Chapter Twenty Four – X is for Xbox

We're on the road again heading to some college where Mark has a couple friends with an apartment off campus. Sarah knows the guys too. They graduated two years ago but Mark played on varsity with them their senior year at Paradise.

Great. More jocks.

Mark has the radio on and classic rock thumps from the speakers. Six rides shotgun next to him while I sit in the very back row of the mini-van with Sarah. Sam and Bernie Kosar are asleep in front of us.

Sarah leans against the side of the van. It's the furthest she can get from me. I feel bad about hurting her feelings but there's no way we'll ever get back together. I know now that I am in love with Six and whatever is going on between her and Mark is going to come to a very abrupt end if I have anything to say about it.

It's my fault that it even happened in the first place.

Looking back, it all makes sense and I wonder why I didn't figure it out sooner. The high school football team armed with guns. A dozen counties' worth of law enforcement appearing from out of nowhere. Hiding in the James hunting cabin.

Mark and Six in the woods.

Every time I picture them it makes me want to kill him.

Sam gave me the briefest of details, which he'd overheard when Sarah flipped out on Mark. Apparently she wasn't very happy about his new relationship with Six, either. Something about him being a hypocrite.

As the story goes, Six followed me to Paradise. She was on her way to Sarah's house to find me and warn me about the Mogs but then happened to catch up with Mark on his way home. He explained to Six what was happening with my Legacies and when she came to help me…

She sort of walked in on me and Sarah having sex.

Apparently we were so into it that we never even noticed her standing there.

After that she went back to Mark's house and enlisted his and his father's help since I "clearly had other priorities". They planned the entire defensive strategy together. She gave them the intel in exchange for immunity.

Let me clarify – her immunity. Not mine.

I'm still a wanted fugitive.

And the icing on the cake – Mark is the only person beside Six who knows where my Chest is hidden.

How fucking great is that.

We park in a crowded parking lot, backing into the space so the license plate isn't glaringly obvious. It's a short walk to the complex and three flights of stairs later we're there. Sarah lags behind. The deep gash in her leg is still bothering her. I tried to heal it but I couldn't. Our current theory is that maybe I can only heal those from my planet.

The others are far ahead of us. I put my arm around Sarah's waist and help her up the steps. We haven't spoken about what's going on with Mark and Six. Come to think of it, Sarah hasn't spoken much at all.

"You okay?" I ask her.

"I'm fine," she replies.

The apartment is easy to find because it's the only one without a front door.

They've removed it and are using it to play beer pong.

A drunk girl greets us with pack of red solo cups and directs us to a keg of beer. Six takes a cup and pounds down her first drink. Mark joins her and then refills both of their cups. Sam, Sarah and I decline their offer as we head into the kitchen. We're starving and the only thing Sarah can find is a case of ramen noodles.

"I'll eat anything," Sam tells her.

I nod in agreement.

Sarah removes four packages and dumps the noodles into a large pot.

"I can't find any bowls or spoons," Sam informs Sarah as he goes through the cabinets which are filled with everything except dishes.

"They probably don't have any," Sarah replies as she stirs the noodles with a strip of clear tubing attached to a funnel. "Go get a couple of the red cups."

I stand there with my back to the counter watching as Six and Mark take their places at either end of the beer pong table.

"I can't believe you've never played this before!" Mark says with a laugh. "Hey Randy. we've got a virgin over here!"

'Randy' comes over to the table with a bottle of liquor and a pair of shot glasses. I notice that one of the glasses has the image of a cherry on it and says Save a Virgin Do ME Instead. The other is a pirate head with "Surrender your Booty" written beneath. He fills both and passes the latter to Six.

With a smile she takes it down, slamming her glass to the table before Randy is even finished.

Mark smiles as Randy fist bumps him in approval.

I can't stand here watching them together so I join the party at the beer pong table. "I've never played either," I lie. I played a little back in Florida.

