Something Gained (USC Series Book #1)

chapter ten

SOMETHING GAINED
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BROOKLYNN

The first time I ever performed on stage, I was practically shitting my pants. But the minute those bright lights shone on my face, those nerves dissipated and replaced by adrenaline. The feeling of hundreds of pairs of eyes staring right at me, watching me do what I love, made me realise how much I love acting.

Similar to now, that same feeling of adrenaline floods through my body. When I came over tonight, I did not think I would spend my Friday night playing Capture the Flag with Aidan and his roommates.

After the tattooed guy, who I later learnt name is Malachi, came and interrupted Aidan and me, we all huddled outside. The night breeze causes goosebumps to prickle along my whole body.

Street lamps shine a dull glow onto the black asphalt. In the middle of Aidan's street, we gathered in a circle to discuss our teams. Earlier when Aidan explained the game to me, he said it's Capture the Flag, but it involves paintball guns. How fun?

How does involving paintball guns make it more fun? It just makes it less.

The teams we decided on were Holden, another one of Aidan's roommates, Tyson and Aidan's sister, Lilly, and Malachi, Aidan and me. I'm not sure how this game is going to go, but I guess we'll see.

Something I have noticed since meeting Aidan's roommates is that he isn't the only attractive one. No surprise they are such popular topics of conversations and girls' attention around campus. They are all insanely attractive.

The other three break away from us, presumably planning out their plan of action like us.

Aidan crouches down, his forearms resting on his knees. "All right, plan of action?" he lowers his voice, only loud enough for me and Malachi to hear.

"I'll keep a lookout and shoot anyone that tries to take our flag," Malachi explains.

There is a slight twist to this version of Capture the Flag. There is a line in the middle, separating the two teams. When someone from the opposing team crosses into our area, they are immediately at risk of being shot with a paintball gun and vice versa. If someone shoots you, you must spend two minutes on the losers' bench, as they like to call it.

Aidan nods. "Alright, got it"—he gives a thumbs up and then turns to me expectantly—"got it, Brooks?"

I mirror him and give him a thumbs up as well.

Malachi wanders off to where we put our red flag, holding the paintball gun tight in his hands. Aidan and I stay put, waiting for someone to blow the whistle and the game to begin.

The sound of a whistle travels through the air from the other end of the street.

I really hope we aren't disturbing any neighbours. I don't think we are, though.

From what I gathered, college students attending USC rent out most of the houses on this street. One of the house sounds with loud music, proving my point.

Calloused hands wrap around my arm and pull me behind a hedge of leaves. The soft golden hue of the street lamps cast a gorgeous light across Aidan's face. His emerald green eyes gleam in the moonlight. Strong features look like a god has carved them out by hand.

"Okay, we need to get to the other end with no one seeing us," he mutters, his voice almost below a whisper, trying not to give away our whereabouts.

I nod. "I know, that's the whole aim of the game," I say, slightly sarcastic and letting out a loose laugh.

He shoots me a grim look that shuts me up immediately. He chuckles. I jab my arm into his side and dramatically; he topples onto the ground.

"Jesus, you knocked me over." I cock a dark eyebrow upwards. My jab wasn't that hard. He's just being dramatic.