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Chapter 15

With one leg out the car he looks back at my unmoving state. "What’s wrong?” I shake my head then jump up from my door abruptly swinging open. Sarah sticks her head inside.

“You two love birds can flirt later, let’s go.” She slams it back shut and goes running to join the others dispersed on the field. She slaps Jackson behind the head on her way and he chases after
her. I watch them while Michael gives me his full attention, face soft and sympathetic, waiting for me to answer his question. For once I know exactly what’s wrong and how to put it in words but I don’t know if I want to. What’s the point anyway?

“Do you wanna go back to school?” I don’t have a response for him. “Is it cuz of Larissa?” it’s ironic how he runs to blame the other person than think HE might’ve done something bad.

“It’s not that, it’s just…” I sigh. “Never mind.” I disembark before he can stop me and go straight to the others, not caring about Larissa. She won’t have to worry about seeing my face again. I’ll finish the damn essay by myself and hand it in.

“Looking good, Layla.” Henry shouts. I give him a thumbs up, ignoring the other’s look. I hope they don’t think that I’m trying to join their damn group. That’s the last thing I want. I keep a
few feet between me and the others and Michael comes to stand next to me, summoning Jackson to do the same.

“Let’s play charades.” Kerry suggest from where she’s sitting on the grass. Her boyfriend looks at her with lovey dovey eyes or honey eyes. I don’t know.

“There’s eleven of us, so three groups of three and one of two.” Henry says. Though they all seem to be on board, no one makes any effort of building their teams. Instead, Kerry hurries up
off the ground trying to flee away from her boyfriend without realising that she’s backing up into me. I do the same to give her space and end up bumping into Michael instead. He doesn’t make
much movement rather than just holding my arm to give me balance while he continues on chatting with Jackson, nonchalantly. I can’t be that unbothered with the small anger building up inside me.

“Guys, come on. Layla needs to leave in a few.” Sarah shouts, catching everyone’s attention.

“Dibs on Layla.” Jackson abruptly pulls me to his side by the arm and sticks his tongue out at the confused Michael.

“I’ll have Michael then.” Sarah raises her hand, calling dibs too before forcing Michael to walk away with her. Larissa ends up joining their team too. Not that I care. The couple goes with the girl that I don’t know the name of yet and Henry goes with the remaining two guys.

“That team is too strong.” A guy points at Michael’s team where they are sitting on a bench.

“Ya, they’re good at playing charades, we won’t stand a chance with them together.” Jackson agrees. Michael tosses both of his legs on the girl’s and stick his tongue out at Jackson the same
way he did earlier. Revenge seems sweet on his tongue. I feel bad for Jackson. He’s gonna regret choosing me in a few minutes. I’m bad at guessing and even worst at acting.

They decide on who is going to go against who and the winners go against each other. The opposite team is the one who comes up with the word and we all get one minute to guess.

Michael’s team goes first and the guys were not tripping at all. They all guess what their members are doing within seconds. They don’t even have to say more than five words to get the
right answer. I don’t pay much attention to the others until it’s my turn. Jackson goes first and Kerry is the one to give the word. The timer starts. Hands behind his back, he flaps it.

“Chicken.”

He lifts out one finger, showing that my guess is close. He hums struggling to keep his mouth shut with excitement. He does the same movement again this time while jumping into a flutter
and Michael and his group burst out laughing. Chickens can’t fly. It’s something with wings so I just mention all the birds that I know. “Duck, goose, bird.” There’s one last but my heard is not working. I snap my fingers for concentration. “Swan."