➼ Chap. 24

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P A R I S

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P A R I S

At Aaron's party, the energy is fun, and I find myself enjoying it. The music is loud, and people are all around, talking, laughing, and drinking. A group is gathered in the living room, getting ready for a ridiculous game of "Minute to Win It."

It's a bunch of silly tasks you need to finish in under a minute—like stacking plastic cups into a pyramid, balance dice on a spoon while walking, or move a cookie from your forehead to your mouth without using your hands.

It's funny how competitive everyone is, especially Aaron. He's in the center of it all, showing off as usual and hyping everyone up with that signature grin of his.

"Paris, you're next!"

Someone calls, and before I can protest, I'm pulled into the fun. Aaron stands nearby, watching with a smirk.

"You think you've got what it takes?" He teases as I step up to my challenge—balancing marshmallows on top of a soda can. "I bet you'll drop them all in under thirty seconds."

"Stop overestimating yourself, Aaron. I can stack these marshmallows better than you can stack your ego." I reply, turning my attention back to the wobbly marshmallows.

He laughs, leaning back against the wall.

"We'll see about that."

The timer starts, and I fumble with the marshmallows. It's silly, but I'm actually having fun. People around me are cheering, and I smile genuinely as I concentrate. Aaron, of course, is making exaggerated comments from the sidelines.

"Steady hands, Ari. You're going down," he says with a cocky grin. "Don't let the pressure get to you."

"Shut up." I mutter, laughing despite myself and trying to focus on the ridiculous task in front of me.

When my stack finally collapses, I throw my hands up, shaking my head.

"Well, that was a disaster." I admit, stepping aside as Aaron takes his turn in another challenge—bouncing ping pong balls into cups.

He grins at me, grabbing a ping pong ball.

"Watch and learn, baby. This is how you win."

I roll my eyes, but it's hard not to be entertained by his overconfidence. For a moment, I almost forget how much I hate him. He's good at making people have fun, and I guess his charm really works here. He sinks a few balls into the cups, much to his smug satisfaction.

"Told you." He says, flashing me that annoying grin of his.

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." I say, crossing my arms.

"You having fun yet?" He asks, his tone playful but surprisingly genuine.

"Maybe a little." I admit with a shrug and Aaron grins like he just won something.

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