The Game

A Clue

"You ready?" Matt asks as he pulls on his leather jacket. I take a second to admire the way it stretches over his biceps. He winks, catching me looking.

"I'll meet you there." With the glasses securely in my pocket, I slip out the door before him and head across the hall.

I wanted to talk to J.T. before we all met. Some things weren't adding up. When I start down his hall, a door swings open.

Margot steps out into the hallway and I quickly step into the shadows, watching as J.T. appears in the doorway. Margot leans forward, placing her hands on his chest. He looks annoyed but he doesn't remove them. J.T. speaks in hushed tones so I can't hear anything but he looks annoyed and slightly angry. Margot's voice raises in anguish.

"Last night meant nothing?" She seems to be repeating what he said but I can't hear his response. All I can see is J.T. shaking his head. Margot's hands ball into fists on his chest and I can see they are both getting frustrated so I step out of the shadows with a cough. I stride toward them slowly, giving them time to stop their conversation.

Margot shoots me a glance, her eyes narrowed in a glare. She hisses something at J.T. before stomping away from him and away from me.

"Oh, darn. I was hoping we could catch up," I comment as I watch Margot walk away.

J.T. snorts and I look back to see him running his hands through his hair. His nerves show plainly on his face, along with the bags under his eyes.

"Didn't get much sleep?" I ask, not wanting an answer.

"It's not what you think," J.T. starts to defend himself but I shake my head.

"I don't want to know. We have our meeting," I remind him, getting back on track.

"Is that why you're here?" J.T. looks down at me, studying my face which remains neutral.

"Yes."

"The only reason?" J.T. tries again but I've already decided that my prior reasons for coming to see him don't matter anymore.

"We're going to be late." I take off without answering his question. I hear him sigh and jog a couple of steps to catch up with me.

"I swear it's not what it looked like," J.T. says again. When I don't respond, he grabs my arm and pulls me to a stop. I yank my arm away from him, disgusted with his behavior. "Sorry," he mumbles. "I just want to make it clear, Margot and I are not together. She did come around last night but all we did was argue. And then I thought we came to a good conclusion but I guess she thought the end of the fight meant we were working on getting back together."

J.T. rambles. I cross my arms, waiting.

"That's not what I meant though. I have no plans on getting back together with her." J.T. eyes me, trying to read my face.

"Why not?" I ask to his surprise.

"Why not?" J.T. repeats.

"Yeah, she's a sweet girl. She has a good internship which will no doubt lead to a good job. You could have a stable future with her." I list the reasons why anybody would like Margot. They could have a normal, happy future together.

"I guess. But that's not what I want. Margot is not who I want," J.T. states. I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes.

I turn on my heel and continue walking down the hall to our meeting room. J.T. gives another huff but follows me. Thankfully, the rest of the group is already in the room waiting for us so I don't have to listen to anything else J.T. might try to say to me.