Make My Way

Chapter Nineteen

Aria's POV

After everyone had eaten some pizzas do changed, we all sat down in the living room. I made my self some caffeinated tea and curled up on the couch next to Blake. Liam and Willow sat next to each other on the other side of the long couch, leaving several inches of space in between them. Across from me, Neil and Stella sat on the love seat in the same awkward way. Laine and Everly squeezed into the large armchair together. Adrian, Xavier, and Easton sat on the floor in front of the couch I was sitting on. Vivian and Merrick were sitting at Stella and Neil's feet. Aurora sat at Laine and Everly's feet.

"What should we do?" Easton asked. I thought for a minute before Willow spoke up.

"I played a game once where we went around the room and said who was or we thought would be the 'best.' Best couple, best makeup. Things like that." Everyone nodded in assent.

"I'll start it off," Laine offered. "Cutest official couple." Everyone turned to face Blake and I. We were technically the only official couple in the room. I laughed and the others joined in. Blake wrapped his arm around me and rubbed my arm.

"Too easy. We need something we can debate," Everly decided.

"I've got one," Stella said, "Who of the other gender do you think is or would be the best kisser?" She turned to me. "You can't say Blake. And everyone, be honest."

"Laine," Easton said, without much thought. Laine thought Easton too. Aura and Everly said Xavier. He said Everly. Stella and Neil said each other. Willow and Liam said each other.

When it was Blake's turn he was told he couldn't say me. He looks thoughtful for a minute before saying, "Aurora."

Then it was my turn. I'd say Blake but I can't! Not Easton. That's for sure. Not Neil or Merrick either. Xavier and Liam are like my brothers. That only leaves one person. I took a deep breath and said what I was thinking, even though I hated myself for it. "Adrian," I said.

"Aria," Adrian said quickly and tried to move on. "Best fashion sense." We all talked for a while before deciding we would rank everyone. For girls we decided that Stella was first, then me, Willow, Everly, Vivian, Laine, and then Aurora. Guys was harder but we decided Xavier had the best, then Liam, Blake, Adrian, Merrick, Easton, and, finally, Neil.

We played for a while longer before getting bored of the game and deciding to switch games. We figured truth or dare was always a good game. Stella switched on some quiet music in the background and we started discussing the game. The rules would be the same as last time. If you chickened out you had to take off a piece of clothing. Unfortunately for me, I was only wearing one layer so I didn't really have much to take off.

While sitting next to Blake, I secretly hoped he'd chicken out of one and take off his shirt.... I shook my head, trying to focus. Stella started the game off saying, "Liam, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Kiss the person you would want to go out with most in this room." He took a deep breath and turned to Willow. He kissed her and she kissed him back immediately, neither of them ever second guessing themselves. Stella squealed in delight and Blake gave Liam a thumbs up.

"Um, Laine, truth or dare?" Liam asked.

"Truth," she decided quickly.

"Out of the people here, who would you want to date most?"

"Probably Easton." I smiled at her and Adrian wiggled his eyebrows. Adrian decided then, that our seating arrangement needed to change. He made Laine and Everly get up and shoved Blake on to the armchair and pushed me on top of him. He made Laine and Easton sit next to each other on the long couch. Everly ended up laying on the floor next to Aura.

I adjusted my body on Blake's lap to sit comfortably in his arms. I rested my head against his chest and he put his chin on my head. He wrapped his arms around me and stuck his fingers into my side to taser me. I turned around and tried to taser him back but failed miserably.

"Okay, guys. Calm down. Neil, truth or dare?" Laine tried to get us back on track.

"Dare."

"Take off your shirt for the rest of the game." He hesitated before pulling off his thin shirt. I saw Stella's eyes grow big and she turned red in embarrassment. She was only a few inches away from him and I could se the awkwardness getting worse.

"Blake, truth or dare?" Neil asked.

"Dare."

Neil smirked evilly. "Make out with Everly in the kitchen." Everly groaned, obviously not wanting to make out with anyone.

A thoughtful look crossed Blake's face as he considered his options. He smiled and pushed me off his lap and stood up. Everly started to reluctantly stand up but that wasn't Blake's plan. He smoothly peeled off his shirt. He fell back into the chair and pulled me with him. I could feel his warm skin on my arms.

I pretended that this wasn't weird. That we had sat like this before. He looked at Easton. "Truth or dare?"

"Eh, let's go with dare," he answered, unsuspectingly.

"Kiss Adrian."

"Crap," Easton and Adrian said in unison.

I shifted on Blake's lap and pulled my phone out of my pocket. I brought up the camera and waited. Easton got off the couch and went over to Adrian. He kissed him quickly and I took a picture. Easton went back to his spot and I felt Blake's warm, steady breathing in my ear. "You need to send that to me."

"Oh, I will. This is going on my snapchat story." I uploaded it from my photos to snapchat and figured I had at most a half and hour before one of them saw it and made me take it off.

"Aurora, truth or dare?"