The Game

Chapter 2 ~ I'm Spoiled ~ Caleb's POV

"I need your help." She smiled peppily. It was so proper for her to be a cheerleader that it was almost sickening.

"Why would I help you?" My face scrunched up in genuine confusion. Usually I'm all about helping people, but when I'm faced with a person that is made of everything evil and nasty in life, I become not all about it. She was pretty, I'd give her that, but not my kind of pretty. I don't do plastic.

"Well, I need to make Alec jealous so he'll get back with me again. Last week he claimed he was 'done with me for good', but I know he was only joking and probably regretting it by now. And he was definitely trying to make me jealous by flirting with that ugly weird girl. Anyway I figured since you two basically hate each other that if we dated it'd make him jealous and me and him would get back together! Plus I'm really hot so we both win!" She clapped and smiled after her high-pitched rant.

I rubbed my forehead for a moment, trying to erase my headache, before opening my mouth to speak. Unfortunately, Ryder beat me to it.

"First, do you ever actually think about anything before you open your overused mouth? Second, why would you think that Caleb would even think about dating you even if it was fake? Third, how is Harper ugly or weird? I don't even want you to answer the last question, but the first two are genuine." Ryder's face was incredulous and his words were all true.

I took a moment to laugh at my friend's questions. "Ryder, you can't be that mean to people, but it is true." I did my best to muffle the rest of my chuckles. I returned my attention to Alexis. "That's not happening. There's no way that I win in that scenario." She turns to leave, but I decide to add one last comment for the sake of chivalry. "Harper is very pretty, Alexis. In no way is she ugly or weird."

She immediately begins pouting and stomps off to her table of friends across the cafeteria, and once she's gone my table erupts in laughter.

I took no pleasure in hurting people's feelings, but considering she didn't have any, I was okay with laughing over this victory. Once Ryder and I calmed down along with the rest of the table, I took it as a sign that I could return to mulling over my plan to win over Harper.

Before I know it, lunch is over and I still don't have a solid plan on how to prevent Alec and Harper from talking.

I rise from my seat at the lunch table and frown. I realized Alec had already left. I turned to look for Harper, and she was gone also. I huffed and walked as fast as I could muster to the gym. Naturally, because of lacrosse, I was a very competitive person. Speaking of lacrosse, I would have to sign up soon as the season was coming up as winter sports were ending.

I sighed for probably the fifth time today, I had far too much on my mind. I strode confidently into the gym, and noticed that only a few people were done changing into their gym clothes. I happily took note of the lack of Alec and Harper. I still had a chance to get to her first. I walked over to the hallway that led to the men's locker room. I was unfortunate enough to walk directly into someone as I opened the door and attempted to walk into the room as someone tried to walk out. "I'm sor- oh." I glared slightly up at the guy I walked into.

"This is the second time today that someone has walked into me. You know the first? Harper?" He smirked at me, his gray eyes practically glowing with happiness.

"The same girl that I drove to school today? And the same girl that turned you down?" I snapped back and folded my arms across my chest.

Alec's gray eyes darkened for a moment and I was almost afraid, until he scoffed and his eyes went back to their regular hue. "You know damn well she can't resist me for long. No girl can."

I looked past him and realized that some guys had stopped doing whatever it was that they were doing and were now watching us. I focused back on Alec. Some of the guys were on the lacrosse team, and I couldn't be weak in front of them. I needed their respect if I was going to be captain this year along with the other senior, Brad Howell. "Alec, I think you know damn well that I'm not going down without a fight. She'll choose me." I shouldered past him and nodded to the guys as I headed to my locker. I wanted to punch Alec, I really did, but I wasn't ready to get in trouble because of him. Not yet, anyway. I pulled a muscle shirt out of my locker and a pair of basketball shorts. I quickly discarded my khakis and dark blue button up shirt and changed into the black shirt and red shorts.

After shoving my regular clothes into the locker, I rushed out of the locker room. A literal growl rose from the back of my throat as I saw Alec with one arm raised against the wall standing in front of Harper. Even from a distance I could see her eyes occasionally flicker to his arms. He was wearing a loose white tank top and black basketball shorts.

He keeps beating me to the prize. I realized that I was going to have to make the most out of my time with her when I had it if I was going to win. He may be faster, but I'm far more experienced in the actual dating department.

  I stop and lean against the opposite wall of the gym. The red and yellow bleachers line the other two walls. Pacers was written above both bleachers.

  I waited not so patiently for them to finish their conversation or for the class to start. I watched through narrowed eyes. I was slightly jealous, considering she was a pretty girl and I currently wanted her attention but didn't have it. Call me spoiled, because I am, but I usually don't have to try too hard to get what I want. I'm 17, and I'm spoiled.

  So for about two minutes, I just stood there and watched them talk.  Mostly, I watched Harper. She was wearing black shorts and an light blue athletic t-shirt. There were moments where she was scowling at Alec, but she also laughed a few times. I saw her nod to something as they broke apart at the start of class.

  Today we were playing ultimate frisbee. The teacher announced we'd be split into four teams. I was announced first, so I didn't have to actually pay attention for long.

  "Caleb Winters... Zac Cunningham... Teagan Smith... Harper Adams..."

  I immediately stopped paying attention and turned my attention to Harper. To my delight, she had also turned to look at me. I smiled softly and pushed off the wall to walk over to her.