**Sang**

"So who goes first?"

We were now seated in a loose circle on the floor after having put the pizza boxes away, and pushing the couches and chairs back. Ryan and I leaned against one of the couches side by side, with Jaelyn on my left. Next to Jaelyn were the twins, Zerric, then Darren, then Corey, Raven, Marissa, Axel, Luke, Gabriel, Brandon, and Marc. Thankful for Ryan and Jaelyn being my barriers against the guys, I didn't worry about answering Gabriel's question.

"Normally we play elimination rock, paper, scissors until we have a winner."

"How do you play elimination rock, paper, scissors?" Luke asks.

"You play one round of rock, paper, scissors, with the person next to you, and then the winners play against each other, and so on until we have one winner." Jae answers.

"Alright, let's do this shit!" Gabriel cheers.

Barely restraining my eyeroll, I turn to Ryan, as Jae turns to Zerric, and we start the mini-game. Ryan chooses paper, beating my rock, and then the second round begins. Since Raven sat out the first round, he now plays with Corey, while Jae and Ryan play, along with Marc and Gabe, leaving Axel to sit out this round. Ryan, Gabriel, and Corey win. Corey turns to Axel, while Ryan turns to Gabriel, a fierce look on each of their faces that I know goes beyond the game. Axel beats Corey, and Ryan beats Gabriel, leaving a smug look on his face that I try to ignore. In the end, Ryan's the winner and he leans back next to me as he thinks of who to pick and what to say.

He gets a mischievous gleam in his eye as he looks over at Marissa.

"Riss, Truth or Dare?"

"Ugh, Dare," she responds, rolling her eyes slightly.

Ryan smirks. "I dare you, to grow a pair of lady balls and call Karen. Right now, and have the phone on speaker."

"Ry," Riss says with a sigh. "Do you always have to be such a dick?"

"This needs to be done Riss," I add, trying to make her more comfortable.

"You know they're right," Jae agrees. "Want some liquid courage?"

"I'm sorry, maybe we're missing something," says Corey, his face scrunched up slightly. "What's going on with Karen and Riss? I thought she was still with that chick on the 10th floor."

I decide to fill them in while Jae and Riss head to the kitchen for some liquid courage. "Long story short, the dumb bitch cheated on Karen. Karen came to stay with us and a few days ago Riss kinda told Karen she has feelings for her."

"Kind of being the operative word," Riss says as she sags back into her seat. "I know that she's still going through it because of this chick, it's not like I said I wanted her to jump in bed with me that second. Just that I wouldn't want to leave her if I ever developed super powers. Don't ask." She shakes her head at the many confused looks going around the room.

"Bottom line," Ryan interjects. "Things have been tense around the house for the last couple of days and I'm tired of it."

"It's not just you who lives in the house Ry," I chide him with a narrowed gaze.

"I know, the twins are sick of it two."

"Guys?" Riss and Jae look towards the twins with small frowns.

"It's nothing personal Riss," Zerric starts.

"We just feel like we're walking on eggshells," Darren continues.

"And it's our house!" Zerric finishes.

"We're sorry," they say together.

Man that twin thing is weird.

"No," Riss shakes her head. "You guys are right. It's our house, and she's a guest. You shouldn't have to walk on eggshells around us." Taking a deep breath, assumably for courage, she dials Karen's number and puts the phone on speaker.

"Hello?" Karen voice come out through the phone.

"Hey, Karen."

"Marissa," she hesitates. "Hey. What's up?"

"We need to talk about what happened the other day. I'm tired of things being awkward between us."

"Riss," Karen starts. "I didn't...I wasn't...I love you!" she blurts.

Wide eyes and stunned faces are on every face in the room, Marissa's included.

"Whhhh," Ryan whistles lowly. "I was not expecting that."

"Riss?" Karen's voice comes through the speaker, snapping Marissa back to attention. She swipes the phone up off the floor, takes it off speaker, and high tails it down one of the hallways, the sound of a door closing in her wake.

"Well,"Luke muses. "That was unexpected."

"We should probably continue without her," I comment. "Ry, pick again."

"Alright," he nods. "Gabe, truth or dare?"

"Dare."

"Sweet. Sang says you like music right?"

"Yeah," Gabriel agrees hesitantly.

"Ok, so I dare you to dance to the last song Jaelyn listened to. You can even recruit Luke to help you."

"How generous," Luke frowns.

"What can I say, I'm feeling magnanimous," Ryan smiles.

"We'll do it," Gabriel announces.

"What?" Luke's eyes widen at Gabriel's statement.

"You heard me. We aren't afraid. Lay it on us Jaelyn, what was the last song you listened to?"

"You sure you ready for this?" Jaelyn asks.

"Lay it on me."

"Flawless, by Beyonce."

"Oh fuck."

Oh fuck indeed.