#kick ghosts

The two of you sat on the ground, the thickness of your pants and heavy boots protecting your skin from its cool surface. There were two stacks of cards between you and Kick. One stack face down, the Uno logo facing upwards, that you would pick from when you needed more cards. The other face up, cards being stacked every turn and changing color or number. The stacks were about even at this point, thanks to you picking up so many to try to get back at Kick for his +2’s and +4’s and color-changing cards. He probably had cards he was hiding… you quickly threw that thought away. 

It’s Uno for God’s sake, no one cheats at Uno!

“Are you gonna put down a card? Or is it time to pick up another 10?” He asked. You’d been staring at your cards for a while now.

“It wasn’t 10! It was only 8!” You argued, defensive. You went back to looking at your cards, a pout sat on your lips. If you looked back at Kick, you would’ve seen the way he scanned your face. His hand slowly picked up a card from the deck that faced down and handed it to you so that only you could see what it was.

Motherfucker. 

Of course he’d pick up exactly what you need. He’d been the only one getting any of the good cards. You looked him in the eye, frown deepened, and snatched the card out of his hand. He just had that same stupid smile that he’s had for the last two rounds.

In a fit of irritation, you slam down the yellow +2. Before you can make some smart-ass remark, Kick calmly put down a green +2 on top. He looked back at you and your flabbergasted expression.

He starts chuckling.

“But- How long did you have that on you?!”

“I held onto it until I needed it.” He tapped his index finger against his temple. “Instinct, my friend. Save your life someday.” 

Your eyebrows almost touched with the rage on your face. You picked up 4 cards and put down a yellow 5 as you angrily muttered to yourself.

“Damn cards, damn Uno… Damn instinct, I have instinct, I use my instincts every day.” You kept grumbling as you both placed cards almost rhythmically until you both had one.

“How’d you even get that card?”

“The one I picked for you?”

“Yeah!”

“Well, you shuffled them and you would’ve gotten it anyway so…” You pouted again.

“You have to have magic hands or something.”

“Not magic, sweetheart, just skill.”

“Skill?” Your tone gave away your doubt.

Kick smiled at you, you could feel your face warm.

“Computer techs have very skilled hands and fingers.” He stared at you, unblinking. If your face was warm before, the euphemism made it burn. He continued.

“Gotta know how to move them quickly, to just the right spot. Can’t risk anything in the heat of the moment.” You couldn’t formulate a single sentence. Your neurons were shot. Kick slowly put his last card down.

“Uno. I win again.” You were still unmoving. Kick leaned forward so you were making eye contact again. “Can you handle another round?” He asked. “I can shuffle the cards this time.” 

You swallowed the drool that had built up in your mouth and put your last card down.

“I give up. I’m done.” You stood. 

“Done? Really? C’mon, I’ll go easy on you this round.”

“It’s Uno! How do you go easy on someone in Uno?!”

“Play another round and I’ll show you.” You looked at him, about to tell him to fuck off until you saw the look he wore. Kick still had that stupid smirk on his face as he stared back at you. He leaned back, legs crossed and arms holding him up. You stuttered, trying to find words. 

Before you could, Kick brought one of his hands up and crooked his index finger to his palm twice, telling you to come back without having to say anything. Your whole body warmed. You thought about leaving, the door cracked open just a bit behind you. You thought back to Kick’s jokes.

“Gotta know how to move them quickly…”