Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

KINGSTON HIGH.

FRIDAY.

I observed his expressions, hoping to deduce what rationale he had to speak to me. I got nothing. If his hands were stuck in his hair, I’d figure he was nervous, his fingers weren’t twitching, his brows reveals nothing, his face straightened as his shoulders.

“Can we speak privately?”

He added, his tone smooth and curt.

I spied Miranda, her mouth filled with pasta, but her eyes fixed on both of us.

“Go.”

She mouthed.

“Sure.”

I clipped, then stood up.

This better not be one of those scenes where this end up being something I regret.

It was.

****

“What do you want?”

I repeat.

“Mother has been asking whether you are going to come around to tutor me. I tried brushing her off, but I have a feeling she might call you, which is why I came to inform you I don’t want you to tutor me anymore. I think I’m doing good in the course. That’s pretty much it.”

He concluded. I clenched my jaw, gaping at him in disbelief.

After nine days, he called me here for this? I forgot about the lessons. We only tried it once, and I didn’t think it’ll be regular, but even at that, why did he have to rub it in my face? Mockery?

“Why..”

I whispered, losing a grip on my control.

“I’m doing well on the subject, and my mother might…”

“No. Not the tutoring. Fuck that. That’s bull and you know it. Why are you acting like an asshole?”

His lids brimmed with shock, but it left as quickly as it arrived.

Then he cleared his throat before speaking.

“I’m not.”

I blinked back at his tone. Hard. Did that annoy him? I hope so. He has annoyed me all week.

“You are. You’ve been avoiding me for days?”

I gritted my teeth.

“Did we see each other often in the past? I bring you home, but what other interaction did we have in school before you left the house?”

I almost gasp. Almost.

“You’re not seriously trying to justify what you’ve been doing?”

“It doesn’t need any justification. I’m not avoiding you, there just isn’t anything for us to speak about, unlike now which…”

“Bull Dylan. That’s bull fucking shit. You’re being a jerk. You’re punishing me for leaving your house. How the fuck is that fair?”

“You’re not making sense. I’m not punishing you for anything.”

I burst into laughter, covering my lips with a few fingers.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t think you’re the kind to act like a hypocrite. One more thing I’m finding of you. Kyle was right. It took a while, but I finally get it now. He was right. I was just a spark of the moment. You fucking used me as a plaything and now I’m out of reach, you’re moving on to fucking Paula as you did before.”

His eyes turned dark, and he breathed loudly. I wasn’t done.

“You don’t even have the decency to admit it. It’s fine. I’m such a fool for not accepting and trying to see something else when the truth is glaring. I understand your words. No more tutoring from me. Goodbye Dylan.”

I took to my heels to leave.

“Camilla…”

He called out, his tone reeking of desperation. Or maybe that’s just what my heart wants me to believe.

I’m done. I don’t turn back; I walk away quickly and get as far away from him as possible.

Tears are gathering in my eyes, threatening to spill any second. I can’t cry for him. I won’t.

I ball my fist and blink hard. Repeatedly. Reminding myself that he’s the jerk. He’s the stupid one. I did nothing wrong.

****

“Are you sure about this? I will not mind if you maybe skip the party?”

I turned to glare harshly. Miranda flinched and continued touching her makeup, knowing better than to speak further.

I summarised the entire thing, since I couldn’t keep quiet after returning with foggy eyes. I told her about the kisses, sweet words, near sex, everything. Her lips stayed parted in shock for over ten minutes before she utters two words.

“Stay in.”

But that ship had stayed. I did one thing; party, drink and have fun. Maybe even give a guy my number.

It’s my final year in high school. I will not sulk for the remaining months.

“Look, I will not go crazy or do silly things. I’m not stupid. Don’t worry about that. I just want to have fun and, as you said, we are celebrating your freedom from that bitch.”

“That’s what people say when they plan on doing stupid things.”

She murmured, but I heard her just fine. Then she bobbed her head a few times in agreement.

“Good.”

I affirmed and reached for the lipstick. Bold purple. It matches the dress I’m wearing. One of Mrs Emerton’s. The one with a slit on both ends reaching just below my knee, round-necked but with a teasing net design just at the top of my cleavage. I borrowed some jewelry from mother, more like sneaking in and took them, but I’ll be back before midnight so it’s fine.

Now I’m sitting in front of this mirror and doing my makeup.

Tonight I party. Hard. Harder than I’ve ever partied.

Since we both didn’t own a vehicle, we opted for a cab, since those were a little easy to come by.

Mother and father had a dinner occasion to attend. I’ll be fine as long as I’m back before midnight. It’s just a little after eight, so I have more than enough time.

Miranda wasn’t looking so bad. Stripped jeans and a crop top, a matching black purse and daring makeup. Just like me.

And we’re off.

****

Loud Music. Pot. Weed. Too many perfumes stench. Tequilla. Drunk teens. The average party.

Miranda and I went in hand in hand, but I had to let squeeze into the crowd myself. The girls were stuck on guys, twirling their hips on their crotch and others were drinking while dancing still.

“I’ll be right back. I’ll go find Kelly!”

Miranda yelled over the music. I bobbed my head and went away to find a place to seat, or maybe I should get a drink first.

The kitchen wasn’t hard to locate, drinks were flowing freely as well. I handpicked vodka. A bottle. Yes, I meant it when I said I’m having fun.

“Camilla didn’t peg you as the party kind.”

I spun around with the bottle, eyeing Eva suspiciously.

She’s like the character that disappears yet makes a sudden appearance. Why now?

Rolling my eyes, I opened the medium-sized bottle and took a huge sip.

“Wow. Someone’s a hard drinker. What exactly did I miss?”

She smirked. Ignoring her once more, I moved away from the centre, hoping to find somewhere to sit.

“Come on, are you still mad over the sex thing? I thought we’ve buried the hatchet.”

She chuckled, trailing behind me

If I ignore her, maybe she’ll go away. So I did. I pretended not to hear and kept moving.

“Friends?”

A scoff slipped from my lips.

“No.”

I answered.

“Come on, I’m sorry. Besides, it’s not like Kyle and I are together? We’re not..”

I could sense the sarcasm in her tone.

“Fuck off.”

“You and I could share all our secrets.”

She continued. I took another gulp, squeezing my eyes at the burn in my throat.

“I said fuck off Eva.”

“Alright then. If you change your mind, I’m sure you know where to find me.”

She clicked her tongue before retreating.

I exhaled deeply, setting the bottle over the table. Just then, my phone beeped with a text. It may be Miranda wanting to inform me where she ran off to.

I unlocked the screen, running my eyes over the message.

Fuck. It was from Dylan. My breath hitched as his message registered in my head. He can’t be serious.

“We need to talk.”

It stated. Punctuated and all.

Like hell we do. I ignored the first, and another popped in.

“I can see you, Camilla.”

I scoffed and locked the screen, reaching for the bottle and chunking a little down my throat.

“Hello.”

Someone called beside me. My heart jumped at the thought of it being Dylan. It wasn’t, and it made my heart sink.

“I’m Jimmy.”

He added, and I snickered. Well, I said I’m having fun.

*And forgetting about Dylan.*

“Camilla.”

I answer back, swerving my head to meet his gaze, supplying my best smile of the night.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

****

*Author’s Note*

*Roughly three more chapters left till the end of this first part and trust me, Jimmy is here to stay. Everyone will love him and the next chapter will be… Ah! Can’t wait. See you soon.*