A Dangerous Game •Jon Moxley•

40; Summer

"Wow, I can't believe we're graduated." Grace sighs, smoothing out her dress in front of the mirror.

"I know, but I'm so excited to start a new chapter of my life..I bet you and Jacob are too!" I smiled, spraying perfume.

"I'm a little nervous, and I know he is too, about leaving the house and all that.." She trailed, slipping sandals on.

"Well there's still time for someone to buy it, I think my mom said the end of the summer before the bank seizes it." I explained, eyeing myself in the mirror.

"And ontop of that, we're dealing with all the other things that come with moving to a different country." She grumbled, opening my bedroom door.

"Who knew moving to London would be stressful?" I joked as we headed downstairs. Jacob and Matt were playing video games and Grace joined them, while I went out to the kitchen.

My mother was mixing lemonade in a glass jar and yelling orders to the caterers. "Let me finish this, go do what you do best, micromanage." I pry the spoon from her hands.

"If you insist!" She scurries off.

"ASTRID YOUR BOYFRIEND'S HERE!" Jacob shouted.

"IM IN HERE!" I say, "AND HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!" Already knowing he means Rex.

"Hey, you." Rex smiled, sitting on top of the counter.

"Hey, I'm glad your here." I winked, pouring two glasses of lemonade. "Do you want to go outside?"

"Sure. El texted and said she's on the way with her family." He informed as we walked into the backyard.

"It's still strange to say that sentence, but in a good way." I reply, and he nods, knowing what I mean.

Tables are being set up under a white tent, and a separate tent was beside it for the food and drinks.

"Thanks so much for offering to DJ." I grinned as I watched him start to set up his station. I offered to pay him but being the stubborn man he is, he refused to accept money. I'd have to sneak it somehow later.

"Of course, I'm the only one with good music taste." He teased, poking my nose. "Speaking of El.."

He motioned behind me and I turned to see Ellie arriving followed by Danielle, Ron, Sydney and Tracey.

"I'll be right back!" I say, before rushing over to greet them.

"Hey bitch!" Ellie pulled me in for a hug immediately.

"Hi Astrid, here's your gift," Danielle handed me a gift bag. "We hope you like it."

"Aw, you didn't have to get me anything, but thank you!" I pouted, making a reminder to set it with the rest of the generous gifts.

"Where's Matt?" Tracey demanded, blowing a piece of bubblegum.

"Uh..inside.." I answered, and watched as she headed for the door with Sydney on her heels. Somehow her parents didn't get suspicious why she wanted to hang with a recently graduated student. Not my problem I guess.

"We're gonna go say hi to your mother!" Danielle beckoned Ron to follow her, leaving me and Ellie alone.

"So, I see you and Rex are back on, hm?" She nudged me.

"We've been talking..but I don't want to rush into anything, like I have before." I shrugged.

"Well I'm glad, you two work well together. Both stubborn and annoying." She stuck her tongue out as we approached him.