Blood Money (1) | The Inheritance Games

IX. delicate

"Sometimes I wonder, when you sleep
Are you ever dreaming of me?"

The whole week is spent with people talking about the tests coming up and the field week. I'm stuck in this classroom instead of studying doing these health class workshops. 

"Okay folks, who can tell me what consent is." Quinn asks as she pulls a seat over to the 5 of us. 

"Permission." Tristan groans, sick of this already.

"No." Quinn points at him. "Agreement. It's not permission. It's agreement." She corrects.

"You shouldn't be asking for permission to do what you want, you should be coming to an agreement about what you both want." Quinn informs us.

"And contrary to rumours, it's not always about sex. Can I have some volunteers?" She says.

Everyone slouches further into their seat. It is currently 9am. None of us want to be here. The coffee cup in my hand is getting lighter and lighter.

"Spencer and Noah, great of you to volunteer." She cheers, we both sigh and push ourselves to our feet.

"I have some scenario cards I want you to act out, so show us those acting skills." Quinn says smugly.

Then she hands us some flashcards and has us read them as the other three spin all the chairs to face us.

"Paul wants to borrow Suzy's bike. Suzy needs to use her bike this weekend and doesn't know how to tell him no." I read aloud. 

"You guys can act out outcome 1 which is on the back of the flashcard for me. Whenever you're ready." Quinn orders from the back of the three chairs facing us.

"Hey Suzy. Can I borrow your bike this weekend." Noah says monotone.

"Actually I need it this weekend." I reply in the same voice.

"Oh that's fine. Maybe I can borrow it some other time." He continues. "Yeah." I finish.

The three of our peers applaud us jokingly after our pathetic attempt of a performance.

"Good, but can we please try. Remember, this is a safe space. You should act out outcome two now." She instructs.

"Hey Suzy. I need to borrow your bike." Noah says more naturally this time. "Uhh, I don't know.." I reply. 

"Please? I really need it." He insists. "So do I." I defend. "But I need it more. Don't make me walk. Can I just take it?" He persists.

"Yeah fine." I agree. 

"Wonderful. I'm gonna have you act out your second scenario, which I have to warn you contains some sensitive topics so be respectful." Quinn warns.

"Kyle wants to take Rosa's virginity at the party tonight but she doesn't feel she is ready." I read.

Quinn gestures for us to go ahead with outcome 1. 

"Hey Rosa, want to hook up with me at the party tonight?" Noah reads with a blush. "Sorry Kyle, I don't think i'm ready yet." I reply.

"That's okay Rosa. We can talk about boundaries if you would like." He continues reading. "That would be good, thank you." I continue the script unnaturally. 

When we finish we look to Quinn pleading to not make us act out the second outcome.

"Never thought Spencer had it in her to say no." Maja scoffs. 

Quinn spends a couple minutes raising her voice about slut shaming. Then promptly has us begin the second outcome.

"Hey Rosa, want to hook up with me at the party tonight?" Noah reads, adjusting his glasses as they slide down the bridge of his nose I find myself staring at him with admiration in my eyes. Am I checking him out.