Playing His Game

el'

when he noticed Latif who i

words. I had not anticipated encountering Latif so soon; the pain from his

e them. After a brief moment, he stood before me, while Michael 's arm enci

," directing his attention solely at

a surreal haze. A whirlwind of emotions crash

oice barely above a whisper, tr

very smile I once cherished.

at Michael, he as

e betrayed my trust and before his indifference took root. We could have untangled the mess of our relationship before it spira

on right now?" I ask, my tone i

his head and re

toward a quieter spot in the school lot, indicating we can have our discussion there. He catc

to communicate something without words. I

away before I pull on his shirt

raise my hand and sla

o talk, but words ar

oss the face wasn't something I had planned

him, but honestly, that wouldn't have changed a

glancing back just once to see him standing there, hand pressed a

eed off, I made my

d, as if the whole sce

" I re

old on for a moment, striding over

he rolls up in front of m

original," I call out, raising my voic

a halt and dismounts, t

ut on the helmet; we wouldn't

t on, hoping it's not a ha

een used by anyone else," he adds

t on behind him, and I c

to give me a ride, but honestly

we pull up in front of my charming

, and we dismount. I hang the hel

he window and manage to find the key.

as he steps off my porch, clearly

back on his bike, I call o

onds, pausing w

nfortunately, I can't finish it all on my own," I say, the words spi

a few more to make him fall head over heels for me. Once he does, he'll have to s

h a grin and head

na with a girl as charming as you," he replies smoothl

He glances around the room, cle

his shoes and settles onto the couch. I g

he murmurs, becoming comple

ring two plates of steaming goodness into the living room. H

lete silence, fully

quiet clinking of utensils, until I brea

sk, my curiosity piqued as I se

try again, pressing, "W

, setting his mostly empty pl

f done to me?" he

oubled history between him and Latif, wi

ys, dismissing it wit

time to delve into the past; I can uncover

asking, "Are you going to

ught off guard by the

m," I resp

shake," he replies, visibly relieved, knowing I

en every day

you're not there eve

suppress it, reminding myself that any com

was just pla

lf passes mostly in silence, punctuated only

y way to the kitchen to clean up. This has to be the longes

I hear Michael's footsteps heading toward it,

strides into the kitchen

, says he's a fri

t as a familiar blonde boy step

leaping into the boy's arms as he gets close. He catches me effortles

ou, Peaches