The Game

~The Game~ [10]

"How do we know?" Tyla asks. "Flowish could be a word and we just ain't aware yet."

"That's actually a really good point," Spencer says. "Like, Shakespeare invented tons of words that we use now."

"Did Shakespeare invent 'gooshishly'?" I ask.

"Probably not." Jade says. "but he might have if he'd been high."

I have no idea for how long, but this discussion continues for a while. We debate the uses of various made-up words, the difference between "gooish" and "gloopy," and whether Gucci fits the caliber.

Keyshia says she has Gucci lingerie on... Totally out of context but finally, Jett Googles "gooish" on his phone.

"It's not in the dictionary." he announces.

"That doesn't mean it's not a word," I shrug. "Maybe the dictionary just hasn't caught up yet. We could be linguistic pioneers."

"We should start a petition."

"Or write to Webster's Dictionary"

At the mention of that, I find myself on my feet, clearing my voice and beginning dramatically.

"Dear Webster's, please add goolish, gooshy and Gucci to your dictionary because it perfectly describes how everything feels when you're stoned."

When I open my eyes, for I had closed them at some point while wording out my letter to Webster, I realize everyone has gone into another fit of hysterical laughter.

"Shut up, bitches," Keyshia snaps while still laughing. "Jade was trying to explain the game to Olivia."

"Right." Jade continues. "I was saying... Royalties get special privileges. They don't participate as players in the games, only as masters and they can interact with other royalty if they want to. But this only applies if they match symbols."

Keyshia and Tyla try to help with the explanation but in a way, that confuses me. Their voices are blending together in a way that makes it so hard to follow.

"Jade and I are queens," Tyla says. "Jade is hearts, I'm..." she holds up her card, the queen of diamonds. "Keyshia is a joker, just as Chance is. He's not here today."

"Two of the boys are kings," Jade adds. "Matt is one of the kings."

I look over at Matt, who's holding a king of spades and looking more relaxed than I've seen him all night. The weed seems to have mellowed him out, and he's not glaring at me anymore or complaining.

"We're missing two kings, two queens, another joker and the aces. That's what we're refilling today."

"So once you pick your card, we spin this." Jade produces a small roulette wheel that has names written around the edge. "This was brought for the Aces, where aces get to have their own pawns. It's only fair they enjoy what they do. The wheel decides who your partner is for the game. Then you pick a tile that tells you how long you have to stay with that partner... that's called one term."

She holds up a small bag filled with blocks that look like long Scrabble tiles.

"The terms can be anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks, depending on what tile you draw. And during that time, you have to act like you're actually dating that person. You have to be affectionate, spend time together, do couple things."

"What kind of couple things?" I ask.

"Fucking," Tyla says with a wicked smile. "What else do couples do?"

Spencer immediately nudges Tyla when she sees the expression on my face. "They mean hiding hands, kissing and cuddling. Sleeping together is completely optional. No one is forcing you to have sex with anyone."