Finding our Oranges and Apples

 Darry was drained to begin with. Getting back to school and having the evening shelving position at the library had left him wanting more sleep. But he actually let Junie drive him to Millie and KC's. Yes, he was that tired.

"Just don't ask me to do to much," he shrugged once they got there.

"It's not like it's weight lifting, you know?" She smirked. "It'll be fun. We get to meet some of Millie's co-workers."

"Anyone else coming?"

"I don't think so?" Junie sighed. 

He caught her yawning, and it was infectious. Honestly, he wasn't up for any games. Actually, they never had time for game night at home. Maybe once upon a time. Back when his mom wanted him to spell more, there was an ongoing game of Scrabble on the dining table where they never dined. But he thought they sold it at a garage sale now.

Of course, Millie was happy to see them. Her co-worker, Crystal, was full of laughter. And then there was CW who didn't look to be relaxed at this event. But they shook hands. It was like shaking hands with a long-lost relative. Darry didn't really know his cousins. Most lived back in Idaho. But immediately, CW felt like a cousin.

He was the new cook at the Coffee Shop.

"I'm not sure I'm that new. I've been cooking all summer," he shrugged, a bit indifferent.

"Do you like it?" Darry looked at him blankly.

"Better than I thought I would."

Darry nodded. "I'm still at the library. Just shelving."

"You gonna be a librarian?" CW asked.

Darry cracked a smile. 

"All right..all right! You ready?" Crystal took the helm as the host with the most even if they were at Millie's. She was holding two oranges. 

Everybody stood to attention. 

"We'll start off with a vampire game," she giggled. 

Darry couldn't help but laugh. 

"I know there aren't many of us, but lets form a circle." She motioned for everybody to take their place. She told everyone to be boy, girl, boy. "I bet you've played this on occasion."

Junie nodded. Darry didn't know what to do. "Now the key to this game is..if we can make it all the way around without dropping the orange. We'll order a pizza. If you want two pizzas, then we'll have to go back in the opposite direction."

"God, can't I just order a pizza right now?" Junie pleaded. 

"Not yet." Crystal shook her head, no. 

Darry blew a breath. Crystal did have a way of waking everyone up.

"Well, I'm hungry," CW chuckled. "Let's get this game started."

"All righty then." Crystal put the orange in the crook of her neck and got as close as she could to CW to hand it off. And he did it. Everyone cheered. Of course, CW wasn't so lucky with Junie. It was going to take awhile.