Settling The Score

Part 6

I wished Lucy luck after school as she left for her cheerleading competition. I would have liked to be there to support her, but unfortunately, I had other obligations - namely, soccer practice.

And oh goodie, afterwards I had Talent Show prep to look forward to.

I was running a bit late, so I quickly threw on my soccer outfit, still busy tying my hair into a high ponytail, when I reached the soccer field. I looked around uncertainly when I noticed all my teammates huddled at the side of the field.

That's weird...

I casually strolled towards them and froze. In the middle of all the commotion stood the one person I did not have time for today. 

"Yeah," he raved, no one noticing my arrival, "She secretly has a huge crush on me. Ever since we've been kids, she always followed me around like a lost puppy," he gushed, causing everyone to break out in fits of laughter. 

"Wow, who knew Leslie could have a crush on someone," Jenna giggled next to him. 

"Ahem," I cleared my throat loudly as I glared a hole into Mason Hayes. Everyone gaped at me, their eyes wide. Mason just shot me a sparkling grin.

"Speaking of ..."

His crowd of admirers made way as he strolled towards me. "I was just telling all these lovely ladies, about your little crush on me," he said, putting his arm around my neck.

"Excuse me,"  I snapped, from between clenched teeth.

My so-called "friends" all scattered very quickly when they witnessed the enraged expression on my face. I flung his arm off of my shoulder, turning to face him.

"What the hell was that?" I hissed.

"I was just getting to know some of your friends, Carebear," he said innocently.

He had his exercise clothes on, most likely the reason all the girls were shamelessly ogling him. I had to admit, he looked damn good in his Nike shirt, just tight enough to emphasize his spectacular physique, and joggers, that displayed his very toned calves.

I was completely unaffected by it, of course.

"No, no, no, no! You don't 'get to know' my friends. You don't get to do anything regarding me! I'm not interested Mason Hayes, get it through your thick skull!" I ranted.

"Ahh, come on Carebear, I think you're a little interested."

You know what, screw this! This dickhead honestly had a super-ego, it was a miracle it didn't wear a cape and have a catchphrase like "I'm batman," or something.
I'll be damned if I let him go around telling people I was crazy about him! Even if I was supposed to secretly have a crush on him.

"Mason, I am going to tell you this only once. So you better listen very carefully. If you ever tell anyone I'm in love with you ever again, I'll tear your balls off," I informed him.

I turned around and started jogging around the field.

"Whoa, you can't just threaten a guy's balls and then leave!" he yelled, sprinting after me while I increased my pace.

I made an irritated noise. "I'm dead serious Mason Hayes, not that you have much between your legs, but if you value whatever's down there, I would tread very lightly."

He chuckled lowly, "For a girl that's not interested, you sure talk about my package a lot," he hummed, winking at me. 

Rolling my eyes, I turned to face him, "Well, I doubt you'd want to find out what I'm capable of, believe me, it's a very unwelcoming experience. Just go ask some of your sister's exes," I winked back at him.

"Oh no, I believe you, Carebear. But maybe I like a girl with a little fire in her veins," he purred, flashing me a tantalizing grin.

Oh please, you just want another trophy to showcase to your buddies.

"I told you, you can't handle it. You really should learn to take no for an answer. You'll save yourself a lot of trouble. And don't call me Carebear," I hissed.

A small part of me hoped he would just drop the issue here, so we could both continue ignoring the other's existence.

"Now, why would I take no for an answer when you clearly want to say yes, so desperately?"

I slowed down a little to narrow my eyes at him.

You honestly believe that, Hayes?

You honestly don't? The gleam in his eyes seemed to say.

"The only thing I so desperately want is to be left alone. Oh, and to punch that irritating grin off your face," I added.

"Is my grin making you nervous, Carebear?" he teased. I shot him an incredulous look.

"Come on, just watch a movie with me tonight or something?" he insisted.

I snorted. "You sure are delusional  Mason Hayes, I wouldn't watch a movie with you even if you paid me. But that is how you get girls to hook up with you, isn't it? By paying them?"

I turned abruptly and made my way back to the rest of the team, leaving him standing there looking like an injured puppy.

**********
Wandering into the gym, I was thoroughly exhausted from soccer practice. And of course, the occasional glimpse and giggle I got from the other girls, didn't help.

Carlos, too consumed by giving out order after order, didn't notice my entrance. I took a paintbrush and headed to the stage to continue my work on the background.

"Hey," I greeted a busy Nate, going onto my haunches next to him. I didn't know the guy all that well, but he seemed nice enough.

"Hey Leslie," he smiled. It wasn't as dashing as Mason's, but still, I couldn't deny the guy was just as hot. A different kind of hot maybe, but still hot.

While Mason was more dark and mysterious, his deep green eyes always looking like they're up to something, Nate was more of the big, bulky nice guy type. With his blue eyes and short blonde hair, he was more cute than anything else. Girls were crazy about it.

I sighed before getting out a paintbrush, "I can't believe you do this willingly." 

"Hey, some of us have more to us than simply playing football and hitting on girls."

"According to the rumors, that pretty much sums you up," I shrugged. He gave me a dry look. "You shouldn't believe everything you hear. You know how out of hand those things can get."

"Tell me about it," I muttered. I thought back to all the horrible rumors that went around about Lucy, when in reality, she's only ever slept with one guy. She's dated plenty, but contradictory to Evan's opinion, she did in fact not give it up so easily.

"I hope I'm not interrupting," a familiar voice came from behind us. I looked over my shoulder. And surprise, surprise Mason stood there with a box in his hands. "Yeah, actually you were," I said pointedly, "What are you even doing here?" 

"Well, being the very charitable person I am, I offered my valuable services to Carlos."

I rose an eyebrow at him, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were stalking me, Mason Hayes."  

"Everything's not always about you, Carebear," he answered flatly, disappearing behind a curtain.

That was weird, he sounded sort of mad. That guy was too confusing for his own good.