Falling Into Place

Chapter Five: To Win Or Not To Win

Chase
It was sort of amazing, playing video games with her again. The last time we'd played together we were twelve. We were really good friends back then, before she and Dean 'went'. We were best friends. Dean's never liked me though. So she stopped coming over to my house, stopped hanging out with me. It sucked for a while, but you learn to get over it. I had the biggest crush on her though. When we were five and she stole my crayons, I hated her. When we were six and my brother got a playstation, I asked her if she wanted to play. I was trying to be her friend. When we were seven and she came in to school crying because her dog died, I went to the funeral with her. When we were eight and we made our communion together, and posed for pictures together, I knew I wanted to spend every day with her.
She was my first kiss. She'd probably forgotten about that. We were eleven. I really liked her. We were playing a racing game. I let her win. She was thrilled. She celebrated by kissing me. It lasted all of five seconds. Afterwards, she didn't talk to me for three days. At the time that was the longest we'd ever stopped talking for. She sent me a note in English, saying it was awkward. We should pretend it never happened. We should be friends. I agreed with every word. It was too awkward to kiss your best friend. So we pretended it never happened.
When we were twelve, she told me she liked Dean. He was artistic, talented, shy. She said he was sweet. I listened as she giggled about him every day. She blushed whenever he talked to her. On Valentines Day, he sent her a red envelope with a sweet card. He asked her out the same day. She said yes. He sent me a text after school. He said I was to stay away from Alice, because he didn't need me getting in the way of their romance.
Alice agreed. She said we should just text for a few weeks, so that her and Dean could get started off strong. But he never grew to like me. It sucked. But you find ways of coping. Mine was Beth. She was new in our class. It lasted a couple of weeks. Then I moved on to a different girl. I'm still in the process of going through girls. But I think I've stopped doing it for her. After six months I figured we'd just be friends, not even close friends. That's when I met Cooper, and he replaced her in a lot of ways. I guess I thought that she would always be with Dean. But, for just one night, she was without him, and I was planning on giving her the best night ever.
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A crowd had gathered to watch our game. It was epic. We were really matched for once. Most of the people cheering us on had drinks in their hands, and most of them were cheering for her. I have to say it, I was cheering for her too. She looked fierce, shooting any stray soldier who crossed her path with an incredible malice. Her green eyes were alight with excitement, and her mouth curled upwards at the sides in a thrilled smile.
I was distracted watching her. So distracted I almost suffered a headshot for it. But not quite.
"Nice one." I smiled, "Almost."
I knew her position, and I had a grenade with her name on it. I got ready to fire it up to her, but something stopped me. I just couldn't. I don't know... It was like the day we'd kissed. I just made a stupid sprint out to the next building, and she gunned me down before I could enter.
"Well done!" I congratulated her as she cheered, "Now let's see what Howard has downstairs."
I turned off the TV, grabbed Alice's hand, and led her out of the room and down the stairs. The supporters followed eagerly.
Howard was in the DJ booth in the hall, and he had a mic. He seemed totally in control. everybody was listening when walked in, and hanging onto his every word.
"-and then everyone in my year can chill in the lounge, year above in the kitchen, anyone younger in the hall." His voice boomed from the speakers set up around the house, "A game of truth or dare will start us off, and I'll be back with further directions later. Everyone chill with that? Great, split up guys!"
Without any question, people just went to where they had been directed. I led Alice into the lounge, where the rest of our year were hanging around.
"I'll catch up with you later." Alice beamed at me, skipping off to join Lauren and her friends.
Cooper grabbed my shoulder and span me around to face him. He was stood beside DJ and Luke the bartender. He was buzzing with alcohol-furled energy already.
"YOU AND ALICE!" He yelled at me, "I TOTALLY SHIP IT!"
"Shut up!" I hissed, "She still has a boyfriend for fuck's sake!"
"Chill bruh." He giggled, "I'm going to kiss DJ, and then Luke and I are gonna 'hang out'."
"Great!" I smiled, "I hope this game goes well. Howard has a lot riding on it."
"I think Nikola likes him." Cooper bit his lip, "I heard her and Carmen talking about him when they were dancing earlier. Now come chill with me and my boys!"
I let him Drs me to where Luke and DJ were making awkward conversation, mainly about alcohol.
"So here is how it works." Howard was once again in control, "You pull a name from a hat, ask them their truth or dare, they do it, they pick someone, etcetera, etcetera. Anything illegal, sexual or generally disgusting is illegal. Keep it clean, guys."
He then produced a hat full of paper, and handed it to Nikola, who sat to his left.
And so the fun began.