Just a Game

Friends

Blake's POV

I go about my day, trying to pretend nothing happened, yet anything I can think about is her. I don't know what it was yesterday but she wasn't okay. She was hurting but that's really no excuse for what she said. I made it through school and practice but I made the mistake of promising my friends I'd hang out with them. And unfortunately for me, they've taken a liking to her so I might end up getting an earful.

I drive to Corrine's house where everyone is gathering to watch a movie. She has an at home theater in her basement so we go there every so often for a movie night. When I get there almost everyone is already sitting in the recliners except for Sean and Kate. I take a seat in one of the empty ones next to Jake.

"So," He turns to me, "I saw you talking to Miller a bit last night."

"What do you mean. I didn't talk to Daniel."

"Dipshit, not that Miller."

"Then who?"

"Quit messing around. You totally like her."

"I was just talking to her. There's a difference."

"Don't lie."

"I'm not."

"C'mon-"

"The movies starting." I interrupt him and look up at the screen. We're about thirty minutes into the movie when Sean and Kate finally make an appearance. They try to slip into the back row but it turns into everyone throwing popcorn at them. We finish out the movie and end up playing truth or dare for the rest of the night, as we had nothing else to do.

~~~~~

I spend most of my weekend doing homework and dodging calls from Madi. I know I probably should talk to her but I just can't bring myself to do it. I spend hours at the gym everyday just trying not to think about her. She's so addicting, I don't know what it is about her but I can't help but want to get to know her as much as I can. I wanna know what makes her tick. How her brain works. What her favorite movie is. All of those stupid little things as well as the big things.

And maybe I should leave. Maybe she isn't good for me. But what do I have to lose. If it's just a fling, then it'll be the best fling of my life. And if it turns into something more, then I'll treat her like she deserves to be treated.

Except how can I do that when she's just a bet.

That's all she is, right? Nothing more, nothing less. How can I pretend that she's in the wrong when I'm doing this to her behind her back. She's obviously going through something. Maybe she just needs support.

I don't know if I could give her that. I've never been good at the whole relationship thing. It's not what I'm used to. But wow. I'd be willing to give it a try for her. She's amazing even when she's mouthing me off or telling me we aren't friends.

I feel my phone ringing on my desk as I'm playing call of duty. I take a glance at the caller ID, seeing that it's Madi. I pull my headphones off and pick up, putting her on speaker.

"Finally. I thought you were dead or something. I was getting ready to pull up to your house."

"One flaw with your plan."

"And what's that?"

"You don't know where I live."

"Who says that?"

"Me."

She goes silent for a second, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"You know for what."

"Work with me, Madi."

"Fine. I'm sorry for saying we aren't friends. I didn't mean to."

"You're telling me you didn't mean to say we aren't really friends?"

"No. I mean- It just slipped out. I didn't mean it."

"Why'd you say it then." I keep playing my game before I get shot and lose.

"Because you were getting too close." I hardly hear her on the line.

"What?"

"It's a rough time right now and I was scared that you were getting too close to me so I pushed you away." She rushes out.

"Is that just something you do...? Or...."

"Sort of. I don't meet a lot of people that want to get close so I tend to be good on that front."

"Are you okay, Madi?"

"I'm fine."

"I'm not doing this again."

"I'm telling the truth."

"I'm gonna hang up."

"No. Don't."

"Are you okay."

She chokes out, "No. I'm not."

"What happened?"

"It's complicated."

"Well, I have plenty of time."

"It's not exactly an over the phone kind of conversation."

"Then I can come over."

"Now's not the best time."

"You're gonna have to talk eventually."

"I know. Just not right now."