Dealer | -Eddie Munson

The game

Since that night after the party, he has been acting differently toward me. Steve seems to care a lot about me but I haven't figured out in what way, I hope it is nothing more like a friendship, tho because he gives some weird mixed signals sometimes. I dont have time for something else nor want something more.

Love is just a waste of time.

As I reach the counter, I place the box to start unpacking the movies to then put them in their sections depending on the movie. Oh, and since I work here the store seems to have worked better since I do know how to organize things, not like Robyn or Steve. For starters, I swear I dont know how they got this job, but I do admit they have learned how to organize since we work together. We dont make such a bad team, I guess.

¨Hey, are you busy after work?¨ Steve asks me as he places two boxes on the ground. ¨ It's just that today is the start of the season of basketball and Robyn will be there playing in the school band and Lucas may play. So I- I don't know, I was wondering if you want to go, with me. Just two friends hanging out supporting their other friends.¨ He gives me a weird smile as he finishes his sentence.

¨Uh- sure.¨ He looks relieved at my answer.

¨Graet, great.¨ He starts unpacking the movies out of the box and at the same time the door of the store gets opened by a Robyn with paper bags in her arms.

¨Kids, the food arrived!¨ Robyn announced as she lifted the paper bags as if they were trophies. Steve shakes his head but starts laughing making me laugh, making Robyn laugh too.

—-

We didn't finish stocking up the films, even though the three of us divided the work. Tomorrow we will finish since have to arrive early for Robyn to prepare and change and for us to have some good seats. As Steve finally found an available place he parks the car, Robyn kept rumbling about this girl in the band that she likes and Steve is advising her while I sat in silence in the back seat. I'm not a good advisor, so I better dont say anything.

¨So what do you think Hanna?¨ Robyn turns around in her seat to look at me. I panic since I dont want to say something wrong.

¨Um...I-¨

¨I think we should be getting inside so you can change Robyn and Hanna and I have time to buy some snacks.¨ Steve answers for me, taking Robyn's attention.

¨Shit! You are right, I need my uniform and more makeup.¨ Robyn rushes grabbing her things to get out of the car. ¨Bye guys see you later wish me some luck.¨ As she gets out of the car.

¨Good luck!¨ Steve and I say in unison as Robyn closes the passenger door.

¨Thanks.¨ I say to Steve once we are alone in the car.

¨Come on, we do need to hurry if we want snacks and good seats.¨ He says getting out of the car and I follow.

Even though it's kind of early, there are already a lot of students and people making their way inside, and the line for the snacks almost reaches outside.

¨Hey I think is better if we divide. I'll make the line for the snacks and you go and find some seats.¨ I nod as Steve words.

¨I want-¨

¨Cherry Coke and a cherry airhead, I know, I know.¨ He says as he walks towards the line for the snacks leaving me alone. That's something good about Steve, he pays attention.

The gym was already crowded, and it was unbelievable that more people are waiting outside to get in. The band is already taking their place, and the seats beside them are not that full yet, so I better start making my way to them before there are no seats left. I walk from the corners of the field since the teams are already warming up as well as the cheerleaders.

¨Hanna did you came to see me?¨ Jason shouts as he stands near where I'm passing through. I ignore him. ¨I heard you aren't with the freak anymore, I guess you are finally free for our delay date.¨ I stop in my tracks, my blood starting to boil.

¨ It's none of your damn business, Jason. And not in a million years would I think about going out with a douchebag that flirts with everything that moves while having a girlfriend. You are a pathetic piece of shit in this world, who thinks that he can do as he pleases because he has money and is the captain of the basketball team.¨ I feel my chest going up and down fast. In a matter of seconds, I got workup. None one looks at us since there's a lot of noise in the room to notice or little discussion.

Jason starts walking at me, jaw sharpened, vain propping from his neck as his hands are in form of a feast. I dont know what he thinks he is going to do once he reaches me, but I dont step back. Before he can reach me, Steve takes my hand to pull me near him within his other hand he holds the tray with our snacks, Jason stops.

He widens his eyes while his lips change into a sadistic smile.¨Oh I see, you change the freak from someone who comes from a wealthy family. And just a few seconds ago you were saying you wouldn't be with someone like me knowing that he is exactly like me. ¨ Jason shakes his head. ¨You think you are better than me but you are just another slut that changes boyfriend as you change your panties.¨ At this point, I dont know who is grabbing who hand harder, Steve or me.

¨Let's leave.¨ Steve says in my ear. I dont fight back, I dont need to lose my breath. We turn around to the stairs.

¨Yeah, you just leave because you know I'm right.¨ Steve let go of my hand to connect his fist with Jason's side face, taking him off guard and by the impact making him fall to the ground.

¨Good luck playing with a purple eye.¨ Steve doesn't even care if now some students were looking and take my hand again to go to our seats like nothing happened.

I should have punched Jason first if I knew he would do it.

Steve lets me pass first to the sets so I take the seat first then Steve once he places the tray between us. I grab my coke to take a big sip from the straw, the sugar calms my anger a little, so I devour my candy as well to gain some control.

Steve and I didn't talk, we just sat in there. The first whistle sounded, signaling that the game was about to begin, that was when decided to look at Steve. He has his eyes on Jason as if he was the prey and he the predator. I place my hand on his shoulder to take his attention, he looks at me. I lip-smile at Steve.

¨Thanks.¨ His eyes change from cold to warm.

¨Any time.¨

The game resume. We won. All because of Lucas. It was his first game and he scored the winning basket, Steve cheered his kid like the mom he is, Robyn was a tomato the entire game since she was seating beside the girl she likes and looked like they were talking the entire game. Now we are in the backyard in the celebration of the winning, waiting for Lucas and Robyn to come. Steve was impatiently walking from one side to another while I just stood there.

I start feeling something in the chest, I check the hour on the clock above the door. It's been almost five hours, that explains it.

¨Eh, Steve I need to do something, I'll be right back.¨ He doesn't look at me and just waves his hand saying 'go'. I need to find I place where I will not get caught, and I know damn well where to go, even though I wish to go anywhere but there.

Getting closer to the place makes me feel uncomfortable so I cross my arms over my belly almost hugging my sides. It's just been two weeks, two weeks since I haven't seen or been to this place. I pass my recces inside the school with Robyn, I didn't even dare to step in the backyard even if he wasn't at school it felt forbidden. It scared me because I knew if I were there by myself or with him it would make me feel things, things I dont want to feel.

It was just like the many times I imagine it coming here during the two weeks would be, he was there, but he wasn't alone, and I dont mean i'm the other person in here...