Four Can Play That Game: Part One

by Ostle, J. L.

  Class finishes, and the guys walk straight out, not looking back. Clarissa and I take our time, but when we reach the door, I jump when I feel an arm wrapping around my shoulder. Benjamin smiles down at me. Zeal has his arm around Clarissa, surprising her.

  “You don’t think we would have left without saying goodbye to our beautiful roommate, do you?” Devon says, standing in the middle.

  “You need to stop touching me before you pass me some sort of sexual disease.” I try and budge Benjamin off but he just pulls me in tighter. We start walking down the corridor. Yet again, with people pointing and staring.

  “That’s not a nice thing to say. I would say maybe you’re just into women, like Clarissa here, but kissing Jesse shows you can’t be that frigid,” Devon continues.

  I glare at him. “Jealousy isn’t a good look on you, babe.” I smirk at him his jaw ticks.

  “So, how does it feel, walking down these hallways knowing that if someone fell and looked up, they could see everything a young man can only dream of?”

  “I like going commando. Easy access, isn’t it? Might see if anyone is offering and willing to make me less frigid.” I take a quick step forward, getting out of Benjamin’s reach. “Benny boy, you know what happens if people touch me when I don’t want to be touched?”

  “You didn’t mind his touch on Saturday…”

  “Devon…” Zeal interrupts him.

  “What? She acts like she’s all high and mighty, even though she’s just as bad as us. Look, princess, you’re enjoying playing this game with us. If you didn’t, you wouldn’t be biting back. Any other girl would have left or made different choices than the ones you are making.”

  I walk closer to him, anger building inside me.

  I’m doing this to show him they can’t beat me. I’m not enjoying it. Am I?

  No. Of course I’m not.

  “I am nothing like you three. You three are dogs that need to be neutered.” With that, I walk away with Clarissa on my heels. Once we’re around the corner, we walk faster until I know I’m away from them and then I lean against the wall.

  “Right, what happened on Saturday before we move on with what just happened right now?” I stand there and fill her in. Me filming them, to them chasing me, to them pinning me down, to them turning me on.

  “I wasn’t expecting that. It does sound hot though. I probably would turn into a puddle of goo if that happened to me. I’m shocked you picked up the phone. Most girls would have ignored it.” She fans herself.

  “You know I can’t go there. Plus, that Cheryl girl came over, remember? I would have felt so used if I didn’t stop it. It was a bad idea and they’re obviously not stopping these games.”

  “But you did post that video on Facebook. If you didn’t do that then they wouldn’t have taken your underwear.” She bites her lip.

  “Oh my God. I did start it this time. I was just angry with them and myself that… that I just had to do something.” It was childish, and even though I should just drop it now, I don’t want to. I want to be the one that finishes it with the last game ploy.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Part of me wants to leave it now, but another part of me wants to get them back as taking my underwear is worse than sending a non-embarrassing video on Facebook. They’ve probably reported it by now, so it can be taken down.”

  “What Devon said though… maybe you are enjoying retaliating.”

  “Whose side are you on? They started it, remember? Now, let me just win this and then it will be over.”

  “What if they never stop trying to get you back for what you do to them and it’s just a vicious cycle of pranks to one another?”

  “As long as I don’t get kicked out, I will play just as dirty.”

  Lunchtime couldn’t come quickly enough, and an idea has already popped in my head for what I’m going to do to them, but for now, I want to annoy them, just like they did with the note and calling me frigid.

  How dare he call me frigid? Just because I don’t open my legs by the click of their fingers, doesn’t mean I’m frigid.

  Even though you did open your legs by a simple touch.

  Stupid brain. I don’t open my legs for any kind of fling. That evening I just lost my head for a moment.

  Heading to the cafeteria, I spot the guys sitting, talking to their friends, with a few girls sitting close by looking a little desperate for their attention. I walk over, and when I get closer, the girls’ facial expressions morph.

