Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

TUESDAY.

“Yes, I am a jerk.”

Dylan taking responsibility wasn’t the reaction I expected.

My lips part in shock. I’m stunned.

*She’s mine.*

A tiny voice echoed in my head. Fo-cus.

“I don’t want Blake to take you shopping.”

His cold voice tone forces my attention back to him. It never left, I just wasn’t staring.

“Why?”

I blurt out.

“It’s no big deal. If you need to go shopping, I can take you. End of discussion Camilla, you don’t need Blake…”

“Who are you to tell me who I can and cannot need? I didn’t see you offering at the table yesterday?”

I counter, returning my hands to being crossed.

“I know. I just don’t want him to take you.”

“You mentioned that. I asked why. No answer.”

“I’ll take you, Camilla.”

He responds ignoring my statement.

Eye roll.

“As if.”

I hissed loudly, glaring harshly at him.

“I mean it, Camilla. I’ll take you.”

“You’re taking me because you don’t want Blake to not because you want to.”

I implode in anger.

“No. That’s not it. You’re confusing things. I don’t want you with him doesn’t mean I don’t want you with me genuinely. I’ll happily take you, Camilla.”

“Because Blake suggested.”

He groaned, running a few fingers in his hair.

“I want to go with you.”

He says staring directly into my eyes.

“Can I take you shopping on Saturday?”

He asks instead.

That’s sweet.

Don’t blush Camilla.

I turn away to hide what might be a tiny blush.

I could only help but nod my head in affirmation while facing the side of the bus. It’s not much of a deal eitherway.

No doubt we are giving the folks inside a fantastic show.

“Good. We’ve been out here for a while, I’m tired of standing. I’m tired as a whole but luckily It’s a long drive, I’ll have the chance to rest since I didn’t get any sleep last night. I was up.”

He revealed. My brows lit with curiosity.

“Doing what?”

I ask curiously.

“Thinking about someone.”

He quips, moving to stand beside me.

Interesting. His thoughts kept him up?

“Could I be me?”

“Yes, it was you.”

He answers back with a nod.

“Holy shit. Did I just say that aloud?”

Noticing my reaction, he chuckles, leading the way inside the bus.

I’m too stunned to even move.

“It’s me!”

I repeat like last time.

“Here.”

He motions over to a seat beside him. Most of his teammates were seated beside a girl, a cheerleader. It must be awkward having me. Paula wanted this. She probably envisioned it all week.

Too bad. Countless eyes followed me every step up until I slid beside him. I lowered my head slightly away from all their scrutinising gazes.

“Wake me up when we get there.”

He leaned into me, relaxing his head on my shoulders.

He must be really tired.

I tilt my head to the corner where the cheerleaders were seated.

Paula and the rest of them throw glares at me and Miranda only giggles. From the corner of course.

It’s times like this where I wish we didn’t have to hide our friendship, I’d prefer if she was close to me and away from all of them.

Someday.

****

After about an hour, we finally arrived at Richmond high.

The school was a little big but nothing compared to ours. Students took turns and stepped out of the bus.

“Emerton!”

Their coach yells after we had gotten off.

Duty calls.

Some of them were already trailing beside him, he’s leading the way to what I assume must be the field for their practice.

“Wait here, I’ll go get the team ready. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

I give him a small smile and he wanders off.

Just great. Now I get to stand alone close to this bus. Hopefully, Dylan returns before any creep shows up. This isn’t Kingston. I don’t like this place.

“And just like I thought, she made it.”

Creep alert 101. Who would’ve guessed? It’s his school.

I didn’t shudder or those tingles didn’t pop out, after seeing him on Saturday and yesterday, I’m immune to an extent.

“Leave me alone Brandon.”

I demand but he only snorts. He’s standing a little far from me. I like that.

“You know I can’t Camilla.”

He provides an answer moments later.

Yes, torturing me is his favourite pastime. That’s understood.

“Just beat it, aren’t you supposed to be getting ready or something?”

“I am ready.”

He boasts.

Yes ready to lose.

I stiffen a chuckle at my joke.

“Well if you’re ready like last time, I guess Dylan would just have to beat you again.”

I burst into laughter in between words recalling the priceless look on his face when they lost. I’ll get another dose this afternoon. Can not wait.

“Trust me, Camilla, Dylan Emerton isn’t going to win.”

He assured.

Unlike the previous words, this wasn’t boasting.

It’s like he was certain Dylan would not win.

“Enjoy the game. It’ll be unforgettable.”

He turns and walks away briskly before I can utter another word.

I’m left wondering what he means.

“Hey, the game is about to start. I got you a perfect seat to watch.”

I hear Dylan announce, the voice is so faint. I’m thinking.

“Camilla!”

He shakes me lightly. I turned around and he’s there. Brandon left because of him I’m sure.

“Dylan, promise me you’ll be careful during this practice game.”

I began, He just stares at me confused. I don’t know why but that eerie feeling from this morning, the one I got after the dream. It was back and it came after Brandon talked to me. His confidence is more today. I can’t tell why but it just is.

“Camilla, it’s just practice. The actual game isn’t until Friday you know that.”

This isn’t the time for jokes. He knows exactly what I mean. I’m worried.

“Dylan promise me.”

I beg, my voice shooting considerable low.

“Hey, I promise okay. I’ll be careful but nothing will go wrong. Watch me, I’ll win.”

Both arms are up at the same time, wrapping around mine. His grip is soft, we are close enough for his breathing to echo softly in my ear.

“Dylan I’m…”

“I’ll be fine.”

One hand disengages from my hand, lifting to meet my cheek where his finger gently strokes the corner.

Swiftly, he closes the distance between us and while I think it’s for a kiss, his lips evade mine quickly and land on my cheeks instead.

My shoulders are slumped and I’m a little disappointed.

“Watch me win. Again.”

He boasts and for him I half-smile.

My mind isn’t settled.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Something is wrong.

He lets go of me completely, taking the corner to reach their locker room before the game.

“Please be okay.”

I pray silently taking a deep breath hearing the cheers begin. He has to turn out fine. He will.

Brandon is just trying to get to me. As he always does

~Hours Later.

“You tell me right now. How is he! I want to know how he is. Why is everyone looking at me like that? How is Dylan!”

I yelled enraged. Standing in the middle of the hallway, they were shared on each end.

Miranda with some of his teammates and then a few more on the other end.

“It’s not looking good. We have no idea.”

Miranda responded following my heart rate escalating quickly.

It’s almost as though I knew.

I could feel it. Dylan’s going to die.

I knew something would go wrong. I tried to warn him and now he’s going to die.

A sliver ran through my spine, a tiny gasp cutting my airflow slipping out from my lips.

I take two steps backwards, both hands flying to each side of my body to comfort me.

“Camilla. I’m so sorry.”

Miranda’s voice breaks into tiny sobs, her legs making a move in my direction.

The tears are blurring my vision, I can barely see but moments later, her comforting arms are around mine.

All I can think of is him. He can’t die.

He can’t leave me.

****

*Author’s Note*

*Curious about what happened at the game? Well, we’ll find out tomorrow. Maybe there was a kidnapper in school. Lol.*

*Your thoughts in the comment section. Gracias!*