The Bet (Just The Way You Are)

The Bet *Slumber Party

She shrugs. “Probably two? It depends on the findings of the doctor.”

“They won’t find anything,” I state stubbornly.

“I know,” she says, smiling.

I grumble my complaints under my breath.

“Besides, don’t you want a slumber party?”

Oh, I do. I’d love to have a slumber party in the house of Draky. I wonder what it would feel like, sleeping in the same roof as him. Not that I haven’t experienced that before; when we were in Andre’s house. But tonight will be different because it’s their house where I’m staying.

The time passed by in a rush. It’s just the same, like any other day. Before I know it, the first half of it is already done and I find myself making my way to our table in the cafeteria, a tray of food in hand. I don’t even remember ordering. Weird.

Driana is already sitting on her chair, waiting for me. “Hey,” she says when I take the chair across from her.

I can see that she’s in a good mood. “Hi,” I reply. And then I ask her if I can stay in their house tonight because my parents are going out of town.

“Of course,” Driana says excitedly, “it’s more than fine!”

I smile at her enthusiasm. “Thank you,” I say gratefully.

“I always wanted a slumber party,” she says, grinning cheekily.

“Hey, is that a slumber party I heard?” Andre asks, sitting beside Driana.

Draky follows after him and takes the chair beside me.

“Isn’t that your table over there?” Driana asks, pointing to the center table.

“Is it bad to sit with my twin?” Draky asks bemusedly.

Driana rolls her eyes and mutters something under her breath.

“So, a slumber party huh?” Andre asks, tilting his head to the side.

“Oh, um, I asked Driana if I can stay in their house tonight,” I say.

“Why?”

“My mom and dad will go out of town, and they don’t want me to be alone in the house,” I explain.

“Why not sleep in our house?” Andre suggests.

“Because she’ll stay in our house,” Driana states.

Andre nudges her on the side. “You can stay in our house too you know.”

In the corner of my eye, I glance at Draky. He’s unusually quiet today.

“No thanks,” Driana says wryly.

“Ow!” Andre pouts, and looks at her with puppy dog eyes.

Driana laughs and says, “That doesn’t work on me.”

Andre groans. “We’ll have a party!”

“I don’t like parties,” she replies, wrinkling her nose.

“Me too,” I chime in.

Andre looks at me disapprovingly and about to say something when Driana beats him to it. “She hasn’t slept in our house yet.”

He smiles sheepishly and says, “There’s still next time.”

“You can stay in the house too if you want,” Draky offers. “Besides, it’s just us; my mom will go out of town with my dad.”