Rules Of Different Games

Chapter 8- Pine Creek Village

Dru Brown

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The sun showed itself too soon for my liking. I grumbled, sitting up with a stretch and a yawn. I moved a hand behind me to shake Ru awake, but she was gone. I frowned, looking at my empty light blue sheets. I didn't panic yet, thinking she was in the bathroom.

She wasn't. She wasn't downstairs either. In fact, she was nowhere to be seen. I checked my phone to see if she messaged me. Nothing. I checked my room to see if she left a note. She didn't. Now, that unforgettable feeling of panic stepped in to guide me into dialing her number. She answered on the third ring.

"Morning." Her voice was rough around the edges.

"Why'd you leave?" I asked, my voice sounded accusing.

"Uh, well, I was embarrassed."

Shit.

"What, why? It's me."

She made a sound like she was sighing. "Everything just happened so fast that when I woke up, I just panicked and wanted my weighted blanket. You know I'm shy and ridiculous sometimes. How...are you doing?"

"My heart was bruised, and I think I had my first one night stand where I got dodged the next morning. I'm fucking fangoddamntastic thanks for asking, best friend." I scoffed, the anger eating at me.

"Did you check your email?" I blinked at her question.

"The fuck? No, why? Did you read my emails?" I was shaking mad and totally didn't understand what she was saying.

"Your phone went off a million times around 6 am. I couldn't help, but look at it just to shut it off. Read them and you'll be happy. Then call me back." She hung up on me.

I stared at my phone in disbelief. My bestie was losing her ever loving mind thinking she could just skirt around our night like that. I sighed, checking my emails and to be honest by the third one I was floored and fucking fainted. Just went out like a light against my mattress without any warning.

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I was drafted into early submissions to Stanford. Stanford. I reread it 12 times, still in denial. My dad or mom must have done this. I didn't submit an early admissions slip. I wanted to stay with my team until the end of the year, like me and Ellie, the co-cap talked about. But now, faced with this, there was only one choice. I was leaving in two weeks. By the way, I was never going to go out with Ellie. It was a lie said to hurt Ruthie, and now I felt guilty about it.

I called my dad first, and he answered on the first ring. "Hi, baby. How'd the game go?"

"As if you didn't watch it live. I know Uncle Bal was there live streaming for you." I said dryly.

He chuckled. "Fine, fine. Good game, toots."

"Dad, did you send in an early admittance form for Stanford?" I asked boldly.

He giggled like a kid, getting his hand slapped for dipping in the cookie jar. "I had help. And we might have sent them in for every Ivy League. I may have even called a few scouts. Why?" The why was somber and serious, changing the rest of his tone.

I shook my head. "Because, you old goat. Stanford accepted me and sent me an entire box of souvenirs, including sweats."

"If there's a shirt. It's mine."

"Sure thing, Pops. Should I go?"

He laughed some more. "Is that even a question?"

"No, I suppose not." I giggled. "Dad, I made it into an early season. I'm not even that good."