Playing The Player

:Chapter Twelve:

It was the next day, as I was walking up to homeroom, when I really understood how guys could make girls feel so happy. Truthfully, until that point, I had always thought girls were exaggerating when they gushed over how cute this guy was and how he said 'Hi' to her, or when he complimented her on her top. I had never really understood why they squealed for ages if he texted her first, or if he went out of this normal way just to say hi to her.

But after Colt had said hi to me earlier, it made me feel special. My relationship history was pretty much non existent. I mean sure, there were the guys who had used me for Nina, as well as the guys who had dated me for a few weeks, whatever, but nothing memorable. Nothing that had made me feel so... happy?

Was I happy? That was odd itself; was I sad before? No, I was pretty sure I wasn't depressed. I had never had a single thought of killing myself or self harming in my entire life. I wasn't that sort of person. What was the point of moping around when you had better things to do, like study for the maths test or revising the elements on the Periodic Table? Sulking sure as day would not get anybody anywhere.

Really, I didn't like the idea that a guy, repeat, a guy could make me so happy. I mean, what happened to all that stuff I believed in, about not letting a man have control over my life? Inside my head, I frowned, but there was nothing I could do about the smile that was happily sitting across my face.

"Someone's in a good mood," Blake said teasingly, as he popped out of nowhere. Seriously, how does he even do that?

"And a jolly good morning to you," I said jauntily, stopping mid-step and turning to face him. He looked somewhat tired, annoyed, yet at the same time, pleased about something. "What are you looking so happy about?"

He grinned, flashing me a set a sparkling, perfect pearly whites. "Just excited about Nina 101 tonight."

I frowned. "Not tonight, I have to study for my Chem tomorrow," I disagreed.

"Oh, please?" Blake asked, grasping my small hands in his big ones, and bouncing them up and down. They felt... right. His hands were warm and large and the thought of pulling away didn't occur to me at all; it was way too comfortable. "You know how much I like her and all that stuff."

I pursed my lips. Well, I had studied for the test all week, and even if Colt was really cute and had texted me all through last night, I may or may not have slight feelings for Blake, and I wouldn't exactly object to spending more time with him. "Alright fine, you win. What time are you coming over?"

"Eight?" He asked, his lopsided smirk back in place. God, how did he manage to make that look so good? I had tried mimicking that in front of the mirror just to see if it would look half as sexy on me a few nights ago. I had been in the process of using my toothbrush to push one side up when Nina came in.

It was embarrassing.

I nodded quickly, sighing. "Sure. Eight it is. Although I'm not sure whether Nina will be out or not."

He shook his head, "It doesn't matter."

He was still holding my hands, and I was sure he was aware of this fact, but he wasn't pulling them away and I didn't make any move to pull mine away either. We stood there as people rushed around us, most giving us shocked looks. After all, Blake Carter was the school's notorious badass, and I was... well, I was just Hayleigh.

My phone made a noise, and I broke our little moment as I pulled my hand out to reach inside my pocket for my iPhone. I smiled when I saw who it was from before unlocking it, and yes, I had changed my password. Tapping back a reply to Colt, I pulled both hands away from Blake now.