Housemates 2

Chapter 3

Everyone gathers in the kitchen after preparations for the ramen are finished, and they each take a seat, quickly conversing about their days. Vincent's brother, Jay is the only one who hasn't uttered a single word throughout the dinner and his housemate, Ryland quickly takes notice as everyone begins to clean.

Ryland's elbow softly nudges Jay's arm and Jay turns around to face him.

"You okay?" Ryland asks him.

There isn't a particular reason why Jay remained quiet throughout the dinner, as that's just his nature. He listens while the others talk, but he's still getting to know everyone and feels he doesn't have anything significant to add to the conversation. Which is why he's confused by Ryland's question.

"I'm fine," Jay answers. "Why?"

"Hmm," Ryland says, but doesn't say anything more as Vincent brings out a board game. It's called, "Truth Be Told" and there are three categories of cards that ask various types of questions and statements that must be answered according to a dice roll. If the dice lands on blue, the player must answer the question on a blue card in order to advance on the board. They cannot advance if they refuse to answer the question.

Alec goes first as he was the first to volunteer, and his dice lands on the color pink—a romance question.

"What is the most attractive quality a person could have?"

The group seems to think about their own responses to the question while Alec's eyes find the ceiling, pondering on his answer.

"Loyalty."

Cade and Zion exchange glances as they remember Alec's last relationship with Amber. His answer doesn't surprise them.

Alec moves his piece on the board before handing the dice to the next player.

Vincent takes the dice and violently shakes them in his hands before releasing them onto the board. One of the die hits Alec's piece and he laughs.

"Green!" Vincent exclaims before picking up a card from the green pile and reading it.

"Do not speak until your next turn."

"Oh, come on! That's not even a question!" Vincent says.

"Shh," Alec says. "You're already failing."

Vincent pouts and hands the dice to his brother, Jay who quietly sits beside him.

Jay quickly rolls the dice as he wishes for his turn to be over as fast as possible and it lands on another green card.

"Hold hands with the person to your left until your next turn."

Jay breathes out a sigh and makes no attempt at fulfilling the writing on the card until he feels a warm hand snake their fingers through his and he looks down before returning his gaze to the owner.

Ryland, his housemate, simply shrugs and points down at the card. "Gotta do it."

Jay doesn't say anything and oddly finds comfort in the warmth of Ryland's hand. Ryland then takes the dice in his other hand and rolls.

Pink.

"Ah, jeez," Ryland says. "Romance again."

He lifts the card to read it. "What's your love language?"

"I know what mine is," Vincent says.

"You're not supposed to talk, Vinny," Alec reminds him and Vincent slams a hand across his mouth.

"Hmm," Ryland says, giving Jay's hand a quick squeeze. "Physical touch."

Zion slings an arm around Cade's shoulder upon hearing Ryland's answer and grins. "Good one."

Cade snickers beside Zion and leans into him while Zion takes the dice from Ryland.

It lands on blue.

Zion reads the card to the group. "Draw the best design you can in one minute."

Vincent scurries to find a piece of paper and pen and throws them to Zion who easily catches them. Alec starts a timer on his phone and says, "Go."

Zion quickly scribbles away on the post-it note Vincent found and the group watches in awe at his creative ability to design a picture in just a minute. When he's finished, he looks down at the drawing and shrugs.

"It sucks."

Mandy looks across the board at Zion's drawing and her mouth drops open.

"That's amazing!" she says. "I love dragons!"

He offers his gratitude for her kind words as Cade slips the drawing into his pocket and begins his turn.

Green.

"Hum your favorite song until the group can name it."

Cade brings a hand to his face and shakes his head. "Jesus."

Alec laughs at Cade before he even begins to hum.

"Stop it," Cade says, stifling a laugh. "I didn't start yet."

He then starts to hum softly, and the group listens intently, trying to identify the song.

"Poker Face!" Vincent yells.

Alec shoots a finger into the air. "Doesn't count! Vincent can't speak."

Vincent fumes at Alec for constantly reminding him of the rule and frowns. Cade rolls his eyes.

"It counts," Cade says. "I'm not doing that again."

"Come on," Zion says, nudging him. "You were good."

Embarrassment washes over Cade and he throws his hands over his face again. "I'm out. The next person can go."

Zion giggles beside Cade and rubs his arm while Jeremiah takes his turn. He brushes his blond bangs out of his eyes and reads the pink card.

"Do you believe in love at first sight?"

His eyes instantly lock on Mandy's and without hesitation answers, "Yes."

Ryland grins at his housemate, but Mandy doesn't seem to realize and rolls the dice for her turn.

Green.

"Hug the person you find the most interesting in the group."

"Shit," she says. "Hmmmm."

Mandy looks around at her options and her eyes stop once she reaches Alec. She slowly pushes herself off of the ground and walks over to him.

Alec smiles upon realizing her choice and shoots off of the ground in an instant.

"C'mere," he says, holding his arms out.

Mandy steps toward him and softly wraps her arms around his back for a brief moment before pulling away and the pair return to their seats.

The game continues for a few more rounds before the group decides it's time to end the night.

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thx for reading and sorry it took so long to update (,;