The Only One » cth [en]

8. jade doesn't like this game

"God, it's great to see you guys." Our old friend hugs me and I still can't understand how puberty can change someone that much.

"The show was great, pal." Luke pats Roy in the back.

I grab Calum's arm so nor him nor me get lost in the crowd that's dissipating in the beach. 

By the way he's glistening I can tell he has enjoyed the short beach concert as much as I did. I wonder if he's ever been to concert before. Even if today's is quite far from a real one.

"Thank you for coming, we really should meet more often." He man hugs Calum and tells him what a pleasure it was to meet him.

"So how is your dad, Jade? I miss that folk. I never forgot how he always gave us a ride home." I tighten my grip on Calum unconsciously and try to smile, knowing I have the guys' eyes on me.

"Yeah, he's good. I'm sure he misses you too. It's sad how sometimes we grow apart from people we care about." 

We say our goodbyes again and I feel myself feeling a bit sad. Roy and us were really close back home after all.

"Let's play a game!" Luke exclaims once we're back at our 'towel' with a beer bottle each, away from the amount of people that came only for the festival.

"Your games never end well." I complain but the blonde ignores me taking another sip.

"20 questions but without counting." He suggests.

Of course that being guys that don't mind about consequences they all agree and I roll my eyes.

We decide on asking a question to a person of our choice but we can't repeat. 

Michael starts by asking me  what are the consequences of everyone having instant distractions at their fingertips?. Of course. I answer that people who are like that don't really care about consequences.

I ask Ashton when was the last time he got laid because I've heard from the guys he has been messing around with some girl at their class. 

"That's not the type of thing I would share with you. But maybe lately." He says with dilated nostrils which makes me snort. "Lucas,  would you rather take a vow of celibacy or take a vow of silence?"

"Gosh, I wish he could take both." I mutter against my second bottle.

He obviously hears me because he gives me a middle finger and a sarcastic smile.

"None. My turn. And you don't have to tell us if you don't want to, Cal." Luke states and winks at me. What the hell is he about to do?

"Have you always been blind? I mean there are probably some things you've never seen."

Fuck. My. Life. Ashton told him.

Did he say that to annoy me? Doesn't he know it's rude? I give him an angry glare which he shrugs off.

"Luke." I whisper, clenching my teeth.

"It's okay. You guys were probably dying to ask that." He replies seeming unaffected.

"Smart." the blonde mouths at me and I roll my eyes. What's up his ass today?

"I've been blind since I was 13, so I've kinda seen everything there is to see."

Finding this the right opportunity to clarify my doubts, even though I think it's disrespectful, I ask "Was it, like, sudden?"

He pauses before talking and I wonder if I hit a weak spot but then he smiles.

"My dad and I were involved in this car crash with a truck. He just won a few war scars but I was in the other side of the car, which got wrecked. Long story short, the impact made my optic nerve begin to deteriorate causing high fluid pressure in my eyes. That provoked something called an angle-closure glaucoma. I was in surgery but there were some complications that lead to permanent vision loss."

I have to tell my mouth to close and I see the other guys were also surprised. We all take another sip together. My sip being longer.

"So yeah, I guess you could say it was sudden. But it's okay the prettiest girl on my class kissed me after that. Apparently having a disability makes people like you more." He laughs it off.

At the moment, I don't care if Luke is gonna mock me later. I let my hand rest on top of Calum's.

The boys change topics and start making questions about their first girlfriends. My clumsiness takes part in all of their stories, which makes the asiatic looking boy a bit more lightened up.

"So you guys have always lived close to each other? My cousins are really annoying, I don't know how you do it." He asks and I'm quick to answer. Maybe too quick.

"Well, you know how it is, some of us have more patience than the others."

I decide to ignore the questioning looks my three childhood friends guve me.

"Tell Calum about your first boyfriend, now. That's an hilarious story." Luke's voice meets my thankful glare and I start telling how I once bumped my head into my classmate's and how he felt so embarassed for both of us that he started bringing me food.

"That's always what charms you, isn't it?" Michael teases elbowing Calum.

My face heats and I feel like punching all of them.

"Well, I've always heard food is the way to a woman's heart." The guy nexts to me smirks and I wish I could hide in the sand.

These games always end badly for me. In this case, I wish I could ignore the redness in my cheeks or cover their eyes so they wouldn't see it.