Dragon Secrets

Chapter 3

Have I ever heard of this game? Of course not. These boys are very creative. I don't know how this game is played, but one thing's for sure: If I play, I'm going to be waking up with a pounding headache.

But I also figured that this is not the place to chicken out. I've had fun so far, why stop here? I'm making a promise to myself right now. From this point on, I'm not going to back down from anything.

"I don't know how to play, but I'm in," I tell Jc. Then, to prove that I want to play even more, I take the first sip of my beer. It's a small drink, but I tip the bottle more than I should. At first, the icy taste gives a chill, but then it settles in my mouth. I swallow it. The taste is not as bad as I thought. But people don't drink beer for the taste.

I face Cam, mentally telling her to follow my lead. She smiles at me and that lets me know that she got the hint. "Yeah, I'll play too," she agrees. Then she tastes a sip of her own beer. She takes in more than I did, but she grins afterwards. I think she actually likes it more than I do.

"Awesome," Jc says. "This is going to be fun. I'll explain to you guys and Jean how to play while the boys set up. But first, I want you guys to taste what we got at the Waffle House. Hold on." Then he goes to the kitchen. I just notice now that it's so convenient how his apartment is set up. The living room and kitchen are right next to each other without any doors or walls separating them.

He first tells something to Connor and Trevor. Then he talks to Jean. She follows him to the counter. Jean looks at us and waves her hand towards herself, motioning us to go over to them. We go and stand on the other side of the counter of Jean and Jc. Then Jc tells us all, "They are going to set up. While they do, I want you guys to try the waffles." He looks through each Styrofoam container until he finds ours. He gets four and spreads them out so we each get one.

As soon as I get mine, I open the top. There's four waffles, but they have something in them. I look at Jean from across the counter and she has the same crossed face I do. "What's in these?" Jean asks, sort of sounding disgusted.

"Well, you guys ordered what I got, so, we all have waffles with chocolate chips and bacon." Then he hands all of us a fork and a syrup sauce. We all don't find it appealing even when he explains what it is. He laughs. "Come on, just try it. They're good. Trust me."

This is such a weird combination. I look from my food to Jc. I glance behind him, and the rest of the boys are rearranging the living room. They are moving the couches and coffee table and putting the kitchen chairs in the middle. I then tell Jc, "I'm a vegan."

His smile fades quickly. He now looks shocked. He starts to reach for my waffles as he says, "Oh my God! I'm so sorry. I should have asked first. I'm really sorry-"

I burst out in laughter. "I'm just kidding." I reach back for my box of waffles. My fingers accidentally brush against his as he removes his hand. I wonder if he noticed.

Jc's smile appears again. "You're funny," he says in a sarcastic tone. "So funny that you that you almost made me feel like a dick."

Jean and Cam also start laughing.

"Anyways," he continues.  "Just eat your waffles. And I swear, none of you better say you hate chocolate."

"Oh," Cam says. Jc looks up, and Cam breaks her smile. "Gotcha." Jc shakes his head.

Now, I open up the syrup and pour it all over my waffles. Then, I take my fork and cut a piece. I hold the fork up to my mouth. I don't want to try it alone, so I wait until Cam is about to eat her first bite as well. I guess she has the same idea because she turns to me. So we both smile at each other and eat.