Chef JJ’s nostrils flared. “Why? Why?” she taunted. “Because that’s what we call people who suck your blood and then move on without so much as a thank-you.”

For a few moments, Mom didn’t say anything, and neither did anybody else.

What happened next was pretty much the last thing I think anyone expected: Mom burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Chef JJ snapped.

Mom gripped her side like she had a cramp and kept on laughing. Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“What is so funny?” Chef JJ repeated, a vein across her forehead pulsing.

“Ooo. Ooo…” Mom gasped for air. “Walter and I open a bottle of champagne every April 12 to celebrate the day we quit! He’s going to love it when I tell him you call us ‘the leeches.’”

“Stop it! Stop laughing!” That vein in Chef JJ’s forehead looked like it might burst.

“Mrs. Levin, um,” Randy said, “maybe you could, you know, go back to your seat so we can finish filming.”

Mom wiped her eyes. “Oh, right. Yes, of course.”

As Randy led my mother, still chuckling, off the set, Samara brought Chef JJ a glass of water.

“Let’s just get this over with.” Chef JJ pushed the glass away, splashing Samara. “Tristan, get back to your station so we can declare”—she shivered—“declare you the winner.”

This wasn’t how it was supposed to go down.

“Come on. Go, get.” Chef JJ shooed me away.

“But—”

“Just get back over to your station so we can finish!” She gave me one zap with her ice-blue lasers, then spun around, and stomped to the tasting table.

Randy began barking orders at everyone.

“People,” Terrence called, “we’re going to reset the clocks and cut to where Tris left his station.”

I still hadn’t moved.

“What did you make?” Keya asked.

“Cupcakes filled with mocha cream.”

“Save me one?” She gave a small smile.

And right then, I knew what I had to do.

“Hold on.” I went back to my station, got the finished cupcake, and brought it to Keya. “Congratulations,” I said as I handed it to her.

Then I walked off the set.

“Where is he going?” I heard Marco say.

“Tris!” Randy called. “We don’t have time for a break now.”

“Get back here!” Chef JJ yelled.

I stopped at the door, but I didn’t turn around. I didn’t think I could do it if I had to see their faces.

“I cheated!” I called over my shoulder.

Now it was really over.

• • •

The second the door closed behind me, I realized I had no idea what came next. Get to the elevator. That was all I had.

Had the cameras been rolling when I walked out? Did they have me on film saying I cheated?

I looked down. Jeez. The mic was still clipped to my shirt. I ripped it off and dropped it onto a desk as I rushed past.

If they’d gotten me on film, would they show it on TV? Would I have to explain to everyone, not just in Petersville, but every person I ever met for the rest of my life what I’d done?