Epilogue

chapter 3. most athletic

"The very first game of the night is the superlative challenge! For each category, we will have a competition between whoever was voted in during high school versus anyone who wants to participate!" Natalie explains into the microphone stand, giggling excitedly. "First up is the Most Athletic, who was our very own quarterback, West Sawyer! Please come up onto the stage!"

A very large and buff man lumbers up the steps to the stage, the lights highlighting his features— the very same ones that Zalia remembered snarling and smirking at her in the halls throughout her high school years. He not-so-subtly grabs onto the microphone in a way that flexes his biceps, introducing himself in a deep baritone voice. "Hello everyone. As you all remember, I'm West, White Rose's best quarterback, and am now a regional weightlifting champion. If anyone would like to challenge me, you better have enough money to pay for hospital bills, because you're going down."

Zalia quietly fumes in her seat, glaring at the man onstage. Although she would love to go up and knock the smug grin right off his face, she knows that when it comes to a test of brute strength, she wouldn't stand a chance. And that annoyed the hell out of her.

"His ego's still somehow bigger than all that muscle on his body." Candy rolls her eyes, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms.

"You guys want me to put piranhas in his bathtub? I have several connections," Rielle offers, dangerous excitement lighting up her eyes. Everyone at their table turns to look at her with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

"Well, I don't wanna fatally injure the guy. Just beat up his pride a little," Zalia declines, looking back towards the stage where West is now blatantly showing off and kissing his own arms.

"Sorry, Zalia. I gave up that lifestyle a long time ago," Jax apologizes while still unabashedly cuddling with Giselle.

"I'll go," Sorin volunteers, standing up and taking off his suit jacket. A small spotlight falls on him as he loosens his tie and unbuttons the top of his dress shirt, all while slowly strolling towards West.

"West's opponent is Sorin, Zalia's fiance! Now that we have our competitors, it's time to announce the challenge, which is..." Natalie trails off for dramatic effect, drum rolling on her own legs, "an arm wrestling challenge!"

"I hope you know the direction to the nearest hospital. I've watched a few of the competitions West was in. He'd be able to crush me easily," Jax comments, shaking his head as he looks at Sorin's arms.

Zalia watches nonchalantly as a few staff members pull out a table onto the stage for the challenge to begin, smirking as she sees the icy confidence and fiery arrogance she only got to see when he was doing his job. She relaxes in her seat, having complete faith in her fiance and his skills. "He'll be fine."

"Who's this little stick?" West questions mockingly, his laughter booming through the mic system. "You better pray for your life, little man."

Sorin doesn't respond, instead rolling up his sleeves and cracking his knuckles. The atmosphere of the room is thick with anticipation as the two place their elbows on the table, looking at each other competitively.

"Ready," Natalie counts off, her screechy voice grating on the very last of Zalia's nerves, "go!"

Immediately, the two opponents exert their strength into trying to take the other down, (West's) muscles flexing and arms slightly shaking. Zalia can tell that Sorin's struggling because of the vein popping out in his neck, but the boyish grin on his face has everyone else fooled.