  Wow. They’re like predators. Why do I feel like I’m in some kind of teen movie, with me walking over to the jock table?

  A few other guys notice me first and then the trio look at me. I smile sweetly, taking a seat at the table, closing my legs, my dress riding up a little, and they stare at my thighs before looking up at me.

  “Can we help you?” Zeal asks.

  “I just wanted to know if you want me to cook tonight?” I ask innocently.

  “Why?” Devon asks.

  “Now that I’m living with you,” I say clearly, so people nearby can hear me, “I thought, wouldn’t it be fun if I made something amazing to eat? We are acting like brothers and sister, so I thought I would do something for you.”

  “We aren’t acting like brother and sister,” Benjamin interrupts.

  “We’re bickering and fighting like brothers and sisters do.” I uncross and re-cross my legs and their eyes go back on them.

  “Trust us, we aren’t like your brothers,” Zeal tells me.

  I shrug. “If you want, we could invite your friends. I don’t mind cooking for more.” I turn so I’m facing a few of their friends and they sit straighter, smiling charmingly at me. “Would you guys like to join us?” I uncross my legs, but keep them closed.

  “If you don’t mind. Been a while since I had a home-cooked meal,” one says.

  “Aww, you poor thing.” I press my hand to my heart. “You are more than welcome to come.” I emphasize the word come.

  “Well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to come also.” Another guy stands up.

  “The more the merrier. So, would you boys want something spicy? Can you handle hot food?” I slowly say my words.

  “What are you doing?” Benjamin asks behind me.

  “I’m being friendly. If these are your friends, I’m going to be seeing them often, so why not get to know them better? What is a better way than cooking for them? Looking after them.” I wink at their friends and they all smile at me.

  “You are nothing like they said,” the first guy says.

  “What did the boys say about me?” I open my legs a little.

  “That you’re hot, but you’re tight as…”

  “I think that’s enough of that.” Zeal stands up, standing in front of me.

  “I wonder how he was going to end that sentence.” I lean back on my arms, opening my legs a little more. “No wonder you all like sitting here. It's so cool. So refreshing.” I open my legs an inch more then my arm is pulled and I’m standing up, Benjamin standing in front of me.

  “What are you doing?” he hisses at me.

  “I’m being nice.” I look back over to the table and they’re all watching our exchange. “I think they feel like I’m going to embarrass them.” I pout. “You will all come for dinner, right?” They all nod and agree. “Perfect. I’ll see you then.” I give them a little wave and start sauntering away, when my arm is grabbed again, and I’m pulled back.

  “You’re up to something and I don’t like it.” Devon stares at me.

  I shrug him off and smile sweetly. “I’m not up to anything…yet. No harm getting to know your friends, and you never know, I might find someone who doesn’t think I’m frigid.” I then walk away, heading to the library. I’m not really hungry and I don’t want to be in their line of sight.

  I hate that Clarissa works in the office during lunchtime most days. I walk over to the girls’ locker room and I smile when I open the one Clarissa has put a spare cardigan i
n that I can use. I’m starting to feel cold and a little overexposed now.

  I look in the mirror and notice I look a little flushed. I wrap the cardigan around me, hugging myself, and I stroll over to the library. I grab a few books and take some notes down for my first class that I was hardly listening to.

  I’m working away when a shadow covers me. I look up to spot Benjamin. He pulls out a seat and sits down. I continue with my work and I can feel his eyes on me, but he doesn’t say anything.

  Getting annoyed, I turn the book over onto the table so I don’t lose my place and look at him. “If you have something to say, just say it,” I huff.

  “I don’t like it when you're angry.” I look into his eyes, his clear blue eyes, and it’s been a while since I really looked at him. I remember why I went all gooey the first day I met him. But things have changed since then.

  “You guys are the ones who are making me angry.” I sit back.

  “I know that, and the other two would kick my ass if they found out I was here talking to you as you are now the enemy.”

