Page 4 of Game On

She looks away, as do I. I knew it was going to be difficult starting a new school, but honestly, the only true part I worried about was the Ballers. I didn’t take into account the other students that go here or that I might like to have some friends here since I won’t be able to see my Broadwell friends until the weekend.

“Sorry,” Dawn says. “I know I have a big mouth, and it’s like the rudest thing in the world to talk about what someone else is eating.”

I shake my head. It really doesn’t matter to me. “It’s cool,” I say instead. I open the little plastic tub of applesauce and eat that quickly before twisting the cap on my water and gulping it down. A quick check of the clock tells me that the bell will ring in about ten minutes.

“What classes do you have next?”

I don’t need to look at my schedule to tell her. I’ve memorized the paper already, so I could recite it off hand if needed. I also didn’t want to be the fumbling new girl looking lost as I walk down the halls. That would be like having a target taped to my back. I tell her I have a class called Life Studies, and then Gym to end the day. I could have squealed when I saw that. I like gym class, but I like it even more that I can leave after I get all sweaty and won’t have to venture to the dreaded locker room showers. Do adults even understand the awkwardness they put us through with this shit?

“We have gym together,” she says. “I’m no athlete, though. Just to warn you.”

I shrug. “I only have one specialty.” It’s the truth, too. My athletic abilities can take me a long way, but I don’t pretend to care or like other sports. I only have one love.

A chorus of cheers draws my attention. I peek over my shoulder. My stomach bottoms out when I see that the Ballers have joined the jock table. They’re all sweaty from their meet-up at the court, but they don’t try to hide it like I would.

A girl bounces toward Ryan and throws her hands around his waist. I look away, unable to help the tingle of jealousy that shoots through my limbs. There’s no way I should feel that for him though. I should be feeling disgust. Even hatred.

“The Rock Ballers,” Dawn says slowly. “Fucking hot.”

“Fucking assholes,” I say.

She rolls her eyes. “Duh.” Tearing her gaze away and back to me, she says, “You know what I heard? I heard they don’t date. Like at all.”

“Maybe someone should tell that girl with her hands all over Ryan then?”

Dawn laughs. “I didn’t say they don’t fuck.”

Dawn’s brash words cause the guys at the other end of the table to look at us. I smile warmly at them, my face heating and then look back at her. She hasn’t noticed she’s caught the attention of others. “Meaning?” I ask, my voice lower, hoping she’ll catch on.

She does. She leans forward conspiratorially. “Meaning…sure, they ‘date’ girls, if dating means anything other than being serious. I heard they’ll never have exclusive girlfriends. They don’t mind sewing their wild oats or whatever, but they’re not getting tied down. Like they all have a shot at the NSA or something.”

“NBA,” I correct her.

She waves a hand dismissively. “Whatever.”

I chance another look at them. The girl is now in Ryan’s lap as he tries to eat a salad. I grip the side of the table. How the hell did he get that? I quickly check the other trays, and all but Hayes has a salad. Hayes is slumming it with pizza, like me. Except, he has three slices on his plate. Something tells me these guys get exactly what they want.

My eyes immediately go to Ryan again. The girl is whispering something in his ear. My hackles raise. I tell myself it’s because I feel bad for the girl. She must not know the level of asshole she’s got herself plastered against. At the same time, I know it’s a lie. He runs his hand up her back, and my own tingles.

I look away again, tugging my hair around my ear. Dawn is looking dreamily over at the jock table, but when she notices my reaction, her eyes narrow. “You alright?”

“Of course.”

She smiles knowingly. “Girl, I’d give up my V-card for a piece of Alec Christopoulos. Just one night. I wouldn’t even be mad.”

I gape at her, but when she starts laughing, I do too. “And that’s exactly the reason those fuckers get away with it,” I say.

She laughs even harder. “I didn’t say I had sense.”

I watch her hair tumble over her face. I think Dawn and I are going to get along pretty well, actually.

She checks the clock. “Shit. We better go.” She throws everything on her tray and stands. “If we don’t beat the bell, we’re going to get trampled.”

I rise with her, throwing everything on my tray as well. She takes off toward the garbage and tray return at the front of the cafeteria, and I follow her, my backpack once again slung over my shoulder.

She pauses at the tray return to wait for me, her face messed up into a frown. “Okay, you’re headed…that way,” she points toward the correct hallway. “I’m going in the opposite direction, but I guess I’ll see you in gym?”

I start to nod, but an imposing figure comes up on our right. I step out of the way, but it’s too late. Ryan fucking Linc has locked eyes with me. His mouth opens, and he stops right where he’s at. We just stare at one another for a moment as he takes in my bookbag. He pushes forward, throwing his tray down on the metallic surface and then comes right at me. I back away until my shoulders hit the solid cement wall. He leans over me, his gray eyes latching onto mine with a hold I’d almost forgotten. “What the hell are you doing here?”

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