Choiceless

- 5 - Brian

Janette bites my ear as she pulls away, tugging it.

My mind reeling from what she just told me, I dazedly looked at her.

Time seems to slow down as Janette moves in.

Don't.

Fighting against my instincts as a warm-blooded teenager, I lay a finger on her lips. She brushes it away, staring intently into my eyes.

No no no.

Before I know what's happening, her lips smack into mine.

Time seems to slow down as I desperately try to force my body away.
Her hands find her way around my neck, trapping me in her embrace.

Although, as nice as it seemed, the kiss was faltering, hesitant, like it lacked confidence. Something was up.

As we pull back, I notice something about her eyes. They were shining with the gleam of triumph, but something was missing. Vivid green, yet with a hint of yellow.

It's almost like she was sad.

Then again, this could just be a side effect of a kiss.
Not like I'd ever had this happen to me before.

Snap

Janette clicks her fingers, dragging out from the depths of my daydreams.

"...are you even listening?"

"Probably not," I say, although it comes out more like 'prolly nor'.

Yikes, I need to pull myself together. Ivet's almost time for me to get off anyways.

-z-

A swarm of metaphorical bees stung my brain over and over again.
I knew it was too good to be true.
The words come back, haunting as ever.
Another option wavers. I can barely make out the words.
There's a warning flashing at the bottom.

. . .
1. Talk to her. You MUST use at least 3 pickup lines.
2. Unbutton your school shirt and ask her whether it'd be a suitable replacement for the national flag.

3. [̲̅F̲̅][̲̅a̲̅][̲̅i̲̅][̲̅l̲̅][̲̅s̲̅][̲̅a̲̅][̲̅f̲̅][̲̅e̲̅] > Ṡһѧяє/Ȏɞṭѧıṅ ƿһȏṅє ṅȗṃɞєяṡ ẇıṭһ ѧṭ ʟєѧṡṭ ṭẇȏ ɢıяʟṡ.
Time limit breached. Must complete a minimum of 2 options before you leave the area.
. . .

There was a time limit?

My heart leaps into my chest as I read this. I've gotta work fast. If I can't meet these conditions...

...my body ceases to function.

(For some reason, the government adamantly refuses to investigate this illness. I've been warned with punishments befitting that of a treasonous PM. Meh.)

Alright, if I ask Janette first, there's no way Kate will give me hers. Heck, she still won't.

Summoning my courage, I grab Kate's shoulders. Her blank face doesn't mask her hurt.

"Listen, this is sudden but I..."

"Just go away."

"...I've been looking for something. I thought you could help me with it."

She rolls her eyes. "Lemme guess. Your soulmate?"

"Wrong." I stare into her eyes, willing my breath to stay with me.
"I've been looking for...your number."

Ding.

One down...

I hand her my phone. Her eyes examine me, and I wonder why I thought this would work. After what I just did...

I brace myself,

She types it in, and pushes it to my chest.

I add her as a contact.

Janette peers over my shoulder. She snatches the phone and types at it furiously. I try my best to hide a smirk.

Just as I'd expected.

I hold my hand out, expecting her to pass it back. She shakes her head and calls herself, effectively taking my number. Kate reaches for it and calls her own, and suddenly my poor phone is the victim of the most vicious tug of war ever.

I eventually got it back.

My phone was covered in scratches, or 'battle scars' as Janette oh-so affectionally pointed out. Kate mouthed 'b****' and the two were at it again.

I wave goodbye to both of them. They don't notice, too absorbed in a...cat fight? I didn't think cat fights involved wrestling, but what do I know?

I get out and make my way to the front, only to find I'd missed the stop.
Like, 15 minutes ago.