Sarah:
Waking up to Seth’s text message reading:
Morning, beautiful, do you want to go out and catch a movie tonight?
I smiled because for one thing, I just received the sweetest morning text (despite me hating those sappy texts); another, I was so excited towards the fact that I’d be going on my first date with Seth. So tapping the keyboard of my phone, I sent him my reply that said:
I’d love to. What time?
How about around 7? I’ll pick you up around 6:30.
Awesome, I can’t wait! :D
Haha, yeah… I love you.
Just like before, I had no idea how to respond. Of course, the point in us going out is to find out if I have any romantic feelings towards Seth. So he must understand why I’m not going to reply with “I love you, too…” yet.
That’s when I hear someone enter my room—Leon. I groaned in annoyance. “I thought the door was locked.”
“Not my problem,” he returned coolly.
I rolled my eyes, heaving a sigh. “Have you ever heard of ‘knocking’?”
Playing along with my sarcasm, he says in a dumb manner, “Nope…not in my vocabulary. Anyway, what are you up to?”
Trying to suppress my smile, I say in a tight voice (God, why do I suck at keeping things to myself?), “Nothing.”
Leon raised a brow, looking at the phone in my hand, and then at me. “Don’t lie to me, Sarah. What are you all giddy for?”
“Um…” I began, stuttering, “I have a date…”
“With who?” he asked, voice rising.
“Seth.”
One word, one name—that’s all it took to set of the ticking bomb inside him.
Leon:
I stifled the pain, the hurt, and the rage inside me. She’s going on a date…with Seth? Oh shit, don’t tell me he confessed to her and she felt the same way. That’s when I ask through gritted teeth, “How did this happen?”
“Uh…you see…” she began slowly, scratching the back of her head, “he came over last night (he came over? I thought bitterly), and we uh…made out. Look, I’m just not comfortable”—
“Tell me how this happened,” I demanded.
“I pretty much asked him to come over because I was bored, he did, and before he left, he told me that he loves me.” Damn him, I cursed. “Anyway,” she continued, “I wasn’t sure about my feelings, so he proposed the idea that we go out to find out if I hold any romantic feelings towards him.”
“And do you?” I ask worriedly.
Sarah bit her lip as she shrugged, unsure. “We’re going on a date today…”
I continued to interrogate her, “Where?”
“At—look, this is none of your business. So please, just stay out of it!” She shooed me away, pushing me out of her room.
Entering upon my room, I kick the footboard of my bed with all the strength and anger I could muster. God damn Seth! He’s got it easy to make her fall for him—he’s like all around a sweet and nice guy. Plus, he’s her best friend, and he doesn’t have to worry about making up for his past childhood mistakes.
As for me, I’m a fucked up guy who’s had a really screwed up life and childhood. Because of that, I don’t know how to make friends, be nice, or make the girl I love feel the same way. I’m nothing but her childhood bully who practically ruined her life then. What I’ve done to her is completely unforgivable… Each day I’m thinking of ways to make it up to her, to make her at least put it all behind her and look at me now. I don’t blame her though.
Flopping on my bed, I let out an aggravated groan, practically throwing a fit on the mattress. Seriously, what am I going to do, now that she’s Seth’s girlfriend? Sure, I could go out with whatever girl is interested in me, but they’re all the same, trying to get my attention and throwing themselves at me. It’s annoying…and disgusting, especially when that slut Laurie tries to hard to make me hers.
After taking a few moments to cool myself down, I head downstairs to see Sarah’s mom and dad cooking breakfast while Sarah is sitting at the table, ignoring my presence.
Sarah:
Noticing Leon come into the kitchen, I avert his gaze, still pondering over these thoughts. Seriously, what was with the way he was acting earlier? Sure, I could just say that it’s Leon being his typical self. However, there was something in his voice—the way he acted—that made the way he appeared all…edgy.
Was it jealousy? No…it can’t be that, could it? It’s a possibility, but I don’t want to accept it. He was just so on edge—anger was evident on his expression. There’s just no way that it’s normal of him to be that tense. Maybe he’s being serious about his feelings. I think back to Sophia’s words…how she said that I’m denying the fact that I know Leon’s in love with me.
I’m not stupid. I’ve been aware of it for a while, but I don’t want to accept that fact. Still, he’s so complicated…I don’t know what to think, how to take his feelings. Sure, he’s cruel to me sometimes, but I’m positive that there’s an explanation for all of this. I just don’t know what. “I hate them…” Leon’s words yesterday morning ring in my head. Why does he hate his parents? What have they done to him? However, even though I ask him, he evades my questions, telling me that now’s not the time.
When my parents set down the plates filled with eggs, pancakes, bacon, and freshly toasted biscuits, I’m immediately brought back to reality. With Leon staring hard at me, I try not to burn under his glare while I’m eating. The table was completely silent until my mom just had to break the silence. “So how do you like your stay here, Leon?”
“It’s great,” he replied in a mock ecstatic tone. “I honestly didn’t think that you two would allow me to stay.”
“Well…” began my dad, “since you’ve left an abusive home, I figure that it’s reasonable enough to give you some space and time away from them.” Abusive home…?
“Thanks,” he said gratifyingly, flashing a smile before resuming that aggravating glare of his towards me. Seriously though…what did my dad mean by an abusive home? Well…it’s a rhetorical question, but still…I had no idea. Or was this just some sort of lie so that my parents would sympathize and let him stay? Surely he’s run away from home just so he can spend every waking minute trying to get on my nerves.
After breakfast I tug Leon by the sleeve as we walk past the hall. Giving me a long, stern look, he asks coldly, “What?”
“What did my dad mean by an abusive home?” He clenched his jaw, and just like always, he gives a shake of his head. “Why won’t you tell me?” I ask desperately.
“Some other time,” he mutters before slamming the door in my face.
You know what? Forget it… Screw Leon, he can go fuck himself in the corner…
And I’ve got a date to ready myself for.
YOU ARE READING
The Game of Love
RomanceEight years ago, Sarah Winrey has always been bullied by Leon Ferron, whom she's feared since the very first day she met him. After he gets expelled, Leon vows to kill Sarah the next time they meet. Now, as a senior in high school, Sarah meets Leon...
