Let the Game Begin [ON HOLD]

Let the Game Begin - Chapter 3

"Why were you so late?" Bella asks, cuddling next to her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend. A player. Blond girl's brother. Does Bella know what she's in for?

Then I take a closer look at Spencer and Blond girl. Actually, they do kind of look alike.

"I was having a meeting with my soccer team," Spencer replies, twirling a piece of her hair with his fingers. "Sorry, babe."

Bella giggles. Alex rolls his eyes.

"Are they always like that?" I whisper to Alex, even though I have a feeling those two so-called love-birds are too caught up in their lovey-dovey talk to even hear me.

"Yeah." Alex seems disgusted. "I tried telling her that jerk will only break her heart in the end, but she didn't listened to me. I have known Spencer for too long and he's the biggest player I've ever known. You'll see soon enough for yourself. He literally goes through girls like clothes."

"They haven't told me their names yet," I turn my head to the remaining two girls and one boy, desperate the change the topic. I can't let Alex know I'm a player. Not yet anyways. And if he continues to talk about him, Alex is going to find out sooner than I planned.

"Oh, right. Well, the blond one with hoop earrings is Katherine and the pixie-like one is Alicia. The brown-haired one is my other good friend, Nate."

Alicia is basically sitting on Nate's lap, which leaves Katherine by herself. She doesn't seem to have a girlfriend.

"So, Bella is with Spencer, Alicia and Nate, so how about you and Katherine?"

Alex winces. "Don't mention it. We broke up a month ago."

My eyes go wide. "You did? I'm so sorry..."

"Don't be. We're okay now. Besides, Katherine is dating Ryan, who is the captain of her badminton team."

"So why is she still here?"

"Look, don't let her know you know or that I told you, okay?" Alex lowers his voice.

"Promise."

"Katherine still believes she has a chance with Spencer."

"That's stupid." I say unthinkingly. "Shit. Sorry. I mean, can't she see what Bella and Spencer are doing right in front of her eyes? And doesn't she loves Ryan or something?"

"Nope, it's unrequited love in a way. Ryan likes her but Katherine is just pretending. You should know that she wants to uphold her reputation. I mean, she is in our popular group."

"Because she's beautiful?"

"Sort of. Mainly because she's a cheerleader."

"And the thing with seeing how those two are cuddling in front of her...?"

"She knows he's a player, but she believes that he will one day realize she doesn't care who he is and loves him for who he is. Cheesy, right?"

"Most definitely. And that is one-sided love in a way too."

"Yep," Alex glances at Katherine, who is still picking at her lunch. Her eyes goes to Spencer for a moment before she sighs and looks back down at her lunch.

"Is it because you found out she loves him and not you, and that's why you two broke up?"

"I can't tell you all about it today, but yes, I guess you could say that."

"And you don't regret it?"

"Elena, what's up with so many questions?" Alex jokes.

I grin. "I guess the new girl's a bit too curious."

"And so, I will answer all your questions today..." Alex laughs.

"So...?"

"...except that one."

"Why?"

"Because even I'm not so sure of it myself," For a fleeting moment, his eyes are filled with sadness, but it quickly disappears.

"Then I won't like her," I declare.

"Why not?"

"Because she is the most selfish person I've ever seen." I say quietly. I can't risk letting Katherine hear this. "I mean, she knows you love her, yet she could be heartless enough to throw you aside for some bad-ass player."

"You don't know her," Alex frowns. "Trust me, you'll like her eventually. She's a great person to be with, and very friendly."

"She hasn't said one word to me so far."

"Neither has Alicia or Nate."

"They're too caught up. I won't blame them."

"Well, Katherine's just shy. She'll let her guard down once she has seen you around enough."

"Maybe I'll try out for the cheerleading team then," I say warily.

"Did I hear someone saying they're going to try out for the cheerleading team?" Alicia suddenly turns to me, her face full of delight. "Welcome to the Peacocks!"

"Peacocks?"

"That's our cheerleading name," Alicia explains. "This will totally be news on the Eagle's Eye."

"Eagle's Eye?" Boy are these names weird!

"The school's weekly newspaper. I'm on the editorial team." Alicia says, smiling widely. "You can join me too!"

"Well," I can't disappoint that face. But at the same time, I suck at writing! Ditto for proofreading. "I'm no good at it."

"Since you've become Alex's new buddy," Nate winks at Alex who responds with a shrug. "I'll tell you something. If you're on the cheering team, people are more likely to hate you, but if you're on the newspaper team, hardly anyone will hate you."

"What has that got to do with anything?" Katherine protests, frowning at Nate. "I don't yell at innocent people. However, I do penalize passive ones. It's my job!"

"I know, I know, I'm not taking it out on you," Nate rolls his eyes. "Just giving my opinions."

Katherine sticks out her tongue.

"Aw, poor Kathy," Alicia teases.

Katherine appeals to me. "You want to join, Elena?"

"No offence Katherine, but I'm not really into it," I smile, letting her know I'm friendly too. "Maybe I'll stop by your practice sessions though."

"Of course," she returns my smile before turning back to her lunch.

"See? I told you so," Alex whispers.

"Oh Alex, do you already have a crush on the new girl?" Alicia jokes.

"I don't!" Alex defends himself. "I'm just trying to be nice to her."

"Because apparently I think most girls in this school hates me already."

"Why?" he looks surprised. "How do you know?"

"Well, everyone's been giving me jealous looks, and now that I'm sitting with you guys while I'm still considered new doesn't help the situation at all."

"For your information, if you hang out with us long enough, others will gradually accept you. They won't hold a grudge against one of the popular people." Alicia informs. "Besides, I like you already. And I absolutely hate people who judge one another based on appearance."

Does that mean I shouldn't judge Spencer yet? Maybe he's not a player after all? But wait, Alex told me he is, so that means I'm not judging. Guess I won't mention it, just in case it hits a nerve. Alicia seems to be so much more friendlier than Katherine.

As if reading my mind, Alicia adds, "You shouldn't judge Spencer yet. I know he seems all flirty and stuff and is a total player, but underneath that, he basically has a heart of gold."