The Bet With The Players by C. Joyce (read my book TXT) 📕

know your classmate. The paper on your desks are filled of questions to answer about your partner. This project is due on the next Friday."

James leaned back to his chair. "That's going to easy, I feel like I know you already."

I did my best to hide my burning cheeks. "S-So...question one... What is your partner's favorite."

James restated the question. "Favorite color? Oh, I can't tell you that."

My voice snorted, "You can't tell me what's your favorite color? What is it, a top secret answer?"

"Why, yes it is."

I said his name in monotone. "Just tell me."

"Fine..." he sighed, "Dark blue I guess, your turn."

"Purple and then blue." I said while looking at the next question. "Favorite type of food?"

"Chinese, yours?"

"Same. Okay...ah-favorite type of chips?"

"Really Sea?" He began and gave me the dumb look. "Did you see my 8 pack? My coach will never allow me to eat junk food.

I can't believe it! No junk food?! "You poor baby!" I shouted at his face. "How can you live with yourself?! I mean really, have you ever tried barbecue chips? I can't live without them!"

"I'm guessing you love barbecue chips."

"Yup! Favorite musicians?"

"Adele and Ed Sheeran."

I 'Mmmhh' at him, "The Script, The Cab, and Hedley are mine."

He laughed, "What...you don't like those cheesy singers like Taylor Swift or Nicki Minaj?"

My nose scrunched in disgust. "I can't stand them."
After that we started to answer bunch of random questions. "I'm starting to think Ms. Leavitt had this to stalk us..."

He questioned, "How?"

My finger pointed to question number 30. "What's your partner's phone number." With that he started to laugh like an hyena. Then I realize something...James and Dylan could be twins. Twins just like Jason and Jaxon, they're only not identical. Their only difference would be their hair and eye colors. Dylan had dirty blonde hair while James has dark brown hair. Dylan's pure blue eyes and James's bright hazel colored eyes.

"Sea," Was the only thing I could hear before my ears black out. "I think I like you..."


Wait...what did James say, I couldn't hear him.
Chapter 19

I could feel my eyes had a confused look, "...What? Sorry, I couldn't hear you..."

"Oh," James started, "never mind." I swear, I thought his cheeks blushed. Maybe, or maybe not. He quickly faced to the other side so I couldn't even see. My eyes drifted to the clock.


5

4

3

2

1

There was a rumble and a stampeded for the tight door ways. My next class was Language Arts or L.A. if you want to call it that. As I got into the room, I sat down in my usual seat. I usually seat in the front just not in English. "Morning, Little Queen." Seating down next to me was Luke.

"Lukey!"

His mouth scowled, "I hate that nickname."

I pretended to whine, "Ahhh, but I love that nickname."

The door opened and walking inside the room was Mrs. Sabers. Mrs. Saber is a pretty cool teacher, ever! Just, don't mention if you're a Cubs fan. She will kick you out of her room. Mrs. Saber is definitely a Chicago Soxs, even though we live in California. Mrs. Saber used to live in Chicago ever since she was 5. You could say the Windy City harden your soul. She's tough, with a don't mess with me attitude, and sarcastic. Not to mention, hilarious. Mrs. Saber is a kinda typical teacher...with more attitude though. She has dirty blond hair, which is midway length.
"Good, er-afternoon class. Let's change it up a bit and boys can you tell me what's so funny?!" The boys in the back, stopped laughing. "Okay then, we're doing a project." Everyone in the class groan besides me, I love this class. "Quit acting like a bunch of babies. Including you boys, you're supposed to be...or at least be, men. Now, stop acting like brats! Before I make all the boys in this room dress up in cheerleader uniforms. All that make-up, and dolled up. Boy, don't you think girls the boys will look lovely in it?"

The girls in the room shouted things like:

"Yeah!"

"Oh, won't the football players look hot in it?!"

"I wonder about Jaxon and Jason, would they look hot?"

"Ok, ok, ladies settle down a bit. As for your project, you have to know about your partner's past. Write an essay about it, just 500 words will do. Have fun."

Partners?

I twist my head to Luke's side, "Wanna be partners?" He nodded slowly. "Great!" I shouted, "I always wanted to know your past." Luke flinched at the 'past' part. I wonder why...

"Have fun finding out, Little Queen."

