Involved

one

killian martinez

My tongue ran along the rolling paper, lightly pressing everything together before looking at my perfectly rolled joint. Probably the best I've ever rolled and it was pitiful that I wouldn't be able to smoke it. It was unfortunately going to my ungrateful frat brothers who wouldn't know perfection if it hit them across the heads.

"Add Kimberly Zanders to that list. She's a transfer from Berkeley. Senior. Really nice tits," Ethan smiled, taking the joint from me.

There were eight of us, creating our yearly challenge. There's always a competition amongst the juniors and sophomores for who gets the master bedroom next year. Last year I won, so this year for my junior year I have it. The bedrooms in the mansion are already large. We each get our own room and they're larger than any average bedroom and each have an ensuite. But they're nothing compared to the master bedroom and I would be stupid to not gun my hardest to have it next year too.

The challenge is simple. We compose a list of worthy girls, we each choose one as our challenge and we have the entire school to rack up points with them. The best and worst part is they don't know we've suddenly become interested in them only for the game. Every year there's a girl or two who falls in love and gets their heart broken when one of the guys leaves them without an explanation. Although, there are the rare instances where one of the guys falls for the guys, but it's exactly that—rare.

There's a points system. The most intense things get, the more points you earn. It's not required, but video proof earns more points. It's fucked if you ask me. But it's the most thrilling challenge there is. Knowing you have this vulnerable person in the palm of your hands to do whatever you want with and they don't even know that they were just a pawn in your game.

"What about...Isabelle Langa," Ian suggested with a smirk directed towards me. He of all people knew that was a heavy loaded name. Not only because I've known her since we were in preschool or because she's a freshman—who we typically keep off the list. But because I happen to be close with her brother Junior and his best friend Dre.

Dre and I played basketball together growing up and we're now both playing D1 for the same school.

"I call dibs," Connor quickly spoke up. I suddenly didn't like his face.

"You think Dre and Junior would let you anywhere near her?" I scoffed, leaning back in my seat. That's the thing about Isabelle. Dre and Junior guard her like their precious cargo. But I don't blame them. They've created quite the name for themselves and she definitely needs their protection. "She's mine."

"But-"

I cut Connor off with a glare. "But nothing," I gritted through my teeth. He frowned, upset that he wasn't going to have the chance to get at fresh meat.

"She hates you. She'll never give in. You're basically asking to lose," Ian took the joint from Ethan and brought it to his lips. He offered and I shook my head. With the random drug tests, I can't risk getting kicked off the team because of weed. Not to mention I have a game in less than six hours. The first game of the year.

"That's where you're wrong. She hates me because I made her hate me. So, she will love me because I'll make her love me." I wasn't fully convinced with my words. I spent a lot of time making her dislike me. Now I had nine months to undo years worth of damage. "And I'll start today.

I brought my phone from my picked to call Dre. "Hey."

"Can I get a ride with you to the game? My car is fucked."

-

isabelle langa

It was the first basketball game of the year and the crowd couldn't contain its excitement. We were winning and by a lot. The players that were signed this year were amazing. The guys were tall and built. That on top of the amazing lineup we had from last year meant the school was about to have an unbeatable season.