The Game ✔

Chapter thirteen

By lunch, the picture of Jake and I is spreading everywhere, people talk about it and wonder if I won and what happened to Cameron and me.

''What are you thinking about?'' I ask Liz as she plays with her food, probably not feeling hungry.

''Nothing.'' She says and looks away. I frown because usually, she tells me everything that's on her mind, even if it's only macaroni.

''You sure? Because you barely spoke to me since lunch started.'' I tell her but she still won't meet my eyes. ''What is it?'' I demand again.

''Did you know I started dating Jake?'' I freeze. Words won't form, my tongue is tied down. Yes, of course, I know. Why didn't I think about that? Why had I forgotten that simple information Ayden told me?

''What?'' I ask playing innocent but her face changes and I know I've just gotten myself in deep water.

''Don't play dumb I know Ayden told you we slept together.'' She says huffing and then throws her fork onto her plate.

''To be honest, I-''

''Honest, really? You just lied to me! Since when do you lie? And why did you have to kiss Jake, the only boy you've never kissed.''

''Okay look, I really thought there was nothing between you two more than sex, that's what Ayden told me the other day,'' I say both hands in the air.

''Well, since last week it's more and you would have known if you'd take news from me once in a while.'' She retorts.

''What's that supposed to mean?'' I demand.

''You only talk about the Game or Ayden who loves you but you can't stop hurting him and I'm getting tired of this.''

''It didn't mean anything,'' I tell her trying to save myself.

''Didn't look like nothing.'' She snaps. She gets up and walks away and the guilt invades me. I stare at my plate for a moment, trying to figure out what to say to make it better. Maybe if Jake tells her himself?

After what feels like hours, I decide I've lost my appetite as well and quit the cafeteria alone. 

The day seems to never end and at some point, the final bell rings. I get to my locker to retract my things and realize I have no way of returning home.

I get outside to call my mother when I see Ayden walk past. When he sees me he stops and seems uncertain of what to say.

''Are you alright? Are you getting home with Liz?'' He asks and looks around to see her.

''Huh, no. We got in a fight.'' I say and avoid his eyes. 

''Because of Jake.'' He states.

''I didn't think about it at the moment and afterward, I really thought it wouldn't matter since there's nothing between them,'' I admit.

''Well, Jake didn't think it mattered because he doesn't see Liz as she sees him but still you should've known. First Cameron then Jake, it's like you're taking the boys from her.'' I almost take a step back as he says it.

''Are you saying I'm a slut or something?'' I demand.

''Just saying that she might see it like this.'' 

''But it's for the-''

''The Game, of course.'' He says as he looks in the air, a hand behind his neck. ''Everything with you is for the Game. Who's next to be kissed, Lexa? Am I finally on your list? Because I'm starting to feel played as well.'' 

''You're not even in the Game, how could you be played?'' I ask.

He laughs bitterly, ''Maybe I should be, then you'd give me some of your time.''