Project Iphigenia (Bellarke)

Chapter 11

Six Years After Start of Project

"Got any threes?" Jasper asked with sly eyes, the only thing visible above the fan of cards in his hand.

Clarke begrudgingly handed over her three. Jasper made a big show of picking out the card from his hand and matching them down on the table with his many, many pairs. He then scooted slightly to the left, turning toward Bellamy.

"So...got any sixes?"

Bellamy cussed, and handed him a six. The entire rest of the table groaned.

"We need to adjust the rules." Raven announced, "You've literally had twelve turns in a row!"

"Yeah, how do you know what everyone has?" Monty agreed, glaring at his friend and looking at his meager pile of cards, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were cheating. But since I'm here playing against you, I don't know who you've roped into it to pull it off."

"Murphy." Jasper replied, totally straight-faced.

"Yeah, right." Raven rolled her eyes, "I know that he's decided you're worthy enough to be his friend, but he has to know I'd whoop his ass if he was playing against me." She raised her voice, daring him to come out.

"I'm just joking." Jasper adjusted his big goggles on top of his head, a recent birthday present from Monty, "I guess I'm just that good." He winked. The table shuddered in unison.

"Just what your ego needs." Clarke shook her head, knowing it was a moot point since he had at least triple how many pairs everyone else did, "Remind me to get on your side if we ever play poker. Are you good at that, do you reckon?"

"Well, maybe." Jasper shrugged, "I've never actually played."

"Me neither." Monty said, and Jasper began to look around the table. Clarke shook her head, only ever seen her father and Jaha with some other men play when she was supposed to be sleeping.

"Who do you think would have taught me?" Raven asked when he looked at her.

"My mom taught me once." Bellamy said, "But I don't remember."

Wells just raised an eyebrow, and that was enough of an answer.

"Dang. I'm sure someone in the group knows how to play, though." Jasper raised his head above their circle, "Probably Sarah, or maybe Benny..."

"I know how to play." Bree's quite voice shocked everyone.

"Jesus!" Jasper jumped a foot in the air, "I for-," He broke off when Wells gave him a harsh look. But Clarke knew what he was about to say, that he'd forgotten she was even here. But it was hard to recall she was, since she was so quiet and hadn't even gotten a single pair yet.

"You do?" Wells even seemed shocked. Her pale skin blushed as red as a tomato.

"Well, sure." She said, and her voice shook, having so many eyes on her, "My dad and mom like playing with a deck they made, in their free time. They play for money, to get enough to get by. They're pretty good." She spoke mostly at her hands, which were situated in her lap, only meeting Clarke and Wells' eyes.

"Will you teach me later?" Jasper grinned, pushing himself across the table, "I mean, I gotta see if I'm as good as that. And if I can get some extra money, ca-ching!" He rubbed his fingers together.

"Sure." She said, "What kind do you want to learn how to play?"

"There are different kinds?" Jasper sounded dumfounded.

"Black jump or something, is one..." Bellamy trailed off. Bree almost smiled at his mistake.

"Black Jack." She said, and sighed, "I'll try to get my deck from home. It's easier to show you than explain it verbally." She said.