A Game Well Played

Chappy 11: Who's She?

Walking down the road, all I could think about was all the memories Richie and I had. All the times he would protect me from his jerk-faced brother, and our intense wrestling matches. Do I ever miss those… He’d probably beat me now, eh? Yeah, he would.

What am I doing?

Talking to yourself, obviously.

Stop replying!

Can’t, sorry.

Yes you can, you’re me.

Fine, hear the crickets chirp, then.

Sighing, I winced. Why does this happen? Me talking to myself all the time? Am I that lonely? No, I’m not… but it’s fun.

I smiled, turning the street corner and dodging a huge crowd of people bustling through a bus stop. I then sped up, walking to the beat of Hello, Brookelyn by All Time Low. Air guitaring down the street, I stopped in front of the hotel that the guys were staying. I should go to practice, but this is better…

Joshes smile came to my mind, and Matt and Mike pushing one another around, joking. Ian sitting back with the look of pleasure on his face. Smiling, I pulled the door open and speed walking towards the elevator. I clicked the floor number before anyone else could come onto it, and tapped my foot.

The tapping of my foot quickly turned into me dancing, then belting out the lyrics.

“Hello Brookelyn, hey L.A! Take the streets all night ‘cause we sleep all day. When the world comes crashing down, who’s ready to party!”

“You are!”

Screaming, I turned around almost slapping the person who just screamed in my ear. Now don’t take this wrong, I’m not scared. I just got caught by surprise. By a ninja. Who stabbed me.

Yeah, that’s it.

The guy, who appeared to be a bellhop, started laughing. “Oh man! You should have seen your face! Ah!” He screamed in a high-pitched girly voice and jumping with his hands up in the air.

Grimacing, I clicked the button for the elevator.

“Are you going to talk to me?”

I let the silence fill him in on that.

“No? Okay! I’ll just stand here and wait for the elevator. Maybe sing? Though my voice is horrible. Do you mind if I sing?”

Still not replying, I walked into the now opened elevator doors, then pressed their floor number. This guy, whoever he was, started singing. It was marvellous. Can you taste the sarcasm?

“Wherever you are, whatever you do, I will be right here waiting for yo-”

“Will you just shut up! God, are you ever annoying!”

He frowned, then smiled again- lighting up his whole face. “Oh, so this beautiful lady speaks?”

“Yes, and you, kind sir, are irritating,” I snapped back at him.

“Well you looked down, or like you were concentrating. Or constipated.”

“I’ll give you twenty dollars if you shut up.”

After laughing, he winked at me and said with a teasing tone, “Bribing me? No, no, no! I’m Cole. How do you do, ma’am?”

Sighing and giving up, I looked at him. “Well, let’s see. I was kidnapped last night and am in for a yelling from my best friends when I get home. For now, I’m going to hang out with some people. Now, will you shut up and let me be?”

“That didn’t answer my question.”

“Okay, look,” I snapped, “I’m not in the mood for your stupid dilly-dally. Just leave me alone.” With that, I turned to face away from him, huffing.

“Well, then. If you’re going to be that way,” he said, leaning to look at me from the side, “I guess I’ll just do this…”

Cocking my head to the side for a millisecond, I looked at him, then quickly away. Stifling a laugh, I turned away, right into the mirror on the elevator. Cole was sticking his tongue out, and rolled both his eyes inwards, all the while making gand gestures at the top of his head.

The doors opened to the guys’ floor, and I quickly ran out, eager to get away from him. Sure, he’s funny; but he’s irritating too.

Racing down the halls, turning the corner sharply, I jolted farther. Eager to see Josh and the others, I knocked on the door with no breaks. When Ian opened it, I squealed.

“Oh, hey,” he said awkwardly, laughing while rubbing the back of his neck. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to see you and the others. What else?” I said in a teasing tone. “Can I come in?”

“Uh, well, we’re pretty busy today…”

“But we were supposed to hang out? And I’ve been looking forward to it! Please Ian?”

A flash of nervousness ran across his face before he silently moved to the side, allowing me to pass. I heard him mumble about getting Josh and Mike, before going up the stairs.

I heard footsteps storming down the stairs as a breathless Mike appeared.

“Hey! Cara, what are you doing here? Haha!”

Staring at him, I said the same thing as I did to Ian.

“Well Josh might be a bit. Matt is sleeping, but Ian and I can talk.”

“oh…‘kay? Is something up?”

“No, no! Nothing is!” Mike responded, rubbing the back of his neck.

“OK, what’s up? Ian, now you? Who next?! Josh?!”

“CC, it’s nothing, just stay down here ple-”

“I’m going to talk to Josh.” And with that, I started my way upstairs. Mike was trailing me, but only faintly telling me to stop. I’m surprised I didn’t turn around and smack him. First, being kidnapped last night. Then finding out my kidnapper was my old neighbours. Now this? No.

“…Please, just listen to me, Jenn! No, it’s not that- but- come on! You know I care, and that I would never- yeah… alright, but I love you. I hope you know that.”

Love? What the fuck?!

“No, the girl you saw me with before means nothing to me. She’s just a friend; even ask the guys. Alright, I’ll talk to you soon, bye.”

With that, I heard his phone shut as the door opened. Josh walked right into me, almost knocking me down.

“CC! Hey!”

“Who’s Jenn?”

“She’s nobody. Want a drink?”

“Josh, do not change the subject on me, Josh. Who is Jenn?”

“She’s no one. Please, let it go.” With that, Josh hugged me.

I reluctantly hugged back, not believing that she was ‘no one’, but not fighting it. I sighed and walked down the stairs, following Mike. Josh was droning on about how his last session in the recording booth was and I was nodding to him, showing I was listening. Who could Jenn be, and why is he acting like it’s a big secret?