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This was it. Griffin's last shot. His very last chance to settle things. He couldn't afford to miss again. Not when the weight of their entire battle seemed to rest on one balloon.

Given the amount of pressure, it was surprising that the balloon didn't just burst then and there.

Briar had missed his shot as well, creating an opening that Griffin just couldn't pass up on. He selected his balloon with care, choosing one that was quite full, but not so much so that it would pop at the slightest touch. He shaded his eyes, trying to get a better idea of how far apart they were. He leaned back, changing his grip on the balloon, and then-

"Ha!" Success! But it was too early to celebrate- Briar still had the last throw.

Hits: 53
Misses: 46

It seemed as if the "war" was coming to a close. Eliza had been too wrapped up in watching the rest of the kids battle out the final minutes of the war that she'd not had time to target any more people. She owed possibly everyone a little bit of payback but she was seriously starting to tire out. The last balloon she had even attempted to grip properly had dropped from her hands and splashed all over her feet. Eliza had essentially thrown in the towel then. The teacher that had sprayed her had come over to check and ask if she was alright. Eliza had mumbled that she was fine before taking a seat on one of the benches.

She had been riveted by the showdown that seemed to be happening between Griffin and Briar. Both of them had hit her at least once during the battle and wouldn't it be funny if she could strike one of them one last time in payback? Eliza pushed herself off the bench and to the nearest tub of balloons. The tub was running empty but there were still a few balloons resting at the very bottom. Eliza struggled before managing to grasp one in her hands. She found the weight to be a little heavier than what she was used to dealing with. That just meant more water to soak her opponent with. Eliza gave a soft giggle as she began to imagine Briar soaking wet from a balloon that came out of nowhere. It was with this pretty image in her mind that Eliza moved forward. She kept her steps light and closed the distance between her acquired target. She had to hit Briar, she just had too.

When she judged that she was close enough to throw her balloon Eliza drew back both of her arms. Her throw was going to go over her head for some extra "oomph." The next thing that registered to the girl though was another stream of cold water grazing the back of her legs. She yelped and flinched before dancing on the spot. Her concentration interrupted, Eliza realized too late what was going to happen. Sure enough the balloon crashed down on her head, exploding with a audible popping noise. Water cascaded down around her and Eliza felt her mouth tremble. That was not supposed to happen. She stomped her foot in the beginnings of a fit. Tears dripped from her eyes as she ran off the field.

Hits: 12
Misses: 17

A tie, then. Nothing decided. No winners. Yet somehow, Griffin found that more settling than if he'd won. This showdown had confirmed that he had a very good rival indeed. It also showed him that he was able to be the sort of person who had a good rival. He'd learned things about himself while playing, as well as things about his opponent. Who could ask for anything more?

Closing the distance between them Briar held out his hand. "Good match," he said, and then winked. "I'll get you next time, though!"

And with his other hand, he threw his last balloon straight up in the air, not even caring if it hit anyone.

Ralph was dragging himself through the throngs of kids to get a towel. Hoping for a nice fluffy one to wrap up in for a little and maybe a spot of a nap, until he saw the coolers, utopia! They had Popsicles in them. His eyes sparkled a little as he moved to pick out one, he was looking for a rocket pop or something with more than one color.

He finally settled on a red and blue pop that sparkled, wrapped in his towel he moved and sat down on the cement licking at his popsicle and before long noticed it started making poping noises! Ralph looked at his popsicle really hard for a second before realizing "Holy moly it's got pop rocks in it!"

This was the best treat ever.

Ralph blinked as Eliza sat beside him, "What flavor did you get?" He asked as he continued to work at his pop rock rocket Popsicle. Trying not to let it melt but make it last as long as he possibly could.

He seemed to be watching the others as well, "Did you keep count of how many you hit?" He added not sure what else to say would a girl even do something like that?

Ralph shifted a bit as he glanced at her and then watched the adults milling around some cleaning up.

Eliza took the popsicle from her mouth to glance towards Ralph. It would have been hard to answer his questions while still eating the cold treat. She grinned and took a large bite of the grape flavored treat before shivering from the cold that was associated with eating a popsicle. Her piece of popsicle now clear from her mouth Eliza waved her half-eaten treat in the air. "I chose a grape-flavored popsicle. I love grape popsicles. What about you?"

At Ralph's other question Eliza looked thoughtful before she merely shrugged. It was hard trying to remember how many people she had hit. Although it seemed as if she had been hit more times than hitting others. She furrowed her eyebrows as she thought back to the battle before shrugging. "I can't remember how many people I hit. I know I hit you though at least once," Eliza's expression changed to anguish as a new thought registered, "were we supposed to keep track? What happens if I can't remember?"

Sure, count me in the raffle!