ASA mini-series Episode 2: Game On!

 

 

 

[image error]

Episode 2: Game On!

 

What the hell just happened? Rigs stood there stunned. His best friend was with the girl he … Oh God he was in love with her. He knew he had strong feelings for Lacey but until the moment he realized that someone else was in the way, he hadn’t wanted to name those feelings. He was in love with Lacey but she was dating Blayne.

 

“What’s your problem?” Caroline asked from behind him. She had come back his way when she noticed him staring after Lacy.

 

“Nothing.” He turned to walk away but Caroline grabbed his arm to halt him. “What is your problem?”

 

Caroline glared at him. “I have watched that girl pine over you for years. But you did nothing. You had your chance to go for it with Lacey but you refused to act. She finally has someone who thinks the sun rises and sets around her. He will treat her the way she deserves. I’m not going to let you mess that up for her.”

 

“Why do you care? Are you jealous?”

 

Caroline let him go and stared in the direction that Lacey and Blayne had walked. “I admit I am a little envious and you know why. It’s not because I want you or anything. We both know we were not right for each other. We had been new to the academy and fell into an easy sexual relationship. Neither of us wanted it to be more. We didn’t love each other. Then Lacey came here. There was no point trying keep what we had when it meant nothing. 

 

“We both got what we wanted out of that relationship. We had some good times and we managed to keep our friendship afterwards. I just don’t understand how you could be all for this Blayne thing.”

 

“I want Lacey to be happy.”

 

He snorted. “Really? You act like you don’t even like her most of the time.” “You know better than anyone else why I act the way I do. Despite how badly I act sometimes...okay most of the time, I care about her.”

 

“Do you think Blayne is right for her? He could break her heart or use her or something. I may have realized my feelings too late, but I won’t stand by and let someone hurt her. Even if he is one of my best friends.”

 

Caroline sighed. “Come on, let’s go see if the others want to go get some ice cream. At least then you won’t be worrying over what was happening.”

 

Rigs was surprised. Caroline presented on the outside a tough exterior, but he knew that deep down she was caring. It was one of the things that had appealed to him, besides the sex. But she had more going on than anyone knew. Her home life was abusive which was why she never visited. “Why are you helping me?

 

“I’m helping Lacey. She deserves to be with someone who loves her. This thing with Blayne is new. Neither of them have fallen head over heels for each other, yet. So if you are genuine about your feelings, you might still have a chance.”

 

“I’m grade-A genuine.”

 

“Oh honey, don’t I know it.” They both laughed.

 

*****

 

Blayne glared at his friends across the table from them. He had brought Lacey out for ice cream only to have the whole gang show up. Worst date ever.

 

“So, what are you doing tonight?” Caroline asked Lacey.

 

“I…have a date.” She glanced at Blayne who gave her a big smile. Out of nowhere Blayne had started calling her up over the summer break. Now he wants to date. She was flattered but surprised. Tonight would be her first official date with him.

 

“Oh, well I was planning to go to the Balen Dorms tonight. They are planning a big Welcome Back bash party. They have a live band playing and everything.” Caroline stole fries from Rigs’ plate. He gave her a glare but she ignored it.

 

“A party sounds like fun.” Bay said excitedly. “Come on, you guys can change your date location to this party. It may be the last time we all get to party together since Rigs and Trevon will be graduating soon.” She did her cute little pouting face.

 

Blayne rolled his eyes at his sister. He always had a hard time saying no to her. “Fine. We’ll drop by for a little bit.”

 

“Yay!” Bay did her happy dance in her seat drawing the attention of the other men in the ice cream shop.

 

Lacey wished she was a knockout like Lacey. Maybe she would have dated more than she had and maybe Rigs would have noticed her. She scooped a spoonful of vanilla ice cream and raised it to her mouth. “Mmm…” She heard a throat clear and looked up across the table and found Rigs watching her intently. The look was hot and intense. He had never looked at her like that before. She felt her body respond. Her nipples tightened and who whole body felt hot. She blushed and quickly looked away.

 

“Don’t you want to be my date Bay?” Trevon asked putting his arm around her shoulders and giving her a squeeze.

 

“No.” Both Bay and Blayne said at the same time.

 

Everyone laughed. Trevon was always asking Bay out. She always refused. He would laugh and play it off like some big joke. She would smile or say something snappy like when pigs fly. It was their thing. It was cute. But Lacy had a feeling that Trevon secretly liked Bay. What guy wouldn’t? But Blayne would kill his friend if he tried to date his sister. Trevon knew that too.

 

“Well, I have to meet with my academic counselor to discuss my advance classes.” Lacey motioned for Blayne, Bay and Trevon to get up.

 

“If your counselor is still Professor Jotham, he’s heading this way.” Caroline commented as she pointed to the door of the diner.

 

Lacey slid out of the booth and went over to greet Professor Jotham. Rigs watched as the older man touched Lacey lightly on her arm and motioned her over to a booth on the other side of the diner. When Lacey sat down across from the Professor, the man reached out and touched Lacey’s hand. He said something that made Lacey giggle.

