The Bet (Just The Way You Are)

The Bet *Slumber Party

There’s something about the way he said dad—

“Really?” Andre asks, his whole face lighting up.

“Yeah. I assume Sophia will stay in Driana’s room. . .”

Driana nods.

“You can sleep in the guest room then,” Draky finishes.

“Can I sleep in your room?” Andre asks, wiggling his eyebrows.

“No. it’s the guest room or not.”

“You’re no fun,” he complains, scowling at his best friend.

Draky smirks at him and resumes eating his food.

“So what do you propose we’ll do later?” Andre asks after a few minutes.

“I don’t know to you two, but Sophia and I will stay in my room,” Driana says, grinning at the two boys.

Before they can respond, the bell rings, signaling that lunch time is over. Time for Literature.

“Let’s go?” Draky says.

“See you later,” I tell Driana and Andre.

“See you,” they both say at the same time. And then they both look at each other, wide grin on their faces. “Jinx!”

I follow Draky to our room, a small smile on my face. Driana and Andre really have something—

“Want me to drive you later?” he asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“I’ll go to our house first,” I say, “to get clothes and stuff.”

He shrugs. “That’s okay, I can wait for you.”

“If you say so,” I reply, entering the classroom.

The discussion of Mrs. Coelho revolves around A Midsummer’s Night Dream. I wonder when we will finished it and start to read a new book.

A tap on my shoulder makes me turn back. “What?” I ask Draky. I know it’s him. No one will bother me while the professor is discussing her lesson.

“I forgot to ask you yesterday,” he starts, “what happened between you and Cassidy?”

“It was nothing,” I answer evasively.

“Did she hurt you?”

Involuntarily, my gaze moves to my arm where she hold it tightly. Fortunately no bruises showed.

Draky follows my gaze until his eyes land on the red marks done by Cassidy’s nails.

“It’s nothing,” I mutter, turning back in front of the room. I can feel his eyes on my back, burning holes but I’m afraid to see his reaction. I know that if eyes can change color according to your mood, his will be as black as coal.

-~-~-~-

After school, Driana, Draky, Andre, and I went to my house to get clothes. When we were done, we drove to Driana and Draky’s house. We just finished eating our dinner – Chinese food. None of us was in the mood to cook so we settled with takeout food. We’re in the family room and we already watched two movies, nonstop. We even played Monopoly. No wonder my eyes are drooping; it’s almost eleven in the evening already.

“Let’s play would you rather,” Andre suggests.

“Sure,” Driana agrees. “I haven’t played that in a long time.”

Why do I have a feeling that it’s like the Truth or Dare we played a few days ago?

“Cool,” he says, grinning. “Me first. Would you rather die in sizzling lava or be cut and eaten by cannibals?”