As Anton and Kat start their first pool game, Brianna and I stand close by to cheer for them. To make things more exciting, Anton suggests adding a bet: whoever loses will have to take care of household chores for the remainder of the day. I don't like doing chores, so this fuels my motivation to win.

It won't be an easy task, though. Both Anton and Kat are competitive, which means neither likes losing. They'll do anything to put their hands on the prize—well, we haven't really thought of a prize yet.

"What if the winner gets a meal made for them by the loser, as well?" Brianna's idea seems interesting. I raise my thumb up in approval, followed by a grin by Anton. Kat, on the other hand, doesn't seem really convinced, which she shows with a deep frown.

"I'm not sure this is a good prize... Maybe we should raise the stakes," she points out.

Brianna sighs in frustration. "What do you suggest, then?"

I intervene. "Let's not argue, okay? Brianna, I love your idea, it's cool. Kat, I understand you're not convinced. What would you do if you were to win the game?"

"I'd ask the loser to do my chores for tomorrow, too." Uh-oh. While it's ambitious, this idea is also risky. What if the winner goes overboard? And what if the loser takes it sorely?

"Look, Kat, it's a good idea, but can we make sure we don't do anything too dangerous?"

"Silla, this is 20 Days of Freedom. If you don't think you're up to the challenge, maybe you should go back to-"

Brianna interrupts Kat. "I don't think you should mention that."

"Oh, Silla, I'm sorry, it's just that-"

"Can we start now?" Anton's impatience cuts off Kat's attempt to apologize to me. No matter what she meant to say, the adrenaline for the competition has already risen.

The first pool game finally starts. The two contenders, Anton and Kat, are really focused and won't settle for a different result from victory. Still, there can only be one winner. The loser will have to accept a penalty.

"You're in time to give up, Anton. You know I won't have any mercy if I win."

"Not so easily, Kat. I never give up."

"Said the guy who chickened out for a simple valentine to a girl. Like, come on!"

"Shh! Focus!" Anton is so close to striking the winning move. The match is vibrant, the tension is high, and I look forward to whoever comes out as the winner. Brianna, while not as engaged as me, still actively participates in cheering either of the two contenders in turns.

On the other hand, Lindsey is quiet, alone at a pouf. She hasn't said a word since the game started. She has already mentioned she isn't into pool; however, I've hoped she'd still join us in cheering. Maybe she has other thoughts in her mind. I'll leave her be for now.

In the meantime, Anton has gained his final points, the winning ones. He cheers vehemently as he rubs his excitement off Kat's face. I consider stopping him, but that would be pointless. He's on his high horse, and this is supposed to be a place where to embrace freedom to its fullest.

A fuming Kat takes a seat to the pouf next to Lindsey's, while Brianna and I get ready for our own game. She giggles. "Do you think Anton will go overboard?"

"I mean, he can be a little extra, but I don't think he'll humiliate Kat," I answer. "He's a good person, after all."

"I hope so."

"Are you ready to start?"

"Bring it on, baby!"

Brianna is really good at pool. So far, she hasn't missed a point. The more she scores, the less chances I have to catch up and try to bag the win. But I don't give up. I'm not the kind of person who backs down from challenges.

Even though it's almost certain I'll lose, I take it with a positive mindset. There are other instances where I can show my skills and interests. I'm actually glad I've found this room. It's like this is a new adventure, and I'm one of the chosen heroes.

Back to the game. Brianna is two points away from the win. "I think you and Anton should face off. Who wins should be crowned the Ultimate Master of Pool of... the Mansion, I suppose." My suggestion lights up my competitor's face even more.

Kat interjects. "I think Brianna would do great against Anton. He's a bluff, after all."

"Don't be a sore loser, Kat!"

"I'm just kidding, Anton! Don't take yourself so seriously." She elbows him as both burst into laughter. "By the way, I'm not washing your underwear. It grosses me out!"

"But I won and you lost, so, my terms and my rules."

"That is, if you can defeat me, or Silla," intervenes Brianna.

"You'll win easily, Bri. Silla is bad at pool." Anton's answer irks me a little bit, but I keep my chin up and laugh.

"Hey! I thought you'd be a little less obvious," I say.

"Don't be a smartass and focus, Silla. I don't think you'd like doing Brianna's pedicure."

"Don't distract me!"

Anton has succeed in making me lose focus, but it's not his fault. Brianna scores the winning points and triumphs with her own merit. I guess all I have to do is wait to find out what awaits me for the penalty.

She reassures me. "Don't worry, I don't plan to ask for a pedicure. I had an appointment at Vera's on Monday." Vera is her beautician. I've heard rumors about the two of them possibly having a fling, but I'm not sure I believe them. Not that it matters for the sake of the bet, though...

Kat snaps me out of my swirl of thoughts. "So, the final showdown between Anton and Brianna... Now or later?"

Anton takes it as an invitation to bring his game now. "Let's get this done. The earlier, the better." Personally, I think he's right. It's better for him and Brianna to face off still with the adrenaline pulsing in their veins.

She, of course, accepts the challenge. "So, now it is. Let's get ready."

I turn to Kat and Lindsey. "We're all cheering for them. Deal?"

Lindsey, who has been quiet this whole time, doesn't say a word. On the other hand, Kat answers enthusiastically, "Deal!"

The showdown starts, but I'm not really focused. My mind wanders as I try to understand what freedom actually means. It may sound stupid, but this project can shape my life in a way I would've never expected before. I could even say POTENTIAL+ has turned tables, allowing me to break free from the schemes I've been trapped within until, like, now.

To be able to complete this project, especially with my friends, is a milestone I want to reach within the twenty days that divide us from the return to the real world, with troubles left unattended to sort once for all.

This doesn't keep me from being thrilled and excited over this experience, though. It's what I needed to find the motivation and drive for my future. Still, there's this feeling I just can't shrug off, like a sense of uneasiness tingling on my skin. I'd like to share my thoughts with the others, but I don't think this is the right time and place to do so.

I go back to cheering instead.