  I chuckle. “The enemy. Charming.” He smiles and my stomach does a little flip.

  “I miss seeing that smile.” He leans forward, brushing his fingers along my cheek, my face getting warm. “And that blush.” I’m sure my face turns even redder.

  “Are you playing good cop to try and get me out of the house again? You tried that, remember? It didn’t work.” I go back to being serious again and his smile falls.

  “I’m not playing any games by being here.” His eyes stay on mine and my body warms up. I can’t look away.

  Neither of us says anything, we just keep looking at one another. I don’t know how long we stay like this, but when I hear movement nearby, I snap out of it, standing, clearing my throat.

  I look at my hands then back to him. “I need to go and get a book. I will see you for dinner,” I say to him before going to the aisle where my book should be, and once I’m away from him, I press my hand against my chest, feeling my beating heart.

  I stand straighter, smoothing down my hair, and when I turn, I jump. Benjamin is standing there, watching me. I open my mouth to ask him what he’s doing here when, in the blink of an eye, his lips land on mine. His hands are on my face before they slowly go down my arms to my hips, pulling me in closer to him.

  All thoughts have left my brain. It takes a moment to realize what’s happening. His lips are so soft and gentle. I close my eyes, wrapping my arms around his neck, pressing my body into his.

  I know I shouldn’t be kissing him, but when I first met him, all I wanted was for him to kiss me.

  He pushes me against the stacks. My hands pull onto him harder, not wanting to let go. He presses himself further into me, causing me to groan into his mouth. I lift my leg, wrapping it around his waist, my dress lifting, his jeans rubbing against my clit.

  He releases our kiss, his forehead pressed against mine, our breathing coming out in pants. His hand goes back to my cheek, cupping my face, his thumb slowly stroking along my skin. I open my eyes to see him staring intently into mine. I see so many emotions run through them. He’s looking at me like he’s trying to reach my soul, to know my innermost, deepest thoughts.

  His eyes go dark before his lips land back on me in another heated kiss. His hands glide down my back before they go to my ass, lifting me in one quick movement, my legs wrapping around his waist. He walks until I’m pinned against the wall, kissing me so hungrily that the ache between my legs is getting stronger. I grind against him and he growls into my mouth. His fingers come between us, moving between my folds. When he feels how wet I am, his erection presses harder against me. He moves himself a little so he can enter three fingers inside me, stretching me. I’m panting into his neck, not wanting him to ever stop.

  “You have to be quiet,” he whispers in my ear.

  Yeah. Easier said than done.

  He presses his thumb against my clit, rubbing quickly; I can feel my body trembling. My nails dig into his arms. I’m biting down onto my lip. My legs start to shake and that's when I feel my release, my clit pulsing violently.

  My head falls back, my hand covering my mouth to stop my screams. My whole body feels like dead weight. I could lie down and take a nap right now, my body feels so content.

  Benjamin slowly helps me stand and I wrap the cardigan around me while I hug myself, feeling a little shy and awkward.

  I can’t believe that just happened. I won't lie though; it felt so good.

  I turn back to the stacks, grabbing the book I was looking for, then turn back to him and he’s scratching his head. I can feel that he’s a little uncomfortable now too.

  “I better get back to this.” I lift the book.

  “Yeah, I better get going.” He coughs then clears his throat. “See you at dinner?”

  I nod. He turns and heads down the aisle. I look to the ground when my face is being palmed and lifted into another kiss. Benjamin steps back and smiles - the smile that is going to be my undoing - and walks away.

  I lean against the stack; my fingers press along my lips.

  I walk back to my seat in a daze. I look at my laptop and books, but nothing is registering. When Jesse kissed me, it was nice, but when Benjamin kissed me, I felt it through my entire body.

  I don’t want to overthink it. I just know now that things are going to be different. Will he tell the other two that we kissed? I hope they don’t up their game if he does.

