Page 9 of Playing with Fire

"I knew it!" Tristan shouts.

"Same. There was no way." Elijah agrees.

"Oh, shut up, El. I know I got you. I could see it in your eyes." I laugh, my oxygen supply waning.

"Whatever." I see him roll his eyes.

I inhale deeply to regain control over my breathing. You guys thought I'd take him to prom? I threw out a jab.

"And by that, do you mean me? Was that phrase about the most handsome and charming sexiest man in the world referring to me? His response includes elements of his ego shining through his words.

"No. I'm referring to the guy who is a player and a jerk yet plans to bring 20 girls to prom. That's what I mean by that." I explain, making myself clear. "Whatever, Em." He rolls his eyes before he leans back on the couch.

"Anyways..." Elijah diverts off our conversation. What benefit did everything achieve?

How could you guys forget what day it is right now? I give them all a look. I believe both Nolan and Felix should be aware because they demonstrate logical thinking. Only Nolan and Felix possess any logical thinking in this room.

Their laughter reaches my ears as everyone else looks at their phones after my remark.

"Ohhh." I hear Tristan come to the realization. "It's April Fool's Day." he laughs.

My performances are phenomenal according to my own assessment. I boast.

"Bravo. What do you want? An award?" Jaxon speaks quietly from the couch's far end.

After giving him a quick look I refocus on the rest of the group. "It looks like someone's mad," I whisper.

They chuckle.

Which picture did you prefer between the two options? I repeat my previous question to them.

Nolan points out that his favorite photo was taken in the end zone.

"Same," Tristan adds.

I look at Elijah. "Same."

Then, at Felix. "Same."

After finishing the count I get up from my seat. "Thank you guys." I pick up my bag from the ground and extend my arm towards my laptop.

"So you don't want my opinion?" Jaxon pipes up.

"Don't need it. Don't want it. I'm being honest here if I say that I don't care about it. As I started walking toward the archway I let out a small laugh.

"Fuck you." I hear him mumble.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to do that?" I roll my eyes as I respond to Jaxon by returning the insult he had thrown at me a few nights earlier.

"Emerson." Elijah snaps behind me.

I rotate at a slow pace to observe their reactions.

"I'm sorry," I lifted my hands in a defensive gesture. Sometimes I speak without a filter because I can't help myself.

I laugh at Elijah's expression. He gets upset whenever Jaxon and I exchange those remarks about each other. The reason behind their actions is clear but he initiated this whole situation, and I refuse to retreat.

"Just forget I even said anything." I dismissed his stare and began ascending to the upper floor. "You cracked me up yesterday," Felix said as we sat next to each other.

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