The player and the shy girl (english version)

War Games

AFTER A WEEK

I left Lucas, and now I'm back at my own house...
Since I left, we haven't spoken again. We cut all contact, and honestly, I didn't want to talk to him anymore—I couldn't take it any longer. Sometimes he tries to talk to me, but I ignore him. And when I say he talks to me, I mean like at the beginning of the year...

I wanted him, and I still do, but I know it won't lead anywhere. I told Mia everything again, and although she was angry at first, she's still supporting me.
Peter and I are still on good terms, though we only talk once in a while.
As for Scott, we don't talk at all.
And now with Lucas, things still aren't going well. He's started bothering me again...

I get up from my bed and sigh. I knew what was coming my way again; it's not easy dealing with everything that's happening to me...

I go to the bathroom, then take out the clothes I want to wear.
I put these on:

Mia forced me to go shopping for new clothes, so I guess my current style is all thanks to her and Austin...

I put them on, grab my bag, and head off to school.
As soon as I walk in, I see Lucas. The moment he sees me, he starts talking, but I walk right past him, ignoring him. Today wasn't my lucky day though...
He grabs my arm with force, stopping me, and turns me around to face him.
The pain showed clearly on my face.

"What happened, Emma? Cat got your tongue?" he sneers.

I don't look at him. My head is down, just like before...

"When I talk, you look at me!"
He shouts, lifting my chin so I'm forced to meet his eyes.
I look at him, but not with an innocent expression—this time, I glare at him angrily.

"Ohhh, look at that, Emma's mad!" he mocks.

"Leave me alone, already!"
I snap, yanking my arm out of his grip and walking away.

He stares at me, clearly not expecting that, and so do all the other kids around us.

He tries to grab my arm again as I walk away, but I pull it back, spinning around. He misses, and I raise an eyebrow at him.

"Do you need something else?" I say sarcastically.

"Since when do you talk back to me?" he snarls.

"Maybe since now, in case you didn't notice," I respond, knowing it's making him angrier.
I know he hates being mocked, but I don't care. He wants a fight, and I'll give him one...

"WATCH YOURSELF!" he growls.

"Or what? You'll start with your usual threats? That you'll beat me down and whatever else you say?"
I laugh mockingly.

He glares at me while everyone at school watches.
I'm not going to let him push me around anymore.
If he wants to treat me like trash, I'll give him the same treatment.
This is a new Emma now.

"Thought so."
I say, walking away from him.
I smile as I hear everyone start whispering about me and Lucas.
I guess they aren't used to seeing someone stand up to him.
Your time is up, Lucas.

I walk over to my friends and smile at them.

"Good morning," I say as they look at me.

"Well, that was something!" they say, looking surprised.

"I'm not going to let him push me around anymore. If he wants a war, he'll get one!" I tell them, determined.

"Are you sure about this, Emma? This is Lucas we're talking about—he's capable of anything!" Mia warns.

"And I'm Emma, nice to meet you," I reply sarcastically, looking at them.

"If he tries to lay a finger on me, he'll be in for a little surprise," I say, smiling.

"Oh, boy... Love really does change people," Austin comments, and I glare at him.

"You better be careful, or you'll be the one paying for this!" I joke, and he pretends to surrender.

"That's more like it," I laugh.

"If you weren't taking boxing classes, we'd be in trouble," Mia jokes, and they both laugh.

"She'll send us straight to the hospital!" Austin adds, and we all laugh.

"Oh, shut up," I tell him as he stands up from the bench and hugs me.

"And now you're all sweet again," I say, pretending to pout, and he laughs.

"You know I love you," he says.

"Yeah, sure," I reply, looking at him as he wraps his arm around my head.

I feel someone staring at me intensely...
And who else could it be?
I turn my head and see Lucas watching me.

I laugh sarcastically and turn back to my friends, continuing our conversation.

POV LUCAS

Emma actually talked back to me for the first time...
I wanted to crush her, but I knew I'd lose control, and I didn't want that...

I let her walk away and sit with my group of friends. We start talking.

I watch her sitting with her friends, and then I see Austin hugging her.
I don't know why, but it makes me want to smash his face in. He's pissed me off ever since Scott's party...

She realizes I'm staring and turns to look at me. I don't break eye contact.
She laughs mockingly and turns back to her friends.

This didn't start off well...
If she wants to play this game, I have no problem with that.
War it is.