Loving the Game

*Auction*

Rakeem had taken me back stage to where the rest of the girls were. Once I entered I looked as if I wasn't supposed to be there. The other girls had caked up doll faces, their hair was way more detailed than mine, and there dresses were made as if it was another prom. I seemed more on the plain side like I preferred. They were way more out there as if they were looking for a sugar daddy instead of raising money for a good cause. The number one of the back stage helpers pinned on me was number 13. No one else was higher than 13 which meant I was last to go. Great I thought just great. "Line up!" Someone yelled at us. We all jumped in line in numerical order. I was standing next to 11 which meant number 12 was a no show or she was moving at her on pace. Then I saw #12 walking my way. When I saw who it was I knew she was moving at her own pace as typical. Ashleigh Brown came over and stood beside me. She wedged in between me and 11 as if we really weren't even there. She didn't even look my way, she just stared straight ahead with her nose in the air as she patted down her purple and gold embroidered gown. Ashleigh was Deshawn's ex girlfriend. They had a rocky relationship over the past 2 years. It was that on and off again type thing. I never really spoke to her because she was the kind of 'too good to talk to you' type of person. She felt as if almost everything revolved around her especially when she did have D wrapped around her finger. I figured that if D truly was here, even though they aren't together, he'd bet on her. She stood out the most amidst the other girls and myself.
"...we will now began the showcase! Don't forget all proceeds go to new step uniforms for our fraternity house and to the St. Jude's Children Research Hospital!" I heard Rakeem announce. I took a deep breath as the red velvet curtains started to rise. The audience was so packed there were people standing up in the back. Everyone had a fan that read a number on the front in their hand. The crowd applauded and "whoo"ed at our presence. My eyes fell straight on Deshawn. He sat near the middle of the 3rd row. He wore a nice blue blazer, a white button down and grey dress pants. He wasn't even paying attention to us but to his phone.
"First up is Ms. Shawna White...she's a sophomore working on her bachelors in childhood education! She is a pet lover, a self proclaimed poet, and loves to dance. Shawna is looking for a guy to hopefully build a stress free future with. Are you that guy? Let's start the bid at $50." Rakeem introduced. Shawna stood in the center of the stage waving to the bidders. I recognized her from Mr. Lyles' class. A few numbers went up in the air. "How bout $65...number 233 with 65! $70? Number 148 with 70! Going once...twice...and sold to #148 in green polo sweater! Come up here and claim your prize!" The guy did as told and escorted Shawna off stage. They next 11 girls went by just like this just with different biographies of what they were interested in. The highest bid so far was $90 which was pretty decent cash to spend since most college kids don't have that kind of money just to blow on a one night with a random female. "Next up is Ms. Ashleigh Brown." She glanced a look at me out the corner of her eye as she strided to center stage. She flipped her curly red weave over her shoulder and smiled at the audience. I wondered if the look of disgust on my face was noticeable by the crowd. "Ashleigh is a graduating senior here at CSU getting her bachelors in Cosmetology and Fashion Designing. She enjoys helping others feel pretty. Her hobbies include designing, drawing, and singing in her local church. Ashleigh is interested in finding her superman willing to cater to her needs and wants. She is willing to be Mr. Right's ride or die! If this is your type of lady then let those numbers fly because we will be starting the bid at $60!" Rakeem said. Many of those fans went up. Deshawn sat there with his arms folded. He hadn't bet on anyone this evening so I began to wonder why was he even here? "Ok well will this beauty sell for $95," Rakeem asked raising the price once he saw how badly she was wanted. Ashleigh looked fake shocked at how many people were willing to spend one evening out to dinner with her. "Number 207 going once! Do I hear $125!?" "125! To number 245! Going once!" I was taken back by the fact that number 245 was Deshawn. He had finally put himself in the bidding on Ashleigh. I looked down at my feet. Of course he was going to bet on her. They had a history. A rocky history at that. "150!" Some nice looking Spanish guy from the crowd yelled. Deshawn and most of the audience turned to see the bidder. Deshawn didn't even raise his number again. It was like he had given up as quickly as he began. "Alright! $150 going once, twice...and sold to number 484 in the back there! Come and claim your lady!" Ashleigh smiled and clapped for the guy as he came up to the stage and took her away. Now it was just me, myself, and I on that bright stage. The crowd just stared at me and I stared back. I felt my palms getting sweaty. I was the center of their attention now and I wanted it to end. I wanted them to