A few days later...

I felt so at peace. Things seemed to be falling into place. Everyone sat around the table, the board game pieces dancing across the colorful mat. Asada and Hudson sat on the couch, Sammy in the kitchen grabbing some more snacks for the group. Gage was plopped on a red beanbag chair on the opposite side of the coffee table. I found myself standing, staring at everything around me. Things felt safe with all of my friends and I was glad we were finally able to get to a place like this.

Sammy comes skipping back into the living room, plopping down next to Hudson. He leans into her slipping his arm around her shoulder before planting a delicate kiss on her cheek. I shudder slightly still not used to the idea of her with Asada's brother. Things had happened quickly and she seemed really excited about it.

I glance at Gage. Things were still weird between us. The longing to be with each other but not knowing if the other felt the exact same way. I closed the distance between the two of us as he opens his arms pulling me into him on the beanbag. I sunk into his sweet cologne as Hudson made his move in the game.

"You guys better start paying attention, I'm kicking all of your butts," He teases as he moves the green piece closer to the finish line in our game of life. I found it ironic that we were playing a game about life. The idea of this being what people were actually supposed to do. When it was my turn I leaned forward flicking the spinner watching as it rotated against the contrasting colors. When it finally stopped it landed on the number seven. Moving the blue piece around the board until I landed on a blank spot.

"Payday!" I shout, fist bumping the air. This was probably the best alternative that could have happened to me at the moment. Not having to pay a bunch of money and I passed a Payday. Asada counted out some money handing it to me before Gage took his turn.

"This game is getting so old," Sammy chuckles.

"Really, we used to play this game like once a year. My mother always hated how long it was. She said it was like an actual lifetime just to get through a game," Hudson teases Sammy.

"It kinda is though," Asada adds in.

"Oh come on, we have only been playing for two and a half hours," Gage tries to defend the game. I knew he was doing that for me since I had chosen the game. I could tell he too was getting tired of playing the same game for so long.

"Exactly and how many games had be gotten through?" Asada responds.

"Two," I mumble. They were right, this game did take a really long time to get through but it was my favorite.

"Come on guys, we are almost done with this round and when I take my next turn I'm willing to bet that I will win," Sammy teases as she spins the spinner. The white needles dances yet again until it lands on the number one. Sammy's shoulder immediately shrink as she moves her piece to the next spot. Not only was she not going to win but she was no in loads of debt.

"Looks like you have to sell your house for way cheaper than market value and move into a small single bedroom with your five kids, phew. Hudson, you better get out of there now," Asada jokes as she leans forward to take her turn. Sammy huffs as she switches her cards around handing in most of her cash.

"I hate this game," She gripes. Hudson chuckles as she watches Asada move her car to the next designated spot on the board.

"A new baby!" I joke as her face fades to a bright red.

"Looks like you should have put your money where your mouth is, money please?" Hudson holds his hand out waiting for her to hand him the cash she owed him.

"This is rigged," She groans.

It was my turn again. I leaned forward spinning the spinner until it stops. My heart jumps in my chest as it stops on the number eight. Moving my car all the way to the finish line I jump up from my seat.

"Finally, I win something!" I shout in excitement, a sudden flush of heat rises in my cheeks as I realized how lame I probably looked in this very moment. I couldn't help how excited I was about winning though. Growing up Sammy or my mother had always won when we played any sort of game. Life was the only one I seemed to have a chance at. I collapse back into my seat as Gage lets out a huff of air.

"I guess that wraps that up. I'm not really in the mood to play that anymore," Hudson leans forward looking at the board.

"What you don't want to play for second place?" Asada questions, pulling her phone out of her pocket checking it quickly before putting it back.

"I see no reason to," Sammy groans, still frustrated by her last move.

Gage sighs as Hudson begins picking up all of the pieces of the game. Asada fiddles with her nails seeming distant from the room. Once the game was all cleaned up we sat in silence for what felt like a century. We were all still trying to get used to each other. There was beauty in the new friendship, but it felt like there was still some hostility between the two groups.

"What do you guys want to do now?" Sammy pipes in, her voice shockingly loud against the silence. Asada jumps in her seat her eyes finally leaving her nails as she looks up at the redhead on the couch with her.

"Why don't we all go for a swim?" I interject.