The Player and the Played

11. The Badass and The Player

I checked my watch. Yep I could make it to my last class and pretend that I hadn't skipped school. I slunk into the shadows of the school corridors, trying not to be noticed. The familiar shrill ring of the bell made me wince. Students pored out of their respective classes. There was an atmosphere of gossip in the air.

"Princess, you're more badass than I thought," a familiar, deep voice called.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, Tyler," I mumbled.
"You skipped class, you're not a virgin, you've been drunk, you've had a one night stand, you've had boyfriends plural and you want a tattoo,"he replied in one breath.
"Did Zac tell you all that?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"I have a tattoo and I didn't skip class"
"You have a tattoo??? Where? When? Wha-"
"An anchor on my right shoulder blade. I got it last week and since I haven't worn a dress that shows it, he didn't know. And how would you know if I skipped class?"
Tyler stood with his mouth agape before he finally spoke. "We're in Biology together and i didn't see you at lunch."
"Fine I skipped class, happy."
"Why?"
Because I felt sick and needed air- the lie died and the words stumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.
"It's my sisters birthday"
"Bianca?"
I cursed under my breath. I didn't tell people about Ashley. But for some reason I found myself telling my hot and stupid neighbour-
"Not Bianca, Ashley. She died of Cancer."
He was silent for a while but then took my hand and held it, warmth emanating from the gesture.
"I'm sorry about her. She must have been great," he said softly.
"She was. She definitely was."
"Of course she was. If she had a sister like you who had a neighbour like me, there was no way she couldn't be awesome."

And cocky Tyler was back. The warning bell rang and I rushed to class. He might have been arrogant but he tried to lighten the mood and I liked that about him. He called you badass, a voice in my head said. I wasn't badass. But I definitely wasn't a good girl either.

The badass and the Player. Te badass and her player. That has a pretty nice ring to it.
"Miss Greene, I would like to know why you're grinning like the Mad Hatter," the drawling voice of Mr. Grayson, my English teacher, cut like through my thoughts like a sharp knife. "Is the death of King Lear really that amusing?" Someone better tell Shakespeare to make his tragedies more tragic
"No sir sorry sir. I was paying attention," I mumbled.

"Then you wouldn't have a problem answering- " and the class went on and on and on, drowning out the thoughts of Tyler and my sister.

***

I flopped onto the bed in the most unladylike fashion ever and the window had been open. And Tyler saw me. And did I mention that while flopping into the bed, my knee hit the edge? No? Well let me just say it was embarrassing. My sisters probably laughing in heaven.

And Tyler actually was laughing as he entered my room.
"Privacy, Ty!"
"Don't know what that means," he said with a smirk.
"Well, smart Ass, it means the state in which a person is free from being disturbed. "
"Oh I do know what it means. It doesn't apply to us."
"There is no us, Ty."
"Love my new nickname, princess."
"Whatever, Tyler."

"Anyway. I came here to get your mind off sad and depressing things, princess." Aww that was so sweet of him.
"Really?"
"Yes, princess. Now get your hot ass into a pair of shorts and we'll go."
I motioned for him to turn around. That pervert.
"Done."
"Let's go, princess. We're about to embrace your badass legacy."

***

"There is no way we are going zip lining," I stated. Notice how that full stop is in bold? That's because there's nothing after that. No argument.
"Princess, I want to see more of the badass side of you. Besides it's fun."
"It's not fun. It's scary and boring. I've gone with Zac."
"Everything is fun when it's with me." His voice then became a little more seductive. "Especially at night."

I punched his shoulder light enough for it to be painful yet hard enough for it to hurt.
"My whole hand hurts. Kiss it to make it feel better?" He said in his cute kid voice.
"You play soccer. I've seen you run with a sprained leg before."
He proceeded to pout like the mature 18 year old he is. "That was my evil twin, not me." I scoffed and went closer to the edge, peering down a little.

Tyler came and stood beside me, fastening the straps. "Um...Tyler, what exactly are you doing?"

"Relax princess, you're not going to die. You've done it before anyway." I rolled my eyes and got ready. Last time I'd been zip lining, i barely managed not to scream. I really hoped I wouldn't scream this time either. I took a dream breath. I was tough. Hell yeah, I could be tough. I tried convincing myself but it didn't really work out. It was so much easier to be tough with both my feet firmly planted on the ground. I was so caught up in my own thoughts I didn't even notice when Tyler, that idiot, gave me a slight push and I went falling down.

And that is how I died. 

Or thought i would. I screamed like a little kid and then thrashed around before realising that that would make my conditions worse. 

"FUCK YOU TYLER MENDES!" I screamed, proud of my last words.

 Then, I realised something. I was alive? I was alive! Thank the gods. I breathed a sigh of relief and then looked down. It gave me a feeling of vertigo but the view was really enjoyable. I felt like a bird, free and floating, without a care in the world. It was a great feeling, definitely one I could get accustomed to. I landed lightly on my feet and rested against the first thing I could see, my cheeks flushed. A few minutes later, Tyler came too.

"Aw, was the badass scared?" he teased.

"I'm not a badass, Tyler."

"You have a tattoo."

"I was kidding about it. But, forget that. Let's go again."

"Glad to," he murmured. I threw him a questioning glance.

"I said I'm glad to...fuck you too," he replied winking. Does he even do anything except wink, smirk and make sexual innuendos? I guess not. I punched his shoulder lightly, making him grin. He annoyed me and he knew it.

Needless to say, we went several times and ended up sweaty and tired. It was too much fun, that for a while, it helped blot out the grief of losing her. 

"Thanks, Tyler. I really needed that," I said as we went our different ways. I was rewarded with a full fledged, non-cocky smile. I couldn't help thinking how nice it looked.

A/N

So, I updated!! Tyler and Haley are sooo cute but I'm going to add drama *cue evil laughter* I still feel bad about killing Ashley though. I feel so attached to my characters...

btw guys, if you like my book, please, please, please vote on ALL chapters because I honestly feel like some of you guys like it and read all the chapters but vote on only the first few. Trust me, a one really makes my day.

I'm typing on my computer so i probably have a few errors like a lower case 'I' in some places so forgive me for that. I changed my description and can you guys tell me which one was better? I appreciate feedback and constructive criticism.

xoxo

Anu.