"You play winner," Randy tells me as he pours a shot into a red cup. I accept it and slam it down, all the while keeping my eye on Six.

Mark suffers an embarrassing loss claiming that he 'let' Six win. He gets razzed about it and ends up doing a shot. It's my turn at the table and I focus on Six.

"How about a wager?" I ask.

"What'd you have in mind?" she replies.

"Loser gives the winner oral."

"OOOOOOOOOOH," the group around us explodes as everyone whoops at my suggestion.

Six backs away from the table.

"If you forfeit, I win."

She shakes her head and steps back up to the table. "We play in teams."

"Okay?" I agree wondering where she's going with this.

Next thing I know Mark is standing next to me and a girl named, Nora is standing next to Six. As gentlemen, we let the girls go first.

Six makes the first shot and I drink. Nora also makes her shot and Mark drinks too. Six makes her second shot and so does Nora. As Mark and I finish our second drinks, Randy hands the ball to me. House rules state that you can only go twice.

I take my shot and the ball bounces perfectly in the cup. Nora picks it up and drinks it. Mark takes his turn and misses.

Six grins as she picks the ball up. "Reset please." She waits for us to realign the cups. She and Nora make both sets of their shots. Within minutes Mark and I have gone from ten cups down to two. The girls have nine cups left.

I make my shot and with the help of my telekinesis, so does Mark. Both girls drink. It's my turn again and I'm shocked when I miss.

"Haha, You suck," Mark slurs as he punches me. He's fucking drunk already.

I look over at Six and despite her innocent facade I know that she used her telekinesis to block my shot. She's in for a big surprise because I'm not going down that easy.

Six holds the ball in her hand cautiously aiming it at one of our two remaining cups. As she takes a bounce shot I discreetly deflect the ball and it misses.

"Awwww," Nora pouts.

It's my turn now and I release a fastball aimed at the lead cup. The ball hits the target splashing a little beer onto the door-table. Nora drinks. Mark is busy talking to someone and so I take his turn making Six drink as I 'make' another shot.

Mark finally realizes that it's our turn and like an idiot he throws two balls at the same time. Both miss – one actually hits some guy in the back of the head. Everyone laughs except me. I'm not here to have fun. I'm here to win Six back.

The girls agree to give us a do-over. And Mark (again with a little help) makes both of his shots. He celebrates by downing a cup of beer.

We've got the girls down to five cups but we still only have two.

Nora tosses the ball in a nice high arc. I watch as it lands in a cup. Cursing to myself, I know I should have blocked it – but I felt a little bad about using my powers on a slightly tipsy college girl. Six takes what she thinks is going to be the winning shot.

It's a perfect attempt. Everything is lined up and as the ball bounces up from the table I send it off on an odd angle and it misses.

"AWWWWW," Nora's hands slap down the table. "So close."

Six looks at me and I know she's caught on that I'm cheating.

But that doesn't stop me. In fact, I'm very surprised that Six doesn't attempt to block any of our shots the next round.

When the girls get the ball back, there's only one cup left on each side of the table. Mark has wandered off again and so I stand there by myself as Nora tosses the ball in her trademark high arc. As I use telekinesis to change its course, I feel a cramp in my intestines. I get sidetracked from the game as I contract my anus to keep from shitting myself.

In that split second Six has steered the ball back on track and it lands in the cup.

"WE WON!" Nora screams in excitement. She jumps up and down and throws her arms around Six, then she runs around the table and jumps on me. "OH, you are SO going down on me!" she says as she plants a sloppy beer-flavored kiss on my mouth. I stagger backward almost falling over the couch as I try to get her mouth off of mine. "Come on," she takes my wrist in a tight grip. "The bedroom's over here."

I look around for help and all I can see are Sam and Sarah looking at me curiously. Sam holds up a red cup and reaches his fingers inside showing me the noodles.

