𝐒𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐘 | 𝐦. 𝐣𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧

6

Me and the guys are inside the house now in the living room, playing an old board game that we found. We were all crowded around the game like little kids. I had asked Michael if it would even be okay for them to be playing because I knew how strict on work their father was, but he told me that Joseph was less likely to act a fool around company, and I was still very hesitant but he insisted that it was fine.

I wasn't really aware of what the board game was about really, and Randy seemed to keep on making up rules as it went on, annoying his brothers. It was really funny.
"I'm winning. You guys suck," Randy stated, sticking his tongue out goofily, making the brothers make sounds of annoyance and irritation, but I knew they still loved him though.

"Nah, man. I totally won this round. You'll just have to better luck next time," Marlon said, glancing in my direction for a moment. Instinctively, I smiled and he winked at me, making butterflies fly throughout my stomach. I've never had that feeling when he interacted with me before...

Eventually, the front door opened, revealing a frustrated Joseph. His face was all scrunched up like he was upset, but it softened and turned into a little bit of shock when he saw me. Awkwardly and cautiously, I wave at him and smile slightly. He just nods at me as a greeting in response, but it didn't seem friendly like the way Tito does it when he sees me. It's almost like he completely ignored me, but I guess it's better than him being angry.

"You boys know you should be working on that new album, but I guess you could use this as a little break," he says, with a tone I couldn't really recognize. I glance around the room and see a little fear etched on the faces of the boys. Even when Joseph is calm and collected, the guys are still afraid of him. It really saddens me.

I see the boys nod in understanding at Joseph's words and watch him walk off. The brothers' moods quickly change to happy and excited again once Joseph has left. I look over at Marlon, who smiles at me reassuringly. I should be doing that to him. "This game is boring now," Randy says and Jackie rolls his eyes.

"Don't play it then," Tito says bluntly, picking up one of the pieces, making me chuckle. "He's kind of got a point," Michael speaks up, looking up from his lap. Tito sighs, "What else would we play then? We've only got this and Chess, and what teenager wants to play Chess?".

I look over at Jermaine, noticing he's got a mischievous look, and I assume the other guys notice too because they speak up. "Oh gosh, looks like someone has an idea," Jackie groans, and Jermaine's lips form into a smirk. "What about... truth or dare?"

"Oh hell no," Tito cuts Jermaine off before he could even finish his sentence. "We are not doing that shit again. Last time you had Randy stick his feet in the toilet," he explains, looking visibly disgusted at the memory. Jermaine laughs, "it was funny, though! It's not my fault the man picked dare!"

I giggle at their antics. "Hey, what d'ya know? Maybe it could be fun. Besides, we need something else to do," Marlon speaks up, "And, we got a new player," he says, looking over at me with a goofy grin. I see Tito roll his eyes, "alright, man, whatever," he replies in his soft-spoken voice. "But if Jermaine even hints at something crazy, I'm beating his ass," he says, really telling it like it is. Jermaine doesn't seem to take offense to it, though, as they've all gotten used to Tito's blunt remarks and playful threats.

"Man, don't just force her into the game," Randy says, looking over at me. "Are you up for it, Tonya?" He asks me, and I ponder for a little. What's the worst that could happen if we just play truth or dare? No one'll get hurt, and Joseph doesn't seem to care as long as I'm here, so what the heck? "Sure, as long as Marlon's playing," I say without thinking. I look over at Marlon who seems to have not noticed the words I uttered. Why... did I say that? Randy now has a confused but sly expression but he doesn't say anything about what I said.