In the Shadows

Chapter 6: Let the Games Begin

   The next day I head outside to lunch and sit under my tree like usual. I pull out my lunch and book and begin to read my book- Looking for Alaska at the moment. I enjoy the warmth from the sun and the relaxing music playing through my earbuds. The one time I feel at peace at school.

   I am startled with a tap to my shoulder and look up to find none other than James.

   "Hey Kitty Kat," He begins arrogantly.

   "Go away," I retort almost automatically.

   "Ah no can do. I saw my friend sitting all alone, and I figured the least I could do is grace her with my company." He continues being very annoying.

   "But I DON'T WANT YOU HERE!" I loudly reply looking at him dead in the eye.

   James chuckles, "Too late, I'm all settled. It's comfy over here. I don't know why I haven't sat here before."

   "It's because I'm always here. Well how about you leave me alone to my book and my music. You can do... well you can do whatever you do, but just don't bother me." I demand.

   "Yeah, no. You're going to keep me company. I don't like silence and unfortunately I have no earbuds on me, so I'm forcing you to be social." He flippantly states. Can he be any more irritating? Seriously I have fifty minutes to de-stress, and he is only stressing me out more! I begin to read and put my earbuds in hoping that ignoring him will make him disappear. He pops out my earbuds and takes them away.

   "HEY!" I react to his thievery.

   "No, no, no. Interact with me and we will see if you get these back." He bargains.

   "Hi. There, I interacted. Now give me back my earbuds." I retort.

   "Not good enough." He taunts.

   "Ok well I recommend not messing with me and my prized possessions. We saw what happened with the Skittles, didn't we?" I tease and hurt his ego.

   "How about a round two? You played unfairly last time. I can guarantee a win." He challenges.

   "Wanna bet on it? I win, I get back my earbuds and you leave me alone except for the project. You win, you get to interact with me willingly whenever and I will meet one other reasonable demand. Deal?" I reply taking on his challenge.

   "That is a deal I am most willing to take. Let the games begin in 3...2...1... GO!" He yells.

I jump on him in a frenzy to retrieve my lovelies. He manages to pull me off of him and throws me over his shoulder. Stupid football player. He spins me in a circle and runs hoping to put me in a daze. Unfortunately it works. He sets me down and I try to jump again but before I can pull myself together he has me pinned down and has begun to tickle me. Crap... I'm too ticklish for my own good. In hysterics I know I stand no chance. I realize what I have to do. I concede unwillingly and he stops. Like in the movies and books, I then realize how close he is to me and those treacherous thoughts come right back to me. Go away! Shoo! I scream in my head. He snaps out of his daze and pulls away. He looks at me and I realize my hoodie has come up quite a bit. I scramble to pull it back down. He gives me a questioning look, but says nothing.

   "I win, I win," James chants like the 5 year old he is.

   "Yeah, yeah. So what's your demand?" I ask just wanting to get it over with.

   "I'm not sure yet, we will see." He says with a mischievous glance in his eye.

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