A Player's First Choice // Stenbrough

035 / Ghosted

"It'll be okay Stan," He chuckles softly. "Come on. Let's go get you ready."

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—Thursday / 11:48 am

"Give me my pencil back dummy." I snatch the pencil from Richie's clutch, organizing my stuff so we can go to lunch.

"Why is everyone staring?" I mumble to myself, grabbing Richie's hand. "I thought he was with-" someone whispers as we enter the cafeteria.

"Are you two really together?" Beverly furrows her brows as she stands beside me. "Who?" "You and Richie. There's a rumor going around that Bill and Eddie are together too."

I give Mike a confused look. "Someone said that Richie said you two kiss all the time and he's your idiot. And Bill and Eddie-" "Richie!" I interrupt Ben.

Letting go of his hand and covering my face quickly.

"It'll all blow over eventually." Richie shrugs. "No. What about-" "I heard the rumor." Someone behind wraps their arms around my torso. "Bill..." I mumble.

"Is it true?" He whispers into my ear. "No...just a rumor..." "Why don't I believe that?" "I promise it's not true..."

"Hmm. Okay." He mumbles grabbing his food. Sitting beside me slowly. "I'm sorry," I mumble picking at my food. "Don't be. It's a rumor." He says flatly. "It doesn't matter."

"Are you gonna try to make me je-" "Possibly." He shrugs as he starts to eat. "Fuck." I whisper.

—After school / Thursday / 6:50 pm

"It's been all day...he said possibly." "Don't worry Stan. He doesn't usually do anything after that." "What is that supposed to mean?"

Mike and I sit in a coffee shop. "He's only done it once...completely ghosted the person after that." He mumbles. "That was a lot of help. Thanks, Mikey." I furrow my brows, speaking in full sarcasm.

"Well, he's calling you now." I look down at my phone. My heart begins to drop.

Bill

S: Hey Bill...

B: Let's go out somewhere nice. 8?

S: What? Where?

B: You'll figure it out later. Wear something comfortable

S: Wait what's happening?-

I start to question as he hangs up. "Well shit." "He's taking you somewhere isn't he?" "Mike I have less than an hour and a half to get ready." I groan laying my head on the table.

"It'll be okay Stan," He chuckles softly. "Come on. Let's go get you ready."