I take a deep breath, looking at my name on the huge screen... at the outline that defines my opponent.Alfred Johnson - Scarlett DavisKevin Smith - Robert DuncanI feel a shiver run down my spine and immediately my eyes are drawn to the source of this unsettling sensation. And when our gazes meet, I realize that this face isn't strange at all... He's been staring at me insistently throughout the competition.So this is the person I'm competing against today...?His hostility is so intense I can practically feel it."The matches will begin in ten minutes." Kevin's voice brings me back to reality... Which is funny because I didn't even notice I was stuck and absorbed in thought.I force a smile at him, straining to pay attention to his words... "Are you nervous?""A little, I guess?" I hug my own body, rubbing my palms over my arms that are sensitive and shivering. It's like the temperature has dropped a few degrees. "I've been feeling weird these days... I don't think I've gotten use
My hand quickly hits the button, and the alarm sounds loudly again. I hear Alfred grunt on the other side of the partition, but I don't care... in fact, I give a triumphant smile because this is the last equation that I need to answer correctly to ensure my victory."And the answer is?" The gray-haired man asks me."X= 30, Y= 2." I say with conviction, looking at the man who is wearing a genuinely surprised expression. Maybe it's because it didn't take me more than five minutes to calculate each of the answers."CORRECT!" He says, loudly, even excitedly, and it makes me rise from my chair with adrenaline and happiness coursing rapidly through my veins. I do a few jumps, looking around and seeing expressions of pride — of pride! I'm so happy and proud of myself that I feel tears wetting my eyelashes-"Huh." Alfred snorts, with a sarcastic smile. And that catches my eyes, wilting my smile and closing my expression immediately."What?" I say harshly, between teeth."You're such a low wom
When the whistle blows loudly, showing the end of the game and our team's victory, I can't help the loud, euphoric scream that escapes my lips. I dig my fingers into the railing, watching as Jasper starts to approach me, but is intercepted by the other players, who pull him into a group hug. My heart tightens at the sight of him pulling away from me and my smile falters, but I understand the reason for the celebration. With this victory, they are in the semi-finals. Well... I guess I'll wait for you at the hotel...I start to leave the court with slow steps, looking at my hands, at the battle of fingers I do impatiently. The corridor seems so long when you're not rushing, when you're alone...."Hey!" I hear a sharp, loud voice that makes me turn in surprise. I see her blonde hair sway as she strides quickly towards me, with such large strides that she is soon in front of me.I cross my arms, watching the way she stops in front of me with her hands on her waist, puffing out her chest
Jasper pushes open a door of some sort, a locker room that is empty and showing no signs of being used, dragging me into the room as he holds me desperately, almost hungrily, lifting my body with surprising strength. I wrap my legs around his waist, holding on tightly to his neck as he strides over to the lockers."This is so dangerous..." He says with a chuckle, leaning my back against the cold cabinets, chilling my skin from the coolness passing behind my blouse. "What if we get caught...?"I don't answer, I just kiss him intensely, with reason leaving my mind completely... All I want is to relieve this tension that's in my lower belly... this heat that spreads through my body and makes me desire him so intensely that I lose myself.I slide my tongue into his mouth, searching for the softness of his, running my hand up his straight, sweaty hair that easily tangles in my fingers. And as Jasper explores the exposed skin of my leg, moving up to my hip, I say the intensity of our kiss,
I lift my eyes from the math book, acutely aware that Jasper is looking at me. He is lying on my bed, hugging my pillow, his face close, as if he wants to smell my scent. And when he notices that he has caught my eye, he gives me a mischievous smile.He really looks like a needy puppy."What?" I ask, lowering the book onto my lap, watching his smile widen even more."I'm just happy, Reddy." He moistens his lips, "You like me."I open my lips to answer him, with surprise, and then my shoulders wilt, as does my expression. Oh, yes, I really did say I like him. And I do, but it's just that... Why did I need to say it when my body felt so hot and reason so far away?"Why are you making that face all of a sudden?" Jasper straightens up in bed, sitting up as if alarmed and anxious. "Don't make that face.""Jasper." I sigh, my eyes softening."Don't you like me?" He asks, putting my single-handed pillow back in place, crossing his legs over the edge of the bed and propping his feet up on the
"So... What do you think about us finally doing our little game?" Jasper says suddenly, making me lift my eyes from the notebook where I'm solving the equations, practicing for tomorrow's grand final."Now?" I blink a few times, "Why now? We have to sleep in a bit... It's your semi-final tomorrow, isn't it?""Yeah, but I want to get to know my girlfriend better." He says proudly, causing a silly smile to rise on my lips and my cheeks to take on a reddish hue like my hair. "Shall we, please?""Alright." I put the pen down and turn fully towards him, leaning my knees towards him, "But you start, since it was your idea.""Right, there are so many things about you I'd like to know, it's even hard to start, um..." He says thoughtfully, moistening his lips. "Besides math and chess, what else would you like to compete in?""That one was pretty specific for someone who didn't know where to start." I say with a chuckle and notice his smile turn mischievous. "Well... I guess I like spelling too
I'm frozen. I'm afraid Jasper is going to take his hands off me and walk away... But instead, he places a kiss on my shoulder, making my eyes widen slightly."Didn't I tell you, Reddy? It's not your fault." Jasper's voice makes something inside my chest wobble, maybe it's my heart or the defenses I still tried to build."Do you understand what I'm saying, Jasper? I'm not saying I did some kind of tantrum, that I hurt someone or that I feel responsible for guilt on my conscience or anything like that - no, I actually killed someone. Next thing I know, the nanny who abused me is lying on the floor with so much, so much blood... And my hands, my whole little body stained with her blood."Jasper stays silent, watching as I naturally unravel from those words."Do you remember doing it?" He asks seriously, and I just shake my head, denying it... "So it was an accident-""No, you don't understand!" I wriggle, uneasy, my skin crawling... Why don't I just shut up? Why, at the same time that I'
Scarlett and I walk side by side to the venue where the grand final of the National University Math Contest will take place. I have my arm around her shoulders, making sure her body is close to mine. And that must surely bring warmth to her face because there's a blush on her cheeks.It makes me strangely content.When we got there an hour earlier, we quickly spot Kevin. He notices us immediately and walks towards us with his hands in his pockets and a friendly expression. I hold her a little tighter, pulling her body against mine. I notice at a glance that she suppresses a smile at my overprotective and - okay, I admit it - jealous gesture too."Hey..." He stops in front of us as he approaches, looking at Scarlett for a moment and then at me. We're about the same height, so he doesn't have to lower his gaze like he does with her.I slide my hand down to her waist."I'm sorry I didn't win." Scarlett says witheringly but struggles to put a smile on her lips when she adds, "Although I w