Zenon's Game Chapter 211

"I'm ok, thanks. Food might be a good start," I said, though I wasn't convinced of it myself.

My stomach was still moving like jiggling jello.

But for the sake of having something to do, I walked to the kitchen. I used both hands to open the giant fridge and was blinded by the light inside. This hangover isn't going easy on me.

I pulled out my sunglasses and put them on. Then I braved the fridge once more and stared at the overwhelming amount of fresh produce. They were all chopped, washed or diced neatly into clear containers in the fridge.

I can't believe I thought Zenon's fridge was fully stocked. Zenon's fridge was to Bryce's fridge what my fridge was to Zenon's....

Ow, my head again.

"Good afternoon," a stately voice greeted me from behind.

I turned around and found myself staring at Mr Roland Chadwick the II himself. The myth himself. He's been an illusive and dignified figure so far. Now he was here: tall, in a suit and his moustache was perfectly coiffed. He wore a tie that matched the pocket square in his jacket lapel.

And there I was, in my fluffy PJs with hair that bore strong resemblance to a bird's nest. Not to mention that I was wearing sunglasses to stare into the fridge.

"We haven't properly met yet," Mr Roland Chadwick the II said, "I'm Roland Chadwick."

He left the roman numeral out of his name. Maybe he's being humble?

He added, "And you are?"

"Hi," I squeaked, "It's a pleasure to meet you. Candace Turner. Thank you for having us all stay at your house. It's a beautiful place."

Bryce's father nodded and then pointed to the fridge. I stepped out of the way as he opened it and pulled out a green bottle of sparkling water. In the silence that followed, I awkwardly stood there while he cracked the bottle open and the fizz escaped with a hissing sound.

I couldn't tell what was shinier. His watch or his shoes?

The front door swung open and Zenon and Axel walked in. They were in work-out clothes; Zenon wore a gray t-shirt and Axel a black gym vest. Their muscles gleamed with a layer of sweat.

"You've been at the gym, boys?" Bryce Senior asked with approval.

"Bryce gave us his pass," Zenon replied, looking hot and tired. He pressed his hand against the cape of his neck and it only drew attention to his biceps.

His blue eyes landed on me and I noticed his eyebrow raise ever so slightly.

I realized I was still wearing sunglasses and hastily took them off. Why is it so hard to read Zenon's emotion? Sometimes it pours out of him and other times, I feel iced out.

I've always admired how Zenon looks like a statue of a Greek god, but now he is a statue. Emotionally unavailable. I guess, lesson to me is be careful what you wish for.

Zenon projects an image of perfection and I don't live like that. I make mistakes and he hides his. I shun the spotlight and he grew up with it.

Axel came over, patting me on the shoulder. "How you feeling, champ?"

"Not great," I muttered truthfully.

He opened the fridge to grab Greek yogurt, "The best way to avoid a hangover is to get drunk."

I wanted to hug Axel. He was the one person here making me feel comfortable. I looked over at Zenon who was still talking to Bryce Senior.

Bryce's dad wanted to know all about Zenon's player status and recruiting schedule for basketball. I hear 'player' and think of something completely different...

Zenon glanced at me a couple times while he was talking. Was he annoyed with me?

Oma grabbed my attention. She dropped aspirin into a glass of water and placed it on the island in front of me.

I guess I needed it after all. I thanked her and as I drank the salty water, I saw Cynthia enter the room with a blue box in her hand.

"Mr Chadwick Sir," she said, offering him the box, "My mom wanted me to give you this as a thank you for letting me stay in your home."

"That's very kind," he said, accepting the box. He placed it on the counter and opened it.

We all peered out of curiosity. Bryce came over from his favorite position on the couch. The present turned out to be a blue wooden horse with red, yellow and white designs on it.

"Is it a decorative horse?" Bryce junior asked and dug his hand into the box. He pulled out a card that Cynthia's mom had written to his dad.

Though no one asked him to, Bryce read it out loud, "Hope this serves as a little reminder of home. Why is there a Swedish flag?"

Axel grabbed his yogurt and made a quick exit.

As everyone spread out of the kitchen like pollen, I walked down the hallway and up to my room. I heard footsteps behind me and turned around to see Zenon. No one else seemed to be around.

"What happened last night?" he called out to me.

It felt reassuring to hear his voice. Confident, cool and a bit irritated – like he used to be when we first met. But I was not ready for this.

"How should I know? I'm the hungover one," I answered, using my mistake as a scapegoat.

I didn't want to relive the summer camp days of our arguing. He had disrespected me a few times back then and it's only after he stopped that we started to date.

I'm sure Zenon's memory vividly relived every torturous minute of last night. I seem to remember sitting in the middle of a club's dance floor eating a burger.