Stalked By The Game

Chapter 2 - Let The Games Begin

::ARI::

'I'm such a clutz,' I muttered to myself.

I began to quickly gather the books up and place them back where they belonged. As I reached for my French text book, so did another hand. I looked up to see him. Good, I thought. He has that look in his eyes. He knows I've been watching him all day and that's exactly what I wanted.

I smiled again and let out an embarrassed giggle. God, I hated this part. I felt like such a damn airhead but that seemed to be what it always took to get their attention. It also helped me out with what I needed to do. People were more trusting if you played dumb. Giving them the upper hand meant that I could scheme, plan and they were none the wiser until I struck. Lowering my head, I glanced up at him again. He was captivated and I knew I had him.

'I thought you could use some help,' he explained, grinning back at me.

There was no need for an explanation. I knew exactly what he was up to. It had flattered him that a pretty girl had spent the entire day watching every move he made. I'd been watching him mentally undressing me, thoughts that would make a nun blush swirling around in that head of his. He really had no idea who I was.

'Thank you.'

It was always better if you played along with them. It worked every time. Brushing back a strand of loose hair, I took the last book he held in his outstretched had. As I reached for it, I made sure to lightly brush my fingertips against his. Ooppss. Suddenly, he reached out, grasping my hand gently.

'The pleasure's all mine ..........'

'Ivy,' I lied. 'Ivy South.'

He smiled again, his blue eyes winking in the fluorescent light. I zipped up my pack and slowly stood. He followed my lead. This was just too easy. I had heard rumours that he was as thick as a brick but thought maybe it was all just an act. Wow, it made me wonder how he'd even got by this long.

'Ivy,' he repeated. 'That's a lovely name, if you don't mind me saying so.'

'Of course not.'

Uugghh. He was laying it on really thick, probably under the assumption that I was lapping all the attention up like a little puppy. I really couldn't give a shit what he thought about me. He could look and dream all he wanted because that was as far as he'd get. I started down the hall towards the steps again. He ran after me, just as I knew he would. Overtaking me, he pushed the double doors open.

'Is it too forward if I ask to walk you home?' he asked.

'Not at all,' I replied.

Things were working out just the way I wanted them to. He had fallen for all the lies, all the empty smiles and girly charms I had. He was now in my sights - hook, line and sinker. Maybe this was going to be easier than I thought. Had I just made the last few years more difficult than they had to be to drag this all out? I wasn't sure. The longer I tracked him, the closer I felt to my father and I wasn't sure how I'd feel when the day came that the job was done and that feeling drifted away. I wasn't sure if I was ready to find out but this was it. Today was the day.

-------------------------------

::THE WATCHER::

I saw the girl drop her books and Guy rush to help her. What the hell did he think he was doing? Was he really chasing her in front of everyone? I never understood what girls saw in Guy. Sure, he was attractive to look at but brains, they were nowhere to be found. I guess that was why Penny and he were the perfect couple. On the outside, they both pretended that they were sweet, innocent but underneath he chased anything in a skirt and her jealousy was so blinding it could make you cry.

They were talking now but I wasn't quite close enough to hear what was being said. Too risky to move any closer. From the expression on Guy's face, I was now positive he was laying the ground work to make her his next conquest. Stupid fool. I'd never understand why but part of me loved the idea of this dating game they all played. Maybe because it was like watching a chess match. The person with the smartest moves always won. Another part of me felt repulsed by it. There weren't many of them at this age where it turned into something worth talking about. More lust, crude thoughts and taking what they could get. There was no style, no love. Just let's have some fun and then who cares.

I watched the other students rushing down the corridor. Someone called out my name and I turned. Veronica Sawyer flashed a smile as she strutted past. I played the part of typical, teenage guy to perfection, whistling under my breath at her retreating figure. It was obvious she was putting on a show, just for my benefit. She was walking slowly, her heels clicking against the cheap plastic lino and swinging her hips seductively from side to side. Oh how I loved it when girls did that! I may have had my ideas on love and lust but I was still a guy at heart. We were all entitled to our sinful moment.

I snapped out of my daydream as she walked into the distance and turned my attention towards Guy and the girl again. Something was happening. The two of them were stanidng outside now and began to walk in the same direction. Watching where the two of them were headed, I quietly followed.