THE OXFORD BET *VirginityGames*

Chapter 9 Seriously?

Francesca

I got a phone call at midnight, from the best friend. I sighed as I listened to her. She was worried about something, I could hear it clear as day, just from the strain in her voice. Vicky sounded unstable, like she was upset and trying her best to hide it from me.

"Vicky are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Why do you say that Francesca?"

"It's just your...nothing. I thought you sounded upset. If your sure you're fine then that's fine. It is a bit weird you've called me up when we live few doors down from one another. And just spent all evening together with some of our hall mates. I shouldn't even need to tell you this but I will anyway. You know you can tell me anything. Seriously, I think If you told me you murdered someone, I'd be helping you plan where to hide the body!" I jested lightheartedly, but suddenly all amusement was gone from my end of the line when I head her crumble, the crackling of her sobs and laughter mixed together, made me wince as I sat up helpless in my single bed.

"I just needed to talk to you. Without anyone else being there like Maria or Belle or Charlie or Gregory." She sighed, blowing exasperated air down the line. "I mean, I phoned with the intention of telling you something, but I've been keeping it from you for too long. So it makes it so much harder for me to come out and say it. I've been so anxious that you might hate me,  but then I realised."

"What did you realise?"

"That I had to hear your voice. Then I would be able to actual say it to you. Fran, I had to speak to you to stop myself from crying. I had to tell you. Don't hate me."

"Vick you're breaking my heart here, what is it? What's wrong? I won't be mad."

"I kissed him."

"Who?" I whispered.

"I kissed him. I mean really kissed him and basically he kissed me and I kissed him back. Fran, he just walked up to me and it was a great kiss, not hard and fiery. It was playfully and soft and tender. I just melted into him. I'm sorry." I heard her slap her forehead through the receiver.

"I know that you like him and I'm meant to like Richard but he was just being so weirdly nice with me that day-"

"What? Oh. This wasn't Richard you kissed?" I squirmed in anticipation and then kicked back my covers.

"No." She sniffed, "It was Brandon. I'm so sorry. Shit. I know you like him. I'm a bitch..." I let the phone slip out my hand and fall onto my lap, so I could lean over and switch on my bed lamp. I heard the murmurs of Vicky's ramblings as I stared down at my lap. Brandon had kissed Victoria? When? How? Did that mean he didn't like me, or was he just trying to score points in The Bet?

I picked up the phone and cut her off mid sentence, "Calm down. Look Vicky it's fine, I have never been in love with Brandon Pierre have I? Okay, so I happened to think he was vaguely interesting that doesn't mean I'm going to hate you for being attracted to him too. Best friends cancel boys out completely, you hear me? So stop your worrying, I'm a big girl, I know what boys are like and especially the boys in The Bet."

"So your not mad?"

"No, not at all." I understood how Brandon couldn't help but like Vicky. I mean If I was gay or a guy I'd feel the exact same way! But even though I was trying my hardest to not feel suspicious, Brandon was a player and he was a major part of The Bet. So that means he was playing to win. Despite mine or Vicky's feelings being trampled on.

"...Are you sure? I mean you being nice and all, makes it a lot harder you know. It makes me feel even worse." I laughed as I heard her slam her face into her pillow. Her words came out all muffled and she groaned. "I'm an awful friend." I laughed. She did this alot when we talked on the phone when we were in school. Sometimes we would FaceTime for hours that we would both end up falling asleep on the other end. "I want to apologies, I really mean it. I'm so sorry, like you said Best friends cancel boys out completely and I disrespected our friendship when I let Brandon kiss me."