Only, Always, and Forever You

27 - Let's Play

Amara's POV:

School is almost over, and I haven't seen Cole all day. I assume he's okay and is just skipping since we're still going over to his house later.

I told Oliver the change in plans and he was more than happy to agree, which I'm grateful for. I felt bad for springing the idea on him last minute, especially since he doesn't know these people. However, he was more than willing, saying he wanted to make new friends anyway.

I don't know how many friends he'll make with Cole around, but I appreciate his ambition. I don't know what's gotten into Cole lately, but he needs to stop with this whole protective, jealous thing.

We're just friends.

* * *

School is now over, and Oliver and I are walking to his car so that we can drive to Cole's house. He has a black truck, definitely not as cool as a vintage Bronco, but he's still lucky to even have a car. I get into the front seat and buckle myself in.

On the drive over to Cole's house, Oliver and I stop at Dunkin', and he buys us both an iced coffee. It's sweet of him to pay for the both of us, even if it's just a couple dollars.

We finally arrive and walk up to the house with identical Dunkin' coffees in hand. For some reason I get a little nervous when I ring the doorbell, not knowing how Cole's going to react to Oliver and I.

Luckily, it's Luke that answers the door.

"Hey Amara! Is this the friend that Cole said was tagging along?" Luke says with a large, welcoming smile.

"Yeah, this is Oliver," I introduce, gesturing to the boy at my side, "and Oliver, meet Luke."

The two exchange brief greetings, and then we enter the house, walking towards the same lounge area that we were in before. I see Ella sitting on one of the couches, scrolling on her phone, but my eyes are immediately dragged to the dark, familiar figure, glaring at Oliver and I from across the room.

Here we go...

Cole's POV:

I'm sitting on one of the couches in the lounge when the doorbell rings. Luckily for me, Luke springs up to go greet them. They're late to my house, and I'm not sure I want to know why.

I try to distract myself, to not think about it, but I can't help but tense up the second I see the two of them walking in behind Luke. Now I know why they're late: they have identical Dunkin' coffees in their hands.

I'll kill him.

Only I'm allowed to treat her.

I don't even bother holding back my glare. I'm utterly disgusted by the boy who walks in next to Amara, and only now do I realize that I don't even know his name. Although, this is quickly answered.

"Hey Amara!" Ella squeals, jumping up from the couch to go hug her friend.

Amara already has Ella, Luke, and I; she doesn't need anymore friends than us.

"Who's this cutie?" she asks intriguingly, looking at the boy, and now I'm not the only one in the room glaring: Luke now joins me.

If the situation were any different, I'd be teasing him right now, but I'm a little preoccupied.

"This is Oliver, he's a new kid in my Psych class," Amara explains, talking about the little boy by her side.

Oliver. Now I can put a name to the face I so badly want to pummel.

Oliver looks around the room, and when his eyes land on me I see him tense up. He probably remembers me from yesterday in the parking lot. I like that he knows to be weary when I'm around. He's starting to learn his place.

Amara goes to sit down on one of the couches, and Oliver follows, sitting down next to her— way too close for my liking. I can feel my jaw click with anger.

What's even worse: Amara smiles a tiny bit when he sits down.

My heart breaks a little.

Now I'm really going to kill him.

That's it. This has gone too far already. I thought it would be better if they hung out here so I could keep an eye on them, but this is way worse. I can't watch this. It's actually painful.

I'm glad that Ella breaks the tension a tiny bit when she starts to talk.

"Okay, I have an idea," she begins, a hint of mischief lacing her voice, "Since we played a game last time before working, I think we should keep the tradition and play a game today, too."

Immediately no. I don't even want Amara and Oliver to be in the same room, so I'm definitely not going to let her strip in front of him. No way.

I can tell Luke feels the same, and I'm glad he speaks my mind so that I don't have to.

"No way. We're not playing Never Have I Ever again."

"No! We're not going to be boring and play the same game! I was thinking we play Truth or Dare; I brought a deck of Truth or Dare cards," Ella explains, clearly very eager to play the game she so obviously had planned.

Luke and I look at each other, the same idea seemingly occurring to both of us at the same time. This time I'm the one to speak.

"Okay, I'll play," I start, "But one exception: You can't skip."

I feel a smirk playing on my lips. I've played this game before, and I know that it's no fun when people skip, but I also know that the cards are a little... scandalous.

This also means that I have to make sure Amara is not sitting next to Oliver while we play.

Ella starts to set up the deck of cards on the coffee table between the couches, and Luke and I simultaneously take this opportunity to control the seating.

Thankfully, Amara is distracted, helping Ella set up the game, and Oliver gets up to try and find the trash for his now empty coffee cup.

Luke helps him find the bin, and I make my move.

I let Amara and Ella sit next to each other, and I sit on Amara's other side so that Oliver can't. Before Oliver can get back to the couches, Luke sits down on Ella's other side, leaving the only empty spot between Luke and I.

Luke and I share an accomplished look— we work well as a team.

Oliver awkwardly sits between the two of us, and I hope he can tell how much neither of us like him. We're practically sandwiching the girls between us, guarding them from him.

Ella doesn't realize what we've done, but I think Amara does based on the look she's giving me right now.

Oh well, let the games begin.

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I have the next few chapters planned out, and I can't wait for you guys to read them... 🤭🤭