 

“Did you see that?” Blayne asked. He had been watching the exchange between Lacey and the Professor too.

 

“Yes I did.” Rigs growled. He had heard rumors about Professor Jotham, that he liked to flirt with the young female students. Things just got a lot worse. Not only was he competing with Blayne for Lacey’s heart, now he had to compete with this lecherous older man. Surely she wasn’t falling for that slime ball?

 

“See what?” Bay asked confused.

 

“Professor Jotham is hitting on Lacey,” Caroline explained. She had watched the situation as well but sat back like she was bored of the whole thing. She would just pull Lacey aside later and tell her to watch herself. She knew a few girls who fell for Jotham’s charm.

 

“Really?” Bay tried to get up and get a better look but Lacey was on her way back to their table.

 

“Hey guys. I need to leave so I have time to complete some research for Professor Jotham before tonight.”

 

“I’ll pick you up at 7:30.” Blayne stood up and walked her to the door of the diner.

 

“Okay.” She was completely caught off guard when Blayne leaned down and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

 

Rigs was gripping the edge of the table. Seeing other men touch and kiss Lacey was making him see red. He might have ripped the table up if it hadn’t been for Caroline. She jabbed him in the ribs, hard.

 

“Easy there killer. What did that table ever do to you?”

 

Rigs released the table and breathed slowly. Blayne returned and they all watched as Professor Jotham left the Diner. Rigs began to feel more like himself again.

 

He looked around the table at all his friends. Soon they would graduate and all go their separate ways. He was going to miss them. Despite Blayne trying to take the girl he loved away from him, he was going to even miss him.

 

“Want to play a game of sonic football?” He asked his friends. The guys left together to go play their game while Caroline and Bay sat at the table glaring at one another.

 

“What is your problem?” Bay asked.

 

“Nothing. How about you?”

 

“You are trying to break up Blayne and Lacey. Why?”

 

“I’m not trying to break them up. Why are you trying to get them together?”

 

“They are perfect for each other.”

 

“Define perfect.”

 

“They are both smart, like the same things, are the same age, and are both nice people.”

 

“Where’s the fire, the heat, the passion?”

 

“They are only seventeen and eighteen years old. The passion needs to wait a little while longer.” Bay was frowning at her friend. Why was Caroline acting like this?

 

“Teenagers are passionate about everything at that age. The only thing I have seen Lacey passionate over is her smelly art. What is Blayne passionate about?”

 

“I don’t pay attention to what my brother is passionate about. Do you think Rigs is passionate enough for Lacey?”

 

“Yes I do. I think Lacey is the only thing Rigs has ever been passionate over.”

 

“Then why hasn’t he made a move before now?”

 

“Because he is a boy and he is stupid. It took seeing Lacey with another guy for him to realize how much she means to him.”

 

“Why do you care about Rigs? You guys used to be together. Doesn’t it bother you to think of him wanting someone else?”

 

“No, not at all. Rigs and I were never meant to be anything more than friends. There was no love between us. He definitely did not have passion for me.”

 

“But it’s not right that he decides he wants her now that my brother is dating her. I don’t want my brother hurt.”

 

“I get it I do. I don’t want Blayne hurt either. But it is up to Lacey to choose who she wants to be with.”

 

“You really think Rigs loves her?” Bay was a sucker for true love.

 

“That boy is hopelessly in love with Lacey and has been since the first time he laid eyes on her.”

 

Bay sighed. “You won’t interfere? It will be Lacey’s decision?”

 

“Me? Interfere?” Caroline asked incredulous. Bay narrowed her eyes at her. “Fine. I won’t interfere. But that means you can’t either.”

 

“Agreed.”

 

*****

 

The guys were done with the sonic football. They headed back to their dorms to shower and change for later that night. Rigs walked up behind Blayne.

 

“When did you decide you wanted to date Lacey?”

 

Blayne didn’t look back at his friend. “I have always wanted to date Lacey. But I gave you ample opportunity to make your move. You never did.”

 

“I wasn’t ready before, now I am. I want her and I am letting you know right now that I plan to pursue her.” Rigs stood facing Blayne with his legs spread out and his arms crossed over his chest.

 

Blayne glared at Rigs. “Well, I’m letting you know that I am not stepping down or backing off. I am going to fight for her.” He crossed his arms over his chest.

 

Trevon stood there looking very uncomfortable. “Hey guys, I’ll head on to the room.” He walked away quickly.

 

“So what’s the rules to the game?” Rigs asked.

 

Blayne raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t sonic football. We both date Lacey. We don’t interfere with each other’s one on one time. Then we let Lacey decide who she wants.” Blayne told him.

 

“Agreed.” Rigs nodded his head at Blayne. “Also, we both do whatever it takes to keep Lacey away from Professor Jotham.”

 

“Agreed. May the best man win.”

 

“I will.” Rigs told him with a cocky smile as he walked off.

 

 

 

*****

 

Stay tuned every Thursday for a new episode

 

Tell me what you think?