A Game of Love

Chapter 3

ANIKA

"Anika. Anika. Hey, Anika!" my mind went back to reality when somebody snapped their fingers in front of me.

"Sorry, you were saying?" I asked them.

"See? She ain't here. Her mind's wandering elsewhere." Carlie said while laughing.

"So, where have you been, Niks?" I apologetically smiled at them.

"Sorry. I was just sleepy, and I was thinking about my bed." I lied. I couldn't tell them about what just happened between Monique and I a while ago. Not now. I wasn't even sure if what was that all about.

"Oh my God Niks, will you stop being a kill joy? We're here at a freaking party and you're thinking about your bed and sleeping?" it was Carlie.

"Hey, you're the one who dragged me here. I wasn't even thinking of attending this party. I wanted to go home early but you guys are against it. So, it isn't my fault that I'm missing my bed around this time." told them in my defense.

"But you are already here, so please, try to relax and enjoy. You're with the coolest people in the world!" Stacey added.

Just to pissed her off, I looked at her like I was asking if whom is she talking about.

She rolled her eyes and smack the back of my head. Ouch.

"US, DUH!" she sarcastically told me.

"Was the smack really necessary? You should've told me that you were talking about yourselves, duh!" I said while chuckling. Oh, I really love these people. And yep, Stace was right, they are the coolest and the best people in world. But I won't tell her that.

Stacey was about to answer back when Tyron approached us. Ugh, this guy again. I hope he ain't here to ask me out again. He's cute and all, but I'm not really interested in him. Am I even interested with someone?

My eyes wandered and I found myself looking at Monique again. Good thing that she's not looking at my direction.

I shook my head and tried to divert my attention to what Tyron is talking about.

"We're all in!" I heard Jonas commented and I saw Tyron eyes sparkled while looking at me. Uh, what the hell are they talking about?

"Sorry, in for what?" I asked.

"Yep, she's not here again. Niks, seriously, where were you?" Jonas asked while shaking his head.

I smiled at him apologetically.

"Sorry. I was just thinking about something. Nevermind, though. So, let me ask about that being 'in'. What's that for?" I asked again. Of course, I need to know before I agree on whatever it is.

"Hey." Tyron said.

"Hi." well, I'm just being polite. But I really don't want to have a little chat with him.

"I was just asking them if you guys would want to join to our little game. Well, Karen suggested that we play spin the bottle. Then your friends said that it's fine with them and they are all in, and when we asked you, you nod---"

"No. Sorry Tyron, but I won't be joining you guys."

And before he could answer, I was dragged by Stacey into some corner.

"Wait, let me just talk to her." she smiled at Tyron who's giving her a hopeful look.

"Just say yes and join us, please?" she whispered.

"Stace, I won't kiss random people just for fun. And ew, that'll be so unhygienic. You may catch sorts of diseases like mono or something. That's gross."

"Yada yada yada. But you still need to join."

"Stace, I said no!"

"Please? Just this one. For us. For your friends? We all know that you're the only reason why Tyron asked us to join. If you won't join us, I may never be able to have a chance to kiss my Mike." I chuckled.

"Really? You're still hoping that he'll notice you? Didn't you see how him and his girlfriend sucked each other's tongues a while ago?" I shook my head to stop seeing the images of him and Monique kissing.

"They'll break up soon. Once he's able to taste my lips, he'll forget about that not so pretty cheerleader." yep, she's just bitter. As I've said, Monique is well, if not the prettiest, one of the prettiest girls I've ever laid my eyes on.

Speaking of her, my stupid eyes tried to look for her again. And when I saw where she was, she's also looking at me as if she's telling me to join the game.

I looked at Stacey again and sighed.

"Fine." ugh! This'll be the first and definitely the last time that I'll do this. And whoever it is that I'll be kissing, I'll just give them a closed-mouth kiss.

Stacey jumped for joy when she heard my answer. I saw her gave everyone a thumbs up and of course, Tyron was the happiest.

When I looked at Monique again, I wasn't sure if I was just seeing things, but I saw her smiled at me, so I shook my head and when I looked again, she's now facing her boyfriend. C'mon Anika, you and your imagination.

"Hey again." ugh! Tyron said when we were walking into where the game will commence.

"Hmm." i hummed.

"I just want to thank you for agreeing to join. You have no idea how happy you made me." I mentally facepalmed. Does he really think that I did it for him? When will he get that I'm not interested in him? How many times do I have to reject him for him to stop trying to woo me?

I just shrugged and took the seat between Stace and Carlie. I'm not really in the mood to talk to him.

"Wooohoooo! Let me start the game!" Karen excitedly took the bottle and started spinning it when she saw that we are all complete.

She was really happy when it pointed to one of the jocks who I really can't remember the name. I was about to frown and give them a look of disgust when Carlie elbowed as if saying that I should not let them see that I wasn't happy in what I am seeing right now.

I really don't understand why they find this game a fun one. It isn't. Who will be happy to kiss random people and taste their saliva? Ew. Not me. I'm not a fan of kissing people out of fun. I'll only kiss someone if we have this certain connection. Yep, I'm a sap and I am proud.

"Ohhhh! Lucky!"

"Uh-oh, trouble!"

"UGH! WHY? That should be me!" I just came back to the present when I heard that comments. Why? What happened?

And the next thing I know, someone's lips are on mine and didn't even know who it is. I automatically pulled back away from that person. He's lucky that I didn't slap me because he should've asked permission before kissing me.

"Lame!" somebody commented.

"We can try again. That ain't even a kiss." he whispered. That was when I figured who that person it.

"No, that's already acceptable, Mike. Scoot! Your girlfriend is looking at us. I don't want to get in trouble." I said while pushing him.

"Well, it's your loss." he said while smirking before he went back beside Monique.

I knew that she's looking at me and I couldn't look at her because I'm kind of afraid to see how angry she was at me. Though, it's just a game, right? No hard feelings.

I spun the bottle and it pointed to Stacey and we just gave each other a kiss on our cheeks. And there goes that whines again. PERVS! UGH!

I was really getting bored in watching highschool perverts kissing each other. I really want to go to sleep. I was about to stand up when I heard someone say, "You ain't going no where, Anika. You need to kiss her first." I smiled. At least, it's a she. I can just kiss her cheek like what I did to Stacey.

"You ready?"

I didn't know what happened but I felt my heart beat faster when I heard that voice.

"Don't worry, I'll be gentle. Let's just get this done, okay?" I just gave her a nod because I really didn't know what I was feeling right now.

When she leaned down, I just closed my eyes and wait for the kiss. When her lips landed into mine, I couldn't explain the feeling, but it was the softest and sweetest lips that I've ever tasted.

It's a magical feeling with sparks and everything and then my knees went weak, butterflies were turning and twirling in my stomach. My skin was tingling, and fireworks were exploding and I never imagined that I'll be feeling this just by kissing someone. As we fell deeper into the kiss, my arms somehow slipped around Monique's waist, and I felt her fingers playing around my hair.

I was about to open my mouth to let her explore more when I heard someone's comment.

"FREAKING HOT!" right there and then, I pulled back and looked the person I shared that passionate kiss with.

That's when she opened her eyes and looked at me the same way I was looking at her.

And before she can say something, her boyfriend leaned and gave her a kiss.

She stopped looking at me and gave into Mike's kiss.

And just like that, the magical feeling I felt a while ago was gone.

I took a deep breath and looked at my friends. They were all giving me a questioning look, but I just smiled at them and shrugged.

There's nothing to explain, it's just a game right?

A GAME, period.