Anna Kendrick ….

I grabbed the package that had the envelope labeled Anna Kendrick. Sarah put the other package in the trash can next to the table where we were sitting.

I pulled the envelope off the top of the package. Inside was a note.

You have now answered the three questions involved in your quest. The question is, did you answer them all correctly?

There is only one way to find out.

You are to bring this package to the location you were given after the second question, at the time indicated by your answer to the first question. Mike has been informed of the location, and you already showed him the time. He will meet you there and give you your phone back. When you receive it, you will text me your location and wait for further instructions.

Under no circumstances are you to open the package that Sarah gave you. Only I am allowed to open that package. If there is any hint that the package has been opened when I receive it, well, let’s just say you will not be happy with the consequences of that and leave it at that.

Ella

Sarah looked at me and smiled.

“This is what you want, isn't it, Isaac?” Sarah asked me.

I had been pretty sure that Mike and Emily had no idea what was at stake in this little game Emma and I were playing. Looking at how Sarah was looking at me, I guessed that she knew exactly what the stakes were. She and Emma were best friends, so Sarah likely knew almost everything about Emma and I.

“What do you mean?” I asked, blushing as I thought about what she was likely thinking of me in that moment.

"She's only doing this because she thinks this is what you want, you know. She was ready to give it all up for you."

"I know."

"So this is what you want then?"'

I sighed, but then nodded my head.

"I'm not going to try to pretend I understand it, Isaac," she said, "but I am also not going to judge you for it. We all want what we want. There's not always a lot of rhyme or reason behind it."

"I am not even sure I fully understand it," I agreed.

"I'm not sure any of us fully understand what makes us tick. I actually admire you for accepting your desires and embracing them. Most people are too chicken to ever do that."

"Maybe that's a good thing," I said with another sigh.

"Maybe, but at least your life won't be boring, right?"

"Emma is never boring," I concurred.

"Ain't that the truth," she said. "And like I said, I will be the last one to judge you for pursuing your desires. What I will do, however, is eviscerate you if you hurt her because she gave you what you asked her to give you, when she was ready to give up everything for you."

"And I'll deserve that," I agreed.

"I'm glad you recognize that. Emma is the best friend I've ever had. I won't stand idly by and watch her get hurt."

"I have no intention of ever hurting her."

"Let's keep it that way, then, shall we?"

I nodded and stood and began walking out towards my car, carrying the small wrapped present. I began to think about this game that Emma was playing with me. I couldn't exactly explain why, but I began to recognize that there was a part of me that found myself hoping I didn't get all the answers right.

Sarah had sparked the idea in my head. This was something I really wanted, wasn't it? Emma (or Ella) being with another guy was an incredible turn on for me. The closer I got to the car, the more I began to wonder if I should even try to keep Ella away from Trent. Wouldn't her getting with Trent be an incredibly intense realization of this fantasy of mine?

I got in my car, setting the present down next to me. I had the time, location, and present for Emma. I wasn't 100% sure whether I had the right answers, but I also wasn't 100% sure I even wanted them to be the right answers. Perhaps I should just throw in the towel and let my fantasies step up to a whole new level.