Secret

Maybe it was because of what happened the night before that Slater, Benjamin, and Ray were oddly peaceful as they played chess on the other side of the garden. Slater had only arrived a little later, but for once, he didn't nitpick at Ray. Ray, on the other hand, was trying to gain Benjamin's favor to get on Mint's good side.

It was a trio no one would have expected, but somehow, it worked.

"Wow! Another win!" Benjamin cheered as he checkmated Ray again.

"Benjamin, how are you so good at this?" Ray stared at the chessboard in disbelief. "I was so sure I was going to win this round."

Benjamin grinned. "I used to compete in chess tournaments when I was in middle school. I even represented our region in high school! I would've won if I hadn't gotten diarrhea."

"This is cheating."