  Knowing I won’t get any more work done, I just sit there, going through my phone. I’ve just turned on my Facebook app when notification after notification comes through. Fifteen friend requests. I go through each one and they are friends with the trio. I accept them all, as it would be weird if I decline and then see them for dinner, but I tell myself that if I see one dick pic, I am blocking their asses. I know men think their penises are beautiful, but I haven’t seen one yet that will change my mind. I haven’t seen many, but enough to know that I’m not going to be drooling over a dick.

  The rest of the day goes by, and when the last class finishes, I look at my phone to see a message from Clarissa to meet her at the school entrance. When I spot her, she jogs over to me, linking her arm with mine as we head to the parking lot, away from the crowd.

  “I heard that you’re cooking dinner for the richo boys.”

  I scrunch up my face, confused. “Richo boys?”

  “The table your loving roommates sit at, at lunchtime. Each one is from money. They are legacies, destined to take over companies from their fathers, or are just so rich that they could get away with doing nothing for the rest of their lives.”

  “If my roommates are rich, why can’t they pay back my rent?”

  She shrugs. “Don’t know. Their parents could have cut them off until they get their acts together, or someone was landed in jail and they needed bail money without dropping themselves in it.”

  “You really need to stop guessing.” I laugh. “Want to help me cook and eye up some richos then?”

  “Tempted.” She looks to the school and back to me.

  “You really going to leave me alone with a group of boys?” I pout at her, giving the puppy dog eyes, making her laugh.

  “You owe me so much. If I ever need a kidney…”

  I interrupt her. “I will give you mine.” We start heading to the shop so I can get enough food to feed them all. “You are the best, you know that?”

  “I know.” She laughs. “I bet your best friends at home are used to doing this stuff.” She giggles. I smile, but it's forced. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I bet you miss them.”

  “I kind of lost touch with my friends. I had some, don’t get me wrong, but no one that I would call a best friend.” I pause. “My mother got diagnosed with cancer six years ago. When things got scary, I stopped seeing my friends and helped look after her with my dad.”

  “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. But she’s okay now?”

  “She is. They have said s
he’s all clear, but she has to get checked up every three months for the next few years, just to make sure. She is getting stronger each day, but it did take its toll on her.”

  “Of course it did. I didn’t realize. Is that why you moved here? To stay close to her?”

  “Yeah. Her doctor got transferred here and as he has been with her since day one, they were willing to move where he is. They don’t want anyone else. There was no way I was living that far away. I like to know that if they ever need me, or if something happens, I’m just a couple of hours away.”

  We walk into the shop and I decide to make chicken Bolognese with pasta and garlic bread from scratch. Once we’re paid up, we head back out. I look up to see the sun is starting to set.

  “Are you just like your mom?” she asks me on the way back.

  “I like to think so. I get my looks from her, and her stubbornness, but my parents said I get my heart, my love, from my dad. He was a huge player back in high school, but once his eyes landed on my mom, he didn’t want anyone else. His heart was hers from the very beginning.” I smile.

  “My mom hated my dad when she first met him.” I look to her and her smile is so big. She shakes her head. “He loved her from the get-go, and he tried for years to get her to like him, but she thought he was nerdy and relentless. One night, she was at a school dance, and her date ended up hooking up with one of her best friends, and she was so upset, that my dad kicked the guy’s ass, shocking the entire school, including my mom.”

  “Sounds like she had a lucky escape. Imagine if he wasn’t caught out.”

  “I know.” We arrive at my home and I let us in. We head straight to the kitchen, placing the shopping on the counters. “The Monday after, Mom saw him helping a kid who dropped their books and she finally saw something in him. She saw how much of a good guy he is.”

  “Then she fell in love with him?” I start unpacking everything.

  “During senior year, he turned into a hottie, according to my mom. He got all broad and muscular. Girls tried to get his attention, but he only ever wanted her. They have been together ever since.”