The Game

5: About a Year and a Half Ago

About a Year and a Half Ago:

I wake with a start and realize I passed out while researching the school. I rub my eyes and close my laptop having learned nothing. This school has everything on lockdown. I couldn't find any news. Not even about Matt Grisham who has supposedly been kicked out and also invited back.

Not that there was zero information about Matt Grisham. Just nothing relating to the School. I did find some interesting information about his family but I didn't learn anything about this strange School.

Falling back asleep is easy, I am exhausted. Unfortunately, my sleep doesn't last long and before I know it, there's a knock on my door.

"Natalie, it's Sydney."

Groaning, I roll out of bed and answer the door. Sydney, already dressed for the day with her bag slung over her shoulder, takes in my attire of only a t-shirt and giant jack. Obviously not belonging to me.

"I figured you'd want to sleep in after the long day you had yesterday, so I brought you breakfast!" She lifts her hands revealing a container with a couple bagels, spread for said bagels and a mixture of fruit. I step aside and welcome her into my room.

"I can tell we are going to be great friends," I grin happily at her before turning my attention to the container, setting it on my bed and grabbing a bagel.

She laughs and sits on my bed next to the food. Sydney's eyes wander around my room and I sit quietly munching on the bagel to let her take everything in. There's not much that would give anyone too much detail about me. Just a few family pictures on my desk.

"Thanks for bringing me breakfast," I mumble with my mouth full reaching for another strawberry. "Okay!" I pop up brushing my hands off. "What to wear on the first day of a new school?"

Sydney stands up as well and looks towards my closet, I wave my hand in a feel free gesture. And she goes to town flipping through my hanging close and pulling out pieces that qualify as options for today. As she goes through my clothes I go over to my dresser where my minimum amount of makeup lays neatly organized. I begin to lightly apply some makeup but not too much. Only a bit of concealer and mascara and a dark nude lipstick. I turn around to find Sydney changing her final choice to match my makeup.

"Okay, final look. Your brown leather skirt, with buttons down the front and this white bodysuit with these white platform booties." She steps back proud of herself. And I have to admit. I'm a bit proud too.

"Damn," I grab the clothes and quickly dress, unashamed. Then I stand in front of the mirror and we both admire her handy work. "Damn," I say again now that I've seen the final product.

"Damn is right. No way J.T. isn't going to notice you now."

"Oh no, J.T. and I have decided we are just going to be friends. If he can handle that." I add as an extra thought. Deciding not to eliminate him as an option. "But for now I have to admit, having friends is probable something I need more than a boy toy."

She nods, understanding. "Hey you've got me at least. I'll be your friend. Oh and I think Tom has already attached himself to you. He doesn't talk much, unless it's about his work in the lab, but last night he seemed pretty happy that you had invited to eat dinner with us. He was talking about making it an everyday thing. Which honestly, is fine with me. I kind of like the kid."

"He's fifteen," I remind her, swinging my packed bag over my shoulder.

"Ew, not like that. I said I like the 'kid'. I know he's a kid, but he's smart. And other than J.T. I don't think he has many friends. The four of us would make an odd group. But I think it would work, don't you?"

"You can leave the container here, I'll return it to your room later." I say instead and herd her out the door.

"Room 437."

As we approach my first class of the day, I stop her before she leaves to get to her class.

"Yes," she gives me a questioning look. "Yes to what you said earlier, it would work. The four of us as friends."

She grins before leaving me at the door and going to her first class. I enter the room and find a seat near the back.

"Good morning students!" An overenthusiastic teacher greets us, there are a few muffled groans but ultimately everybody seems rather interested in the start of their Junior year. I have to admit, I am also excited, hopefully today I can learn more about The Game and Howard Patterson Academy.

Class ends and I've learned nothing new. It was only a basic English class and I already have to write a short essay. I guess some things here are just like a normal school.

Upon exiting the classroom, I see J.T. leaning on the wall opposite the door reading a book.. I slide up next to him.

"Whatcha readin, sexy?" He looks up from the book and over at me, tweaking his eyebrows up. He lifts his book. "Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Good choice."

"It's for a class."

"English?"

"No." He doesn't elaborate.

"Mkay then. You here to walk me to class?" I smooth out my skirt and head in the direction of Dr. Donovan's classroom. J.T. easily keeps up with the long strides he takes.

"We have to sit in the back of the class, some people get a little annoyed by my height if I sit in front of them." He looks at me offering me a small smile, making it seem like a joke but I can tell there is some truth behind it.

"Well, I like your height," I wink at him and he holds the door to the classroom open, giving a grunt in acknowledgement of my comment. I chuckle but make my way to the back of the classroom. We find our seats and J.T. goes back to reading while I watch the students interacting with one another and Dr. Donovan. All of the girls flirt with him and he patiently handles each of them. I see him glance up and we make eye contact. He smiles at me and the girls seem to notice the attention he's given me. That earns me a few glares. I break contact first and turn my attention to the board.

It's going to be a long day, but luckily I know Tom, Sydney and hopefully J.T., who is currently still sitting quietly beside me, will be sitting at the table in the corner of the dining hall, ready to eat dinner and talk about our days and whatever else comes along.