Masked Risks

Chapter 18

We didn’t win.

The next day, we battled and we lost. The other crew we were up against was really amazing, so they deserved to go through to the final round, but it would’ve been really cool and self satisfying to win after all of our hard work and hope. According to the judges, it was close, but that could just be them letting us down easy.

So, we made our trip back home much quieter than our arrival. It was bittersweet leaving the hotel and saying goodbye to the few acquaintances we made. I was grateful for the opportunity and experience that came from the competition, but I was still bummed that we made it so far only to lose anyway.

“I’m not gonna lie, guys,” Owen sighed as he wheeled his suitcase next to mine down the hallway. “I partied really late last night and my head is pounding.”

Yeah, I had convinced my parents to let me go away and they agreed as long as that guy was “chaperoning.”

Our group laughed as we waited for the elevator to arrive. “I think I’ll nap on the way home,” he yawned.

The elevator opened with a ding and we began to file in, but with our suitcases, we couldn’t all fit at the same time.

“I’ll wait ‘til the next one,” I offered, stepping back. Owen and Erik did the same, since they were my ride. The elevator began to close and I waved. “See you back home, if I’m not under house arrest.”

I said it as a joke, but I honestly had no idea what my parents planned on saying to me when I got home. I had never been in trouble before, at least not to the degree they seemed to be over this. I dreaded going home, but I also wanted to just get it over with.

“I’m gonna go find some water. Don’t leave without me,” my brother mumbled, walking down the hallway.

I sighed and leaned against the wall, pushing my hair out of my face. I looked up at Erik. He caught my eye and smiled the famous smile that always made my heart flutter. 

“Hi,” he said, still smiling.

I felt a blush creeping up my neck. “Hi.”

Then he took two steps forward and placed is hand on my cheek, leaning down. I stood up straight and met his lips as I stood on my toes. The kiss was light, sweet, and lingering. When we pulled away, I couldn’t wipe the smiled off of my face and neither could Erik.

Last night, we left things up in the air. I couldn’t deny that my feelings for him were back-if they ever even left-but there was a lot we probably needed to talk about before we could jump into anything. I felt that thought looming over our heads, but it seemed best to leave that conversation out of Laguna and wait until we were back home, after we dealt with our parents.

The elevator dinged again, breaking us apart. The doors slid open and I looked up and down the hall for Owen.

“Let’s just go,” I decided, wheeling both mine and Owen’s suitcases into the elevator. “I’ll text him to meet us downstairs.”

Erik shrugged and followed, pressing the button to go to the lobby.

This was a weird trip. Aside from the competition itself, things were different, as if it were a reminder that we weren’t at home so it was okay for things to be unordinary. I hardly saw Owen the entire trip, even though we shared a room for two nights. Avery, Chad, Pepper, and Kevin had all coupled up, leaving me scrambling for something to busy myself with until we all regrouped. That left me with awkward encounters with my ex, which we made… less awkward later on.

Altogether, these last three days were unexpected.

My stomach flip-flopped as the elevator descended further and I toyed with the strings on my hoodie. Then the doors opened to the lobby. Erik picked up Owen’s and his suitcases and I pulled mine along. We checked out of our respective rooms and waited for the valet to bring Erik’s car around. I was a little bit sad about leaving, but I was more nervous for what was waiting for me at home.