Road Tripping

05

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"WHY AREN'T YOU wearing pants?" Nate asks in confused annoyance. Without hesitation, I break out into a speech. "Pants are a crime against humanity. No person should have to feel pressured to wear pants—especially in their own living space." I concluded, closing my eyes and nodding matter-of-factly.

"Nobody here is 'pressuring' you Laila. Do you see any of us not wearing pants?" Nate articulates, and I look desperately around the living room. Lucas and Jacks watch on amusedly. "Him!" I shriek, pointing at Puffy. "He isn't wearing pants!"

"Yes, because Puffy is a cat. Cats aren't expected to be clothed." Nate debates strongly. "But—" I start, grappling for some reasoning before I was cut off. "Case closed. Second case, why are you wearing my shirt?" Nate raises a quizzical eyebrow.

I smiled, for I am quite impressed with the working out behind this one. "Well, you're the tallest therefore your shirts would be the biggest and if there was one way I would be able to not wear pants it would be with a shirt that reaches my knees." I gesture down, at the shirt that does reach my knees. "Oh, and I really like flannies." It was true; another weird obsession I held for plaid flannel shirts. It sat up there with my other obsessions—tea, supernatural, eyebrows...

Nate scowled. "Give it up, mate," Lucas chimed in. "You're the one who always wanted to live with a hot, semi-naked girl." Nate blushed, and quickly changed the topic.

"So, this will either really excite you guys or freak you out, but our basketball match tonight is against Westrock." Lucas and Jackson immediately high-fived, but I stood there dumbfounded and pants-less. But, of course, it didn't take long for the evil, schemed plan to come in.

"One of you has to be my boyfriend." I say steadily. "Well," Lucas mutters, "that's one way to ask a guy out," I roll my eyes exasperatedly. "No, idiot. I mean you have to pretend. Freak Troy out." The boys' faces instantly lit up with excitement.

All in one, synced motion, Nate, Lucas and Jackson threw their hands in the air and yelled "I volunteer as tribute!" My eyes widen and I hold up my hands in sheer surprise. "Wow. Did you guys rehearse that?" I ask. They all shake their head.

"Looks like it's Rock Paper Scissors." Jacks sighs. "No!" I shout in disgust. "I want to choose based on statistics." I smile sweetly. "Nate is the tallest," I say pointing at Nate, "Lucas is the wittiest," I gesture to Lucas, "and Jacks is the... Um... The hyperactive idiot!" I check, and then nod my head when it's okay.

"He's actually the strongest," Nate says, shrugging casually. I look questioningly at Lucas, who just nods as says, "he is."
When I look at Jackson, he is smirking smugly and flexing his muscles. "You see this?" He yells, getting up and standing in front of me. "I'm the strongest. I could take Troy on," I grumble and push Jackson away, but to my dismay he had hooked his foot around the edge of the sofa, resulting in him falling on top of me on the couch. I pushed him off of me, resulting in him falling to the ground.

But, that couldn't be it. Jacks grabbed my hand, pulling me down on top of him. I quickly put my hands on his shoulders for support and I felt his fingers brush against my waist to steady me. "How many times has this happened now?" Lucas asks in a cheeky tone, and of course, a smirk. "Go screw yourself," Jacks murmurs to Lucas.

"Or rather," I add, "go screw Nate."

"What?" They both retort. "Crap," I whisper. "Jacks, run!" I scramble to get up off him, and then dart for the front door with Jackson next to me and Nate and Lucas on my heels. We run down the street, past houses and people walking. An elderly lady walking her chihuahuas put two and two together. I mean, what else could it look like when three boys run after one girl? I guess it really didn't help the fact that I still wasn't wearing any pants. Oops.