The Forbidden Bite

Chapter 35: The Strip

"So what are you saying?" Daniel asked me in confusion. I was trying to explain to him my feelings in the dream. We had room service and were sitting in the bed making a mess. I just shrugged.

"I just can't figure it out. I've had many dreams, but none felt like this before. It felt so real, it felt alive," I glanced over at Daniel and he looked more confused then ever. I just rolled my eyes and went into the bathroom. I heard Daniel following me.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I'm trying to understand you."

"I know," I said and tucked my head into his neck. He just held me, I felt stressed. I felt like there was tension between me and Daniel, recently. I wasn't sure where it was coming from, but it was prominent. I have a feeling it was because this was the first time, that we were together almost 24/7. It was weighing on our relationship, and we could both feel it. It felt like we were fighting over the little things the most.

"Daniel, we need to go out and have fun," I said. "This is Vegas after all," I added.

"Where should we go?" Daniel asked, and I ran through the options in my head.

"It's infamous to go gambling in Vegas. We have to at least go to a casino," I said and Daniel smiled.

"Well, then let's go," He said and took my hand. We both got dressed real fast. We left the hotel and went to the closest casino we could find. We went walking down the street, and found ourselves in "The Strip." It's one of the most famous places in Vegas, it had hundreds of different things to do. Me and Daniel were opened-minded to anything but we were looking for a casino pacifically. As we were walking down the street, we weren't talking at all. Most of the time me and Daniel always talk to each other, but lately the silence has become more common.

I felt frustrated, and confused. Me and Daniel only have this summer, before I decide if I'm going to Emerson. We were closer physically now, but mentally we were oceans apart. This was beginning to bother me, and I didn't feel like I could talk to him about it. He was confrontational with everyone but me. Daniel must have noticed the look on my face as he glanced at me.

"What's wrong, beautiful?" He asked me, and I just smiled.

"I'm fine," I said but I could tell he didn't believe me. Once we walked into a casino, it was extremely loud. There was music blaring over the speakers, and the clinging and clanging of casino games. Over the past few weeks Daniel managed to get both of us fake ID's. To get into the casino we had to be eighteen, but to drink at the bar we had to be twenty one or older. Daniel was able to get us through.

"What do you want to drink?" Daniel asked me.

"Vodka."

"Perfect choice," He said and bought us both Vodka. After we drank many drinks, and took many shots then we played many games. Way to many, and lost way to much money. I'm horrible at Poker but when I'm pumped with Vodka then I'm confident. When I'm under the influence I'm way to cocky, and Daniel becomes more quiet.

"I think I can do this," I said as I pushed all the chips in the center. Daniel was perched beside me with his arm around my shoulders.

"I don't think that is smart," Daniel whispered into my ear. I smelled the strong alcohol on his breath.

"You don't get to decide that, do you?" I snapped back at him. A look of hurt flashed across his face, but it soon disappeared. I immediately felt guilty, and I knew that it was the alcohol talking.

"Are you sure you want to do that, boy?" The tattooed man across from me said. I just nodded slowly, and he got a sly grin on his face. I turned over my cards which weren't to bad but I knew it wasn't strong enough. He turned his cards over and he had an ace. My heart plummeted as I accepted defeat. They were laughing and high fiving each other.