𝔹𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕚𝕟𝕘 𝔹𝕒𝕣𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕣𝕤

𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕣𝕥𝕖𝕖𝕟

    Game night comes way sooner than expected. Before the games happened, we ate dinner. I felt like I was being forced to stay at the table with everyone else instead of hiding in my room, even though no one said anything of the sort. It amazed me that they were actually laughing with each other, rather than fighting or eating in silence. They actually seemed to enjoy each others company, which is something I haven't seen or felt in a long time. I didn't talk or eat much, but it wasn't as horrible as I expected.

    And then came the games. When dinner was finished, Medda went into the room next to the dining room, I assumed that it was the living room, and brought out many boxes of many different games, setting them in the center of the table.

    "Pick a game, boys!" She sat back in her chair while Jack, Charlie, and I made a mini-triangle, trying to decide what to play. Obviously, I didn't say anything to contribute, but Jack and Charlie decided on Uno, so I nodded.

    I have no fucking clue how to play Uno.

    Medda put the rest of the boxes back while Jack started dealing out the cards. "You know how to play, right Antonio?" I but the inside of my cheek and dropped my head.

    "It's fine if you don't, we can teach you!" Charlie interjected. Jack nodded in response, handing me my stack of cards. "Ok so..."

     After a few minutes, I finally got the hang of it. Medda was standing in the doorway, watching the three of us have a practice round. Eventually, she returned to her seat at the table, grabbing seven cards for herself.

    A few hours later, Jack and I are losing our shit as Charlie playfully yells at Medda for making him draw 4. For once, I felt like I belonged somewhere. After we played too many games to count, Medda said that it was late and we needed to go to bed. We all head up to our rooms. I flop on my bed with a sigh. I guess this family won't be so bad after all. Maybe I can actually stay here for more than a few weeks...

   No. NO. Scratch that. Antonio, you fucking dumbass! They just want to build up your trust so they can hurt you! I turn over and start punching my pillow. GOD. FUCKING. DAMMIT! Eventually, I fall forward onto my pillow, which drowns out my sobs. I'm not sure if the tears are from sadness or frustration, but I don't give a flying fuck.