take there beady, emotionless eyes off of me and focus on something else. Anything else. I looked at Rakeem who gave me the thumbs up from under the podium. I nodded. "Last but certainly not least we have Ms. Brianne King!" That was my cue to move to the middle of the stage but I stood still. "Bri.." Rakeem whispered at me. He motioned for me to move with his eyes. I walked slowly to my spot. Rakeem continued," Brianne is a graduating senior from Georgia specializing in pediatric nursing. She loves scary movies, watching sports, art, animals, and children. Her hobbies include writing, shopping, singing, and reading. She is looking for a someone to joke around, love, and grow with." I could tell Rakeem came up with this description of me off the top of his head since he paused in between certain words and threw out a couple of slick shots like the one about shopping because last weekend I drug him along to the mall with me since Brooklyn had to study. And he knew damn well I couldn't sing worth a quarter. "If this sounds like the one for you than put your fans up high be use we will begin the bid at $60" The room was dead. Not one soul raised a hand...just like I told Brooklyn would happen. My face started to turn warm from embarrassment. After two minutes of waiting, a red head girl with freckles raised her sign. My eyes went big and I wanted to run to a place far from here and hide in a closet crying my eyes out. Another sign went up and Rakeem raised the price to $75. I gulped down the embarrassment in my throat. God please. I prayed. I looked down at the floor because my eyes felt like they were going to let my emotions get the best of me. "$100" I heard someone from the crowd yell. I immediately looked up to see the number 245 in the air. "100 going once!" Rakeem smiled. "$150!" The voice of the red head girl yelled. I had nothing against gays or lesbians in fact Brooklyn was bisexual but it just wasn't my thing. The last thing I wanted was for to go out with her and rumors of how she 'turned me out' get started. "200!" Deshawn shouted. I looked in Ashleigh's direction and she was just as confused looking as me. I had out bid her now making me the highest of the night. And him saying 200 also means that he had the money to out bid the guy that bought Ashleigh but he didn't. Why? "200 going once...twice.." Then at random members of the audience called out numbers. It seemed as if since Deshawn's bid made them want a peace of the action. "I heard 250 by number 378! Going once..." "$300!" Deshawn yelled standing up with his number in front of him. He dusted of his suit,"$300 dollars for shorty, and it's cash." He took the was of money out of his pocket and flashed it. The crowd gasped and fell into a silence. Rakeem looked as if he couldn't believe what he just heard. My eyes got wide. I felt as if this entire day had been a dream or either a sick joke. "Sold to number 245! Come and claim your price..." Rakeem told D. Everybody watched him as he came on stage. "Shall we?" He said once he approached me. He extended his hand out to greet me. I gently placed my hand in his. He bent down and planted a kiss on the back of my hand and led me down of the stage.
"Thank you all for coming to the auction and helping raise money for a great cause. Tonight we have raised $1,283 dollars. On behalf of my omega brothers I want to thank you once again and have a safe night." Rakeem closed the ceremony. I was sitting next to Deshawn surrounded by the other girls and their dates. I overheard them speak on where they were going on their dates and simply making small talk getting to know each other. Several people began to file out of the building. "So I guess we should exchange numbers, right?" Deshawn finally said. "Umm..yeah. Yes, we should." I croaked. "He pulled out a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to me. "Here," he said handing it over. He also pulled out his phone and asked me to type in my number. "Brianne right?" I nodded. I found it odd how he still didn't know my name yet just blew $300 dollars cash on me. Where they do that at? "Right. So I'll text you tomorrow so we can discuss this...date." He added. "Sounds good." I said standing now. I still had a feeling this wasn't real, but I knew deep down it was. "Cool," he said getting to his feet with his hands in his pockets. He reached around my waist and hugged me," Have a good night, ma." He mentioned in my ear. I wanted to melt right then and there? But instead I nodded and said 'you too.' Deshawn began to leave and I just watched. The others filed out behind him. I had felt their eyes watching us. Ashleigh took a long hard look of hatred at me before she walked out. I had imagined giving her the same look tonight if things had gone the other way around. Rakeem placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it," Yo, you ready to bounce?" "Yes," I moaned. He laughed," Well it seems to me as if you had a special ass night. Who would've thought you were going to flip this shit out, huh?" I laughed," Certainly not me." "I had faith in you though sis. I knew you were going go be bringing in that stripper money." "You are crazy as hell," I cried laughing.