Under Pressure

Chapter 4

As the movie neared its end, everyone had already finished their food- even me and my seemingly upset stomach. Five minutes were left of the movie and that was when I found myself falling off the couch and running to the bathroom. I gagged, thinking I need to throw up but nothing exited; I cringed. This sucks.

Ivy came up to check on me. "Jake is just cleaning the dishes. How are you feeling?"

"I feel like a truck just rammed into me and all my guts came flying up into my throat only to go back down," I replied, spitting out saliva and flushing it down.

"Is there anything you need? More food or water? Anything?"

I nodded and blinked a few times to clear the haziness. This light is too bright. "I want to watch movies all day. You two can go home. I appreciate you being here for me, but I don't want to spread the love if you're around me."

Ivy laughed and helped me get off the bathroom floor. "No way. The sickly don't deserve to be alone, and plus, I love movies. Come on, I'll tell Jake to set up another one." We walked down the stairs together and Jake was finishing up the drying stage of the dishes.

"Jake, you didn't have to do that. It's isn't your responsibility," I said as I plopped down on the couch, holding my head from the rapid movement.

"I don't mind. I'd rather me do it than you." Instead of Ivy asking Jake to put in a movie, she chose one herself and set it up. Jake wiped the counters off and came to sit down with us, turning the lights off. Thank the lords.

"Are you sure you want to stay? I'm sure you guys have other things to do than-," I began but Jake cut me off.

"Than being here for a sick friend when she has no one and taking care of her? I think not. Today was an easy day at school and tomorrow won't be much different. We would rather be here than at home doing nothing."

With that, I smiled and got up to hug the both of them. I was wondering where my parents were until I looked at the clock. It was still pretty early and they were still working. I decided to text my mom as Jake finished up the dishes and Ivy cued up the movie.

Hey mom, how is work?

It took her a minute to respond:

It's been a long day, finally on break. Wish I was home.

I wish you were too. Today hasn't been the best of days.

Why not, honey?

I woke up sick and felt too gross to go to class today.

Oh no! Why didn't you tell me? I would have come home ro asked your dad to.

It's okay, Mom. Ivy and Jake came to take care of me.

Ivy and Jake?

I forgot that she hadn't met them yet since they were fairly new friends.

Yeah. They're new friends from class.

Oh okay. I'd like to meet them when I get home, if they're still there.

They should be.

Okay honey. Well I'll see you soon. My break is almost over.

Jake came to sit down next to me and grabbed the pillow so he wouldn't sit on it. "So which movie did you choose sister?"

"You shall find out. By the way, you have a nice collection of movies, Scarlet. It's almost hard to choose. It's like you buy every movie that comes out," she laughed and so did I.

"What can I say? I have a love for movies, especially on days like this, you know? They're a necessity in this house for me."

"I wish it was like that in our home. We have a decent collection but Ivy and I always end up watching the movies on Netflix." I looked to Jake and laughed.

"At least you have Netflix. My parents have enough bills to pay." They agreed and Ivy pressed play on the movie so fast that I couldn't even see a glimpse at what this movie was. Neither did Jake. I looked at him with a curious face and he shrugged with the same curiosity.

Let's see where this takes us.

***

 "OH! Booyah, little novice!"

"Hey! I have an excuse to lose," I chuckled at his immaturity. "I've never played this before. I barely figured out how to when you and your sister taught me."

"True, and you put up a fight, too young grasshopper. But I still won."

We had finished the movie which was an action movie about playing blackjack and counting cards. I found it interesting but it was super risky with what that guy had to go through because of it. Which was how we ended up sitting around my living room table with a deck of cards playing blackjack with Jake as the dealer.

I of course lost but Ivy was losing fairly often too.

"Do you just practice this in your bedroom at night? Like how are you so good at winning this game?" I asked.

"I can tell you a list of what I practice on my bed and blackjack is not one of them," he winked and I rolled my eyes and laughed with Ivy.

"Brother, please. I don't need to know that."

"What can I say? But I'm not a whore. Anyway, to answer your question Scarlet, I guess I'm just good at playing games of chance."

"I think we all just experienced from that movie that blackjack is more than just chance, Brother," Ivy said.

"True, but I still win with it. Anyway, Ivy, do you think we should go home?"

"Guy, do you want to just stay over? It's already late and I'm having fun," I suggested.

Both Ivy and Jake exchanged questioning looks before they both looked at me and nodded. "Would you have clothes for me to wear, though?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, I should have some of my cousin's clothes in the guest room from when he last came over. They should fit you, and of course, Ivy can wear a pair of my clothes since we are the same build."

"Great then it's settled," Ivy smiled and leaned on me. I was happy that I gained two more friends. I had rarely talked to Jake in class but after tonight, I realize how genuine he and his sister really were.

***

My mom and dad came home around an hour after we decided they would stay. They seemed to really like Ivy and Jake and had no objections to them staying over. I never really had sleepovers with my friends. Our schedules always conflicted.

However, this was a nice change to play host for a night. Jake chose to sleep in the guest room and Ivy decided on sleeping in my room. We chatted for a bit before dozing off into slumber only to wake up to the smell of delicious and the patiently waiting pancakes.

Oh dear gods, this will be a good day.