THE OXFORD BET *VirginityGames*

Chapter 17 Resisting temptation...

It was a drizzly Friday afternoon for the last day of term. The sheer suffocating humidity from the storm, suggested the number of drenched students were seeking refuge from the relentless onslaught of rain. In one corner, Mr Copley lost the battle to restrain a group of boys from the politics committee and was swamped in a wave of students running down the hallway.

The bell rang, the hall was buzzing with anticipation, their instincts were triggered by the promise of education and food, and the mass of young people charged past Mr Copley and into the canteen area. Dragging back some small measure of control, the Professor finally managed to stem the flow and continued to thin out the crowd at a steadier pace. Before he snuck back to his office to eat his tuna sandwiches.

As the refectory filled, shouting, laughter and vague discussion came from the hoard of of voices that together, rose to a pitch and volume that could shame a football crowd. Finally, however, as the initial rush of eager bodies reduces, the disruption fell. That was when students peeled off to sit with their gathering of friends.

At the centre of one such gathering, sat a rather beautiful set of young women, who were putting up with the unwanted attention of several boys. Amee Connor, who was clearly used to that type of attention, indulged in it effortlessly. She was laughing a sweet laugh and tossing her dark hair behind her shoulders.

Suddenly a group of tall well groomed gentlemen entered, a few faces turned to look at the handsome strangers. Many boys watched them stride past in envy and all the girls did the same. Interrupting their gossip for longing looks. Daniel and Brandon noticed the boys around Amee. To them it was time to strike. They were the boys in the Bet. The Oxford Bet. No one got in the way of that. The targets in the bet were forbidden fruit. Exiled territory for anyone who wasn't participating in the Bet. Brandon signalled to Richard. An instruction to protect his target.  Richard and Brandon walked over to their table, startling Amee and her friends as they all watched the pair of attractive young men nod at the group of boys from the cricket club surrounding them, disperse like ants.

Brandon and Richard then went to join Daniel and Adam sitting at a table across from them.

Amee was annoyed at them. She liked to be admired at all times. Having the boys in the Bet not make a move while scaring off any other potential romantic interests was not what Amee had in mind for her pleasant day.

"Richard, you better have your head in the game?" said Daniel.

Richard stayed silent.

"I agree. Your acting like a love sick puppy. Adam, Daniel and I can't stand your melancholy." Brandon said soon after.

"Hmm? What?" Adam appeared startled. "Uh no, yeah. Exactly." He sipped his bottle of water, so he wouldn't have to add to the conversation he hadn't been listening too.

"Are you alright, Adam?" Daniel whispered.

"I'm fine." "Well just let me know if being fine changes. Whoever or whatever it is, they're not worth it. Enjoy your evening." Daniel patted him on the back before grabbing a sandwich. Adam smiled at his friend. A polite smile but the moment Daniel looked away Adam let out a depraved sigh.

The boys in the Bet sat chatting as they observed, with a feral intensity, the cricket boys steal glances again at Amee and her pretty friends who called them over. The other males were well trained though. They kept moving. Cowardly passing by them. Brandon chuckled at their disgruntlement. When he met Amee's gaze he winked triumphantly. When the group were together as one unit, they seemed to be at their strongest. They felt immune to other people. They felt like they could reject anyone who attempted to come within three feet of their sacred ground. Thus creates a ring of admirers who looked up to the mixture of reputation and charisma within.