Bet on NFS:

The next day as I got home, I saw mom talking to Mrs.Black in our living room. Upon seeing me, Mrs.Black smiled amicably and greeted, “Grey, you should come tonight. Mai and Aunt Rose will also be there. All three of us are now neighbors, so I wanted to invite you all to a dinner.”

I glanced at my mom, and as since she nodded her head in approval, I promised Mrs.Black that I would attend the dinner. Between Aunt Rose was the name of the granny next door. I forgot to mention this, but we are the Underwoods. And, my full name is Grey Underwood.

I rarely used my full name. And even dad is usually called Frank by his friends; it was rare to find anyone who called father, Mr.Underwood. I guess we weren't close enough yet as the lady was calling mom, Mrs.Underwood, not Sia. Well, I didn't care what she called my mom, but it felt a little weird.

I went into the study and found grandpa reading a book. Seeing that I was back, grandpa gave me a kiss on the forehead and asked me, how was my day? Ignoring his question, I told grandpa that we might be going to dinner tonight over at Blacks.

Grandpa wasn't too surprised; it seems Mr.Black had already invited dad in the morning after I left to school and now, Mrs.Black had come to invite mom. Nodding my head at grandpa's explanation, I took out a popsicle from the fridge and started eating it before mom can complain.

My mom is usually an easy going woman, but she hated it when I didn't wash up before eating something. But, she was in the living room, and I was too lazy to wash up. So I took this chance and ran out of the house, to Mai's with another popsicle in my hands.

Mom saw me and my popsicle, but she couldn't shout at me in front of Mrs.Black. I smiled sheepishly and apologized in my heart before heading out. It only took me a second to reach Mai's house.

I pressed the doorbell and patiently waited for Granny Rose. A second later, the door opened, and I ran in only to find Rin and Kai sitting with Mai. A frown formed on my face as I thought of Mai's reaction yesterday. If they bullied Mai, then I won't show any mercy even if they are next door neighbors but blowing my fears apart, Mai called me cheerfully, “Ge, come. We are playing snakes and ladders. You should play with us.”

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Rin almost coughed up her orange juice as she heard Mai. This was the first time the twins heard Mai calling me Ge. Kai also looked incredulously at me. I ignored their gazes and sat beside Mai after giving her the popsicle.

Rin looked at popsicle and asked, “No popsicles for us?” I shrugged and said, “I didn't know you were here, and besides we aren't that close yet to share popsicles.”

Rin snorted, and Kai tried to calm down his sister. I laughed and took out my starting piece and put it at the beginning position of snakes and ladders. Rin finally calmed down but shot a glare at me.

“What?” I asked calmly.

“Let's us bet. Whoever beats the other team gets to order the loser to fulfill one task.” She said in a small voice which told that she wasn't going to back down. Kai wanted to convince his sister to let it go, but she was adamant.

I smiled and replied, “Alright, but there is no need to involve Mai and Kai. This is between you and me. We'll play, and the winner gets a wish, but the loser also gets a chance to request a rematch. How about this?” I had to leave a way out as insurance.

Rin considered for a moment and said, “Then let's play, but not snakes and ladders. Let's play something which tests our skill.”

“Oh!” I thought aloud. This girl wasn't all talk; she had brains to match her words.

“So what do you suggest?” I asked, completely at ease.

Rin snorted and said, “Need for speed. We'll race against each other in a time trial. That way, it'll be fair. Since it's game, you can't complain if you lose.”

I almost laughed out at her suggestion but managed to keep a calm expression. “Ok,” I said in a nonchalant voice.

And, so we decided to play a time trial. Being the gentleman, I was; I let her play first.

It was a track along the tropical beaches, and unexpectedly, she was quite good. Her concentration and technique were excellent, and Kai nodded his head in satisfaction.

After a while, she completed the race with a time of 8min 15sec beating the best record on Mai's PlayStation by a large margin. Lifting her head, she smiled smugly and gave me the controller.

Mai was worried, and Kai was anxious. I didn't observe it before, but this kid was more intelligent than his sister and thus was probably imagining what kind of horrifying wish would I ask for if I somehow manage to win the bet.

Laughing in my heart, I took the controller and stepped forward like a warrior. Don't laugh; even I feel silly about the whole ordeal now that I think of it, but at that time, I truly felt like a general with an ace card.