Playing Your Cards

Chapter 3

Mia walked out of the library talking to Diamond. After the whole "what-the-hell-were-following-me?" fiasco, they had spent the whole entire lunch period talking about books, movies, and anything in general. Mia never knew a guy, especially one as hot as Diamond, to love books as much as Mia did, though, Diamond apparently doubted anyone could read books as fast as she did, and with such a passion as she did. As they walked down the hall, they soon were forced to split up because of their conflicting schedules.

Oblivious of the watchful eyes following them, showing their disbelief at how a wallflower and a nobody like Mia could catch the attention of someone like Diamond, they said their goodbyes. Diamonds eyes' quickly looked down at Mia, thoughts running across his face and his eyes betraying the grief his face didn't show. They had eighth period physical education together Mia thought luckily.

Mia walked the rest of the way to her AP English class. Marcus, her longtime-best friend, met her at the door. Sure the two were only sophomores, but they were in the Seniors AP English, Biology, World History, Trigonometry, and Calculus II classes. They were the smart kids every teacher loves, but not to the extent where they were always called on and not being the teachers pet. They may have been invisible to others, but in their small circle of friends, they were important and essential. Both of the two were sarcastic, witty, humorous, and fun-loving around people they knew well. As soon as they walked inside, they sat down at their three-person table their English books still there from fifth period. The bell rang and five minutes later, their other seat-mate arrived. Brian being the very homosexual man he is, checked out Marcus in his white V-neck and whistled lowly. He was always joking around with Marcus. Brian was a fine man himself, with his blonde hair and striking blue eyes, but since he was gay, no one wanted to hang out with him besides us and our other friends Timmy and Jordan. Marcus wasn't bad either, he had light brown hair and with an average build, making him.... plain. He was cute, but not hot enough to hang out with the "popular" group.

Brian, turning his head looked at me and whistled again jokingly, knowing Mia didn't care one bit. Luckily though, the teacher didn't notice Brian being late or him whistling, but then again, the teacher, Mr. Micheals, wasn't even here yet. Mr. Micheals was always late, so we all did what we always do during seventh period: Get into our seats and do something productive. Mia decided to finish the essay due next week that they received in her class before lunch. Its weird, Mia thought, that we have English before and after lunch. The new way of the schedule was weird overall, but Mia didn't mind, after all, she got to have three periods of literature in a row, even though one was technically for lunch.

"So, who was that boy you were walking with Mia?" Marcus asked questioningly with a raised eyebrow.

"Boy? BOY?!" Brian shouted before she could answer and just as Mr. Micheals walked into the room.

"Mr. Andrews, please show some respect, if your going to shout and scream, at least let us have some kind of warning," Mr. Micheals said smiling playfully. "Alright, get back to what you were doing before I decided to grace you all with my wonderful presence." Mr. Micheals sat in his chair, starting to write something on his desk. He was the best teacher in the whole school, according to past students, and Mia and her friends agreed completely.

"Wonderful? That's me, Mr. Micheals," Brian said happily as another student piped up.

"Grace us? I'm sorry sir, but you got it the wrong way, we're gracing you with our amazing presence," The student said. Mia thought that Selene had dropped out of this class, guess not, Mia mentally shrugged.

"Selene that is where you are wrong," Mr. Micheals began as he finished writing whatever it was he was writing. He held up a whole classes worth of multi-colored slips of paper, making everyone grin stupidly. "Today, after school, right here, we're all going to play the Name Game, and see who's gracing who then," Mr. Micheals finished letting us return to our talking and work. The Name Game was where he had slips of papers of all different varieties for us to choose from. We choose from this big magicians hat Mr. Micheals owned and it gave us something. Sometimes it was detention, and others it was something even better. Last year, a kid won a field trip for the class. It was the best game ever, and he a lot of times he only let you pick if you were caught up on your work, so it was educational too. That's the only reason why the school hadn't banned it yet. Unfortunately for Mia, Brian still hadn't forgotten the topic of Diamond yet.

"Boy?" He asked, finality on this topic staying clear in his voice.

"Not that way Brian," Mia sighed. "It was just one of those new students, Diamond. He's actually pretty cool." Mia answered the boys questioning stares. Marcus looked puzzled by her answer, but before he could even say anything, Brian cut him off, beating him to replying.

"Damn girl, that man is one fine person, but you can't go out with him, you're not allowed to."

"I wasn't going to, but even if I did want to- which I don't- why can't I?" Mia asked interrogatively.

"Because you're my little girl," Brian and Marcus said overriding each others voices. They had replied in a 'duh' tone. Waving a finger at her, as if to say 'naughty girl,' Brian got up and hugged Mia tightly.

"Can't..... B-breath....," Mia huffed out, trying to use those sweet vocal cords that god granted her. Mia turned to Marcus with a pleading look on her face, or what she thought was a pleading look, since Marcus got up and hugged her too, laughing while doing it. Well, at least that puzzled look is gone, and he's smiling again, Mia thought glad to see the genuine smile on her friends face and loved how it reached his eyes.

"God, your so cute," Marcus said pinching Mia's cheeks before sitting back down with Brian. What the hell is up with people touching me today? Mia thought in wonder, not realizing she had said it aloud until Brian replied with a question.

"What do you mean touching you?" He asked his eyes narrowing with concern.

"I said that aloud?" Mia asked, and with the two of them nodding she continued, "Oh, its nothing. I met Diamond by bumping into him and he purposely touched my butt, and now you two are hugging me face and choking me, while pinching my chubby cheeks."

"Mr. Micheals WARNING," Marcus said loud enough for the teacher to hear. Mr. Micheals saw Brian's face and the anger that radiated off of it, before placing ear plugs in his ears, continuing to read his book.

"HE DID WHAT?" Brian screamed, causing Mia to flinch at his harsh tone. Brian was such an overprotective brother even though they weren't related...Mia just shuddered at the thought of living with the overprotective devil.

"Chill Brian, he was just flirting, and that was before we knew each other more and became friends, just friends," Mia emphasized the 'just friends' part to put her friend at ease, and that he became. He visibly relaxed, his shoulders loosing the tight edge they had just moments ago, and he sat down slumped in his chair smiling now.

"Yay, great then!" He said, before continuing talking this time going up to Mr. Micheals desk and taking out his earplugs for him, " Sorry sir, won't happen again."

"Sure it won't," Mr. Micheals replied rolling his eyes. Well, in our teachers defense, the whole reason he had earplugs is because of Brian's constant yelling. It could actually become quite annoying, while still funny to see his face turn red as a tomato.

The bell rang, sending everyone scattering to get there stuff and go on to their next period. Mia sighed happily, knowing it was time for her gym class and time to see Diamond again. The last thing the class heard before everyone was gone was Mr. Micheals yelling at us about how to remember to come after school. And so Mia went on to her most hated class, but for once, she thought gym wouldn't be so bad for once. Finally more friends to sit with, Mia thought hazily, her mind wandering into the dark corners of her imagination, as she walked down the hall to the dreaded and beloved- to some- gymnasium.