The gym buzzed with festival energy—streamers, banners, the smell of popcorn, and half the school fighting for a seat on the bleachers. The annual Couple's Relay was always a spectacle, but this year, all eyes were on one unlikely pair.
Ashley Morgan stood at the center of the gym with a microphone, clipboard in hand, flanked by Grace and the rest of the student council. Her voice rang out above the chatter. "As part of this year's Couple's Relay, all partners will be chosen by lottery—except for Blake Walker and Elizabeth Sterling, who will compete together to prove their engagement is real before the entire school."
A ripple of whispers shot through the crowd. Tyler leaned over from his spot on the bench and stage-whispered, "Guess you're basically married now if you can survive this."
Blake, arms folded and expression unreadable, raised a hand. "So… winning a three-legged race makes us a real couple now?"
A wave of laughter swept the gym. Even one of the teachers tried not to smile.
Ashley, unfazed, raised her chin. "This is about more than just running, Walker. The relay includes traditional couples' challenges—trust games, teamwork, and activities to demonstrate chemistry and sincerity. If your relationship can't stand up to a little public scrutiny, maybe it isn't so real after all."
Savannah, phone held high, had the chat rolling:
- #CoupleChallenge
- This is better than reality TV
- If they win, they HAVE to kiss!
Elizabeth, standing beside Blake, simply nodded, calm as ever. "We'll win. Again."
The lottery for everyone else began, with names drawn from a spinning cage. The crowd howled as each pair was announced—Emily and Jason, Ashley and Tyler, Savannah with a nervous-looking band kid. The chat exploded again:
- Poor Emily!
- #TeamAshley
- Savannah's partner looks terrified!
As the events were explained—three-legged races, piggyback relays, trust falls, even a "newlywed quiz" for bonus points—nerves began to spike. Tyler muttered, "I didn't sign up for public humiliation."
Blake glanced at Elizabeth. "Ready for more scrutiny?"
She met his gaze, blue eyes unblinking. "I'm used to being watched. Are you?"
The lineup was set. The first round—a three-legged dash—would start in minutes. Emily found Blake during the scramble and pulled him aside.
"I got stuck with Jason," she groaned. "If I trip him, will you visit me in detention?"
Blake managed a small smile. "Depends. Is there a prize for sabotage?"
She huffed, looking away. "Just… don't let her show you up, okay?"
Before he could answer, Savannah swooped in, camera rolling. "Exclusive interview for the fans! Blake, how do you feel, facing the Couple's Gauntlet with the Ice Queen herself?"
He rolled his eyes. "Ready to embarrass myself in front of the entire school. Again."
Savannah grinned, swinging the phone to Elizabeth. "Any words for your adoring audience, Liz?"
Elizabeth took the phone, unbothered. "He won't disappoint me. He knows better."
Savannah laughed as the feed popped with comments:
- She's so cool
- #PowerCouple
- Emily looks jealous lol
With the gym buzzing and the first event about to begin, Blake took his place at the starting line next to Elizabeth, one leg tied to hers.
She leaned close, voice low. "Just keep up, fiancé."
He swallowed. If teamwork really made the dream work, he was about to find out.
The whistle blew, and the three-legged dash began. Blake and Elizabeth surged forward, surprisingly in sync. On their left, Emily and Jason stumbled, nearly tumbling into a pile of streamers. Ashley and Tyler bickered the entire way, somehow staying upright by sheer force of will.
The crowd roared as Blake and Elizabeth crossed the finish line in first place, barely ahead of Savannah, who, mid-run, paused to wave at her camera and blow a kiss to the audience.
Grace read out the points on a whiteboard as chat comments scrolled behind Savannah:
- They actually look like a couple!
- Emily wiped out lol
- Teamwork goals
Next was the piggyback relay. Elizabeth, taller and steady, hoisted Blake with practiced ease, earning a fresh wave of cheers and catcalls.
Tyler, trying to piggyback Ashley, collapsed after two steps.
Savannah's stream caught it all:
- Blake is living the dream
- Did Elizabeth just SMILE?!
- Ashley and Tyler are doomed
After the physical games, it was time for the "Newlywed Quiz." Blake and Elizabeth sat side by side at a table in the center of the gym, microphones in hand. Grace, ever the organizer, read out the questions.
"What's Elizabeth's favorite snack?"Blake: "Dark chocolate."Elizabeth blinked, surprised, but nodded. "Correct."
"What's Blake's secret hobby?"Elizabeth, with the ghost of a smirk: "Strategy games. And probably something else he's hiding."The crowd laughed. Blake shrugged. "No comment."
A few wrong answers from other pairs set off a wave of memes:
- Jason doesn't even know Emily's birthday
- #FakeCoupleAlert
- These two are scary in sync
With the final points tallied, Ashley announced, "This year's winners of the Couple's Relay: Blake Walker and Elizabeth Sterling!"
Applause, whistles, and Savannah's camera swooped in for the victory shot. Elizabeth accepted the tiny plastic trophy with composure, then—just for a second—leaned close enough for only Blake to hear. "You didn't embarrass me."
Blake managed a breathless laugh. "Glad I survived."
As the crowd dispersed, Emily slipped out of the gym, red-faced and avoiding everyone's eyes. Ashley crossed her arms, muttering, "It's not over."
Savannah started a new poll on her stream:
- Best couple of the festival?
- Do they HAVE to kiss now?
- I'm switching teams!
Blake stood in the middle of the gym, plastic trophy in hand, Elizabeth by his side, and realized for the first time that being the center of attention wasn't half as scary as the girls who put him there.