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The group of friends are now sitting in the middle of the lake when Tyler brings up panic. "So Vern, are you going to play panic?" He pops open another beer and hands it to her.
"Hmm, I don't know, is Ray a certified whore?" She freighned confusion and began tapping her chin. Everyone except Ray voiced their variation of agreement. His now grumpy demeanor made them all laugh, to which he responded with a kind 'fuck you' in the form of a certain finger.
"So, if you win, what will you do with the money?"
"Oh, you know, probably pay for college." The statement held uncertainty, her friends could sense it but they just thought it was the usual uncertainty one would have when it comes to setting yourself up for the future.
The truth is no one in town knew about her sister, a part from her doctors and Mr. Alfie, of course. It wasn't because she was ashamed of Vaga, it was more so she was afraid people would ask what happened, and frankly she is too scared to relive that day. If Vernon won, she would use the money to help her sister, all of it, she just wanted to make sure her sister was okay.
"This is boring, I don't want to talk about what I'm gonna use the money for. Let's talk about how I'm gonna beat Ray's ass." Vernon raised her beer bottle to which Sarah met with her own, the two of them giggled.
"You just have a thing for wishful thinking, don't you?" Ray, as usual, was smirking.
"I think you're afraid, that if a girl wins, she'll have power"
"Trust me, Nonny, I am perfectly okay with giving a woman the power, it's more fun that way. I just don't like losing, so I won't." He grabbed Vernon's beer, stole a swig and gave it back.
"You're insufferable." She rolled her eyes but a smile slowly crept onto her face, she was ready to be the one to personally hand Ray's ass to him, he had no idea of the challenge he had just created for himself.
Later, the group found themselves at the senior graduates party, Vernon didn't want to go but Ray had convinced her to come. At the moment, Ray was going around collecting the last bits of money from everyone, while Vernon stood near the drink station watching him. It was like watching a predator hunt for its prey, and that prey happened to be called Bishop Moore. Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, for her she was within hearing distance.
"Final collection. Rules are rules." Ray was shoving the trophy cup into Bishop's chest.
"School's out, okay? I'm not even playing." You could tell Bishop was already annoyed with Ray, even from a mile away. That, however, only eggs him on more, so he gets to eye level with Bishop.
"Think of it as insurance. It's gonna be one hell of a summer."
"Yeah, I mean... Come on, man, I- I'm not gonna play." Ray had aggressively grabbed Bishop's arm, so to diffuse the situation, Vernon walked over.
"We're all playing, fucker. One way or another, a dollar buys you a prayer."
"Ray, stop." Heather, too, was trying to diffuse what was happening.
"You want your money, I'm gonna need my arm back."
"Hey, Ray. I think there are some people over there who haven't paid yet." Vernon points with one hand to the opposite side of the yard, and the other, she placed on his shoulder. He looked up at her, she nodded and he looked back at Bishop.
"I'm just fucking with you." Ray laughed and walked away, Vernon stayed behind to give the two teens an apologetic look before heading in the same direction that her friend had just gone. When she caught up to him, she tugged on his arm to get him to face her.
"I know fucking with other people is fun, but that was a bit harsh. Can you dial it down just a little?"
"Fine, but Tyler and I are going to try and get information out of Diggins, and you are coming with." Ray smiled and turned in the direction of where their other friends were. Upon getting closer, she saw that Tyler had a box of firecrackers, whatever she was now wrapped up in, she knew it was going to probably piss a couple people off. Tyler walked over near Diggins and threw a few of the small fireworks.
"Jesus, what the hell, dude?!" Diggins' yelling was directed towards Tyler.
"I'm sorry, man, my hand slipped."
"Yeah, onto a lighter." It was beyond obvious that Diggins didn't want to deal with the group's antics. Vernon and Ray decided it was time for them to intervene. Though, intervene might not be the best word to describe what they were doing because they were going to mess with Diggins the same.
"The thing is, uh, Dick-ins, everybody gets a little jumpy before judgment." Ray put his arm around one of the boy's shoulders, while Vernon put her arm around the other.
"Diggin... Diggins"
"Diggins. Diggins. That's what he said." Vernon looked up at him and smiled. "Any word from the judges?"
"No, I'm just the emcee, okay. I'm waiting for the signal like everybody else." Diggins looked between the three friends.
"Oh. Well, I better hope it comes soon." Ray lit a firecracker. " You know what they say about idle hands." He held it until the wick was almost out.
"It's the devil's workshop." Vernon whispered to Diggins as Ray dropped the small explosive near each of their feet.
꧁a/n꧂ i know there are a lot of authors notes so far but im just trying to get everything together lol. plus it feels like im talking to friends. anyway, my gifs are being weird so idk if they are actually working, so lmk if they are.
