Groom Wars

13. Can A Giant And A Ghost Be Roommates?

The chauffeur traversed a narrow road; ancient trees crowded us on all sides. With my hands pressed to the window, I had to crane my head to see the top of the lofty pines. Dark clouds rolled across the grey firmament as I neared my destination. Anxiety made sweat dampen my armpits, and I took deep breaths to calm myself. I whispered, 'Be cool, you can do this.'

I slapped my cheeks; the sting helped to further calm me down after my words of encouragement. I removed all traces of emotion from my face, so I would appear cool, calm, and collected when I arrived.

We turned onto a subjoining road that led to the mansion. A thick cluster of bodies and vehicles blocked our path. At his honk, the crowd dispersed to allow my driver through, and the car parked on a sprawling driveway. I disembarked.

My new dwelling was massive, with three floors. Pop music poured out of the windows and front door. Boys lingered at the front, some anxious, others mingling with the new arrivals. People holding cameras, microphones, and lights weaved their way through the crowd. More limos entered and dumped their passengers on the pavement. The chauffeur helped me retrieve my stuff from the trunk, bowed stiffly, then got into his car and drove off. I watched till he disappeared from view.

I was alone and frightened, but also excited. My heart raced within my chest. Since hundreds of bodies dotted the land, I knew I had to do my best to avoid exposing my secret.

I descried the house. It was painted white and black; two opposing forces, yin, and yang. A dragonfly with its blue needle-like body and glossy gauze wings zipped past.

There was chatter all around.

I measured the competition and saw seven or eight people I felt confident going against in a fight and smiled. I was slim but deadly. A young Bruce Lee. The cameramen swarmed the participants like flies. Some of the players were being interviewed on the grass.

"Well, I think you would find I have many skills that would make me a threat to others."

"I was voted the most handsome guy in my neighbourhood, but I have more to contribute to this game than my good looks."

The last speaker was slender with long black hair, but his face wasn't attractive. His cheeks were too starved. His neck too slim.

'Sir.....?'

I felt like I was in the classroom and should raise my hand to say something, but I promised my father I wouldn't stand out. I would be King Chameleon. Average yet gentlemanly. Carrying my knapsack on my back, I wheeled my suitcases through the crowd and hauled them up the steps and into the house.

The entryway opened up into a vast room with two sofas and a TV. Across the living room, I spied a kitchen. Some men were pouring drinks for themselves and chatting by the island counter.

A quick tour of the house showed that each floor had identical kitchens and common rooms. Aside from the bedrooms for the participants, I discovered a few locked rooms reserved for staff. As I walked down the halls, some of the guys glanced at me, then turned away with a smirk on their face as if I weren't a threat.

I glared at them. As my father requested, I didn't pick any fights. So far. So good.

I surveyed the restroom on the first floor to see if staying would be worth the trouble. Inside the large room, I found twenty smaller (mini) bathrooms. Each mini had its own door that could lock, a toilet, and a sink. Across from the sink, a few feet above the ground, was a silver showerhead. On the tiled floor sat the drain that would dispose of the water. I had never seen a setup like this, but with my basic reasoning skills, I knew once you showered, the whole room got wet. Interesting design choice. A place like this would have to be cleaned after each shower to avoid mold and mildew. Luckily, we had maids.