"Have fun," Six winks at Nora and I as she walks past us to the group Mark is now drinking with. There is no room to sit and I watch with growing anger as she slides into Mark's lap and steals a sip of beer from his cup.

She's known Mark for less than a day and she's acting like they've been together for months.

I'm pissed. Peeling Nora's hand from my wrist I whisper in her ear, "How about a threesome?" She looks up at me with unwaivering eyes.

"Guy or girl?" she asks.

I glance back to Sam and Sarah in the kitchen. "Guy," I reply.

"Ooooh," she grins at me. "I had no idea you were bi."

"I'm not…," I begin to object to her assumption of my sexuality.

He's adorable. Is he your boyfriend?" she continues as she points to Sam.

"Friend," I correct her. "We're just friends."

"Is he bi, too?" she asks.

"No, he's into females. VERY into them," I inform her. "Sam. SAM!" I wave him over. He has to step around a few obstacles and dodges a ping pong ball.

As he approaches us he offers a meek, "Hey," in Nora's direction.

"Come on." I grab him by the sleeve as Nora drags me into the bedroom.

"Uhhhh," Sam clutches his red cup of ramen noodles and looks at me. "What are we doing?"

"Threesome," I tell him.

"Seriously?" His brown eyes widen until they are the size of coasters.

"Hell yeah!" I try to make it sound as though this is going to be fun.

"You know I've never had sex before," he hisses at me.

"No time like the present," I put up my fist. He ignores it.

"Not cool!" He tries to get away but I have a tight hold on him. "Look, when I do have sex there's not gonna be another guy anywhere near…"

"I don't have time for your homo-phobia." I take his cup and set it on the dresser. Nora's shirt is already on the floor. Sam is mouth-breathing as he watches her undress. "Make sure you give her plenty of oral," I advise as he stands frozen in place.

Nora's leggings are on the floor now and she approaches us wearing only undergarments. She presses herself against me first, pulling my head down and kissing me. I can't bring myself to kiss her back. I turn my head and whisper in her ear, "My friend's a virgin."

She lets out a light giggle as she looks over at Sam. "Stop lying," she says to me. "He's too cute to be a virgin."

As she says that Sam's face turns redder than I thought possible. He gives me a death stare and starts to walk out of the room.

"Wait," Nora stops him by pressing both hands against his chest. Then she moves one of her hands to place her palm on his cheek. Her thumb brushes against the bruises on his face. "You get into a fight or something?" Now that she's close enough I guess she's noticing how beat up he is.

"Or something," Sam replies cowering away from her touch as he tries to leave again.

Nora stays in front of him blocking his path. She sticks her leg out and kicks the door closed.

"It's your dad, right?" She looks at Sam, and for as drunk as she is – she seems to be quite insightful.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Sam states with finality. He looks at me with an accusing "How-the-fuck-did-she-know-about-that" glare but I didn't tell her anything. In fact, I'm just as surprised by Nora's statement as he is.

"My dad used to hit my brother and I." She turns her body and shows us an array of scars where she'd been beaten with various things. Her brief descriptions of the incidents are horrific and I'm glad when she finishes. She looks Sam in the eye and tells him, "It doesn't get better if you don't do anything."

Sam bites his lip and for a second I think he might actually start to cry. I'm about to regret this whole threesome idea when Nora steps forward and hugs him. "Can you go get us a couple drinks?" she says to me.

I nod, thankful for an excuse to leave and check on Six and Mark. I know that it's pretty fucked up I care more about what Six is doing than a heart to heart with my best friend. But I have a feeling Nora is probably better at that stuff than I would be.

I head back to the kitchen where Sarah hands me a cup of the ramen soup. "What was that all about?" she asks.

"Just trying to get Sam laid. This is college after all," I say trying to keep the mood light as I tilt it to my mouth, taking in a huge mouthful of noodles. I watch Six as she and Mark play quarters against another couple. Six and Mark are winning – well, more like Six is winning and Mark is just there.

