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Carter's POV

Okay, so it was not my idea to host a big party in the middle of Brooklyn, in our mansion on top of a ruined warehouse. It just sort of . . . happened.
       Let me back up just a little bit.
       So, Sadie and I were off for summer vacation, Amos decided it was time for his 'personal private vacation', our father was now ruling the underworld, and our lovable baboon friend Khufu was out of town on a business errand for Thoth. It was just us, alone.  So, naturally, Sadie had decided to call up some people we knew--well, she knew--and invite them over for a party.
        Before I knew it, people were just walking into our magical, supposedly nonexistent mansion. Those two friends of Sadie's from England, Bast, Horus, Isis, Hathor, Zia, and finally, that jackal headed freak Anubis.
       "Sadie, is there a reason why you invited like fifty thousand gods?" I demanded in a hushed voice as she drunk a cup of punch.
        "Lighten up, Carter," she said. "It's a party. People are here to enjoy themselves."
       "But-"
       "Oh, just shut up. Or would you rather me turn you into a lizard in front of Horus, Em and Liz, and everyone, including Zia?"
       I'm pretty sure my face was blushing and dumbstruck. "You wouldn't."
      "Oh, yes I would, Human Wikipedia. Now, get out there and dance with someone. Mingle, live a little, and stop wearing those old men clothes!"
        I went rather reluctantly, muttering things about my clothing choice.
        "Carter," a voice said. I looked up.
        I was face to face with Horus.
       "Uh, hey, Horus," I said. Horus smiled at me.
       "Quite a party you have here, boy," he noted. "It would do you some good. Dance, drink, socialize. And be glad Bes isn't here."
        "Bes?"
        "God of music and dance, along with a multitude of other things. Part animal."
        "Oh, right."
        Horus sighed. "I miss the good old days, Carter. I really do. Me and you, side by side, battling Set and playing ding dong ditch on death's door."
        Somewhere in the background, I thought I heard Anubis yell, "That was you?"
        And that was the last we heard out of him before Sadie took him to the couch and started talking to him. About what, I don't know. Don't want to know.
         Horus gestured to Zia, who was standing by the punch bowl. "Go get her, boy. But, remember, that's my aunt in there somewhere."
         I hesitated. Horus sighed.
         "Fine then, my featherless friend. You have forced my hand." He snapped his fingers.
         And then everyone appeared around a table. An empty Coca-Cola bottle was on a table in the center.
        "Spin the bottle truth or dare!" Isis squealed. "My son, you know me so well!"
        That was a little disturbing.
        "Carter, you're up first," Horus decided.
       "Why me?" I demanded.
        "'Cause I'm pharaoh, and people do what pharaoh say."
        "Uh, okay, sure."
       I took a deep breath. I put  my hand on the bottle and gave it a good hard spin. Horus yawned.
      Of course, the bottle pointed directly at . . . Zia?
      Horus smiled. "I expected that to happen. Hmm . . . What to do, what to do? I know! Zia, Carter, I dare you two to kiss the other."
       "Why?" both me and Zia yelled. If I wasn't furious at  Horus, I might've blushed.
        "Hello, pharaoh. I'm king. You do what I say."
         I turned to Zia just as she turned to face me.
        "Guess we have to, huh?" I said nervously. She nodded coldly.
         I leaned in.

Zia POV

Oh my god, he was leaning in! I leaned in too.
     Our lips met.

Carter POV

Our lips brushed against the other's.
       And before I knew it, we were kissing.
      Fourth of July fireworks skyrocketed to life in my head.

Zia POV

We were kissing and a million torches lit into existence in my head.
     It was heavenly. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel anything.

Carter POV

We parted only when Horus cleared his throat.
     "Well," he said, "that beats my record by five whole minutes. Eight minutes. How do you two do it?"
      Before I could respond to that question, Horus waved his hand. "Never mind." He looked at where Anubis and my sister were sitting. "You two are next."