The Darkness Within us All

Chapter 9: Can't Touch This

"This isn't fair, I wrote them, I know whats in them!" Caleb protested again, looking down again at the paper he grasped in his hands. He held it away from him like it was a disease he might catch if he held it to close.

"Start with your name," Brice continued like Caleb didn't say anything. He had a smug look on his face, like he was watching a television. I don't know what I expected, we didn't get very many details about how this games works.

I stole a glance at Nina. She had the same bewildered look on her face as she's starred at Caleb and the paper in his hand. I don't think she imagined this group would be the one Jacob would take us to. Her eyes flashed from Caleb to Jacob, a look of question in her eyes. Neither of us had the slightest idea of what was going on. Jacob just grinned and looked at the boy who had everyone's attention.

"Well? What does it say?" Brice said.

"Read it out loud!" Jackson said exchanging a grin with Jacob. The whole group held their breathe while Caleb braced himself and finally spoke up.

His voice came out and cracked, before he cleared his throat and started speaking, itching the side of his head in his electric blonde hair, "it says, 'when's the last time you kissed a girl?" I saw him swallow hard and watched the lump go down his throat. All the guys burst out laughing.

"Here's a better question, has Caleb kissed a girl?" Jackson burst out laughing and all the boys joined in with his laughter.

This wasn't a get to know you game, this was a game where they embarrassed each other. Is this their way of having fun? All of them Laughed and pushed each other around, while Caleb still looked at the paper, all the color had drained from his face. I couldn't help but feel sorry for him. But at the same time, he was the one who wrote them. He was planning on embarrassing one of his friends just like they are doing for him right now.

Discussed, I looked at Jacob, he was having a jolly time with his buds. He laughed along. I can't believe he was enjoying this. Curious I looked over at Aiden, and sure enough he was laughing. Sure, he smile what quite breath taking, but that doesn't make it ok. When he caught me looking at him in a discussed way he quickly tried to cover up his smile, but did a poor job of it. He ran his hands through his dirty blonde hair (which I couldn't help but stare at, as it bounced back into shape).

Caleb stood frozen. While the laughter went on and on. I almost couldn't stand it anymore. I wanted to jump in and save him form the embarrassment. But I couldn't move, even if I got up the nerve I dont know what I'd do. So I just stood and watched.

"Well, what is it?" Brice said wiping his eyes from the tears from laughing. He was having to much fun with this. His good looks made it hard to be mad at him.

It was no wonder they found it so humorous, most these boys were very good looking and didn't have any trouble with girls. They've all probably kissed a girl in the past week. Which also disgusts me. They treated every girl like the next, at least Caleb treated girls respectfully. Well, I guess if he ever got a girl.

All eyes were on him again. It was silent, except for a few snickers here and there.

"And your mom doesn't count," Jacob said and smirked, laughter erupted again before quieting down. Nina shot Jacob a look.

I'm sure Caleb would have loved it if the laughter would last longer so he didn't have to answer the question, but it calmed down and he was back in the spot light. Caleb's eyes went around the circle of people, then straight to the ground. Once again his voice started quiet.