains why he never wins the thing. He doesn't have to. He gets plenty of that paycheck so I'm not even sure why he plays. I'm almost convinced he throws it every year besides the one year he got lucky when his teammate won for him. I wouldn't be mad if he did throw it; it's kind of sweet. He knows how much the rest of us struggle with adulthood and having this one thing to look forward to for New Years is crucial to get us through until next time even if we don't win.

I'm glad I ended up coming this year because I could not spend another second alone depressed off my ass on a holiday. It would have put me in an even worse mood by the time I go back to work on Monday. Work hasn't even been that bad lately but everything else going on makes it feel that way. I shouldn't torture myself by thinking about work right now. I actually really want to win this game.

"Bitch!"

I jolt, ducking down behind a collection of bushes. A light flashes and Henry stomps his foot, angrily crossing his arms and huffing under his breath.

They're right next to me.

I grip my flashlight and lunge out, pointing the end directly at the back of Peyton's head. I flip the switch, engulfing her into the entire spotlight. I can see her fists clench and she drops her light to the ground. Henry's mouth drops before he breaks into laughter.

"Holy shit, Bree pulled a you!" He cackles.

Peyton shakes her head and faces me, a small grin forming at the corner of her mouth. "Nice job, Taylor."

"My heart is beating so fast. I swear I was a goner." I laugh and follow them back to the entrance of the woods where everyone is waiting.

"Who won?" Sandy yells as we appear in single file to the backyard.

Henry and Peyton simultaneously point their fingers at me. Rayna throws her hands up, squealing in excitement and rushes over to hug me.

"I knew I should've teamed up with you!" She shouts.

"Bitch." Peyton huffs, cracking a non offensive smile as Rayna shrugs her shoulders.

Henry leads us back inside for the living room warmth where Tyler and Aaliyah are heavily making out on the couch. Sandy rolls her eyes and points to the stairs, "Go get a room or I'm dumping the cooler ice on both of you."

They laugh and break contact. "Who won?" Aaliyah asks,

"If you really care, it was miss solo over here." Henry nods in my direction and picks up the envelope from the table. He walks it over to me and extends his arm to offer it to me.

"She used my strategy. I should get some credit." Peyton gloats.

"Sure but you still lost." Henry teases.

"Do I open it now?" I raise a brow and take it from his hands.

"Yes!" Rayna yells and jumps excitedly.

I laugh and tear open the envelope, pulling out the piece of folded up paper neatly placed inside. Rayna pokes her head over my shoulder trying to read what it says. "Is that a letter?"

I nod a little and look at Henry. "What is this?"

He chuckles. "Why don't you read it?"

"I'm impatient and this is a lot of words for a rich old man to write out."

"Just read it, Bree." He assures me.

I press my lips together and look back at the paper. "Should I read it out loud?"

"For dramatic effect? Of course." Sandy responds.

"I hate being put on the spot though."

"You won the game so it was inevitable. Read the damn letter or the runner up will get it." Henry threatens.

It's a page long, typed in perfect format. My heart skips a beat when I scan over my name printed right at the top.