It's Just A Game

Chapter 9 Say Something

I know your motives
and you know mine
The ones that love me,
I tend to leave behind
If you know about me
and choose to stay
Then take this pleasure
and take away the pain

My head was humming to a song. A very familiar one. I stirred slowly trying to take in the surroundings. I was languidly enjoying the comfort of my bed. The corners of my mouth lifted in a smile knowing I was either singing Ariane Grande's Love Me Harder or listening to it in my sleep. I was enjoying the feel of the blanket on my feet as I rubbed it together.

I sat up striving to test myself for the onslaught of a hangover from last night's celebration but it didn't come. I remembered counting five empty bottles of beer consumed. Reaching out to the side table for my phone, my eyes glued to the clock that read eleven o' clock in the morning. I almost exclaimed aloud profanities but reined myself in time. I had to join practice today.

I didn't regret that I celebrated with the team last night. It was absolute fun though I was a little bit conscious of Chase's presence after the walkout I did. I just made sure to distance myself from him.

We watched the movie "A Walk To Remember" that made the boys groaned out loud while Zareena and I were giggling a lot.

"I've watched that movie many times with my ex-girlfriend and my sister. I know the lines like the roll of the ball in my hand." Jessie was restless on the couch as he squeezed in between Randell and Phil. "Come on, girls. You're torturing me! Can we just watch Liam Neeson's latest movies?"

"Maybe some other time, Jessie!" Comfortably, I sat on the carpeted floor, hugged my fluffy teddy and my hoody.

Jessie scratched his head helplessly. " Luke, say something. Chase, my man, please don't tolerate these girls."

Luke shrugged and didn't say a thing upon seeing Zareena's eyes turned into slits.

"Okay. Let's give Jessie a chance. Why don't we vote? Those in favor of Jessie's suggestion raise your hand. " Chase solicited. He was already smirking very much aware of the outcome.

Only Jessie's hand was visible. He has this incredulous look on his face when the other guys didn't budge.

"Well, that says it all, Jessie," Chase said after sitting on the beanbags on the left side few feet away from me. "I'm done being democratic."

Jessie slouched after finishing the content of his beer. "I hate you, guys. You all go putty in the hands of these girls."

"As if, you're not." Phil countered.

A few banter between the guys as the opening credentials appeared on the screen. I leered at Luke and Zareena for some moments. My best friend snuggled in the arms of her man. The other three boys slouched yet eyes on the big screen. I dared not to look at Chase. I can hear the bottom of the bottle hit the table every after he took a swig from it.

Halfway of the movie, Zareena was already sniffing, using Luke's shirt to wipe her tears. My eyes are beady already not wanting my own tears to fall on its accord. Jessie was still slouched with an arm on his forehead trying to cover his eyes from our scrutiny.

Landon: Jamie... I love you.
Landon: Now would be the time to say something.
Jamie: I told you not to fall in love with me.

I can't help it but the tears started flowing from my eyes. I don't care if they see me cry my heart out over a movie. Luke has the coolest demeanor while Phil and Randell seemed a little bit affected as they started rubbing their eyes by the knuckles.

A box of tissue landed on my right side. "You'll ruin your hoody if you kept on doing that." came Chase's calm tone. I was rolling the hem of the hoody at the same time using it to wipe my tears. I turned around. His eyes were sad and the glint was not of annoyance. It was unreadable all at once. "Thank you. " I whispered enough for him to hear.

Everybody was engrossed in it until the end of the movie. The guys decided to wrap it up as well since there was practice in the afternoon. It was already four A.M. after we finished tidying up the basement. I waited for them to leave in their respective vehicles.

The message tone brought me back from reverie. I checked it quickly and saw Luke's text as I scrambled my way to my closet for an outfit.

Sunshine, I'll pick you up in 20 minutes. I'll grab McDonald's for both of us. Any favors?

Hmmm..Just fries for everybody. Coffee for me. See you at 20 then. It was my quick response. I run to the bathroom for one of my fastest showers ever.