Without Me

Making the Cut

"Hallie you have to go!" Hayden cried out standing in my door frame. 

"Why? So I can watch you destroy your liver? Or so I can watch your buddies attempt to pick up girls and fail miserably? I've got more important things to do with my life."

"Like what? Read? Study? We go back to school next week. You can take a night off and you should go because we're seniors and it's tradition! C'mon Hal, it's going to be fun!"

I finally looked up from my book and inhaled sharply, "I do this, and you don't force me to go to any parties this year, you do all of your own homework, AND you do my chores for a month."

"Deal!" He ran from his spot in the door, tackling me back onto my bed.

"You're welcome." I said with a small smile creeping up on my lips. Hayden loved going out and doing all types of social events, but I hated them. He is captain of the soccer team so he had an image to uphold, I prefer to stay home and study, after all Harvard won't pay for itself. I was just known as Hayden's twin sister, and it's not just because I go to all of his games, we are basically joined at the hip well we were. When we were younger we did everything together. He was always outgoing while I preferred the background making sure everything was done and done right. He was the actor and I was the director. Behind the scenes and worshipping him. Hayden was born six minutes before me and stands at five foot eleven while I only stand at five foot five. We both have blonde hair and hazel eyes.

 In total, our family makes up of six people, our parents, older sister, Hana, Hayden and I, and our younger brother, Harper. Hana is twenty, Hayden and I are eighteen, and Harper is twelve. When we stand next to each other, Hana looks like she could be our triplet, but her and I share the same left dimple while Hayden and Harper have a right dimple. It's weird. I know.

Hayden got up and called over his shoulder, "get ready to go! We're leaving in five!"

I rolled my eyes. It was going to be a long night.

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We arrived at the camp grounds and it was already packed. Hayden put the pick up in park and looked over at me. "If at any point you get uncomfortable or tired or anything you come back to the truck and call me. Got it?"

I nodded my head and he handed me the keys. I wore a solid black tank top with floral shorts and gladiators. We walked to where the trees broke and you had a full view of the lake. Hayden immediately found his teammates and they all greeted me as if I was one of their own.

"Hey Hal, how's it going?" Sam asked lifting his red solo cup with a smirk.

"Hi Sam. I'm fine." I threw a glance over at Hayden who looked highly annoyed.

"Sam, go get me a drink, and leave my sister alone. You know the rules" Hayden spat.

Sam scurried off with a distressed look across his face. It was widely known that Hayden threatened every guy that ever tried to hit on me. Not just because he was the protective older brother (but only by six minutes) but because I don't have time for relationships.

"Boo!" Hands grabbed my sides and I jumped, turning to see my best friend, Mercedes.

"Sadie! You scared me!"

"That was the plan" she said throwing her brunette hair over her shoulder. "I'm so glad you decided to come! I would've been so bored without you."

"Hayden was begging and he promised I wouldn't have to go to any more parties this year if I came tonight so here I am. Having the time of my life" I said sarcastically.

"Well maybe we should go dance and you can attempt to have at least a little fun." Sadie grabbed my hand and pulled me to where a crowd had gathered around the fire. If this meant blending in and avoiding any unwanted attention I was all for it. The music was loud and there were cups everywhere. I lost track of how many songs we danced to, but Sadie and I were having a ball. I even forgot we were out in public for a little while. It was nice, freeing almost. Sadie left to go get a drink and when she came back her phone was the only thing in her hand.

"Did you forget your drink or down it already?" I said jokingly.

She looked up from her screen, a pained expression on her face. "Maybe we should go home, Hal."  

"Why? Is everything okay?"

She shook her head and handed me her phone. It was a text with a link to a blog. I looked up confused as to what I was supposed to be seeing.

"Hal, it's the Hit Games. That's the link to the X List."

I clicked the link and it redirected me to the blog with the list.

Welcome! It's that time of year again!! I know all of you are excited to see this year's X List, but before we begin we must go over the rules!

1. To get points you must have proof that you completed the task

2. To bet on players you must submit your bets before the task is complete. If you bet on a player and they do not complete their task in the allotted time, there's absolutely NO refunds.

3.  PLAYERS -If you force anyone to do anything you will be disqualified.

4. Our players will have secret names to keep the game fair.

5. Tasks will be given on Mondays and it will depend on the time frame you are given so don't freak if you don't receive one every week. Just read the time frame, duh.

6. Have fun and may the new King of the Hit Games be revealed at Prom. (I know it's going to be such an exciting night already, but why not up the antics?)

And now what you've all been waiting for...... THE X LIST

In no particular order:

Jana Thompson

Lilli Jones

Kasey Launus

Mercedes Johnson

Nora Martinez

Abigail Benson

Caroline Martin

Meredith Nelson

Shelly Patterson

Hallie Jameson

First tasks will be released soon, get ready, it's going to be a great year for the HG. For notifications on the game follow our account and we'll send out texts but until then. Happy XL release night!

-The Hit Crew

I looked up. This couldn't be happening. I gave Sadie her phone and made a bee line for the truck. My chest was burning, and my eyes were on the edge of bursting with tears. I got to the truck fumbling for the keys. When I grabbed them, I ripped the door open and just as I slammed it shut, the flood gates opened.