Just A Game

Chapter 1

           I twirled a piece of blue hair around my ring finger in boredom. My eyes flitted across my friends quickly. Rayven was arguing with Ben about which TV show was better, loudly. Peter was completely absorbed in his phone, as usual, and Lexi and Jenny were talking about something I had no interest in. Kat and Skylar were off somewhere being nauseatingly couple like. I, however, was sitting all by my lonesome on my favorite rock at the trailhead. I glanced at my backpack sitting on the ground next to me for a second. A loud buzzing noise sounded to my right but I ignored it. Instead I focused on the song that had been running through my head all morning. I recited the lyrics to myself for a moment before a car door shut somewhere in front of me.

           It didn't matter who it was at this moment. I was absolutely positive that everyone would be here when I addressed everybody at ten. I hummed the song quietly and traced a pattern on the rock. Everyone greeted our newest arrival cheerfully while I continued to hum to myself. As I reached the end of the song my phone buzzed again.

           "You gonna get that?" I jumped at the deep voice in front of me. My gaze stayed glued to the edge of the rock. Part of me wished I could just disappear but another part wanted to be brave and say all the things I hadn't. Instead I looked up and forced a smile onto my face. Lucas stood just above me with half a grin on his face. I gave him a small wave and his smile faltered a little. He held out his hand and I shook my head, scooting over instead. I brought my knees up to my chest and patted the spot next to me.

           "I'm serious. Are you gonna get that?" He sat down next to me. My hand grazed my phone in between us. Being this close to him had more of an affect on me than I thought it would. I stared at my phone screen, stalling as long as I could. The wallpaper was a picture of me and my baby cousin that we took during Christmastime. I tapped the messaging icon which had a small 3 next to it. The first message was from Kara.

           From: Karebear Getting a ride with Rose. Might be a little late

           I typed out a reply quickly. Trying my best to ignore the sounds of Lucas breathing next to me.

           To: Karebear That's fine, did you eat breakfast?

           I scrolled down and opened the next message.

          From: CookieMonster Just FYI, I'll be there soon. And I'm bringing you some breakfast. NO ARGUING!!! Love ya!

           I responded with a quick 'kay' and went back to my list of messages. Before I could scroll down far enough to see the number my phone buzzed again. I groaned and Lucas chuckled.

           "You sure are popular." The grin was evident in his voice. The newest text was from Kara again. It took everything in me not walk away and call Sam just to get out of this awkward situation. I opened the text and focused on typing a response.

            From: Karebear No! I didn't have time

            To: Karebear Then stop and get some. Don't worry about being late, I can wait

           Immediately I went back to my messages and scrolled down to the only unopened message in my inbox. My heart sank as I read the number and my thumb hovered over the message for what felt like eternity. If I thought that what I felt before was anxiety then I don't know what this feeling was. I'm sure I went three shades paler which is saying something since I'm already practically paper white.

           "Are you alright?" Lucas dropped his voice to a quiet whisper just like he used to. I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath. My intention was to tell him I was fine but before I could manage to choke anything out a voice sounded behind me.