The Game

Chapter 42

Tori

I've been ignoring Neal for the past many days. God, I'm so ashamed, I broke into his house for god sake. Maybe I should have thought of a completely different way to tackle the plan. His parents, where are they anyways? He doesn't speak of them, well he doesn't speak of anybody. I don't remember their faces, only voices like small sentences they would say.

"Sarah you look just like Victoria." They were very gentle. How in the world did they raise such a devil.

We're going out the park with my dad. He's excited for the trip. Believe me his inner soccer coach is already out. He's forcing Neal to come along, as well as the rest of the family. He told me to be ready at 3:30. And its 4:10 now. I had to take a shower, and I'm still in my rope. What to wear, I think to myself as I'm looking at my closet. I end up pulling out an oversized sports t-shirt and some sports shorts. Believe me, we're going to exercise. I put on my underwear, and hear my dad shouting downstairs.

"Tori! - hurry up, we're leaving." I'm taking my time. I look at myself in the mirror, still in my underwear. I could lose some weight. Or eat more healthy, but that won't happen. The door opens. I panic. It could have been my mom, it could have been Serena, but I wasn't that lucky. Instead, here stands Neal. He looks at me, in shock - paralyzed. And before I know it, I start screaming. He hurries out with a look I haven't seen on him before.

"Pedophile!" I scream after him, ashamed of what just happened. I put on my clothes and hurry downstairs

"What took you so long" my dad says at the door opening. "I told Neal to get you, but it seems like you took your time"

"Dad, leave me alone" I say. This is his fault.

"You don't wanna go?" He asks
"Now that I already changed I guess I have to go, but how about you don't talk to me right now" I say annoyed.

"What's wrong with you?" He asks and folds his arms. It's too embarrassing to admit what happened.

"I guess it's the homework" I hear from behind. Neal. I just roll my eyes and turn around. I don't want them to see my cheeks blushing.

We arrive at the park, and my dad brought his soccer ball. Brad is making dinner, over at the grill, and Angelina is cutting vegetables. So, it's me, Neal, Serena and my dad - who are playing. I brought my shoes, but I'm not interested in playing if Neal is, or if Serena is.

"So, Neal - who do you wanna pick first?" Like there are a lot of people to choose between. Serena and I just look at each other. He better not choose me.

"Tori." He says and turns around and walks away with the ball. I just look at him. Is he fucking serious. I walk over to our side of the field. Serena and my dad are standing on the other side. We start playing, Serena is the goalkeeper and my dad all the other positions. Neal wants me to be the goalkeeper, but I told him to do it himself and ran away. I am going to show my dad how good I am at this. I start running with the ball and my dad runs towards me. I am going to dribble him. I run faster and run past by dad, but then the ball is gone. I didn't even notice it! I don't even want to run after it. He keeps running and Neal starts yelling for me to come back.

"Goddamn it Tori!" Who knew he even wanted to win. I slowly walk back to the net. Neal looks at me annoyed.

"Mr. James, can we please trade partners." Neal says.

"You chose her, remember - so I guess my answer is, hmm no." My dad says. I don't know if I should be offended that he doesn't want me or happy that he said no to Neal.

"Tori why don't you call K.C? The more the merrier." He says. "He can bring his friend too."

"You know what, I'm not playing anymore." I say grumpy and kick the ball. They all just look at me. "Dramaqueen." I hear Serena say.