BEL AND THE FOUR OF HEARTS

Ten

The school cafeteria was bustling with noise and activity. Chaotic and familiar. The chatter of students filled the room, echoing off the walls and blending with the clatter of silverware and plates. The scent of various foods wafted through the air, mixing together in a heady aroma. It was overwhelming, but in a comforting way.

I watched as he sipped his iced tea, his lips pursed around the straw; the smoothness with which the liquid glided up its length. He raised his face to look at me, but I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of my attention. I continued chewing on my burger as if it was nothing special,

His eyes on me, and it made me feel both excited and uncomfortable at the same time. I didn't want to let my guard down too quickly, especially with someone who I was only using. I could only focus on the sound of his sucking.

The silence between us two was thick, with only the sound of utensils scraping against plates breaking the stillness.

Turning my eyes around, I started noticing the curious glances of other students. Some were discreetly looking our way, while others were less subtle, craning their necks to get a better view. It was clear that eating with Keisha's boyfriend was a topic of interest for the student body, and I couldn't blame them.

After all, Keisha and I were known to have a contentious history.

He whispered,

"You've got sauce here," pointing at the corner of my lips. I felt my face flush as he brought his hand toward my lips to help me wipe it off.

Before he could touch my lips, I quickly wiped it off myself "Thanks." I tried to play it cool, grateful for having quickly killed all the butterflies daring to flutter their wings in my stomach.

The table shook with a sudden violence that startled me as someone slammed her hand onto it. The sudden movement caused Jason's drink to topple over, sending iced tea spilling onto the table and onto his lap. The noise echoed throughout the cafeteria and many students turned to look at the commotion.

I watched in shock as the liquid dripped from the table and onto the floor. She could see the frustration on Jason's face as he looked down at his wet pants. I turned my head towards the commotion, and my eyes met Keisha's fiery glare. It was clear that she was not happy to see her boyfriend sitting with me.

I felt tension rising in the air, and I could sense the stares of people turning to her. Her eyes fixed on Jason, who held his hand over his forehead, obviously embarrassed.

Keisha's angry voice broke through the stunned silence,

"What are you doing with her?" she asked, pointing a finger at me. Her voice was was sharp and accusatory, cutting through the chatter of the cafeteria like a knife.

Jason replied,

"I can't make friends anymore?" There was a hint of annoyance in his voice, and I could tell he was getting defensive.

Keisha scowled.

"Just because we had a small fight doesn't mean you can start seeing other girls," she said, trying to keep her voice low.

"What small fight?" Jason asked incredulously.

"We weren't even that close, Keys."

He turned to me and rolled his eyes, as if to say,

"Can you believe her?"

I sat back and watched with a sense of detached amusement. It was as if I was observing a scene from a movie, rather than living it myself.

I watched as Keisha's eyes filled with tears.

"What?" she asked, her voice trembling.

I was keenly aware of the stares from other students who were undoubtedly eavesdropping on our conversation. She looked around, aware of the stares we were getting, and whispered to Jason,

"We need to talk outside."

”We've got nothing to talk about," Jason maintained.

A jerk to the teeth, nice.

Keisha's eyes flickered with a mix of emotions, and I could see the tears glistening on her lashes.

Her shoulders hunched up, her hand covering her mouth to stifle the sobs. As Keisha turned to run, her hair swung wildly, and her sneakers squeaked noisily against the tiles.

What was it I just felt in my chest? Guilt? Pity?

Her figure soon disappeared through the door, the sound of her sobs faded away, leaving a stunned silence in her wake. Jason was looking down at the table, his face etched with discomfort.

I wouldn't say I wasn't embarrassed by it all either. Imagine being the potential ‘other girl’.

Jason looked me and said,

"Sorry about that, she's always being delusional."

Ugh!

As much as his comment annoyed me, I merely nodded and continued biting into my burger.

He then chuckled lightly, grazing his fingers briefly above his nose,

"So, tell me more about yourself."

I thought to myself, "That was such a cliché way to get someone talking."

"Well, just a weirdo as you must have heard." His gaze changes, nearly making me blush.

Then there was the sudden "I like you."

My mind went completely blank immediately after he said that. I felt confused, surprised, and unsure of how to respond. I had been so focused on her plan to use Jason to get back at Keisha that I had never considered the possibility of him actually liking me. It was unexpected, and I wasn't prepared for it. I didn't expect him to fall so quickly, that too in one day.

Looks wise, Keisha was on the winning side, so what about me did he like?

Casanova?

I cleared my throat, haven bitten more than I could chew, literally, from my burger.

I raised my brows,

"But we just met like twice or so...and we barely know each other. Plus, this all so awkward. Keisha and you definitely had something going on."

Jason took my hand resting on the table.

My heart skipped as I felt his warm hand over mine. The sudden tingle as his fingers slowly intertwined with mine. The touch was annoyingly electric, and I hated what was coursing through my veins at that moment.

The warmth of his skin; the texture of his fingers, and the weight of his touch; how his grip tightened a little, almost as if he was trying to communicate something without words.

"Forget about all of that. It's both of us now."

Okay, this guy is one of the most pathetic people I've met, but why should I care? I was going to be using him too. What's so bad about playing a player?

In a blink, Jason's gaze changed, and it wasn't the same look he had been giving me all along. It was a look that could make a girl blush or melt. A seductive look that I didn't understand. I felt a sudden chill run down my spine, but my eyes didn't flinch from his.

I wondered if he had planned this all along, or if this was just how he usually acted.

I felt a little self-conscious, wondering if he was really attracted to me because I had touched his backside, or if it was just a game to him like it was to me.

Was I being played too? It wouldn't be a surprise if that was it, right? I could still risk it, right?

I tried to think but the way he was looking at me made it hard to concentrate on anything else.

I looked away, trying to regain my composure.

I wasn't used to this kind of attention, and it made me feel very uneasy.

I forced a smile, pulling my hand gently out of his.

"First date tomorrow?" He asked.

I shrugged my approval.

Play to win, not to lose, Belinda…the Great.