A Dreamer's Journey

6. Unusual Birthdays

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"How many points did you get." Brandon smiled.

"I got two...three and a spade." Chase answered, seeming rather disappointed with himself.

"And you, Rob, what did you get." The boys laughed at that.

"Seeing as a man has no cards, a man has no points either." Robert responded, imitating a Game of Thrones character. At this even more laughter arose.

"What do you say we play another game? I see you boys still need to learn some manners." Robert added.

Brandon looked unsure about it but seemed to change his mind as a brilliant idea hit his thoughts

"What if we bet on this one?" He said. " That'll make it a bit more interesting."

"Bet?" Chase jumped. "We already lose a lot as it is. My intelligence's reputation is ruined."

"Chase come on. We all know this is a game of chance. Or are you scared?" Robert half laughed as he said this.

"Fine fine. Depends on the bet I mean."

"Okay here's the bet. Whoever loses has to sing happy birthday to one of the girl's underwear." The naughty smirk on Brandon's face was undeniable.

"And how does one aquire this underwear?" Chase seemed skeptical about the idea.

"You'll have to ask for it." Rob jumped in. His eyes beaming with excitement.

"I'm down for this. Remember you lost the last game Rob."

" Like I said. This is a game of chance Chase. Bran, shufle the cards."

Brandon shuffled the cards. He took his time to make sure that he dismantled the card's oder completely. Not that it mattered anyway but it was customary. He handed the deck to Robert.

"As loser of the previous game you shall have the honour of making the odds." He announced.

"Why thank you." Rob mocked, took the cards and cut them once then handed them back to Brandon.

Brandon handed out the cards. Thirteen to each of the players and one on the ground. Jacks, Jokers and other numberless cards of no use in this game. Street Casino they called it. Numbers would be formed and risks taken in a battle to gain as many points as possible.

And so. Numbers were formed, cards were thrown to the ground. Cards were taken from the ground. The boys' hearts thumped scared as odds danced between them, favouring and resenting each one with every turn.

It was a game of wits, skill, and most of all...chance.

It wasn't untill Brandon, being last to play, threw the last card onto the ground that the boys realised it was time. Time to count their points and see whom fate had cursed to carry out the agreed upon task. Chase was smiling. He had collected most of the aces and was sure that luck was on his side.

Brandon looked to Robert;

"How...how many spades do you have?"

"I have five...that's a point and an ace. Two points." He said hopefully.

"Ha! I have the ten of diamonds."

"That's two points. A draw!" Rob almost yelled this out.

"I have more cards than you, and an extra rwo spades. That's like half a point or something."

"What? We never cout points like that." Rob protested.

"I say we let Chase decide."

"Fine."

"Chase?"

Chase could not resist but smile.

" Well, you played with chance and she beat you Rob. You are the guy."

"Oh come on. I call for another game. One on one. Me on you Brandon."

" I don't think any of us would want to see that." Chase laughed so hard at that he actually fell off his chair.

"Chase that's nasty! You know what I mean."

"No one is going to be on anyone. But someone's panties are going to have a wonderful birthday song sung to them." Brandon was clutching his stomach which by now was hurting, unable to contain the bubbles of laughter that burst from inside.

"Alright alright. Enough laughing. I'll sing the stupid birthday song."

The boys walked out of their dorm amd followed Robert to his mission. He walked hesitantly until he came to a door within the girl's dormitories. A few individuals who had heard the laughter had joined the parade, their curiosity having taken them in.

Robert knocked...

Blake popped out her head and eyed the boys suspiciously. It made sense to Robert that Blake should be their target. She was the most goofiest of the goofs and would find herself caught up in the boys' meddling cases more than often.

"What do you want?" She asked.

"How do I put this...? I need a piece of your more private clothing."

Confused members of the ever growing group of students laughed at the unravelling of events. The ones responsible laughing even louder.

"A piece of-?" She clasped her mouth with her hand, giggled and blushed.

"For what?"

Brandon's hands were on his stomach again. Chase was leaning on the wall, his fist pounding it in disbelief.

Blake caught on to what was going on and shook her head.

"I need to sing it happy birthday." Robert said. Emphasising the 'need' for this to happen.

She seemed to catch on to what was happening.

"There's one on the line. You can sing to it to your heart's content."

She led him and the rest of the group to the line where her red panties hung drying.

"It had to be red." Robert mumbled.

More girls had joined the crusade. Cameras were up and ready. Robert opened his mouth but no words came out. A layer of sweat washed over his face and he laughed. He felt stupid. The whole thing was...ridiculous.

" I can't do this guys. No way."

"You've gotten this far." Chase encouraged.

"We could come up with an alternative." Brandon seemed to have brewed up another idea.

"Nope. I will sing." Robert said at once. He knew Brandon enough to know that any other idea of his would be more difficult and embarrassing than the first. Besides, the hard part of this one was over right?

He looked up at the pair of panties and sang. Laughter erupted and engulfed his voice making it even easier for him to continue. This was until the laughter died out. Slowly the whole scene became rather dull. Robert felt it first of cause. The singing started becoming embarrassing. Then very embarrassing. Until he felt ashamed and nervous. This was torture. And suddenly the feeling spread and the reat of the crowd started feeling sorry for him. He didn't lime this as it made him feel even worse.

Whe he asked the panties their age for the last time Blake shouted;

"HIP HIP!"

"HURRAY!" Robert cast out his arms as he said this as if throwing confeti up into the air. The groul found their tounges again and laughed. Genuine laughter rose again and the hesitant snickers dwere swallowed within.

Robert walked back into the crowd covering his face in a futile attempt to hide from the cameras. He walked towards Blake and as he passed her he looked to her and whispered;

"Saved my ass again."

"You owe me one." She said.

He sighed.

"Do you want revenge mate." Brandon patted him on the back as he mocked.

"No more gambling for me man. I've learnt now."

"Me neither. Saw that line of sweat on your face and decided against it." They continued laughing together whilst they walked back for another game of casino.

"No bets this time." Robert made sure.

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