Questions bust at the thought of Luke's past. "When do you want to work on it...? Can I come to your house today at, say...5?"

He shook his head causing black strands of hair to fly, "Sorry, can't Little Queen. I usually don't come home until 7 P.M."

"Oh, okay..."

---

-After School, Hospital-

Xerxes had driven me to the hospital, right after school. Dylan argued to drive me instead but I didn't want him to. I mean really, Dylan was a jerk to begin with and now a jackass. Xerxes's yelled back no and if Dylan kept annoying me about it. He'll beat the crap out of Dylan. I guess it's an advance to be the oldest out of everyone.
He was laying on the bed, his eyes was shut. Flash backs happened in my mind, good and bad. Like the day I met Drew to the day I said, "Goodbye, I know you and Reliey are great together..."

A soft but frozen hand touch mine. "Will you stop crying, Sea. Each time you cry, your puffy eyes remind me of a fish." I hit his arm, but softly and slowly.

My teeth clenched in anger, "Who the fuck did this to you? I swear, I swear, I'm going to send them to Hell."

Drew's eyes had a sad tone to them and a glint of guiltiness. "Look Sea," he began in a such soft tone, "I can't tell you...I don't want to get you in danger." Drew stop talking for a moment to face back to his facts. "Just stay away from Luke, okay?"

"WHY?! Why the yell does everyone hate him?!" All the words, cursing, made me feel like a angered pirate.

"I can't tell you, and I'll never tell you."

I stumbled out of Drew's room and out of the hospital. I was rumbling back to meet Xerxes. Xerxes's was waiting in the hospital's parking garage. He was leaning against his car with a bunch of girls, close enough to my age or college girls. They were all surrounding him in a giant circle. The look on Xerxes's face was nothing but annoyance.
Time to piss out the girls.

I walked up to Xerxes's car just through the circle. "Hey baby," I tried my best to keep a stern face. He gave me a confused and 'What the hell are you doing' kind of look. "I miss you..." I did everything a girlfriend, well, a fake girlfriend would do. Hug, a bit and there, kiss but there's no way I'll going to kiss him.

One of the girls in the crowd did not like me... She had a reddish-brown hair, visible freckles, and a madden brown eyes. "You're not his girlfriend, you're just another slut." Oh, I'm a slut am I? The girl's tone was all hatred and a bit of jealously. But she tried to keep the jealous invisible.

"Yes, I AM." I can lie when I want to to, and not to to.

The half redhead just grin, "Prove it. Kiss, then." Shit...was the only thing on my mind. Just act cool Sea, act cool.

I secretly took a deep breathe, and faced Xerxes behind me. Now or never, don't get Xerxes be annoyed with the chicks. I roughly pulled his jacket collar, making him lean to my height. Jeez, are college boys supposed to be this tall?! Then, I kissed him but softly, not wanting to make it too much. Heck, this is too much already. Boy, he tasted so good...don't tell him that. A minute or two, I stopped kissing him and turned to the girls. All the girls had a their mouths to the fall. HA! "Want more proof?" I said with vain. They just swore at me and finally left Xerxes and I alone. "Sorry about that..."

He sighed and got into his car, I did also. Once in, Xerxes's push on the gas. "It's fine, Sea. And can I say, you're not a bad kisser." I laughed a tiny chuckle, man this is so awkward... Memories flooded my mind, mostly the event with Drew. Why won't he tell me, or anyone else about Luke?! I hate taking "No" as an answer ever since I was born. If no one's going to tell me...Then fine, I'll just fine out for myself.

"Hey Xerxes, do you know where Luke lives?"

Once and for all, I will find out.

Chapter 20

Xerxes's eyes were only on the road. "Sea, I told you to stay away from him." His voice was filled with sadness and a with a worry.

I jumped into his words, "I know, but it's for a project."

"I can't tell you."

So annoying, it's starting to piss me. Calm down, Sea, just calm down. You'll find out eventually...Wait..doesn't Stell and Sara know where Luke lives? "Hey Xerxes, never mind about Luke. Can you instead drop me to my house?"

Xerxes's had a confused look but dropped to the agreement. "Sure." The words were emotionless. "Where do you live?"

"Just make a left turn at that palm tree." I pointed to a similar tree I always see. My seat swayed as he steer the wheel. We finally made to my house...well, trailer