Player's Game

10 - New Game, New Rules

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Tiana

As I make my way down to the garden, I notice Maria, Liv, and Diana all studying on the rounded table near the large oak tree; it surprised me that Andre wasn't stuck to Maria's hip. The girls were so lost in their studies, dashing from computer to study book to note-taking, it seemed as if they were on the verge of uncovering the meaning of life.
It made me grateful to know that we lasted this long to witness this tree grow up to its big boy roots; as I think about it now, this tree will forever know all of our true secrets and see all of the ridiculous things we did as kids. I grinned to myself and skipped over, eager to annoy them. "Hey, girlies!" I sang. Maria, Liv, and Diana all raise their heads and frown when they realise what I'm doing. When Liv stops me, I chuckle and sit next to her.

"Go Away. We know what you're doing. We have to finish this assignment, we are too focused for your spaz." Liv utters peeking at me through her thick magoo glasses. I eyed her inconspicuously and then shifted my eyes to Diana and Maria who only shrugged.

"Well, I just wanted to tell you about my little date that I had." I flick my hair and turn the other way, the girls didn't seem to care at the moment, but they all were listening awaiting my answer, I pressed my lips together. "-With Andrew Harvey."

Maria, Diana and Liv fired up, their ears perking like feral dogs with excitement. "Where, When, What Happened?" they all badger. I grinned happily and excitedly told them everything and all that happened, with any interruptions or hesitations they all listed wide-eyed and gushed.

The last few weeks have been difficult for Andre and Maria. When Andre tells me that Andrew is a player and that I would be hurt, I always shake my head and find myself supporting Andrew and Maria's idealistic, romantic point of view while weighing the pros and cons; it's so easy to be taken in by little things, to get caught in love, and to convince yourself that there is a shared emotion because of the way he acts and speaks.
After all, I've been spending a lot of time with Andrew, which contradicts what Andre says; I believe we're closer than he realises. Andrew, like me, is the sort to block up, to cloak himself with pride and masculinity, but when it comes to anything as serious and sincere as a conversation, he will avoid it all completely, hiding his emotion and vulnerability. So, in conclusion, I'm not sure if Andrew Harvey will ever feel the same way. But it all comes down to the way he acts, the small details, and the main priority.

"Well, surely there is something between you." Liv states,  she takes off her magoo glasses and places them on the table, "The way you are explaining things, maybe it's not a game at all."

Diana sat indecisively, so Maria nodded in agreement. I didn't believe Diana would protest or have anything to say given her current situation with Jarred; at this time, she was the type of girl to say, "He could be your twin flame!"

"What do you think Diana?" She sighed and rolled her shoulders as I popped the small bubble she was in. "I'm not sure, it's still too early to tell. It's important to have an open mind and to think realistically."

Oh, or not... She was right though. "- I just don't want you to get hurt agian," Diana continued softly. I suck in a breath and swipe my lip. Maria and Liv seem to suffer, their mindset has probably changed as much as mine did.

"Realistically it is," I declared. My thoughts had only been interrupted as I noticed Andrew standing from afar, he had his arms crossed over his chest sleeves rolled up to his forearms and a cigarette in his mouth where he only started in my direction with what appeared to be a smile.

I slowly mirror it, and it appears the girls have noticed.

"Now come on, does that seem like the type of guy to be playing games?" Maria defends, pointing to him knowingly. We laughed, her sarcasm was dripping with ease.  "It wouldn't hurt to have a little fun," Diana suggested with a small playing smile. We all burst into laughter.