Page 104 of Semantics

“Yes, Violet’s rules,” Sarai said as she sat down next to Enya on one of the sofas.

“Why am I not surprised…” Stella shook her head.

“Hey,” Violet replied with a little laugh before she sat down on the other sofa and watched Arlowe sit down next to her, leaving Stella the spot on the other end. “Um… Arlowe?”

“Yeah?” Arlowe asked and was about to bite into some mac and cheese.

“Scoot over,” Violet ordered quietly.

“Oh, shit. Sorry, Stella.”

Arlowe moved to the other side of the couch, and Stella looked down at Violet, who nodded for her to sit down next to her.

“So, Vi, what are we watching?” Sarai asked with the remote in hand. “And I swear, if you say–”

“BSG, baby,” Violet said loudly, talking over her.

A groan went out from all three of her friends.

“We said movie,” Arlowe reminded.

“But it’s my pick, and I want a show.”

“You watch Battlestar Galactica?” Stella asked, looking excited.

“It’s her favorite show. She’s watched it, like, ten times all the way through, but Enya and I hadn’t seen it, so every time it’s her turn, she makes us watch another episode. We’re on season two,” Sarai said. “I tolerate it. Enya kind of likes it but has to be in a certain mood for it, and Arlowe isn’t much of a fan.”

“Really?” Stella asked.

“Not my jam. Do we exercise a veto?” Arlowe asked.

“There are vetoes?” Stella asked, turning to Violet.

“When I was making up the rules, I thought it would be fair to give everyone a chance to veto.”

“And she hated Sarai’s pick that night and wanted us to veto it, so there’s that,” Arlowe shared.

“It has to be unanimous against the person making the pick, which, tonight, is me. There can be lobbying, too, but it must be done within two minutes, or the clock runs out and no further lobbying can be done.”

“Oh, my God.” Stella continued laughing as she set her plate and beer on the table in front of them and leaned forward, clasping her hands as if she was very interested in what was about to happen.

“So? Any vetoes?” Violet asked, and her hand, without her permission, moved to Stella’s back.

She rubbed over Stella’s sweater, and when Stella turned her face to her, Violet didn’t meet her eyes. She kept slowly moving her hand over Stella’s back, relishing in how good it felt to be touching her like this.

“Veto raised,” Sarai said, raising her hand.

“We have one veto vote. Anyone else?”

“I’m cool with whatever,” Arlowe said.

“I’m good,” Enya added.

“Sarai, care to lobby for votes?” Violet asked.

“Do I get a vote?” Stella asked, looking back at her.

“You’d veto my choice?” she asked, stopping her hand on Stella’s back.