Inconvenient Things

9. Cards against Ashley

The ‚hangout' consisted of Paula, Charlotte, Christa, three other girls and four guys from their year. Nobody questioned the the two Canadians who stepped out of Christa's car, strangers joining them seemed to be a normal occurrence. Ashley tried not to dwell on the fact that they were outnumbered and wouldn't be able to defend themselves if the group decided to pull some Hostel shit or something. She should probably stop watching so many horror movies, all she ever got from them were trust issues. 

They were all sprawled out in Charlotte's living room with the TV playing an ice hockey match in the background. Emery, who seemed to share Christa's grouchy mood, had made herself comfortable in a secluded corner and was now sulkily watching the game. Ashley wondered what her problem was, but she decided to ask her later since she was too invested in the discussion about Area 51 Florian had started. The guy reminded her of Cole, with his permanently excited energy and unfiltered thoughts. Right now, he was fighting with Anja, an equally lively girl, about the government's motives.

„They are surely making different kinds of hybrid humans!" Florian argued, his English broken.

„No, idiot, they are maybe just testing planes or something." Anja rolled her eyes.

Ashley appreciated their attempt at including Emery and her by trying to converse only in English. Their skills...varied. A quiet kid in the corner, who was previously introduced as Linus, barely said anything at all. When he did, his English was practically better than hers. Anja and Florian's discussion slowly ebbed away and the room became quiet, the hockey game being the only thing that could be heard. Charlotte cleared her throat and then smiled brightly.  Ashley wondered if the girl had really strong cheek muscles, since her grin was almost permanent. Her features slightly reminded Ash of a puppy. Innocent, naive and dumb. Ashley decided against voicing that thought out loud.

„Let's play truth or dare!" she suggested.

Everyone turned to her with an unimpressed look, Christa even grimacing at the thought. „We're not some horny twelve year olds, Charlotte. Grow up." Linus remarked. That was the third time he had said anything that day. Everyone nodded in agreement and for just a second, the smile fell from her face. It returned as fast as it has disappeared. „What do you suggest, then?"

Linus thought for a moment and perked up as an idea came to him. „Didn't you have a Cards against Humanity game?"

Everyone nodded again, to which Charlotte rolled her eyes. She stood up and disappeared into her room to get the cards. 

Florian turned to Ashley: "You know how to play?" 

She nodded, then glanced at Emery. "And you?"

Emery scowled, but nodded nonetheless. Her attitude suddenly really pissed Ashley off, but she tried not to let it show. She wasn't in the mood for a fight. Charlotte came back and handed everyone 9 white cards instead of ten. "We like to leave one card for creativity. If you have a good idea, just write it down on a sticky note." she explained.

"I'm the Card Czar!" Florian shouted and shuffled the black cards. He put one down in the middle. 'Daddy, why is mommy crying?' it read.

Ashley looked down at her cards. 'Seeing grandma naked' seemed to be a good answer. She giggled, handing it over to Florian. He snorted when he read it. Ash saw Emery scribbling furiously on a sticky note and wondered what she had written.

Florian collected everyone's cards and cleared his throat: "The question was: 'Daddy, why is mommy crying?' Your answers were: 'Seeing grandma naked', 'Kanye West', 'Half-assed foreplay'..." He held up Emery's yellow sticky note and grimaced slightly "Uhh...Austrians,.." Everyone shifted uncomfortably while Florian continued presenting the answers. Ashley glared at Emery, trying to silently communicate that her answer was uncalled for, but Emery was deliberately avoiding her gaze.