20 Lives

The Start

"LET'S PLAY, guys!" 

Red shouted as she sits on one of the logs. Arc stared at her for a second and looked back at Once who's laughing with her friends, a genuine laugh to be exact. 

He was staring at her when Once looked at him and smiled, "Are you gonna join us, Arc? 20 lives, hm?" she asked him.

He nodded and smiled back at her, "Game."

The place was filled with laughter and jolliness when Arc and Once smiled at each other. They hummed the song, 

They eventually laughed with the sight of red face of the two. 

"Okay, we'll do a circular pattern since I suggested it, I'll go first then Charm, the so on and so on. Agree?"

Everyone agreed at Red's instruction. 

"Game. Minus two, if you had a relationship with one of our squadmates." 

Red giggles while looking at Once and Arc who awkwardly put down their two fingers. 

"Nice. My turn! Minus four if you haven't take a bath yet." 

Charm laughed at her silliness while the others are whining disgustedly because of her statement. 

"Charm, you're disgusting! If we all know, Once is the only one who don't love the concept of bathing." Zach interfered. 

Once hits Zach  and Charm and put down four of her fingers. Arc looked at Zach and Once, as he closed his four fingers too. 

Zach saw it and smiled teasingly at Arc, "Ghad, Arc. You're following Once's disgusting hobby."

"It's cold," Arc explained.

"What is cold? The weather or the both of you?" Lyleth butted in. 

"Boom! It hurts kuya Eddie!" 

"Okaaaay, stop already! My turn! Minus six if your height is 5'5 and above."

"Oh, Red, you're effin safe!" Laveignna told her friend who was pouting at the moment. 

"Ly, you too! I am not the only one who's height is not that blessed!" Red saved herself by bragging about Lyleth's height. 

Once put down her six fingers and scratch her nape, "Oy, you're playing tricks on me already!! 8 left, you are all so unfair! Minus four if you still love your ex!"

Everyone looked at Arc who put down four of his fingers again and stared at Once who's laughing and not minding his actions. 

The atmosphere went silent as Lav started, "Minus three if 10 and below!" 

Arc put down three of his fingers while looking blankly at the fire and Once did, too. 

Lyleth, who was brave enough, talked, "Minus two if you love someone!"

Charm and Red put down two of their fingers while blushing. 

All of them were shocked when Once put down two of her fingers. Their gazes turned to Arc who had his eyes on Once as he put down two of his fingers as well. 

Phyrra smiled and looked at Arc and Once, "Naks, both of you are in love? With whom? With each other? If that's the case, why don't you give yourselves a second cha--" 

She was interrupted when Arc interfered for his turn, "Minus three if... If..." He gulped and looked at her whose eyes were unfocused.

"Minus three if, it's not me..."

Everyone stared at Once who only had three of her fingers left standing and into Arc's eyes where love and longing for Once can be seen. Once looked at Arc with a smile at her face but her eyes conveys the opposite. 

Once stood up and walked towards Arc's direction. 

Arc trembles and will try to stand up when Once passed by at him and hugs the person at his back. 

"Love, you came." Once greeted and pecked the cheeks of the newly come visitor. Everyone stared at the couple behind Arc with a shocked expression. 

Zach whispered, "GAME OVER."