The Game We Play

Chapter Twelve

"Hey- where's Laurence?" a boy asked.

"He's sick today." Charlie replied. "The dumbass decided decided to walk Maia home. In the rain. Like an idiot."

"Classic." he laughed. "I need to give him back his laptop though, he lent his to me while mine was in the shop."

"Do you have it on you?" Charlie asked.

"I do! Why?"

"We live in the same neighborhood. Want me to take it to him?" he said, smiling at the boy's energy.

"That'd be perfect!" he said, unzipping his backpack and taking out the computer.

"You owe me one Nigil." Charlie said, smiling as he took the laptop. "You can pay me back by snagging me some of your sisters brownies- the girl can bake!"

"Mission accepted!" Nigil exclaimed happily. "See you at lunch!"

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"Hey, should we snag Laurence? He must be bored considering it's been a three day weekend and we haven't hung out." Charlie suggested.

Ash rolled her eyes. "Think he can keep it PG for Trina?"

"Uh... he can try. Plus, he knows if he steps too far out of line I'll kick his a-" he stopped for a second and glanced at Trina. "...butt."

The girl giggled at her brother's slip.

"Maybe Laurence isn't the one we have to worry about." Ash said with a laugh.

"Well, either way his house is right there." Charlie said, pointing at a nearby brick house.

The three had only been walking for a minute max- those two really did live close together.

"How surprised do you think he'll be if I knock on his door?" Ash asked.

"Considering you've never been here before? I'd say very."

Ash smiled mischievously as she walked up the front steps and rang the doorbell.

"Who is it?" a woman's voice responded.

"I think that's his mom." Charlie told her.

"It's Ash! Is Laurence home?" she yelled through the door.

"Oh! You're the girl he always talks about!" the woman opened the door. "It's so nice to finally meet you dear. I'll be right back." she walked back into the house leaving the door wide open.

"She seems nice." Ash said, a subtle sadness in her voice.

"Oh, she is. Anytime I come over, she bakes cookies for us. She's the nicest woman I've ever met." he responded with a smile.

Suddenly a boy with dark black hair and gray-blue eyes came to the door.

"Look, Charlie you need to give me some war-" he stopped as he saw Ash. "Uh- why are you here?"

"We're gonna go get groceries for Charlie's house. Want to come?" she asked.

Before he could respond, he was lovingly mauled by a small girl.

"Oh god... Hi Trina..." he wheezed.

"Laurenz!" she yelled as she hugged him harder.

"I guess it's settled bud, you're coming with us." Charlie laughed.

"Laurenz can I haves a piggyback ride?" she asked as she released him, giving him her biggest puppy-dog eyes.

He groaned. "Fine."

"Yay!" she yelled. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Ash laughed at her endless energy. Charlie was trying to hold it in, but ended up snickering anyways.

"You owe me Charlie." Laurence said grouchily.

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More of a fun expositional chapter this time. Poor Laurence can never escape his fate. Please comment and vote if you like the story- it really does help. Stay safe everyone!