Sore Loser

Charlie

The first open archway off the hall opened up into what looked like a library of mismatching bookshelves holding paperbacks in varying stages of disrepair. Some were missing covers and others were torn or stained or both. Area rugs of all different materials and color were scattered across the floor, as were a variety of bean bags. There were four kids reading and none of them looked up at me when I poked my head in.

I kept walking.

The second room I came to was more of a living space- like a TV room. There were several sofas, all packed full of teenagers. On the one wall was a massive fireplace that was presently turned off. Above it hung a massive flat screen TV playing a movie of some sort that looked vaguely familiar.

On the floor in the middle of the room was Benji.

He was sitting cross legged. Across from him were a couple boys, probably around fourteen or so, and the three of them were playing cards while the other kids half watched the movie and half watched the game.