RED.

Chapter 9: Bets

I haven't been physical with someone since my eight grade year, a girl pushed me and I swung my fist. She ended with a black eye and a broken nose, while I got a busted lip and some bruises. Ah, and a beat down from Nana. Ever since then I had never lifted my hand to anyone, except now.

I watched as Twenty-seven began to push her face of the glass and politely slammed it against it once more. "Please miss, calm down and let her go." I heard the store clerk say softly.

I leaned my lips down to Twenty-seven's ear said, "Look, I don't know what problems you may have with me, but kill that shit. You don't know me, granted I don't know you, but I'm not the one. Find you someone else to play with." With that I released her and grabbed my Gatorade, and walked out the store.

I walked across the parking lot and towards wherever my feet were taking me. Just as I was about to cross the street to get to a McDonald's to cease the constant growling of my stomach, a familiar white BMW stopped me.

"Get in." Chresanto said sternly as his window completely rolled down.

"I'm not doing sh-"

"Don't argue with me Azalea, get in now or I'm doing it myself." He said cutting me off.

I politely walked around his car and into the parking lot. I opened the door to the establishment and immediately got in line. After ordering myself nuggets and paying for them, I took a seat in a vacated booth. While gazing out the window I heard a throat clear. I mentally rolled my eyes and pretended to read my receipt.

"Look at me." He said as he took a seat across from me. When I didn't listen he snatched the receipt out of my grasp and crumbled it in his grasp. "You're really beginning to piss me off Azalea."

"Then leave, I'm not begging you to stay by my side. Your fr-"

"Is that what's bothering you? Meg is an ex-girlfriend, she says everything to get under someone's skin." He said quickly cutting me off. "You're not even giving me a- Azalea I'm not doing this with you here of all places."

"Order 282!" The worker called out. I got up from my seat and went to get my food then walked back to Chresanto.

"Give me your car keys." I said as I held out my hand.

"What?"

"Do you want me to go with you or not?"

"Man, girls are con artist. Do not wreck my baby." He mumbled slamming his keys in my hand.

I walked out of the restaurant and to the car. After hitting the unlock switch, we both got in the car, and I pulled off. After ignoring Chresanto's consistent questions, I pulled the car over and turned it off.

I got out of the car and went to take a seat on the trunk with my food in my lap.

"Stop staring at me and start talking." I said to Chresanto as I dipped my nugget in barbecue sauce.

"I'm not playing you Azalea." He said as he leaned against the trunk. "And why this area to talk?"

I took him to this park that was near the Houston Aquarium. As this time of night the park was vacated and quiet. It was calming and you didn't have all the noise of the Downtown Saturday nights.

"I wanted to."

"Is it our spot then?" He asked as a goofy smile covered his lips.

"In your dreams, and you couldn't possibly play me. We're not together or talking or whatever the hell our generation calls it. You're just a stalker who-" I stopped myself by the flash and a shutter sound.

I looked over to see Chresanto smiling at his phone. I mushed his face as he looked up at me. "You're not even focusing on what I'm saying."

"I am, you're just so beautiful it distracts me. I'm sorry Azalea. You're not a charity case to me, that's not the type of person I am." He said as he rubbed a hand through his curls. "I'm here because I like being around you, as long as you know that. Just rock with me and forget all that negative shit. What type of person do you think I am?"

"I wouldn't know, you never told me." I admitted.

"You never asked either."

Touché

"Look, I just wanna establish so common ground. I'm not begging you to stay around me, if you wanna leave, do so. I promise I'm happy alone." I said nonchalantly. "Keep your groupies in check though, the minute I feel disrespected I will make sure they remember me and the ass whooping they receive. We clear?"

I was so into establishing my point I failed to realize Chresanto getting closer. He was standing in between my legs and moving my nuggets from my lap. His lips were moving towards mine before I heard him mutter, "clear". Then he took off, I was confused until I noticed him holding my nuggets.

I immediately took off after him screaming for him to give them back. He laughed at my failed attempts to grab the container and stuffed his face with them. When I finally got the box in my hand I tugged them towards me hard, and Chresanto let go sending nuggets flying to the ground.

I quickly struck him in his chest with two punches, and turned back towards the car. I felt his arms wrap around my waist and he pulled me closer to him. I turned around in his arms and began to try and pry him off me.

I resorted to pinching him, only to have him tighten the grip of his arms and I let out a yelp. I watched as he grinned and looked down at me.

"I really want to kiss you Azalea." He admitted.

"Don't."

"Why not?"

"I said so."

"Here's a bet, we play Paper Rock Scissors and if I win I get to kiss you."

"No." I said.

"You win, and I'll give you the BMW for three days."

"You're kidding."

"I'm serious." He said releasing his grip on my waist and placing his hands in position.

"Okay, I'll play. Best two out of three."

"Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot!" We said in unison. I threw out a rock and threw out scissors.

"Come on baby, I expected better." I gloated.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot!" I watched as he placed his paper over my rock, earning himself a win.

"Can't wait to see how soft those lips are." He winked earning himself an eye roll from me.

"Rock, Paper, Scissors, shoot!" I quickly cut his paper with my scissors and pulled the keys from my pocket, dangling them in the air.

"She's mine!" I turned back to the car and felt Chresanto grab my wrist.

"Sorry, I'm a very bad loser." Was all he said before he placed his lips onto mine.