Deal Breakers

Round 6

"Log jumping?" I repeated, baffled. Lizzie nodded with excitement, this was in her opinion the most exciting round yet. 

They'd set up a contraption at the lake that will spin wooden logs the size of redwood tree trunks. It is our job to run, skip? HOP? I don't even know. But we needed to not fall off, or we'd be out. Another couple goes home tonight. The group of so many girls was dwindling and chances of being one of them was growing. What were the chances Peter and I would really win this? I don't know, but I hope it's good. Because that's what I want still, to leave here with Peter and our wedding money.

Right?

"I'm pretty good at jump rope, I was in a tournament in catholic school," Lizzie dragged on with her story as I dazed off again. Her glasses were barely on her nose as she beamed, her dark hair in it's usual half up-half down style. I'm glad Samantha is with us in the community cabin, she's intensively listening to Lizzie's Catholic school stories.

It was clear to me, today could be our last day. One wrong move and I'd be crammed in the white van on my way back home and though I missed my apartment, I think I'll miss being here. I was sprawled out on my favorite armchair, navy blue velvet, a red plaid pillow for unnecessarily harsh contrast. I believe the decorator for this show did not fully know if she was going for lumberjack or glamping. My fingers traced circles on the velvet, taking in the feeling of it. 

I'd miss these people, this place and even the way the sun beams down on my skin so nicely here. My eyes closed, my head leaning back and I was thinking about the warmth of the sun, the way it gleams on the water of the lake. As I watched these memories flicker by, images of Chase flickered along. The night by the lake, him teaching me how to float. Him laughing at game night, his blue eyes sparkling at dinner in the arena. 

God I'm going to miss him, I thought to myself, ashamed.

"Game time, let's go!" I hear Peter's voice call and it sounds far away. My eyes flutter open to see him standing at the door frame, beckoning all of us to follow him outside. "Ellen said put pep in your step, girls!"

Samantha giggled at his remark, I'm glad someone finds him funny today. Lizzie is blushing, I wonder why. I wasn't listening to their conversation anymore, I must have missed something. I graze my fingers on the furniture as I make my way out the door. They say touch is one of the senses for memories, or something like that. 

Peter's hair was messy, black spikes going every which way. Not like him at all. I eyed him suspiciously. "What's up with you?" I ask, pointing at his hair. 

"Nothing," He says with a shrug. "Have you talk to Chase today?" He then continues to try to flatten his hair down into a more Peter like quaff.

I was caught off guard by this question, why would he assume I had. Well, probably because I have every day that we've been here. But, it felt weird for him to ask me outright like that. I scratch the bridge of my nose, even though it isn't itchy. "No, is something wrong?"

Peter's shoulders pushed upward into a shrug, falling quickly. I didn't have to ask, I knew something was bothering him. It was the way he was taking in deep breaths, slow exhales and his eyes were not really meeting mine. "Everything is fine, come on let's go."

The lake was shimmering from the sun, huge logs lines up and connected to robot arms that were complete eye sores to the beautiful scenery. Todd was sitting in his chair, phone in hand as he scrolled endlessly. The idea of my phone flashed in my mind, but I knew I'd get it back eventually. Lizzie and Charlie were standing about thirty feet from Peter and I. They were practicing running in place, which was adorable and yet uncomfortable to watch.

 Amanda was with them, her dark brown curls tied in a ponytail. She looked almost identical to Lizzie minus the glasses and I wondered if they heard that a lot. Charlie seemed flustered, he kept running his hands through his blonde hair and looking at Amanda... I wondered if there was something there I hadn't noticed before.