"No chance in hell."

"Don't be like that! This is life or death, ya know."

I gave Jackson a deadpan look before shoving the rest of my things into my messenger bag and trying to leave the classroom. He rushed to the door, blocking it with his body. "Move before I throw your ass out the window. Again."

Instead of moving, though, he clapped his hands together and held them in front of him as if he were praying. "Please! I'll owe you big time, anything you want!"

"Anything, huh?" I rubbed my chin, thinking over the endless options now available to me. "You're gonna buy me tacos every day for the next two weeks."

He visibly winced at the demand but nodded. "Fine."

"And every time you find diamonds in Minecraft, I get them."

"The diamonds, really? Those aren't easy to find, ya know," he complained.

I just shrugged, starting to move around him.

"Okay, fine!"

Honestly, I'm surprised that he agreed. I guess this is important to him, but why? I frowned, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. "Why are you so desperate? That's not like you at all. Neither is a group date."

Jackson sighed, his shoulders slumping. "My cousin has been chasing this girl since he was in high school and she finally agreed to go out with him... on the condition that I join them as her friend's date." He folded his hands behind his head as the two of us left the room. "She also said that we have to bring a girl with us to date her younger brother. I was gonna ask Keith to dress up like a girl but he's got a doctor's appointment."

"Glad to know I'm your second choice for a woman's role," I deadpanned, resisting the urge to smack him.

"To be fair, I don't trust you not to kill anyone. I don't have to worry about that with Keith."

I went to retort but paused for a moment and then nodded. "Yeah, that's fair."

━━━━━━༻❀༺━━━━━━

I stuffed my hands into the pocket of my hoodie, holding back a yawn as I followed Jackson and his cousin toward the restaurant. The other group was already inside, seated at a table near the back.

I glanced at Jackson. "Don't embarrass us, bro."

He scoffed at the implication. "The only one embarrassing us is you. Just don't kill my cousin, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah."

Once we sat down, I inspected my date. He looked young, maybe in his last year of middle school or his first year of high school. His hair was light brown, falling just above grey eyes. He was clearly shy, refusing to lift his gaze from the table. He was cute, sure, but I had no interest in getting to know him. 

I just wanted to get through the night so I could earn my reward.

The girl sitting in the middle smiled at me but it felt forced and fake. "Hi. I'm Cecil and this is my younger brother, Max. Max, say hi."

Max hesitantly lifted his head, glancing at his sister before looking over at me. His voice was soft, barely above a whisper. "Hello... I'm Max."

"Sup," I replied with a nod before turning my attention to the menu. Man, this place is pretty expensive. I should've added to the deal that Jackson pays. Talk about a missed opportunity.

"Is that all you're going to say?" Cecil questioned kindly, but there was an edge to her voice. She was clearly faking the kindness and it reminded me of Splenda. You know, that sugar substitute that is technically sweet but it's obvious that it's fake and not the real stuff.

"Yup," I replied simply, not even sparing her a glance. Do they seriously serve fried ice cream here? My small brain can't even begin to comprehend that. Americans, man.

I could feel her glaring at me, growing more intense as I continued to ignore her.

Jason, Jackson's cousin, cleared his throat as he finally worked up the nerve to speak to his date. "Cecil, what are your plans for -"

She cut him off as if she didn't even hear him speaking. "Max, why don't you tell her what you're interested in?"

I glanced at Jason, seeing his expression fall as he lowered his gaze to the menu. Jackson caught my eye, a frown on his face. He was super protective over his family and it clear he didn't like how she was disrespecting him right now.

"Oh, um... okay," Max shifted in his seat. "Well, I like to study. Especially history and I love to read."

So he's a total nerd, then. That explains the shy nature. I glanced at his sister. She was watching him closely with her hands clasped together against her chest. Something is hella sus here with these two. Leave it to Jackson to bring me into some weird ass shit.

"Do you read?" inquired Max, his eyes sparkling.

"I read manga," I replied, shrugging a shoulder. "I haven't read a legit book in a few years."

"What book was it?" He leaned forward. "The one you read last, I mean."

"Uh..." my brow furrowed in concentration as I tried to recall the title. "I think it was classic. Something about murder -"

"Agatha Christie?!"

"Nah, it was foreign. Russian, maybe?"

"Ah! Crime and Punishment! A true classic."

"Sure."

"Do you have a favorite book?"

"Case Closed, at the moment."

He sat back, head tilting to the side in thought. "I don't recall that book. What is it about?"

"It's a manga about a young detective who gets poisoned. Instead of dying, though, he gets turned into a younger version of himself. Now, he goes around solving murders while trying to find the guys that poisoned him."

"Oh... it's manga..."

I quirked a brow at his tone. "Yeah. That a problem?"

"Well, it's just..." he rubbed the side of his neck, seeming to have an internal debate in his mind. "Manga are not real books."

Jackson was about to shoot up in anger but Jason was quicker, grabbing the younger boy's shoulder and keeping him in place before sending him a warning look.

