Tabitha can’t wait to win against Rolf.

They have been rivals for this while competition. Neck and neck.

From the beginning, it was obvious they were the best two chefs. The winner of the main challenges was always one of the two. Right now, Rolf has one more win than Tabitha, and she can’t have that. He’ll hold it over her head forever if he gathers more wins than her.

With three of them left, she can feel the victory in her grasp.

She places the garnish just right on the top of her dish. Presentation had always been her strength, making sure each dish looks as good as it tastes.

Looking at the clock, there is still five more minutes.

“Shit!” Her head whips to Rolf’s station and easily spots the source. He clutches his left wrist that is quickly becoming red and swollen.

Medical already started towards him. “No, I have to finish,” he wheezes.

She’s surprised that her heart hurts for him. Even though she wants to beat him, this unsettles her.

Medical manages to wrap his hand, but it takes precious time away from his plating. He only has two minutes without his right hand.

Her feet begin to move before she realizes it. “Hey, Rolf.”

When he looks at her, she sees the resignation in his eyes. His fire is put out, with a weak ember struggling to stay alive. It feels like physical pain to see him like that.

“Can I help you?”

To his credit, he doesn’t have a big reaction even though she knows he is surprised.

“Yes! If you have the time,” he amends quickly.

They move in sync. He tells her what he needs, and she does it. Sometimes there are no verbal directions, but they each know what to do.

The host is saying something, probably about them. She doesn’t hear a word.

She only pays attention when there is a countdown.

With ten seconds left, she hands him the sauce, and he drizzles it on each dish. He finishes, and his dishes don’t even looked rushed. She would be proud to serve this food.

When the judges were talking to the third competitor, Rolf got his hand looked at.

He returns to the table. “Thank you, Tabs. You have no idea how grateful I am to you.”

“It was nothing,” she waves, dismissing it.

“I wouldn’t have finished. I might be able to make the finale because of you.” He reaches across the table and clasps her hand.

“Well, it is only right that we go to the finale together,” she states, gripping his hand tighter.

OoOoO

“Alright chefs, you all did an amazing job, but there can only be two in the finale. The chef who has secured their spot is….”

Tabitha holds her breath. She knows the quality of the food she put out. She shouldn’t be nervous. But she is.

“Kelvin!”

All three of their jaws drop.

She didn’t see his plates, but how could this happen?

Mechanically, she claps for him.

Her heart drops when she realizes what this means.

Rolf looks over at her with a worried glance. She returns it. Their newfound goal to be in the finale together has just been shattered.

And now, they are against each other once again.

———

(The last time I edited this was literally 14 weeks ago. I have so many drafts, some of them with just a single word. So if there are mistakes, I finished it really quickly to get it out of my drafts. How many drafts do you have? I now have 31.)