Game On || C.L.16

1.5

The time leading up to midnight is spend playing different board games. I won Ticket to Ride and for the past almost two hours we've been very invested in a game of Monopoly. I don't know how we ended up here, but we're playing in teams. I wasn't surprised when the proposed teams were Pierre & Kika, Esteban & Elena and Charles & myself. It was self-explanatory that the couples wanted to be in a team.

At this moment in time it's just Kika and Pierre battling me and Charles, as Elena and Esteban went bankrupt a couple of turns ago. And if we're completely honest, it looks like Kika and Pierre are facing the same future. Charles and I got hotels on the cheapest and most expensive streets, making pretty much everyone pay up whenever they round the board. "Pay up, Leclerc." Pierre says as Charles lands us on one of their properties.

"Whatever. Just let Kika throw 7 again and you'll be bankrupt." Charles says, counting the fake bills of money to give Pierre the right amount.

"Oh hush. We can still win." Kika says as she picks up the dices. I watch as one of the dices falls on a four before seeing a three on the other one.

"Heck yes!" Charles and I cheer in unison, high-fiving as there is no way they'll be able to pay up.

"Love you too, sis." Pierre mutters as he hands all of their remaining bills to us. It's far from enough, finishing this game of Monopoly.

"I'm unbeatable." I cheer, referring to both games I'd just won. The alcohol from the cocktails me and the girls had been sipping on notable in my voice.

The boys pack up the game of Monopoly, while I get six champagne glasses. The clock almost striking midnight. I get the bottle of Champagne, putting it on the table. Deciding that the boys can fight over who'll get to open it.

"3! 2! 1! HAPPY NEW YEAR!" We all cheer in unison. I look around me and see how all couples are engrossed in their own little worlds. Lips locked, right in front of me.

And Charles.

"I guess it's really just us now," He laughs, before opening his arms for me. He envelopes me in a tight hug. "Happy new year, Amelie." He whispers in my ear. "That this may be your year." He places a small kiss on my cheeks, and once again I can feel the electricity shooting through my body.

I quickly wiggle out of the embrace we were still in, seeing that the two couples had decided to stop sucking face. "Happy new year brother." I say smiling giving Pierre a tight hug. The familiarity and safety of him bringing my heartbeat down rapidly.

I then continue to wish everyone a happy new year, one by one.

It's around three o'clock when Pierre and Kika go to bed, Esteban and Elena having gone up about thirty minutes before that. I can feel the alcohol in my blood, it's been a while since I've had this much to drink.

"I'm gonna get some fresh air." I say to Charles, just so he knows where I am. He just looks up at me, no words just a look that I can't decipher. I grab my cocktail from the table, taking it with me to the outdoor lounge. I set the cocktail on the table, before grabbing my wintercoat. It's far too cold to be sitting outside in just my mini dress.

I don't know how long I've been sitting outside, but I know I've finished my drink and been staring right in front of me for a while, when Charles sits down next to me. "Here." He says, handing me another drink.

"Thanks." I say letting my head rest on his shoulder. I am tired, and the alcohol is definitely not helping my decision making. "You know, we haven't been in the hot tub since that first day." I suddenly say, breaking the silence we had lapsed into.

"We haven't" Charles confirms nodding his head lightly.

"We could-" I start, finding the last bit of sobriety in me. "Never mind, we will not do that." I correct myself.