“I’m telling you, Alex. In Uno, if a person receives a +2, that person should skip a turn.”
“That’s not how I play it” Alex frowned, “Where did you even get these rules?”
Logan threw his hands in the air, “The internet exists. You could find any reliable source that states these rules.”
“What I know is if a person gets a +2, that person could skip a turn by playing another +2 card. Then, if the next person can’t stack it, he’d have to get 4 cards in total.”
“No, no, no, that sounds so wrong” Logan ruffled his hair, “The real rule is the person that receives a +2 would get 2 cards and skip his turn. Then, if the person after him played a +2, the next one would get 4 cards while also skipping a turn. This is the universal rule!”
“Says who?”
“Says the Uno bot on the Discord App.”
Alex licked her lips. How could a bot programmed by random people be a reliable source? The two kept walking towards the exit. The crowd around them barely took notice of their argument. Yet, Logan acted like it’s a third-world crisis.
“Either way, Logan” she began to say, “I think I’d still win against you.”
Logan scoffed, “With what strategy? You can’t use the one you mentioned earlier because it’s against the rules.”
Alex rolled her eyes, “Uno is part strategy and part luck. I think my luck could overpower you easily.”
They finally reached the entrance of the school and stopped walking. Alex turned her feet towards Logan, holding her skateboard on one end with both of her hands while the other end landed on the pavement.
When the board made a sound against the cement, Logan glanced downwards. He had never paid it much attention before. It suddenly dawned on him that Alex rode a skateboard all this time.
Just how did that work? The roads had a lot of vehicles and the sidewalks had a lot of people. Logan couldn’t fathom how a skateboard could fit in between those.
He reached for it, “Give me that. I’ll drive you home.”
Alex instantly pulled the skateboard and hid it behind her back. She lifted a finger at Logan, “No one touches my skateboard.”
“It’s dangerous to skate around.”
“Only if a person is reckless” Alex snorted.
Logan sighed through his nose. How could someone be so difficult? He held out his hand, saying, “Hand it over, Alex.”
Alex opened her mouth, a look of disbelief on her face, “What brought this on all of a sudden? I’ve been using this skateboard for years. Not once did I end up in an accident or cause someone to be in an accident.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous” Logan pointed out.
“Anything can be dangerous if not used properly.”
Logan pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. He needed a moment to reign in his temper.
It only lasted a second before he let go and hissed, “Why do you even use a skateboard?”
“Because it’s cool and intimidating.”
“No, it’s not. What is cool and intimidating is a sports car.”
Alex chuckled without humor, “I don’t think so. That kind of car does the opposite. It attracts people.”
At this point, Alex sensed that the conversation won’t head anywhere. Both of them stood their ground. They’d have to agree to disagree on this one.
Just like they always did for most arguments.
Taking a step down the stairs, Alex said, “I’m goi—”
Her foot stopped in mid-air. She squinted her eyes. The school parking lot was wide. Walking halfway through it would take a lot of time. From this viewpoint, the figures may be smaller than average but Alex could recognize the blonde hair and the fashionable style anywhere.
Was that Emily?
Just when Logan was about to reply, he saw Alex stopped in her tracks. He had never seen her act in such a way. What could possibly startle her?
He followed her line of sight and spotted the big tree. He frowned when he noticed Jae standing by. The last time he saw his twin, he lost his temper.
Had Jae done something to Alex? Did she hide something from him again?
Then, Jae glanced their way.
Before Logan could ask Alex about it, she suddenly bolted and he quickly kept up with her pace. She headed straight for the tree with heavy steps.
Once they were within earshot, Alex shouted, “Emily!”
By the time Jae informed Emily about Alex’s presence, she didn’t have time to escape. All of her planning had gone down the drain. Now, Alex would drag her back to their aunt’s house and she’d never see Logan.
She turned at the sound of Alex’s voice, an explanation ready to fire out of her mouth. But it moved back in her throat when she noticed that Alex wasn’t alone.
Maybe her plan didn’t totally fail after all.
“Alex!” Emily beamed.
“Logan” Jae greeted his twin. If Logan came by even when he was around, that meant Logan had moved on from their argument.
And he should too.
“Jae” Logan nodded. He and Alex stopped in front of the other pair, boy to boy and girl to girl.
Alex tilted her head to the side.
“What are you doing here?” She demanded.
Emily giggled and skipped towards her. She wrapped her arms around Alex’s neck, saying, “Can’t I come and see my own boyfriend?”
Logan gawked at the two. Alex had a girlfriend? Wait, she had mentioned that before. He just didn’t think about it. Did Alex swing the other way like he first thought about when he caught her in a dress?
“You could have told me you’d drop by” Alex rolled her eyes. With Jae and other people nearby, she couldn’t possibly lecture her cousin.
Emily giggled again, “Where’s the surprise in that?”
Then, she glanced over Logan’s direction. The smile on her face widened further, “And you must be my boyfriend’s best friend.”
“No, he is not.”
“Yes, I am.”
Jae choked a laugh. It amused him to see them disagree. Somehow they get along despite how unsynchronize they were.
Alex glared at Logan who glared right back. Emily could almost see the electric currents between their eyes. They surely didn’t act like the photos Lauren took.
Ignoring their disagreement, Emily stepped closer to Logan. She took his hand for a handshake, “Nice to finally meet you. I heard so much about you.”
Logan broke eye contact with Alex to raise an eyebrow at Emily, “You have?”
“I have!”
“All good things I hope?”
“No, they were all bad” Alex cut in sarcastically.
Both Logan and Emily gave her pointed looks. Alex raised her hands in surrender, backing away. She got the message. They didn’t want her around. She glanced over at Jae who silently snickered to himself.
“Hey, Jae” she greeted him.
“Hey, Al. How’s it going?”
Alex shrugged and walked over to his side, “Nothing much. I see you met my girlfriend.”
“It was quite the experience” Jae chuckled, holding his jaw on reflex. He leaned in closer and whispered, “I almost mistook her for Logan’s girlfriend.”
