The game
1083 Words
Chapter 6 : the game.
I glance at where Rolland and Grace are sitting and I honestly fine it weird that there is a new face between them.
I don't mingle with everyone, but I know everybody.
When I'm not writing or coding, I do background checks on people.
Its my own nasty way of making myself feel better.
But I haven't seen her before. She's definitely a new face. But when did we start accepting transfer students, this isn't high school.
"Why don't you sit here." Austine offers and I sit.
"Welcome to the group." Tiffany says and I give her a shy smile.
I'm not a shy person, but I'm a total introvert and meeting new people is not my fort.
If only my bestfriends really cared about me, I wouldn't have to sit between these strangers.
I can't help but glance back at Rolland. And it pricks my heart to watch him get all animated with the new girl.
I wonder what her name is.
Does he like girls like her or what?
She looks so delicate and begs to be taken care of.
Is that why he never looked at me?
Because I always acted like I could take care of myself?
I feel my throat tighten at the thought.
"If you keep staring like that, you might as well bore holes in the back of his head." Austine whispers in my ear and I feel the hair on my body rise.
"Too close." I say and shift to the edge only to bump into Tiffany.
"I'm sorry." I apologize.
"It's fine, let's talk. Are you two dating or what? You're not his type though." She says as she looks me up and down.
It's not a condescending look, but I feel small because I know I don't belong here.
And like Tiffany said, I'm not his type.
But why in the world did he bring me here. Its something he never does.
I turn to look at him with a hard stare on my face.
But my expression changes to a soft one then a confused look because of Austine.
He looks like he has been staring at me since forever, like he can't get me out of his sight which is totally weird.
What am I thinking, there is no way he means that look.
It is just one of his antiques to get into my pants.
I bet I'm the only one he hasn't gone down with.
I clear my throat and he seems to get out of his daze that moment.
He looks like a deer caught in headlights.
But how come.
I try not to think about the possibility that Austine really likes me as the evening progresses.
His group of friends are amazing people I must say.
And it's been fun with them sharing stories about where they've been to and the adventures they've enjoyed.
Only Ryan remained silent. Typical him.
But on my mind remains the fact that I might have to drop out after this semester.
Mom doesn't want me and…
"Olivia what about you?" Someone calls my name and interrupts my thoughts.
I realise I've been so deep in thought since.
What in the world is wrong with me. I never zone out in public like this.
But then, I can't blame myself.
There has been a lot going on with me in every aspect of my life.
And it's so unfortunate that none of those things happen to be good things.
Everything less than bad is confusing in my life.
Just like now.
"Uhn?" I raise my head up and I can tell that my face expresses how confused I am.
"We are playing a game. Weren't you here?" Tifanny asks.
I know she doesn't mean to sound mean, but her tone sounds like she was sent after me and I feel even smaller.
I just want to cry again.
But the constriction in my throat seems to signal to my head and I have a headache spark in my head.
"Oh God." I mentally sigh.
I don't know what to say or save myself from this situation that I'm in.
"Oh my dear. She was busy thinking about me. Do you love me that much?" Austine says.
And as much as I hate how shameless he can be, he still saved me.
I'm glad that he saved me from the awkwardness of everything.
"So we were playing a game and everyone is to talk about their crush, so who is your own crush?" Tifanny asks and I can feel the eyes of everyone else in the group on me.
Even Ryan who wasn't paying attention to anything before has his gaze on me.
"What sort of question is that?" Austine asks and I find myself asking him the same question with my gaze as I raise my head up to look at him.
"I am her one and only crush." He says and pulls me close in a hug making my head rest on his chest.
And it becomes inevitable for me to drink in his musky scent.
I just want to stay in his embrace because of how comforting it feels.
I don't know why he his saving me when he knows about how I feel for Rolland. I just hope I can afford what he wants in return.
After what Austine said, I notice how Tifanny's gaze at me hardens.
Does she like him? I just hope she doesn't hold a grudge against me.
The other guys in the group also start to whistle and gather attention from people around.
My face is pressed on his chest, but I can tell most of the attention is on me as the bonfire has gotten even noisy and people are whistling from their own groups.
I wonder what Rolland thinks about me now.
"Let's play a game." Someone suddenly shouts from another group.
I try to raise my head from Austine's chestz but he doesn't let me.
Rather he leans in and pats my hair like we really have something going on.
What in the world has gotten into him, why is he taking everything to the extreme.
But at least, he is doing it for me.
I'll just enjoy it while it lasts, no one has ever done anything for me with me in mind.
Everyone seems to be in accordance with the suggestion.
"What game is it?" Someone from the crowd asks and the whistling continues.
- Writer
