The Winchester Code

Chapter 16 - Guilt

Guilt

Chapter 16

“Kevin.” I complain, leaning against the table. “I’m bored!”
“Go read or something then.” He suggests.
“I’ve practically read the whole library!” I exaggerate. “AndI’ve passed Mario Karts already. Twice. Come on, let’s do something!”
“Zai, I’ve got to do this.”
“Ple-e-ease?” I beg, using the techniques I picked up from Satan. Kevin sighs and looks up. I pull my best puppy-dog eyes.
“Fine.” He smiles.
“YES!” I jump from the table and reach over Kevin, closing his note book for him. I grab his hand and he drops his pen. I pull him up and lead him to the rumpus room. I turn on the TV and the gaming console, handing Kevin a controller.
“Thanks.” He says, “I thought that you passed Mario Karts.”
“Twice.” I giggle. “It just gives me more of a chance to whoop your arse.”
“Keep dreaming! I went to WCG for Mario Karts!”
“Really?” I ask. “If I remember correctly, it was me that took out the title of Mario Kart Champ.”
“No way!”
“No, you’re right. But I did take first place at MLG for Call of Duty.”
“No you didn’t.”
“Yes I did.” I say honestly. “I’m REALLY good at first person shooters games. We didn’t have controllers, we had guns. It was more of laser tag than COD. Completely interactive. We were put on moving platforms and surrounded by screens so it was a complete emersion experience.”
“You’re lying.”
“I am not!” I laugh pressing play on the controller. “You should look it up. Zaviana Geller, the first – and currently, the only – girl to have won COD at Major League Gaming.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“You don’t have to.” I say, “But you should be scared.”
“Trust me,” He laughs, gripping his controller as the countdown starts. “I’m terrified.”
I laugh and watch the screen, assessing his competitiveness. His shoulders are hunched, his eyes narrowed, completely focused on the game. I didn’t beat this game twice for no reason!
The race starts and Kevin speeds ahead of me. Soon, he is in first place, me a close second. It’s the home stretch and Kevin looks at me with a big smile, thinking that he is going to win. I wink back at him and release my turbo boost, zooming ahead, overtaking him just as he crosses the finish line.
“No way!” He smiles. “I was winning! That’s so not fair!”
“All’s fair in love and war, Kevin.” I reply, smiling back at him. His eyes lock and mine, wider than usual and he looks unsettled. He glances down to where his knee is touching mine.
“Zai?” He asks quietly.
I feel my brow furrow. “What?” He looks back up to meet my eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Sh, Zai.” Lucifer whispers, leaning on the couch back. He has his chin propped in his hands as if he is watching a movie that is just getting interesting. I glare up at him. “Oops!” He laughs. I look back at Kevin. He has his eyes closed and is slowly leaning towards me.
Oh crap. Oh no. Oh crap. No. No. No. No.
“Psst! Pucker! Lean in and smooch!”
I have nothing against Kevin, I actually like him a lot, but I don’t want to kiss him!
“Come on Zai!” Lucifer sneers, grabbing the back of my neck. He pushes me forwards, towards the oncoming lips. Without thinking, I grab the controller off Kevin’s lap.
“Winning!” I shout, turning away quickly. I can feel my face burning and wish I had Kevin’s olive skin so at least I could cover it a little. I quickly throw the controller back at him, maybe a little too hard. I refuse to turn, even though he’s wheezing from the force of impact.
“Well done, you idiot.” Luci tells me, hitting my arm. “You’re supposed to be entertaining me!”
“Ouch.” I mumble. Kevin has gone silent. I sneak a peek at him, watching him stare at the TV screen. I feel my face burn even more.
“Oh Lola…” The devil strokes my hair. His touch sends a shiver down my spine and makes my blood run cold. He’s touching me. He’s never been able to do that.
“I’m sorry.” I say eventually. Neither Kevin nor I have moved from the starting line and all the other computer teams have double-lapped us. He still doesn’t say anything and Lucifer is still stroking my head. Without another word, I get up and leave, smoothing my hair as I go.