#Chapter 142: Tiramisu & Improv

Abby The director holds up three fingers, his mouth moving silently as he counts down to live. Three… two… one. “And… we’re back!” The announcer's voice booms across the studio, and the audience erupts into cheers and applause as an assistant holds up cue cards out of the camera’s view. “What a whirlwind first round, folks! Let’s give a round of applause to our winners so far: Abby, Bryan, and Daniel!” The announcer’s voice then turns our attention toward the contestant who lost last round. “It was a tough loss for Frederick, but that’s the nature of the game!” he says. The judges then come into the spotlight, and Logan’s words slice through the warmth of the stage lights. “The first round was child’s play,” he says. “Now, we begin to separate the good eggs…” His eyes skewer me from across the room, and I resist the urge to look away. “From the bad.” Karl’s eyes flit over to me, but I ignore them. I keep my smile plastered on my face, urging myself to ignore the ghost