1. So, it's my older brother's birthday party. We are holding it at a cabin we have up north, and it is snowing. He begins to think nobody's going to show up, when the doorbell rings.
''Happy birthday, Lance!'' Yells Kaleb, tackling My brother to the floor.
''Rape!'' Yells Jaden, crawling on top of the dog pile. I watch to boys tussle, rolling my eyes. You smile, finding it entertaining. Jaden's girlfriend, Ashlea, and a few other girls Lance knew walked in. Following after them was Jacob, eyes on the floor. He was never one to go out of his way to make a scene, but you knew from experience that he was a fun guy when he got used to you.
Lance threw the two boys off of him, all three of them now sprawled on the floor. Kaleb tilted his head, noticing you and I on the couch for the first time.
''Hey, sexies!'' he exclaimed, winking at us. Ge sent a mock glare in Jaden's direction. ''Hey, not so sexy!'' Jaden grinned, punching him in the shoulder as they all began to stand.
''Stop goofing around, boys,'' Ashlea bitched, wrapping her arm around Jaden's waist. You were excited to see Jaden, but you stayed firmly in your seat. He hadn't payed you much attention since finding the 'love of his life', since she didn't like you. It didn't seem to bother him that his best friend was slipping through his fingers.
Jacob began to migrate out of the circle of people, hanging around in the corner of the room. You normally would have tried to encourage him to join the crowd, but you knew him better than that. He liked people, but he didn't like many people in the same place at the same time. It made him nervous and shy. You thought he had security issues, but had no idea why.
You stood, careful to send Jacob a careful smile that wouldn't draw attention to him. He nodded, thankful.
Kaleb shoved past you, shouting back at Lance, ''Hey! Don't leave your whore on the carpet!'' He sat next to me on the couch, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I inched away from him. ''At least give ______ a cardboard box or some newspapers?''
You glared at him. He had never liked you very much, and was always cracking jokes.
One of the girls spoke up, her voice high-pitched and twittery. ''So, what are we gonna do today?'' she asked. ''It's snowing outside, so...we could make snow angels?'' she looked around the house, disapproving of what she saw.
Lance grinned. ''Naw, we got something better going on.'' He pointed toward the kitchen. ''girls, in there. We need some...guy time.''
A few complained, but shuffled into the kitchen anyway.You followed last, making sure you would have the best spot to eavesdrop through the door. Minutes passed, three girls' ears pressed against the wood, but they were whispering, so we could not hear them.
''You can come out now!'' Lance yelled. We all tumbled out of the kitchen, excited. Lance was holding a black baseball cap, removed from the head of the girl who had suggested snow men. There were various items stashed inside, and they were seated in a semi circle. Although girls were normally fighting to sit beside Lance, they seemed hesitant, finishing the circle as far away from him as possible. You were left to the empty spot to his left.
''What the hell IS this?'' complained Ashlea, arms crossed over her chest. The pout on her face reminded me of a toddler throwing a tantrum.
''All night in heaven,'' Lance replied, winking at her. ''We have limited rooms, so instead of picking a friend, you leave it to chance! There will be two girls left over, since there's more girls than boys, and they get to be the losers to room together. Or lucky ones. I don't know how you roll, and I'm not going to ask.'' A few people laughed at him, and he continued. ''Since this brave little sugar sat beside the birthday boy...,'' He nudged you. ''she gets to go first.''
You shrug, reaching in the hat. You pull out...
