Let the Games Begin // Dodge Mason

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ Chapter Seventeen ˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

     "You know I tried calling you like a billion times," Natalie told Heather, the three of us sitting on the floor of Nat's bedroom.

     "Yeah, I know. I know, um- Lily needed me."

     "My mom and Bo were fighting," She explained.

     "Is Lily okay?" I asked Heather.

     "Oh, yeah. Nothing like that, lil."

     "Heather," Natalie said with undertone.

     "Yeah, I know. I'm out of the game." She sighed.

     "What happened last night?" She asked us.

     "The challenge was different this year,"

     "They put us in blindfolds and loaded us into a van and they took us to an old train bridge." Natalie started to explain.

     "One by one we had to find our way back. We could ask for help, ten steps in the right direction but only if we answered their questions."

     "What were the questions?" Heather asked.

     "They wanted secrets," I added.

     "But not ours," Natalie said. Which made me scrunch my eyebrows, mine was about me though?

     "They were playing us against each other," Natalie continued. 

     "Somehow Dodge got through. I was so scared; I could hardly stand up."

    "You made it though, didn't you?" 

    "I answered their questions, but my timer was up before I made it back." Natalie shook her head.

     "You're out of the game?" I asked her.

     "What questions did they give you?" Hesther asked her.

     "What were your questions?" I asked her.

     "Nothing much, basic shit." Natalie shrugged it off, her eyes quickly glancing over me. 

     "Ray was the first one back," She changed the subject.

     "How do you think he did that?" Heather asked.

     "If he answered all five questions," Natalie shrugged.

     "Oh my god," Heather rolled her eyes.

     "Oh my god, what if he said something?" 

     "Bishop can't find out that I hooked up with Ray."

     "Okay, do we like Bishop now?" I asked.

     "It's complicated," Natalie said.

     "I can see that." I nodded.

     "The judges wouldn't care about me though, right. Like- like they wouldn't ask about me if I'm out of the game, right?" Heather went on.

     "I don't know," Natalie shrugged.

     "I have to go talk to Ray," Heather was frantic.

     "It's okay, It's just not fair. You should be in the final four, not Shawna." Natalie tried to calm her down.

     "Maybe you can ask the judges for an exception? You still have your immunity." 

     "But you have to use it before the challenge starts." I reminded them.

     "Just talk to Diggins. Maybe there's a chance." Natalie said.

     Dodge

     I'm breaking in a horse, wanna come along?

Me

Is that code for something...?

     Dodge

      Ha ha, I'll be at your house in 10 minutes.

     I was slidding on my shoes as I saw Dodge's car pull into the driveway. I grabbed my phone off the counter and made my way outside.

      "Were you waiting for me?" He smiled at me as I got in the car.

     "Don't flatter yourself, I was putting my shoes on. Driveways a clear shot in that window." I shook my head.

     "Mhm, yeah, right." He laughed. pulling me in for a kiss.

     "So, what are we doing with a horse?" I asked.

     "You'll see." He put the car in drive.

     We pulled up to a fancy ranch, I was looking out the window, taking in the view- Dodge found a place to park in the grass. We got out of the car but right when we looked up, we saw Heather.

     "Dodge? Lilia?" She asked, Shocked.

     "Heather?" I say back, equally shocked. 

     "Well, I guess y'all know each other." The older lady on the porch said.

     "I didn't know what he meant by 'Breaking in a horse' but it sure wasn't this." I shook my head, standing outside the fence with Heather and Anne- who is the sweetest old lady. 

     "You guys have never seen someone break in a horse before?" Anne asked.

     "It kinda looks like they're playing tag or something." Heather laughed.

     "Come on, walk, walk, walk." Dodge talked to the horse. I couldn't help but smile watching the encounter. 

     "So how do you know him?" Heather asked Anne. 

     "Well, the first time I saw him compete was at this little horse show outside San Antonio." Anne explained.

     "There were at least half a dozen riders that got thrown from the back of this monster Appaloosa. Mean horse." She shook her head.

     "And out come this spit of a rider. Thighs like a twig-" I couldn't help but burst out laughing at that comment. 

     "Spurs barely reaching the flanks. He rides tall for ten seconds with a smile on his face, hat in his hand. It was impressive." 

     I couldn't help but envision the Dodge Anne described, I wish I got to know him a lot sooner. 

     "I had no idea," Heather smiled.

     "And you know, his sister was even better on a horse, if you could believe it." 

     "That's Dayna, right?" Heather asked.

     "Yeah, terrible thing."

     "Our friend Nat hangs out with her sometimes." 

     "I've met her, she's really nice." I added.

     Finally, the horse settled down; I grinned as Dodge petted her muzzle.

      "Go Dodge," I clapped- He sent me a warm smile.

      A/N: I literally love Anne so much; this is a shorter chapter, but I hope you guys enjoy! Remember to vote and comment and I hope you guys have a good day (or night- whenever you're reading this).