THE OXFORD BET *VirginityGames*

Chapter 23 Quitting the Bet

The air was cooler when they returned to the fundraiser but she still had to hold a hand up to shield herself from the sun that had made an escape from the clouds, which had been holding it hostage. It was soothing, and her heartbeat slowly returned to its usual speed.

Francesca thought about how her time during The Bet and how it had changed her. The Bet. It was something she would always call a childish sexist game. However on the other hand, she appreciated how it had actually given her some fond memories and given her a chance to fall in love. Something she had never done before. As Daniel and Francesca walked proudly hand in hand. She noticed glances and peering eyes at them from other students. She felt happy to be noticed for a good reason and having Daniel so firmly at her side, made her feel strong and supported. But support worked both ways, and as they found their friends in the crowd, chattering and joking in the middle of the the event. Daniel gave her hand a little squeeze, demonstrating she was just as much a support to him, as he was to her. And that made her even more confident.

But what if Daniel had not been the one standing next to her. And the only thing that could have changed that could have been the simple fact that he picked up a piece of paper with a different name on at the start. If he was not made to pursue her, with his fierce competitive nature. He might be in love with one of the other girls, at that very moment. Suddenly her stomach twisted in knots.

"Francesca?"

She jerked in surprise at his touch, his hand snaked around her waist.

"Sorry," she said. "I was just thinking."

"What were you thinking?" Daniel smiled. "Not hoping to swap me for one of the other boys from the game, are you?"

"It was nothing." Francesca beamed back at him. She loved seeing his smile, it made her knees weak, her fingertips tingle and her stomach do swirls. "I was just... I was thinking what it would have been like if I hadn't been assigned to you as your target." She says the word 'target' sarcastically.

"What are you talking about?"

She shook her head silently, unable to bring herself to speak her fears aloud.

An expression crossed his face that she couldn't put a name to, but all Daniel said was,

"I can't promise you that we would have ended up here together, and I can tell you I believe no matter what, we would have found our way to one another." He shrugged. "But that doesn't matter now. Because now I promise, no matter what, I will be here for you."

"I know you will," Francesca replied taking his hands in her own.

The couple marched over to their friends with a new found fierceness.

"Ahh." Brandon pointed with his champagne flute, at the couple charging towards him. "Here we have two young homosapiens, cheeks flushed, confident smiles, which is a clear indication of a mating session. Daniel and Franny have come back from the toilets after a bit of quality time together." He said doing a brilliant imitation of David Attenborough's voice over.

Daniel breathed in. "We're quitting the Bet, Brandon." And out again.

"Pardon?" Brandon's brow furrowed.

"What I mean to say is I'm quitting The Bet. It's over."

"Is this a joke?" Adam asked genuinely, his arrogant facade slipping away.

"No this is not a joke or a test. It's because it's a stupid little game and I can't bear to be a part of it any longer. It's not us.  Maybe it was us once. But now we're all playing a part, Adam." replied Daniel earnestly.