Never Have I Ever

Chapter 4

We trek through the living room and out to the front, just before where we parked the cars. The fountain stands where it should be, pouring water in all its marble glory. It's a typical kind of thing, water streams over two bowls and into the base, where it's piped back up and begins again. Camila takes off her jacket, shoes, and socks, and stands on the lip. She's shaking. I can't see her from here, but Chelsea looks forlornly and Celia looks petrified for some unknown reason. She sprints around as fast as possible, her long legs finally being put to good use. Camila's still on the edge, standing perfectly still, like a statue of the same marble she stands upon.

"She's completely blank. No emotion, no nothing. Her eyes are empty. Something's happened to her."

"Celia, she's probably regretting the decision to go first," says Jack calmly. "There's nothing to worry about."

I say nothing, only purse my lips and tap a foot absentmindedly. Camila steps forward into nothingness, and as she hits the new water she shudders, and if breaking from a trance. But I'm only thinking that because it's been brought to my mind by Celia's proclamation.

"Come in guys!" yells Camila, splashing around, apparently herself again. "It's warmer than it looks!"

Celia and I shrug, and take off socks and shoes. I hand Thomas my phone, and jump.

Camila was lying. It's really, really cold.

Celia, Camila and I splash around for a bit, and pose for sopping selfies and pictures as the others laugh at our childishness.

I climb out, and Celia pouts at Jack, clearly expecting a response.

"You should've come in."

"Nah, nobody would be caught dead doing that other than you three."

Camila's oddly silent. It's not like her, she's usually the most loudmouthed person in the group. I walk over to her, and we walk upstairs together, to her bathroom. I run and grab my own towel, and we sit in her bathroom, on the side of the bath, drying off.

"Celia said, before you went in, that you were all blank and she couldn't see any lights on. Is this true?"

Camila stays silent.

"You can shake your head, you know."

"I'm not allowed to tell you."

"Why?"

"I'll die."

"That's fun."

"Can we talk about something else? Chelsea was right telling that story. I think the game is-"

She cuts off abruptly, and I half expect her to clutch at her throat. She can't speak. Her mouth is moving and there's no sound. I shake her, not knowing what else to do. She motions for me to start talking.

"Camila, why'd you stay on Sam's floor?"

Asking her something seemed to be the key.

"To keep an eye. Seraph, you can't tell them about this. They can't know. They have to learn themselves."

"Okay. Is the game cursed?"

"I can't answer that question."

"Okay."

I run to my room and change into a fresh outfit. Celia, Camila and I drop our clothes into the dryer, and meet the others outside, back in the garden, back where we usually sit.

"Mila, you okay?"

"I'm fine," says Camila. "Ember, it's nice you care and all, but it's unnerving, so please stop."