Love Game

Chapter 13:

I got back to the house with left overs in hand. My arms could barely carry the things that I bought and...well, stole... I'm poor, okay?! I could only buy a drink and a snack. I had no other choice. If I had more money, I would have considered being patriotic.

I hoped through the window, and dumped the goods on the bed. I had three sealed take-out containers of fried dough, a lengthy box that held two corndogs, another container similar to the last which had a hamburger inside, and lastly, a giant green apple flavored slushy.

I chuckled and sat down beside Orio. "It's a good day."

Too bad I don't have napkins. Some of this can be messy... But I have sauce!

I had many individual packets of honey mustard, ketchup, barbeque, and ranch. I should have relish as well for the corn dogs, but it doesn't matter if I don't. It will be a bit of a shame, I'll admit. But I don't die if they forgot.

I pick up the container holding the hamburger and open the lid. Just as I leaned down to take a bite, I hear a sound at the bedroom door.

KNOCK, KNOCK

Damn.

I don't even bother to hide the food. I sigh and put the hamburger back in the box. I wipe my hands on my pants, not caring if they get a little dirty. Then, I walk towards the door. Cracking it to see who it was, my eyes land on the guy Clear referred to as Noiz. He looks down at me with a somewhat solemn gaze, his green eyes cutting through mine easily.

"Can I come in?"

He wants to talk? Fine. Whatever. Let's hear what he has to say! If it's anything to piss me off, I'll sick Orio on him. He may be slow and small, but his teeth are still sharp.

I can't say that much for his claws since I'm the one who usually carries him. Nonetheless, an animal is still an animal. If I give the word, this boy will be lucky to make it out without a deep scratch.

I sigh and open the door all the way. Stepping to a side, I let him in. When he enters the room, I go back over to where I previously sat. Taking up my hamburger like before, I bring it to my mouth to take a bite.

"I want another match."

My throat closes automatically, which almost makes me choke. I get the bite of hamburger down without much trouble. But when the chance presents itself, I allow my eyebrows to furrow.

"What?" My voice is sharp and low, not quite a growl, yet not quite a whisper.

"I underestimated you right off the bat because you are female. The mentality threw me off. I want another match."

But...I lost! Was he seriously telling me that he wanted a re-match because he underestimated me? That doesn't make any sense. A win is a win. It still goes on record as just that.

"But you won."

He shook his head. "It registered as a draw."

Really? Was the game inconclusive because Rhyme crashed, or was this really the ending score? A draw was almost unheard of. In a game like Rhyme, normally you either win or lose. Obviously, this was my first 'draw'. And I assume this was his first draw as well.

"Sorry, but no. It was a mistake to play after all this time. I should stick to what I do best."

Noiz grips my arm, pulling me to my feet. I hardly have enough time to save the food in my lap.

"H-hey!"

"Come on. A game starts in an hour behind the Junk Shop. We can make it if we leave now."