Chapter 04.4

The next morning, I woke up early again. I went down to the newly renovated pool for a swim and made it back home in time for breakfast. Dad was already downstairs, and Mom joined us soon after in the kitchen.

“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom said. ”Looks like you’re getting back in shape.”

“Jenny chose friendship,” I said while eating. ”I’d be lying if I said I didn’t understand why she made that choice.”

“I’m glad you do,” Dad said, sitting down beside me. ”I figured she’d choose what felt safest.”

“There’s something I need to tell you both—but I’d rather Jenny didn’t find out. It’s important.” I could tell from Dad’s expression that he already knew what I was about to say, but he stayed quiet.

“I’ve transferred to the nearby university,” I said. ”I’ve already been informed that I’ll need to retake all my exams at the end of summer. So by fall, we’ll know if they accept me.”

“Why don’t you want her to know? It would make her happy,” Mom asked.

“Because until I’m officially accepted, we’re just friends,” I said. ”Even as it is, she’s going to make me jump through more hoops than ever before—especially if I want her back in my bed. I’ll be waiting longer for her now than I did for our first night together.”

“You deserve it,” Dad remarked. Mom simply nodded.

That afternoon, I went over to Brian’s—everyone was already there. We were just waiting for Jenny.

“Only one person left,” Brian said as he greeted me.

I said hello to everyone.

“You finally pulled yourself together,” Paul said. ”But now I don’t even feel like kicking your ass anymore.” He laughed as we shook hands. It was clear he knew about yesterday.

“Hey, everyone,” Jenny said as she walked in.

“Hey,” I greeted her. Our friends were clearly enjoying the free drama.

“Before anyone starts speculating,” I said, ”we’ve decided not to cross the line between friendship and something more.”

“That’s not what I heard,” Diane said. ”But good to have it cleared up.”

“Alright then, let’s get back to the game,” I said. ”Brian?”

“I just found this one,” he said. ”It’s a partner game. The system throws out random questions or challenges, and each pair has to answer or complete them. The couple that knows each other best wins. Sound good?”

“What does the winning pair get?” Diane asked.

“Let’s say the winning pair gets to make a public request at their own wedding,” Mayoko suggested.

“Not fair,” Paul said. ”Susy and I are definitely not getting married.” Jenny smiled at him—they really did know everything about each other.

“Good point,” I said. ”How about this: the winning pair can make a request at any of the other couples’ weddings—or from the guests. So even if Paul and Susy don’t get married, they can still be asked to do something as guests. And if a couple breaks up, they can still participate as friends. Sound fair?”

“What kind of request are we talking about?” Jessica asked.

“Nothing humiliating,” Jenny said. ”Jay and I already have a similar deal.”

“Right,” I continued. ”It could be something fun, like finding your partner blindfolded, or carrying something across the room on a plate. It’s up to you—just make sure it’s something you do together.”

“Let’s add a twist,” Daryl said.

“What kind of twist?” Aaron asked.

“Let’s say we can make requests from everyone who finishes behind us,” Daryl explained. ”So the last-place couple gets four tasks, the second-to-last gets three, and so on. Only the winning pair is safe.”

“I’m in,” I said immediately.

“But since we’re talking about weddings,” Jenny added, ”we should announce the request ahead of time. For example, I’d tell Paul that I’ll be making my request at Brian’s wedding. The couple should be informed too.”

“Fair,” Mayoko agreed. ”That way we can plan.”

“Exactly. We’re not trying to ruin the wedding—just make it more fun,” Jenny said. She really was amazing with details.

“Paper and pens for everyone,” Mayoko said, handing them out.

The first question was about the girls’ favorite colors. Only Aaron and Daryl missed that one.

“How could you say red when my favorite color is orange?” Diane complained. ”Like my top!”

“Sorry, but it’s kind of reddish,” he said. The guys laughed.

There were questions about pets—we got that one right too.

“Here’s the next one,” Mayoko read. ”We girls write down the most memorable thing from last summer. The guys guess. If it matches, you get a point.” Jenny burst out laughing.

“Once everyone’s written theirs, let’s hear the guys’ answers,” Brian said after a few minutes. ”Mayoko, I’m guessing… flowers?” he laughed.

“Yes!” she said, showing her paper.

“Jay? What do you think Jane wrote?” Brian asked.

“The breakup?” I guessed cautiously. Everyone laughed.

“Well done, pretty boy. That’s the one,” she said with a smile.

We didn’t get every point—Jenny didn’t know my shoe size, and I either didn’t know her height or she lied on the paper.

“Alright, final scores,” Paul announced, as usual.

“Brian and Mayoko won. We are the second, after Jay and Jenny, followed by Daryl and Diane, and Aaron and Jessica.”

“See, Jay?” Brian laughed. ”That’s the benefit of living together.”

After the game, we stayed and chatted for a while. Then I walked Jenny home.

“I promised Mickey I’d visit him this summer,” I said. ”Can I come in?”

“Of course. He’s been waiting for you.”

We stepped inside. Daniel and Mickey were playing a video game, and Mrs. Julie was in the kitchen. I didn’t see Dr. Cox or Uncle Steve.

The house had been remodeled since my last visit. Daniel and Jenny now clearly lived downstairs, with a newly added pantry next to the kitchen, while Mrs. Julie, Dr. Cox, and Mickey remained upstairs. The siblings had their own separate rooms, side by side.

“I brought a guest,” Jenny said with a smile.

The boys came over to say hi, and Mrs. Julie stepped out of the kitchen. Uncle Steve came in from the garden.

“Jay didn’t come for me,” Jenny said quickly, noticing the curious looks, and disappeared into her room.

“He came for me,” Mickey said proudly. ”He promised months ago.”

“That’s right,” I smiled. ”Shall we?”

We went up to his room and spent the evening working on his massive puzzle. Even his childlike observations had been missed over the past few months. It felt good to be back in this house again.