How To Be The Best Third Wheel

BONUS CHAPTER: Jara in Panic...

Author's Note

In celebration of Amazon Prime Video's newest series Panic, I am thrilled to be teaming up with Amazon Prime Video and Wattpad to write this exclusive chapter that puts my characters from this story into the world of Panic!

I hope this chapter intrigues and inspires you to learn more about Panic. Visit the #PanicWritingContest on Wattpad for the chance to put your creative writing chops to the test and learn more about the show!

To find out more about the contest, prizes, and how to enter, check out the #PanicWritingContest here: wattpad.com/AmazonPrimeVideo

Don't forget to watch the series premiere on May 28th, only on Amazon Prime Video, here: http://primevideo.com/

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Holy crabapples and sauce, what the hell is going on?

Carp, Texas—also known as the middle of nowhere. The population? Insignificant and frankly, not that bright. I mean, the biggest event of the season is a bunch of high school graduates trying to kill themselves for a pot of money. And as much as I like money...I think it's quite ridiculous.

But here I am, participating anyways, out of pure spite.

I watch from the side as the fourth person gets ready to jump. My heart's already beating; I can't imagine what theirs is doing.

"Lara, don't do this," James pleads, gripping my wrist tightly. Too late. "Seriously, are you trying to die?"

I gather my hair into a tight bun. If I jump, I'd rather not be suffocated by my own body. "Nah, just trying to get $50,000." And beat you in the game, I want to add.

The contestant jumps from the cliff, the smaller of the two, curling his legs to his chest as he enters the water; a large splash surrounds him when he does. Everyone screams loudly, some look hysterical as they're already drunk and we've hardly been here an hour.

"Sweetheart, there are other ways to get the money. You don't need to participate in whatever this is!" His eyes are on mine now and even in the dark, they're crystal clear. I'd like to agree, really, but the water dripping from his hair and down his face makes me want to do it even more.

Maybe he should've thought about that before lying; he said that he wouldn't participate in this stupid (and deadly) game, but when I got here, he was the first one jumping off that stupid cliff. God, I almost lost my mind. Perhaps I have; I'm participating in this game after all.

"Lara Dela Cruz!"

My name called through an airhorn. Lovely. Eyes gather on me and I smile at James, an arrogant one that he usually makes. Lifting my dress over my head reveals a slick, black bikini—perfect for high dives and wandering eyes.

"You can still back out," he says, still holding my hand.

I give him a quick kiss on the cheek, one that lingers longer than he'd like it to, I'm sure. His expression amuses me... "Or maybe I'll beat you. Let's see which one comes first."

Each step away from him makes me feel powerful, despite the fact that I'm doing something that might induce cardiac arrest at some point. I've spent my entire life being called boring and maybe they're right. I've played it safe for too long.

At the top of Suicide Leap—the larger cliff—my heart pounds so hard that my chest feels like a shrinking cage. It's quiet down there; people are waiting. I can only assume the things they wait for: my unexpected success, a pitiful downfall...or death. Everyone has three options, but I already crossed out two.

The cool evening breeze loosens some stray hairs from my bun. I swallow the fear and push the nerves to the bottom of my stomach.

Then I jump.

When I play, I play to win.