The Wheel

21. Miguel

"Guys, let's put our phones in our pockets," I suggested. "It would be the right thing to do."

Kate kept scrolling down the page, reading the comments.

"Please," I asked her.

"Oh, fine," she finally put the glass device in her pocket, "there is nothing interesting anyway, except for 'ahahah', 'LoL' and 'Wow, shit happens'.

David was barely holding back his anger towards her, he looked at me and nodded – that was his way of thanking me.

"Great, now we need to calm down," I continued.

Almost everybody leaned against the walls and it got quiet.

"Apparently, we have to decide who is going to spin the wheel this time," said Emma.

We started looking at each other suspiciously, hoping, that one of us moves toward the table. Unfortunately, everybody was standing still, leaning against the cold walls.

"There is no need," Ayama said suddenly. "Now I'm going to decide who is going next."

I felt scared. Relax, Miguel, it's just a game. Fear was written all over everyone's faces. Anyone, except for David, might be the next one! Oh, it's way more frightening than when a teacher at school is looking at everyone, trying to decide who is going to answer homework questions next.

"By the way, Mr. Keep," she said to me, "it's your turn."

Oh, it's not funny at all! I become even more scared. What's waiting for me?

I got it that there is no reason to waste the time, so I quickly sat at the table – the mechanism immediately tied up my hands, like it did to David, which sent the creeps all over my body. I felt really hot, although it was quite chilly in the glass room. I decided to undo some buttons on my shirt, but I couldn't because of the mechanism that was binding me, giving me enough space just to reach the wheel.

"Let me help you," Ayama said nicely.

I felt my hands being slightly loosened and I could undo the buttons near my neck and some on my chest. Phew, that's much better!

"Thanks," I said to her quietly and the mechanism shackled my hands tight again.

"Miguel Keep," the female computer voice pronounced and some of my photos from the Internet appeared on the screen, "the life of the party, a merry fellow and a huge, huge fan of making videos. Did you think about a career in the film industry? I believe you have a gift.

A video that I recorded on the celebration of the end of the academic year at Chris' country house appeared on the screen. I see how David looks at me discontentedly, grumbles and asks to turn off the camera, then the tape was fast forwarded and he says that he doesn't want to mess with Mike who was driving up on his pickup truck. Oof, I hope Mike won't be angry with David! The record kept going: I walk up to the pickup truck and the boxer's anger makes my camera fall down. Then there was a fast forward again and a kitchen appeared on the screen, I was filming food that Mike brought and then I slowly sneak up on Veronica, Sam and Kate, who was judging Emma. The three of them look right at the camera and I run away. The video was fast forwarded again and Kate is hiding behind the tree and almost hits Veronica with her elbow, while I was hiding in the bushes. The video ended when Emma, David, Kate and Veronica let me know that it was the time to stop filming.

"A typical celebration of the end of an academic year of the seemingly typical students," Ayama commented, "but quite interesting."

I felt awkward: I didn't think the guys would see the record at all.

"Are you lost in your thoughts, Mr. Keep?" Ayama asked. "You'd better spin the wheel."

Okay, Miguel, let's do it. It's going to be fine. It's just a game!