Broken French

Chapter 8: Hot in Here

"The gala may have been cut short, but that doesn't mean the night has to end. We should continue this party... together." "Micheal... that sounds amazing." Micheal nods. "Much better than standing around and chatting, in my opinion." "Do you really want to?" "Come on, Taja. Look at all this expensive wine with no one to drink it."

"If we drink all that wine, it would kill us both." "Then why don't you share with the rest of us?" Elijah and Angéle stroll over. "I see I wasn't the only one who had the idea of sneaking up here." "It was Elijah's idea. Leave me out of it." Micheal chuckles. "I don't plan on leaving anyone out. The more, the merrier, right, Taja?" "Hell yeah. The more, the merrier!" "Right, let's get started! You're in for a treat, Taja. Micheal was the life of the party when we were attending university. Oh, the stories I could- hey!" Micheal elbows Elijah in the ribs, cutting him off. "As your boss, I am ordering you to keep those things private." I giggle. "Oh, so you have secrets, huh? Now I have to know." "And you don't? I'm sure you went to plenty of parties at your university in America."

Angéle claps. "Oh, like the movies where everyone drinks out of those red cups! Did you go to those?" "Well... I went out now and then. I was too busy to be partying all the time, but I let loose a few weekends a month." Micheal nods. "Smart girl." "What was it like? You must have some stories." "Oh, they were just your typical college ragers. People danced, played drinking games..." Elijah's eyes sparkled. "Drinking games! Now you're talking. What was your favorite?" "Well, "never have I ever" could make Micheal spill some of those scandalous secrets." Elijah cackles and rubs his hands together while Micheal rolls his eyes. "Well then, I am certainly not doing that one." "Aww. Maybe a game of skill, then? We have the right numbers for beer pong." Micheal wrinkles his nose. "Here in France, we do not need to throw things to justify drinking." "Hey now... are you afraid to lose?"

"Absolutely not. I'm sure I'll win, in fact." "Then you're on." Elijah grabs the cups. "Excellent. And to bring the game up to Mich's posh standards, we'll make it wine pong." Angèle grabs ping pong balls while the rest of you set up the table. "Don't worry, Angie. I've rigged the game in our favor." "First of all, it's Angèle. And second off, who says we're a team?" "Are you really going to abandon me for my best friend? I'm heartbroken!" Angèle rolls her eyes. "Oh please. I'm choosing Taja. We ladies have to stick together." I nod. "Seems right to me." Micheal steps in. "Not so fast. Taja, if I have to fight Angèle for your affections, I will. You belong on my team... and besides, I could use your expertise." "Really. You'd pick me over both of them?" Micheal nods. "There's no one else I'd rather have by my side, Taja." "I think we'd be downright unstoppable."

Elijah laughs. "That remains to be seen. Angèle, let's show them how it's done." Elijah goes first but just misses. "Not so cocky now, eh? Taja, you go first." Micheal watches attentively as I concentrate, line up my hand... and sink a perfect shot. "Alright, I see how it's done. I have this down." Elijah chuckles. "That pride will be your downfall, Mich." This time, when the other takes their turn, Angèle makes me drink. The Micheal takes his own shot, but misses by a mile. "Now we're talking. Even field again." I laugh. "Not for long. I'm just getting warmed up." I'm on a hot streak- I sink my next shot just as perfectly as the first as Micheal gasps. "You must show me how you did that. I am trying to improve." In my tipsy state, I don't think twice about grabbing Micheal's hand and moving it through the motions. "Ah. I see. Wonderful. Thank you. Anyways, as you Americans like to say... here goes nothing." My help pays off. Micheal's second shot is perfect, prompting groans from Elijah and Angèle. Before I know it, the two of us are cheering as I eliminate the opposing team's last cup.