Never Have I Ever

Chapter 14

Thomas stands.

“Never have I ever done the cinnamon challenge. If we’re going with internet challenges, this one’ll do.”

I sigh and we make our way to the kitchen and find the spice rack. Ember and I start grounding cinnamon, and Celia prepares with the water. Mason just gets his phone camera.

Thomas grabs a spoon, and prepares to eat the freshly ground spice. Celia looks over in awe, perhaps? I’m not sure.

Mason starts the video, and Thomas swallows a few times.

“Holy crap,” says Ember, as he turns red. She moves over, as if to force water down his throat.

“You can’t help him. I don’t know what’ll happen if he doesn’t complete it, but I can basically guarantee it’s not gonna be cheerful.”

Either way, he swallows enough and puts his hand up. His voice is raw.

“I’m done. Stop the camera.”

Mason puts the phone down, and Celia hands him the glass. Thomas drinks the whole thing in one go, and smiles at me.

“You’re not the only one capable of viral internet challenges.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

After we make out way outside, Celia stands.

“Never have I ever climbed out the sunroof while driving.”

I sigh again and walk outside.

“You don’t have to drive.”

“I’m the only one of us who can drive. Now shut up and get in the car.”

“Chelsea’s car?”

“I don’t see my truck with a sunroof. Get in Chelsea’s car. I’ve got spare gas, I’ll fill her up now. Give me a couple minutes, okay?”

“Okay. I’m gonna work out how to control the sunroof.”

I grab my spare gas car from the truck bed, and proceed to empty it into Chelsea’s tank. Mason throws me the keys from the door. I start the car, and make sure Celia’s ready.

“I’m gonna circle the fountain. How fast do you want?”

“Fifteen miles an hour?”

“I can do that. Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

I start driving, and she fumbles with the catch. She manages to get the sunroof open, and start attempting to climb through it. After a few minutes, she’s about halfway. As soon as she manages to haul herself onto the roof and stand up, I stop the car. She slides forwards, landing on the hood.

“You okay?”

“When can I go again?”

“I’m never doing that again. I thought you would fall or something and I’d end up running you over.”

“I ain’t falling anytime soon. I know what I’m doing. Seraph, you just had to keep it steady.”

“I don’t care anymore. We need to get back indoors, get ready for the next set. Before anyone does anything stupid.”

We walk back to the garden and rejoin the group. Celia flashes a thumbs-up and Ember sighs with relief. I smile and take my seat between Ember and Thomas, where the circle’s shifted. Funny how it’s a test of friendships, maybe. The only people left have the strongest friendships in the group. Camila was our group outcast, and she died first. Chelsea was the outcast in their group, because she was never part of their group, she was from the previous.