Wicked Game || EN

Chapter 4

Before it all went wrong

[ Monday, September 12th/ 12:19pm ]

I'm standing, stuck in front of Harry, not sure what to do or say. Will he recognize me? Should I be the first to speak? I don't have time to think of a strategy when my thoughts are cut off.

- Hey Allison! says Sam, getting up to hug her friend. Hi Lola! she says to me, at least she knows my name, which isn't bad. 

- Hi, I reply, completely embarrassed!

I have absolutely no idea how to behave. Why am I here? And why the hell is Harry here too? Does he have any friends? I thought he was staying with his soccer team. I really wasn't expecting this group of friends. I'm completely perplexed by the outcome of this meal. 

_ Come on, Lola, Let's go get our lunch, says Thomas. Oh thanks God! I can use this excuse to run away!

We both head off in the direction of the dishes, leaving Allison and her friends behind. 

_ Listen Lola, I didn't know she was talking about those friends, I'm sorry... he tells me once we're far enough away that they can't hear us.

_ It's not your fault, and I've still got time to get out of here! I'm about to run for the exit door when he catches me by the arm.

_ Oh no! Thomas yells at me.

_ What's the matter? I don't understand his behavior. He doesn't want me to stay at the same table as Harry, does he?

_ You promised to come with me! He looks annoyed and disappointed at the same time.

_ But you're not going to leave me alone with Harry, are you? He hates me enough as it is, how can he think only of himself at this moment? I'm willing to accept a lot of things, but he can't go too far either.

_ You've no right to abandon me, please stay with me... And what's he going to think when he sees you're not coming back? That you're a coward? You're just going to prove him right by leaving now.

Oh no, I'm beginning to think he's right... But how does he do it? He always manages to convince me to do the worst things for him! This is the second time he's done this to me today. But it's true that I want to remain proud in front of Harry, and show him that he doesn't get to me. I'm above all that. I can do this. All I have to do is ignore him and everything will be fine. 

_ Okay but you owe me this !

_ Anything you want! I love you so much! he says, taking me in his arms.

Right now, I just wanna die. I just hope Harry has forgotten everything like I have. After all, he'd had as much or more to drink as I had, so it's totally possible. And it would really be a relief if he did.

We head for the food, I look at the various dishes on offer, and obviously there are no more French fries ... Well, pasta's not bad either! I'm taking my time to postpone my confrontation with Riggins, but it's bound to happen eventually. Thomas finishes serving himself and heads off towards the table where Allison is seated, so I hurry to follow him because I don't feel like going in the first place, and I'll feel even worse if I arrive alone!

The table is round, so Thomas is between Allison and Luke, Sam is between Harry and Allison and I'm between Luke and Harry as there's no other place... Can I cry please? Thomas sees my depressed face and mimes a sorry which I don't give a damn about at the time! I couldn't hope for a worse place than this.