Chapter 14
Dinner at Tracy’s
CHARLOTTE
I put my phone away quickly, trying not to blush at the teasing note in Tracy’s voice.
“Hey, that was a group text,” I said. Why did I even need to defend
myself for texting my best friend?
“Was he in the group?”
“Well, yes,” I admitted.
“Same thing, then. So anyway, find anything you like?”
I quickly grabbed two figurines from Strike from Above and walked up to the cash register. Tracy gave them a funny look.
“Okay, what’s with the looks?” I asked as we walked out of the store.
“Those figurines look familiar,” she said.
Not wanting her to know I was into gaming, since that wasn’t normal for a girl, I replied, “I think they’re from a current video game. Maybe you’ve played it?”
“Oh, I don’t play video games, but TJ does. Maybe I’ve seen him playing it or something. Where to now?”
Hmm, interesting. I wondered if he really did play Strike from Above. A lot of video game characters looked similar, so she could have seen a different game that looked like it.
I noticed Tracy was still staring at me and realized she was waiting for me to answer her question.
“Let’s go there,” I said, pointing to a store that had jewelry and accessories.
After finding matching charm bracelets—one for me and one to give Tracy for Christmas—and some Roman symbols that matched our new merch, my shopping was done. We grabbed some lunch and then headed home.
“Oh, I know you said you had plans this afternoon. Want to come over and spend the night tonight, though?” Tracy asked excitedly.
“I’d love to. I can probably be there around five, if that works,” I told her.
“Perfect! My parents are gone again, so we can cook dinner. Do you mind if we feed TJ, though? I think he might burn the house down if he cooks for himself,” Tracy said, making me giggle.
“That’s fine. He doesn’t have to avoid me, but I do appreciate how sweet he’s being about not making me uncomfortable.”
“OMG, are you blushing? Remember, you have a text lover boy; you don’t need my brother too,” she told me sternly.
“TRACY! I’m not blushing. I don’t have a text lover boy. Plus, I don’t like your brother!” I exclaimed.
“Wow, calm down, girl. I was just kidding, but now I have to wonder a little based on that reaction,” she giggled.
During the drive home, we talked about what we’d be doing during winter break. I told her I would mainly be at home. The guys and I planned to make significant progress on collecting ticket pieces since the tournament was early March. I didn’t mention the practice or video games to her, though. Tracy said she wasn’t going anywhere either but asked if I wanted to spend New Year’s Eve at her house.
Apparently, her parents always went to an event for her dad’s work. She said she normally went to this big party one of the cheerleaders throws, but that she didn’t want to go anywhere with them anymore. I agreed to come over since I didn’t want her to spend New Year’s alone. My parents were bound to be going out to some big event, and I was sure the guys would all be busy that night too.
Once I got home, I quickly put away the gifts and logged online.
“Mars, you’re on!” Plut exclaimed before I even got my headset on all
the way.
“Um, yes I am,” I responded, confused.
“You’re never the last one on. Jup was complaining that you abandoned us,” Plut said.
“No, I wasn’t… okay, maybe I was, but just because you two were annoying me,” he conceded.
“So, why is Nep uncharacteristically quiet?” I asked.
“I muted him. He has a girl over and wouldn’t stop coming off mute,”
Jup said.
“Oh, okay. Does he ever not have a girl over?”
“That’s a good question. I’m going to go with no,” Jup said.
“Plut, please tell me your house and room will be a little less used? I don’t want to feel like I need a shower just stepping into it when we visit in March,” I said.
“Yeah, my parents would flip their lids if I did the stuff Nep does,” he replied.
“But you do the same stuff?” Jup sounded confused.
“Not at home, though. I stick to parties and their houses,” he said.
“Does that mean Nep’s going to have to keep it in his pants when we visit?” Jup asked.
“Yeah, but not just that, also because he is sharing a room with you, Jup,” Plut laughed.
“Ah, man, why do I have to share with Nep?” Jup complained.
“Well, I originally had Nep by himself and you and Mars together, but Mom insisted that Mars had a room alone for some reason. Sorry, guys, the lovers will have to be separated.”
“I guess she knows Mars likes guys, but still, I’d much rather him than Nep,” Jup said.
“Aw, thanks, lover. I feel so special now,” I told him. Obviously, I knew the reason Plut’s mom had me in a room by myself. She knew I was a girl. I was glad she didn’t tell Plut, though.
“Anyway, guys, I have to leave at four-thirty this afternoon,” I told them.
“Actually, I do too. I’m going to a party,” Plut added.
“Wow, I guess I’m the only one tonight without plans,” Jup said.
“You’re the new Mars,” Plut commented while laughing.
“So, am I the new Jup? I’m not sure I want to get drunk and text people in the middle of the night, though,” I said, also laughing.
“How about I stay home and get drunk? That way I can still do the
texting,” Jup said.
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.
“Hey, Nep, get your head out of wherever it is and watch the screen.
You almost let that soldier kill you.”
We continued to play for a few hours and managed to get the next ticket piece.
“Okay, guys, I gotta go now; I’ll be on tomorrow to play.”