In a handful of bites, I've finished eating and set the empty cup on the counter.

"There's more left if you…," Sarah begins.

I cut her off with a hasty, "No thanks." With two empty cups in hand I make my way to the keg. As I do I make sure to position myself so I can see what they're doing. Aside from over-consumption there's not too much else going on with Mark. Six on the other hand has begun to flirt with the guy sitting across from her. He's making her laugh by shoving quarters in his nose and trying to exhale hard enough to shoot them into the shot glasses. When he finally does get one in – they tell Mark to drink it – and in his intoxicated state – Mr. Quarterback pounds it down without hesitation. I don't think he even realizes that he's drinking some dude's snot. Six is laughing again and it's loud and awful and…. I think I actually miss it.

The cups are full of beer again and I head back to the bedroom. I knock on the door before I open it. Sam and Nora are sitting on the bed. She's fully dressed and sitting cross-legged in the center of the mattress. Sam is sitting in a near identical position but he's leaning back against the wall with his arms at his sides. Their knees are touching and her hand is on his leg. Their conversation pauses as I enter the room.

"Thanks," Nora says as she takes the cups from me and offers one to Sam. He takes the cup and sips a little bit of beer. His face sours as he swallows it and Nora lets out a soft laugh. "The more you drink the better it tastes," she tell him as she pours half the cup down her throat then offers me the rest.

I take a few gulps as Sam continues talking. He's telling Nora about how his father disappeared. It's the same story he told me. I'm trying not to be bored but I can't help imagining what Six and Mark could be doing out in the other room. I finish the drink and offer to get more.

Sam hands me his cup as Nora moves onto her knees, crawling toward him. When her mouth meets his, Sam's eyes close automatically. I lift the cup to my mouth and angle myself so I'm not actually watching them make out.

She's sitting in his lap now. Her ass is in the space created by his crossed legs. She takes my arm and directs me to sit behind her. The she moves her hair off the back of her neck and pulls me against her. My lips collide with her bare skin as she leans in to kiss Sam again.

This is weird and I have no idea why I suggested this in the first place.

I back away from them – making the excuse that I have to pee – and then I leave them alone. I hope that Sam has the balls to close the deal with Nora.

Back in the apartment, the main room is empty except for Sarah and some guy who is busily screwing the front door back on the hinges.

"Where is everyone?" I ask.

"They went to Greek Row," Sarah replies.

"Hey bro, want to give me a hand with this?" the guy asks me.

By "give me a hand" he means finish the job so he can catch up with his friends. It doesn't take me long since I can hold the door with my mind and tighten the bolts quicker than any human.

Sarah sits beside me on the floor with a half-empty bottle of liquor in her hands. The label reads Sambuca. She notices me looking at her and offers me some. As the bottle nears my nose I can't help thinking that it smells like licorice. As it goes down my throat it almost tastes like it too.

"Good, huh?" Sarah asks.

"Not bad," I reply. "Do you know how to get to Greek Row?"

"Yes, but my leg hurts and I don't feel like walking that far."

"Oh," I frown. "Do you want me to try to heal you again?"

"Okay," she agrees.

We sit on the floor and she straightens out her leg over my lap. I place my hands on her thigh and close my eyes trying to concentrate.

Of course, all I can think about is Six. I wonder what she's doing on Greek Row. Getting drunk and flirting with a bunch of fraternity guys? What if she's playing strip poker? Or she's in a wet tee shirt contest? I swear if anyone looks at her boobs I will….

"It's not working." Sarah places her hand over mine.

"Sorry," I say as I try to shake off thoughts of a half-naked Six partying with swarms of guys. I know I have to get over to Greek Row so I start to stand up but Sarah's grip has tightened on my hand. I can't help looking down at our overlapping fingers.

"Don't leave me here." Her voice is small and sad.

"I need to find Six."

"But what if the Mogs come back?"

"Sarah..."

"I'm scared, John."

