Junebug - (On Hold)

Ch. 4 - The Living Room

As soon as Xander stopped admiring the carpet we all migrated toward the living room. I was tired from my drive and the guys were eager to hang out after the months we had spent apart.

The couch was inviting as I sat down at the far end, only to be pushed to the middle by Xander and sandwiched between him and Miles. Finn looked peeved that he didn't get to sit beside me as he settled onto the other end of the couch. I am sure we looked ridiculous; the four Jacobs siblings, three of which being nearly full grown men, squished on the too small couch, but it was comfy, so the haters can back off.

"So," Finn said, drawing out the o, "Movie? Game? How do you guys want to kick off this summer to end all summers, eh?"

I had no ideas to offer, so I figured I would just sit back and let the guys decide what to do. Seemed that Xander and Miles had nothing to offer either, so after a few moments of indecisive silence Finn sighed and muttered something along the lines of, "You guys are no help at all". Despite his grumbling, inspiration had obviously struck him without our help because his eyes lit up with a mischievous glint as he shot up off the couch and made his way to the TV stand.

"I think it is time we had a little COD rematch, don't ya think boys?"

Both Miles and Xander offered their agreement on either side of me. I, however, was not so quick to agree.

"You guys all know I hate Call Of Duty! I suck at it and every time I try to get better Finn just stalks me and blows up my head!"

Miles just chuckled beside me as he handed me a controller.

"I'm sorry, Juniper, but that is what happens when you play with the pros," Miles stated with little remorse in his voice, "Do you remember all the controls or do you need a refresher?"

Staring at the buttons on the controller, I assured him that it would all come back to me once we began the game. I had to wait at least 15 minutes before the game actually began, however, because all of the boys insisted on manually selecting all of their weapons and gear before we could get started. They asked if I wanted to change anything, so I just shrugged and clicked on the coolest looking weapons. It is not like it matters which I choose, a gun is a gun, right?

Wrong. Apparently I had chosen a sniper rifle which the guys had somehow failed to warn me about when I chose my gear. Xander had drawn the short end of the stick and was on my team. Poor boy. He was trying to control his laughter as he watched me attempt to centre Miles's character on my screen, which resulted in me wildly spinning and aiming practically everywhere except at him with the stupid magnified scope.
It is safe to say Miles was out of there before I could get him in my sights. At least he was nice enough to spare me.

Finn practically giggled on the other end of the couch. Nudging Miles he whispered, "dude, watch this".

And all of a sudden my screen was filled with a flashing bright light and my little fighter dude got shot in the head. Dang. Turns out Finn was standing, quite literally, right behind me that whole time. He wasn't as nice as Miles.

"Xander! Dude where are you? I thought we were a team! I am dying out here!"

I watched with a smirk as Xander took out Finn and then Miles, both with the span of 30 seconds. Ah, sweet revenge.
"Sorry it took so long, Junebug, you were just too cute spinning around with your little sniper rifle and I had to give you a chance to prove yourself to those brutes," Xander said with a smile stretching across his face.

"Pfft! Who cares about proving themselves? I have been AVENGED! That is what you get for messing with the true master my dud-"

My speech of victory was cut short as I watched my guy get killed once again by Finn on the screen. This went on for quite some time; Miles or Finn kills me, Xander hunts them down, I rub their faces in Xander's awesomeness, I get killed again. But, I did manage to snipe Miles from the balcony of a building once, and the look on his face was priceless. Xander gave me a high-five and let out a "Woohoo!" So loud I am sure all the neighbours heard. Guess he is proud I finally figured out which button meant shoot.

In the end, Finn and Miles won, despite Xander's ninja-ness. He got over 100 kills, but I was killed over 100 times so it kinda cancelled out...

We eventually turned off the video game so we could eat some supper and chill for a while before heading to bed. The boys gave me the choice of either sleeping in Finn's room or out on the couch, I figured we could all use some space if I am spending two months here, so I opt for the couch. The boys seem uncomfortable with the idea of having a girl sleeping on the couch instead of on a real bed, but I assure them numerous times that I truly don't mind. I've always kind of liked sleeping out in the living room anyway. We used to have sleepovers when we were kids, just the four of us, and I always seemed to sleep better out there than in my room, surrounded by memories of games and movie nights and my brothers.

So, yeah, I really don't mind the living room.

It has always been my favourite room of a house, the living room. It's where real life happens. It is where way too many people squish themselves on a worn down couch and lose track of the time as they simply exist in each other's presence. Sure a bedroom allows solitude and the kitchen promises snacks, but the living room, for me, has always been the room that brings a family together and helps them feel comfortable and loved. I love being in the living room.

Even if it means getting destroyed at Call of Duty by my brothers.