“Bye,” both Jup and Plut said. Nep never unmuted the entire afternoon.
After packing a small bag to take, I got in my car and headed over to Tracy’s. She let me in, and we went up to her room to put my stuff down.
“So, what are we cooking for dinner?” I asked her.
“I was thinking something simple, so maybe fettuccini Alfredo with blackened chicken,” she suggested.
“Oh, that sounds wonderful; I love fettuccini Alfredo!” I exclaimed.
Since dinner would only take about thirty minutes to cook, we sat on her bed talking for a bit before heading down. Most of the conversation was her trying to find out what was going on between Jup and me. I wasn’t sure why she was so stuck on us having a relationship.
I kept telling her we were just friends.
This was a recurring topic between us. She was convinced that I liked him—as more than a friend, I mean. When I kept denying it, she shifted and asked if I liked her brother instead.
I wasn’t sure why she was so determined to make me like someone. I mean, sure, her brother was hot and Jup was my best friend, but I didn’t think I liked either of them as more than that. After all, I hadn’t actually met Jup, and I hadn’t even talked to TJ—so I couldn’t like them.
It didn’t really matter though, since neither one saw me as more than a friend.
After a long chat about my denial, Tracy and I headed downstairs to whip up some dinner. I’d always loved cooking, and doing it with Tracy was a blast. She turned on some tunes, and we danced and sang around the kitchen as we prepared our meal. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had so much fun.
As we were wrapping up, Tracy went upstairs to inform her brother that dinner was almost ready. I seized the opportunity to text Jup, not wanting
Tracy to tease me about it.
Mars Hey secret lover, you drunk yet?
Jupiter
Have I texted yet?
Mars
Good point. So what are you up to tonight?
Jupiter
Just gonna watch some tv and play some games
Mars
No hot date? What about that girl you’ve been telling me about?
Jupiter
Things aren’t really progressing there, but I’m trying
Mars
Good luck man. Any girl would be lucky to have a guy like you
Jupiter
Careful you don’t sound like a chick again
Mars
Sorry lover
Jupiter
I think I may add new best friend to my Christmas list. Think Santa can bring that?
Mars
You know you love me
Jupiter
Not like that
Mars
hahaha
“OMG, you’re texting him, aren’t you?” Tracy’s voice startled me as she walked into the room.
“What are you talking about?” I tried to play it cool.
“Either you’re texting him or you’ve reached a new level of weird.
You’re standing alone in the kitchen giggling to yourself like a giddy schoolgirl.”
“I am not!” I protested, a bit more forcefully this time.
“She was, right, TJ?” Tracy turned to her brother, catching me off guard.
I glanced over and realized TJ had followed her in. How had I not noticed him? Oh no, TJ was here. And wow, he was good-looking! He looked a bit surprised, probably because he’d never heard me speak before.
Wait, I’d spoken in front of him! Did I sound weird? He was going to think
I was so strange.
Can I just disappear now?
“Who’s she texting?” he asked.
“Her friend.” Tracy made air quotes around the word friend. Why did TJ look a bit disappointed when she said that? I just didn’t get social cues.
“Hmm, anyway, it smells good down here. What did you girls make for dinner?” TJ changed the subject, carrying some plates to the table. I was grateful for the diversion.
“Fettuccini Alfredo with blackened chicken,” Tracy announced.
“Wow. Since nothing smells burned, I take it Charlotte did most of the
cooking?” TJ teased.
“Hey, I can cook,” Tracy retorted.
“Of course you can, sis, of course,” TJ replied in a playful tone, making me giggle. I quickly covered my mouth, but not before TJ and Tracy turned to me with surprised expressions.
The rest of the dinner was filled with Tracy and TJ discussing their grandparents’ upcoming visit for Christmas and their plans for the holiday break.
It didn’t seem like they had much more planned than I did, although Tracy had mentioned earlier that they weren’t traveling because TJ had plans here. He didn’t elaborate on them, though. Based on Tracy’s description of him, I was guessing those plans involved a girl.
After dinner, TJ helped clean up before retreating to his room, leaving Tracy and me alone again. We headed to Tracy’s room and watched some TV before calling it a night.
· · ·
I woke up in the middle of the night, thirsty and needing to use the bathroom. It was still dark outside, so I knew it wasn’t time to get up, but I
couldn’t ignore my needs. I glanced at the clock on Tracy’s bedside table and saw that it was one in the morning.
After using the bathroom, I tiptoed down the stairs toward the kitchen to get some water. As I neared the bottom of the stairs, I started hearing noises.
“Dang it! Ahhh… Shoot… Come on!”
What on earth?
Once I reached the bottom of the stairs, I peeked into the living room and saw TJ sitting alone on the couch, engrossed in a video game. I wondered what game he was playing. It was definitely a first-person shooter, but not one I recognized.
I stood there watching him for a bit. He was good, but his team was terrible. They were getting slaughtered. As I watched, I noticed an opponent sneaking up on TJ from the side. Surely he saw this? I kept quiet. But as the player got closer and TJ didn’t react, I couldn’t hold back.
“Look out, he’s gonna attack you,” I blurted out.