And then she starts crying. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't think about staying with her. Especially as she clung to me as though I was some sort of savior.

Wait a minute.

I guess to her – I sort of am or was, her hero.

In retrospect it was not a good idea to comfort her.

As I do – she leans in and kisses me. I don't exactly pull away at first. But after a couple seconds I do stop her and she begins crying again. She asks me a million questions about why I picked Six over her. Is she prettier? Skinnier? Do I like dark hair better?

This is probably the most uncomfortable I have ever been in my entire life. I'm not experienced enough to get myself out of this situation with diplomacy. For lack of a better strategy – I feed us both shots until she passes out.

Of course by this time, I am pretty messed up myself.

I stagger down the three flights of steps and fall twice. Once is on my back and I rip open the stab wound from the Mog's knife. I think I may be bleeding through my shirt but I don't give a fuck. It's one of Mark's stupid football shirts with Don't Sweat my Swag in bold print across the chest. I'm also wearing his jeans but not his underwear. I know beggars can't be choosers but I'd rather go commando than the alternative.

With no clue how to get to the campus I wander around the neighborhood asking random people for directions. I really don't remember how I got to Greek Row but I did. Walking down the block of large houses all lettered with large Greek insignias I knew Six had to be nearby.

But unlike movies which depict college as a constant party the scene before me was oddly quiet. So in the still of early evening I began to shout her name rather loudly. With hands cupped around my mouth to project my voice further I call out…"SIX!" a good half dozen times before she finally catches up to me.

As she storms down the street, her angry boots clicking against the pavement and midnight hair flowing behind her, I feel so helplessly in love. Even as she hisses "What the hell are you doing?" in my face – I know that she is my soul mate.

Unfortunately when I open my mouth to tell her that - it's not words that come out, it's everything I've consumed over the last few hours.

Things get incredibly hazy after that. So much so that I can't even begin to remember what happened. Or why I'm propped up against a bathtub next to a puking Sarah Hart.

Mark is behind her, with a handful of her blonde hair in his grasp. He's using her ponytail to keep her aimed into the bathtub. I watch as regurgitated ramen noodles in a stream of liquor rushed past me and toward the drain.

All I can smell is licorice.

My head throbs and I close my eyes. There are voices all around me and someone is rubbing my shoulder blade.

"Is he done yet?" I hear Mark ask.

"Come on, Cowboy," she says. "One more time."

My belly cramps and I throw up again. I slump against the cool porcelain beneath me as she wipes my face with something warm and damp. I try to talk to her, to thank her, but she shushes me. There is so much I want to tell her but I swear - I am my own worst enemy.

Times passes. I'm not certain how much but I know that I'm on the couch. There is familiar music and I hear Sam's voice muttering idle threats about "kicking ass". I turn my head to see him and Nora sitting side by side on the coffee table, game controllers in hand, as they verse each other in some Xbox game. Nora throws down her own threats – and backs them up by annihilating Sam.

He immediately demands a rematch.

Nora happily agrees.

Six enters the room and notices I'm awake. She shakes her head but I know that she's not mad at me anymore. It's more like "you're such an ass" and I agree with her.

"Move over." She sits in the corner and lets me lay back onto her. My head is in her lap and her fingers comb through my hair. As her fingertips touch my scalp I'm insanely turned on – to the point where the swelling in my jeans is starting to hurt.

She must notice because she asks, "What am I going to do with you?"

I reply with a suggestive, "I have some ideas."

Actually I have a lot of ideas. Most of them involve Six naked or wearing a red thong. A few involve food. There's role-playing. A bondage fantasy. And I still can't get the one with the mechanical bull out of my mind.

"I'll bet you do," she smiles back.

So here's the part where you review and let me know which kind of lemon(s) you'd like to see in the next chapter. Keep in mind that it'll be their first time together : )

Also, I have given a teensy bit of thought to continuing this past Z - BUT it's really up to those of you reading this story.

-Gemma.