The Game Plan. • j.b.[EDITING]

Introduced To The Game.

Arden was one of my best friends back in San Diego. We basically grew up together. She helped me through all of my previous relationships. Boys back in SD weren't always nice. Or romantic. Or smart.

She paces around my room while I was sitting on my window seat, smiling at her. 

"You decorated it good." she says, picking things up and looking at them. 

"I have to tell you something before you come to school with me tomorrow." I say to her and she gasps as she grabs something out of my closet. She held up my red Thing 1 shirt.

"You still have this. We should wear this tomorrow but what is it?"

"This really cute guy flirted with me."

"Ohmygod. Who? What? When? Where? Why?" She turns, smiling at me.

"His name is Justin."

"When?"

"At school today."

"Why?" She squints her eyes.

"Who even knows."

"How cute is he?"

"He's a 10."

"Hm. I'll be the judge of that tomorrow."

I giggle softly as I jump onto my bed. We sit there in silence for a few seconds. She continues to look through my closet. The silence indicated something and apart of me figured, she knew that. 

I sigh softly before asking the forbidden question, "How's Sean?"

"He's, uh, still a dick." Her response every time. 

Sean was my ex boyfriend. I didn't want to go into details about what happened with us. I'm actually glad he's still in San Diego. Far from here. Far from me. 

Next day, I wanted Arden to meet Vinny and Terri.  So, my first step was to introduce them. When we arrive to school, I greet them with a smile. 

"Oh! Who's the cutie?" Vinny asked, looking down at her.

"The cutie's name is Arden. Hi." She says, waving at them.

"I'm Vinny. This is Terri. --- Oh, Lucy, where do you live? I have some ideas for your outfit tonight."

"Oh right." I said to myself quietly.

"You have a date?" Arden asks me jokingly.

"No. There's a party tonight."

"You should've mentioned that yesterday. We'll be there." Arden pulled me away as soon as the bell rings. 

"I really didn't want to go."

"Don't care. Stop being anti-social. I have to get my schedule so I'll catch up with you at lunch." She blows me a kiss as she walks away. 

I make my way to English. My eyes were on my seat, hoping no one would take it. I immediately bump into someone. 

"Oh, my bad." I look up to see a tall boy with dark hair and hazel, kind eyes.

He squints his big eyes, moving his head closer to my face. "Lucy?"

"Alright class, let's sit." Ms. Mitchell says.

I glance at him, confused. How did he know my name? I didn't notice him yesterday either. Well, I didn't notice anybody in the class really. I'm always in my own world, even around thousands of people. 

"It's me, Tyler."

"Tyler, Lucy, class has started." Ms. Mitchell rushes us. 

I made my way to my seat and Terri looks at me with a puzzled look. 

Terri asks. "Is Tyler trying to flirt with you?"

"No. He said he knew me."

"Weirdo." She shakes her head. 

"So today, you'll be getting a head start on your papers. Remember when I told you guys to email them to yourselves?" Ms. Mitchell asks.

"Yes, Ms. Mitchell." some students say.

I open the computer and I felt a tap on my shoulder. My eyes trail over to Justin. He keeps walking but he winks at me. 

"Now, he's flirting with you." Terri whispers. "Don't let Caitlin see."

"Who?"

"In the back."

I turn in my seat. 

"Black hair. Brown eyes. Looks like a million dollars." she says.

I saw exactly who she was talking about. She had on sunglasses for no reason. She did look like money though; shiny necklace, earrings, and bracelets. She dresses like she's model-ready. 

I bite my lip. "She likes him?"

"She's the Queen Bee. Justin's the most popular guy and even though they aren't dating, she still claims him." 

                                           * * *

     A few hours later, Vinny arrives to my house. He was carrying a bag in his hand which I'm guessing inside were clothes. He even did my hair for me. He brushed it back into a high ponytail. I place a ivory lace crop with a pair of leggings. I put on a pair of gold earrings. I squeeze my feet in a pair of heels.

 Crystal lives in a mansion an hour away from the town. We walk inside, noticing the large crowd of people. The music was so loud that it shook the house. Literally. Arden starts dancing where she was standing. She was the party animal. And I was the shy, timid and scared girl. 

"We'll be back later. Go socialize, Lucy." Vinny says walking off with Terri.

Arden gasps as a new song plays. "You love Bruno, come on!" 

She pulls me into the living room where everyone else was dancing. The song was Locked Out of Heaven. She forced me to dance. I was nervous but then I just caved in. A few other people joined us. 

I pull her out of the crowd. "Can we get something to drink?"

She nods and we make our way to the large, white colored wall to floor kitchen. I grab two cups and poured a drink in them.

I smelt it before I drinking it. "There's definitely alcohol in this."

She groans. "Just drink it."

Vinny walked over. "God, I'm dying of thirst."

He grabbed a cup and poured himself a drink.

"Enjoying yourself yet?" he asks after he takes a sip.

"This juice tastes disgusting."

They both laugh. "You're so innocent."

"Nah. I just don't like this type of drink. I'm more of a Vodka girl."

"Cheers to that." He nods.

"...Hey, is that the guy you were talking about that invited you?" Arden asks, pointing.

Vinny and I both look up to see Justin with his tongue down another girl's throat.

"Shit." Vinny whispers.

"He has a girlfriend?!" I yell at Vinny.

"No, no. I should've warned you but I thought he was being genuine when he was flirting with you."

"Should've told me what?"

"Justin is the school's biggest player. He usually just fucks with girls and then leave them wondering."

"Wow. Sound familiar?" Arden asks, rolling her eyes.

"He's a clone of Sean." 

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