His Bet

Chapter Nine

Brix

The movie started and of course all of us are gonna be engrossed watching it. Since we are kids we always watch this kind of movies. Maybe it's just a man's nature to watch movies that will prove our manliness. The movie started by a teaser. A girl being captured by the killer, screaming in the top of her lungs. We just stare at it watching intently when I suddenly feel the small body beside me flinch. I looked down at her in my peripheral vision not wanting Red to saw me gazing at her boldly.

Her eyes shut, her hands blocking her ears from hearing and she's trembling

I was about to ask her if she's okay but Red suddenly hug her. She doesn't flinch with his touch the way she did when I almost touch her last time.

She hug him back. I heard that Red mumbled something to her and she nodded. They stood up and headed to Red's room.

"We will be back in a minute." I heard him say while I stay my focus on her retreating form.

"What the heck is that?" Simon hissed.

"The girl's afraid of horror I guess." I shrugged.

"It doesn't look like her." Kalvin said confused as we are.

"Hey dude. Won't you start doing something? We're having a bet game remember?" Chris said making his voice lower so they won't hear.

"Yeah I know. She's difficult I swear. She's.. You know.. So distant to a guy?" I admitted. They should know how is it like to be on my shoes.

"So what's about the hugging thing with Red?" Chris said mockingly quotating the word hugging.

"Because they've been for three years?" Sarcasm all over my words.

"Hmm.." He said rubbing his chin. Processing what I've said.

"She's up to something serious you should be careful with. Be careful." Tristan said boldly his arms crossed. His observation never fails. He always guessed right.

"I imagine your Audi R8 being driven by me." Chris said smirking.

"You wish jerk. She'll give in. I'm gonna work out on it." Rage consumes me. This is not just about our cars and money. This is also about our ego. My ego.

"Better make sure of that lover boy." Chris teased. So I just throw a chip on his face. And of course us being a man. He just toss it up in his mouth.

"So what now? We'll let them be with each other alone on that room?" Simon interrupt. Yes, he's right. I should now do something.

I got up from my place headed towards the room and knock to the door.

Red opened it. Giving me a confused look. I cock my head in the side gesturing him to let me inside. He step back gazing my reactions. He's Red. My brother. Of course he knows me. He knows us. I just gotta make sure my so-called undying love for Ace is real.

I glance at Ace. She stares at me confused as Red. She's wondering why I'm here.

"Are you okay? I mean.. I saw how you tremble a while ago and I was just.. I want to know if you're okay. Me and my brothers doesn't seem to know you don't want watching that kind of stuff." Lies easily roll on my tongue. Just how it should like be. I know I made them believe that I sound concerned.

"I'm okay." She almost whisper that words.

She has issues.

I shouted to my brothers outside. I know they're eavesdropping.

"Turn the TV off! Watch something else!" Well, it's just in us. Shouting not even bothering to care if it sounds rude to shout for a sudden.

"Got it!" Chris shouted back.

I turned to Ace and give her a toothy smile. Intentionally flashing my best smile.

"They're good." I added.

"You don't have to do that. Its okay with me for you guys to watch that. I'll just stay here." Guilt in her voice.

"No its okay Acy. Brix said it anyway."

I can see that she doesn't want to meddle between want we want just because of her. She was about to say something but then again she shut her tiny mouth. She heave an audible sigh.

"Alright.. Thanks." She said her head bowing down.

Just before the three of us know. The boys are now entering the room. I assume they can't watch anything so they turned the TV off.

Ace

I feel guilty. I know they want to watch it but just because of me they were not able to watch the movie. I sighed. I want to protest and say its okay for them to watch but I couldn't form the words. Then I just wanted to be alone.

I felt the bed dipped. Someone sat beside me. Before I can think, all of the boys are now here. I don't know what to say so I just bit my lip. I felt nervous because they are all staring at me intently. I don't know if they are mad or something.

"I'm sorry.." I mumbled under my breathe. It was almost a whisper. I can't focused on something so I just nibble my lower lip and play my fingers.

"Hey.. Its okay. I promise." The Brix guy said still smiling at me.

Red didn't say anything. I guess he's watching his brothers. I glance at him and saw the hawk-like-eye he give to his brothers. He is really doubting them. Is they really that bad?

"Maybe we can just play something." Simon interrupted me in my thoughts.

All of them cheered except Red. And of course Tristan because he just nodded and smirked.

"So what kind of game?" Chris asked rubbing his hands together, he's excited. This guy is really much like a kid.

"The usual I guess." Kalvin stated.

While I just sat there silent. I feel awkward. I'm with this bunch of boys. Good thing because Red come towards me grabbing my hand.

"Hey.. She's with us." Simon protested.

My jaw dropped. Like seriously? I'm part of their game?

"I know how you play jerks. I won't let you do something stupid to her." Red replied sternly, pure warning in his voice. They chuckled.

"Of course not man. She's a girl after all. We well make it slow and easy for her." The oldest of them said. His hands surrendered.

"We promised." Brix smiled.

I don't know what to say.

"Are you okay with them?" Red asked concerned.

I don't want to. Yes, they're fun but not now. But how will I going to tell them that without being rude?

"I-I.." I don't know what to answer. Shit, shit shit.

"You got no choice buttercup. You're joining us." Kalvin trail my sentence out.

"We are not going to bite you, I promised." Chris smiled cheekily his right hanraised mid high for a promise.

I heard the boys laugh on their breathe. I glance at them my eyebrows narrowing.

Red sighed. "Okay.. Just don't be shy to punch them in the face if they did something stupid." He's brotherly tone really make me feel like a kid.

A small smile crept on my face so I nodded.

Red chuckles and pat my head.