Playing Games

This Kiss.

Maria headed back out to the field, she saw Andrew take his seat back in the crowd. She was so angry with him, firstly for provoking Chase but also for lying. That wasn’t something she thought he would do. She didn’t look at him and they began to cheer again, the guys ran back out to the field. Well all apart from Chase who sauntered out looking cocky and calm, the crowd was going crazy, fans screamed his names and started chanting for him. The cheerleaders joined in, psyching them up more and Maria tried not to look at Andrew as she chanted Chase's name.  

They second half began, and Maria shivered, Chase was clearly still annoyed about whatever had happened. He wasn't just dominating the match, anyone foolish enough to get near him was being targeted. She could see the guys from the other team start to hesitate. 

Maria hated him. Hated his arrogance. She looked at him, he was in good shape she hated to admit,  arms bulging and perfect smug face. 

The team finished the game with an easy win, the score ended at 37:9 to them. The crowd was going wild again as the team started to celebrate, pom moms were flying and before Maria could do anything she felt someone tug on her wrist. Thinking it was Mona she turned smiling, instead it was Chase. He smiled down at her and piercing blue eyes taking in her shock expression, he said nothing as Andrew started to get up, still holding her wrist with his other hand he grabbed the back of her head and pulled her towards him, kissing her forcefully and passionately. Everyone roared in appreciation as Maria stumbled backwards under his weight.

She tried to pull away from him but it was no use, he stepped back and smiled down at her. His eyes were twinkling and her lips felt swollen from the force of the kiss. He looked at her then turned, catching Andrews eye he grinned at her boyfriend who had stopped heading down and was staring in shock. He and the team left the field and Maria tried to compose herself. s**t she thought.

-

"He is watching you again" The voice of her cousin cut through Marias thoughts, she half turned to her, 'just ignore him' she said, not bothering to turn to the man that was watching her. Again. As Mona had stressed, she tried to ignore him. It was getting harder.

The fight between her boyfriend Andrew and Chase was getting out of hand and Maria had been put firmly in the middle. 

It has been a week since he had kissed her at the game, in front of the jeering crowd, she had not gone to the victory party afterwards, instead she had spent hours reassuring and apologising to Andrew. Although as Mona pointed out, the kiss was in retaliation to Andrew lying about Chase to a scout. But Maria knew, as he had shouted at her it was stress and anger, but not directed at her. Though she couldn't help but take it personally.

The problem was, now everyone was very aware and Chase made no secret of his interest in Maria. "Maria, I can't ignore him, he is still watching you" Mona turned and stared at Chase, he ignored her and stalked his prey. She didn't like the way he watched her cousin, she didn't like the way he sat openly staring at her, trying to make her feel uncomfortable. She didn't like the way he was treating Andrew, or using his connections within the school to get away with his behaviour.

"Chase" Mona called, the room went quiet as people shamelessly tried to listen in, "hey Chase" finally his gazed flickered to her. Maria was shaking her head at her sister, whispering to her and begging her to stop, "what is your problem?" he didn't answer and Mona stood up.

Maria was freaking out inside, pissing Chase off seemed to result in Andrew getting hurt and her getting kissed, neither of which she wanted a repeat of. Andrew was finally back at school and swimming, her cheering didn't suck as much as she thought it would. They were even going to an away game and staying over night a few towns over. Right now she didn't want to 'rock the boat' with Chase. 

"I want you to stay the hell away from my cousin, you hear me" Mona walked over to him, blocking his view to Maria, Chase just smirked at her and turned back to his table. He didn't view her as any type of threat. "Do you hear me?" she repeated. 

"Mona, please, let's go," Maria pulled on her arm, "please". It was the sadness in her voice that made Mona stop. Chase stood up and he towered over the petite girls, his friends watched lazily from their seats, enjoying the show. "Yes Mona" he said, getting close and looking down at her, "just go" he smirked again as Maria pulled her cousin.

She didn't meet Chase's eye as they left the room, she had asked her, no told her not to say anything to him. To make the situation worse, 'he's practically feeding off the drama what aren't you getting about that?' Maria said. She was furious, 'I can't keep pretending this isn't happening Maria'

Maria looked at her for a minute, they were close to the Maria's next class,  'then don't. Don't come get me after class, head home without me. I don't want you there.' She turned and walked into the room alone.