I scoffed, leaning back in my chair. "That's quite the elitist point of view, mate."

He frowned, clearly offended by the comment. "I am not elitist. I'm just stating a fact."

"Books are books. The definition of a book is, 'a written or printed work consisting of pages glued or sewn together.' Manga is a printed work on pages that have been glued together. Just because there's less words and more pictures doesn't make it any less a book than your novels. Not liking manga is fine, but don't be a dick and try to gatekeep people."

Max looked embarrassed, his mouth opening and closing like a fish as he tried to formulate a reply.

Cecil gasped, her hand over her mouth as if I had just insulted her mother.

Jackson looked proud, reaching behind his cousin to fist bump me which I returned. This isn't the first time we've faced off against some book snob that thought he was better than us because we chose to read manga instead of novels.

Honestly, though, I don't know if I should be proud of ashamed that I've memorized the definition of a book. Deadpool knows I've recited it enough times. 

"How dare you use such foul language in front of my brother!" cried Cecil, looking absolutely offended. "You should act more like a lady."

"You should look up the term brother complex."

Her brow furrowed in confusion. "What does that mean?"

I shrugged a shoulder.

The waitress chose that moment to approach us, a cheery smile on her lips. "Is everyone ready to order?"

After everyone placed their order and the waitress walked away, there was a tense silence that settled over the table. Well, for us four, at least. Jackson and his date were chatting softly with each other, clearly bonding over their love of working out.

Jason finally built up his courage again, a smile on his lips as he looked over at Cecil. "Did you hear about the new Black Widow mo -"

Cecil once again cut him off, nudging her brother lightly in the sight. "Why don't you tell her about your favorite book series?"

I scowled at her as Jason once again deflated, a soft sigh passing his lips. Poor guy couldn't get a break. Why does he even like this chick? She's a total bitch who clearly has no interest in him.

"Okay!" For the first time that night, he smiled brightly, his eyes alight like it was Christmas morning. "My favorite book series of all time is easily the Twilight series! They are so well written and -"

"You're joking," I deadpanned.

"Huh? No, I -"

"Vampires don't sparkle and those books are boring as hell." I stood up, smacking Jason's shoulder. "Look, bro, you need better taste because these two are whack as hell. You deserve better. I say we blow this joint and go get tacos instead."

Jason bit his lip, brown eyes glancing between Cecil and me. 

"You are so rude!" snapped Cecil as she stood up, as well, slapping her hand on the table. "You've been rude to Max all night and I -"

"Rude?" I scoffed in reply. "Bitch, you've been ignoring your date all night and every time he tries to talk to you, you cut him off. At least I'm not acting like your brother doesn't fucking exist."

She gasped dramatically, quickly covering her brother's ears. "Watch your mouth! He is young and impressionable and -"

"He's a fucking teenager. He's heard worse in the school bathroom, I can guarantee it."

For the first time that night, she turned her attention to Jason. "This is who you call a friend? Honestly, Jason, I thought you had better standards than that."

Jason slowly stood up, pulling out his wallet and setting a wad of cash on the table. "I do, which is why I'm not going to chase after you any longer. I'd much rather spend time with her than you." He slipping his hand into my outstretched one before pulling me toward the door.

I smirked at her over my shoulder, adoring the flabbergasted look she had on her face. 

The air outside was humid, as usual, the sky dark and the moon bright. For a moment, we just walked down the street side by side. I glanced at him, taking in his frown and furrowed brow.

I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly. "Sorry. Guess I ruined your date, huh?"

He shook his head, smiling softly at me. "No, you didn't. I appreciate you standing up for me."

"Hey, you're Jackson's family which makes you my family, too. I'll always go to bat for you, man." I paused in thought before adding, "Unless you need me on a Sunday because that's when they play reruns of Murder, She Wrote and I can't miss that."

Jason laughed, throwing his arm around my shoulder. "Thank you. I'll make sure I never need you on Sundays."

Footsteps approached and I glanced over my shoulder, seeing Jackson jogging toward us with a pout on his lips. "I can't believe you guys left me alone with them. Cecil chewed me out!"

"Shoulda left with us," I shrugged.

"I was having fun with Jessica," he groaned. "She loves to work out and she hates the paranormal. She's perfect!"

"Did you get her number at least?" questioned Jason.

"No. I asked for it but Cecil stared her down until she refused. That woman is coocoo for cocoa puffs."

"If you ever say that again in my presence, I'll kill you," I sent him a deadpan look but he just stuck his tongue out at me, not the least bit bothered by my threat.

"Bring it. Any time, any where."

I considered it for a moment before sighing. "Nah, I'm too tired."

He snorted in disbelief.

Jason smiled warmly, throwing his arms around our shoulders. "Who wants ice cream?"

"Eh, I don't know."

"It's pretty late."

"I'm paying."

We exchanged a grin, "We're in!"

Jason shook his head, unable to hold back his smile. "You two are too much."