The Kissing Game

Chapter 5

"You think The Kissing Game is stupid?" A boy asked, glaring at me.

"Yes," I answered. "Like who the hell would want to be known as The Holy Kisser."

"You're stupid!" Another boy yelled. "You're ruining the best thing about this school."

"That's sad if it's the best thing."

  Suddenly, the crowd began to boo me. They began to shout unpleasant things and I watched them, taking it. I wanted them to see that I was serious and that meant standing my ground.

"You're horrible!" someone shouted. "The entire school is going to hate you!"

"We tried to be patient with you but look at what we'll do now!" Another person shouted.

"You suck!" A small girl roared. "You game ruiner!"

Anger flared up in me, but I forced myself to stay calm. I counted to ten and listened to Hannah's pleas for me to leave. I didn't listen to her, but knowing she was still at my side comforted me. When the whole school seemed to be trying to tear you down, it was needed.

"You know what!" The first girl who spoke shouted. "I feel bad for whoever would have to kiss you! You're a bitch!"

To my utter surprise, my heart felt a stab of pain shoot through it. I tried not to express it, but seeing the girl looking suddenly guilty, I whirled around when I knew I reacted. Keeping my head held high, I then ran off, wanting to be away from the angry mob. I needed to breathe and scold myself for being weak momentarily.

Pushing the double doors open, I ran down the hallways without looking back once. My heart was suddenly racing and I realized I might have made a mistake. This game was definitely a bigger deal than I had thought it was, and that meant that I wouldn't be left alone. Not for a while, at least.

Another door appeared before me and I threw it open, rushing outside. The suns rays hit me and I closed my eyes, letting it warm me up. After the girl's words, I felt oddly cold.

It was surprising that her words offended me, but I knew it wouldn't happen again. From now on I had to be strong. I couldn't let anyone get to me as I stood by my morals. That way, I would never need to pass the stupid kiss on.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps heading my way. Assuming it was Hannah, I turned around to tell her everything was fine, but I was surprised to see that it was Axel. He looked grim as he approached me and I stared at him, wondering what he wanted. Anger flooded into me, thinking he was trying to seduce me.

"Are you serious?" he asked, stopping in front of me. "You're going to keep the kiss?"

"Yes," I said, crossing my arms over my chest defiantly.

His eyes were likes diamonds as he stared at me. They were hard and clear as they expressed annoyance, and I stared back. My heart was pounding again.

"You're an idiot, do you know that?" he said. "Our entire grade is going to hate you."

"I don't care about what they think," I said. "It's a stupid game. I don't understand why they're overreacting."

"You don't understand Zoey. Some people value traditions."

"I do, too. But reasonable ones."

Axel seemed to deflate suddenly. He titled his head back and rolled his eyes, and I scoffed at his over exaggerated movement. And anyways, I should be the one reacting that way.

"You're so infuriating," Axel said, shaking his head. "Do you know that?"

"Back at you," I said, glaring at him. "Why are you even talking to me about this?"

"I was just trying to warn you." He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up in a way that somehow still looked good. "You're going to have a lot of people mad at you. Be careful."

I couldn't hide my surprise. My eyes went wide as I took in that he was warning me. Axel West who only cared about himself was warning me. This was unreal.

"What are you trying to get out of this?" I asked, eyes hardening.

"I just don't want-" he stopped himself suddenly, taking a deep breath in. "Zoey, honestly keeping the kiss would be really stupid. People are going to be out to get you from this day on."

"Then what should I do?" I smiled sweetly, knowing where he was going with this. "Kiss you?"

"Sure. That would be an easy solution."

"I can't believe you!"

I whirled around, knowing I was tired of talking to him. Axel was a self absorbed jerk. That was the only reason why he was speaking to me. He only warned me to get the kiss himself and oddly, my heart felt like it had sunk.

"Yell at me and others all you want," Axel said from behind me. "But just know that you're going to regret this. Keeping the kiss will ruin your life."

I scoffed and kept walking, ignoring his words. I was me and I was confident. I could manage my idiotic classmates just fine. There was no need to worry.