Living With The Player

**CAMILLA RENÉE**

EMERTON’S MANSION.

Rooted to the spot in my room, I racked my brain for a possible escape route out of the sinking sand I was currently standing on.

The more words I speak, the harder I sink.

I fluttered my eyes and ducked away from his gaze, a mixture of embarrassment and confusion flicking over my eyes.

Eventually, a hand crept to the centre of my head, I tugged at a strand of my hair, a pastime whenever I get too nervous or confused.

Now I’m a little of both.

Turn him down.

Just say no.

So many options and those were the only two popping in my head.

I can’t be scared of him. Yet I can’t get the words out, my lips are parted, there’s air flowing in yet the words are caught in my throat.

I returned my gaze to him, his eyes are peering straight into mine searching for an answer I’m unable to provide.

“Fuck.”

I cursed before I can help myself, tugging harshly.

I clamp my lips shut, the air hitting my lungs causing me to begin coughing harshly.

Blake tries to step forward, I retreat carefully at the same time, my phone rings out loud.

A call when you need one.

Lifesaver.

A hand over my throat, I lower my head, tilting it towards the screen to look over the caller ID.

Must be fate playing dirty tricks on me.

Dylan is calling. It’s past 9 pm, his older brother is in my room, and he chooses now to call.

I’ll pick anything over this awkward conversation.

“Hey.”

I started with a smile managing to stretch it along my entire face while meeting Blake’s curious gaze.

“Are you okay? I got really worried. You just left without a word.”

*I didn’t actually. You were too busy with your friends and others.*

I keep my smug thoughts to myself, chuckling lightly as though nothing occurred.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Something happened though, but it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll tell you about it when I come to see you tomorrow.”

I can’t help but notice Blake’s brows shooting up at the end of that sentence, it’s good he understands I’m going to see Dylan. I’m not sure why, this feels like a brotherly duel or something, I don’t want to get caught in the middle.

“Oh, alright.”

He sighs in defeat.

“I’m just glad you’re okay.”

He adds after a short pause.

“Is that Dylan’s hoodie?”

Blake asks in the background, stretching his hand forward.

I tilt my head and truly the hoodie pokes out from the pillow. I don’t care about that, Dylan knows the truth already, what has me shaking is that he knows *Blake is my room*

“Fuck!”

“Is that Blake?”

His tone is strained, I can tell he’s barely holding it back.

“Is he in your room?”

He throws another question.

The air is sucked out of my lungs.

Fuck me.

I’m screwed. Morally screwed.

“Yes, he’s in my room.”

“We were just talking.”

I add almost immediately, the words rolling off my tongue with ease.

No lies. We were talking. He was asking me out and I was gaping like a complete moron.

Shit.

“Oh, I guess I’m interrupting something. I’ll call you later.”

I hear the beeping tone over the receiver before I can utter another word, he doesn’t let me speak in my defence.

This can’t be good.

Taking the phone off my ear, I stare at the screen with a whole lot of emotions. Mostly hurt and fright.

“Am I interrupting something?”

Blake Peers clearing his throat.

“Not really. I think I’ll be busy this Saturday, I won’t even have time to go shopping. I’m sorry Blake.”

Dylan’s harsh exit was good for something. I was too angry to care about Blake.

“It’s okay. I understand. I’ll let you get some rest now, I’ll catch you later.”Material © NôvelDrama.Org.

He moves towards the door and I can finally breathe better.

The minute he’s out of my room, I quickly dial Dylan’s number again.

“Hey….”

I trail off with an intake of breath.

“Are you done with him?”

I could sense the anger in his tone. I wonder how his face is scrunched.

“Yes, he just left. It isn’t wasn’t you think Dylan, he just asked me to the movies.”

I bite back my lip wishing I didn’t give that out, things will only get more complicated.

“Oh, have fun.”

He mumbled sarcastically.

“You’re being childish Dylan, I said no to him. I turned him down.”

There’s a short pause over the phone. For a few seconds, I figure he might have hung up on me.

“You did?”

He clears his throat, disbelief laced in his question.

“Yes, I did.”

I repeat, exhaling deeply.

“But Blake is in college. He’s hot and I think has a car or some shit.”

The irritation is almost glaring.

“I know right.”

I said, taunting further.

I hear him snort before shaking my head.

“I mean, I know but he’s not my type.”

I clarify.

“If Blake isn’t your type, what kind of guy is he?”

“I don’t know Dylan. You should get some rest. Good night.”

I withdraw, sensing what was about to come next.

In truth, I’m not exactly sure what kind of guy my type falls under.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He says sounding disappointed by my answer.

“Just to satisfy your curiosity so you sleep better, if I were to choose, my type would most definitely be the younger brother.”

Daringly, I click the send button before he has the chance to speak another word.

Sweet revenge.

Tossing my phone aside, I drew the covers over my legs, facing sideways and falling asleep with a cheeky smile across my face.

****

WEDNESDAY.

I took extra care of my skin, paying more attention to the marks caused by the fire, I hadn’t noticed any of these.

I wondered what Dylan thought when he saw them.

I’ve been wearing jackets and sleeved shirts to school, but by the pool and those other times he’s seen me, he must have thought the burn marks were hideous. They are. Especially the ones over my arm, I feel disgusting staring over them

Sighing, I resided to another pocket T-Shirt and blue Jeans, cross-checking for anything amiss.

Since I didn’t have much back here, my bag wasn’t too heavy for me to carry.

With Dylan’s absence, I have no other choice than to ride with Mother and Father, if they aren’t on a plane or something.

Shutting my door, I heard faint whispers directly underneath the stairs. Drawing closer, I shoved my head forward to listen more.

It was my parents talking. The fact that they’re whispering is just suspicious.

Are they eloping or something?

“That’s not possible dear, the insurance should’ve arrived by now. They’re just saying that so they won’t pay.”

Fuck!

Without the insurance, there’s no way we’ll get the house back.

Why won’t they be?

How does mom know they won’t pay?

I listen further, peaking to see if anyone was watching me watch them.

“There’s no way our house was burned down on purpose. That makes no sense. They must have made a mistake honey.”

I heard mom’s voice clear as day.

Her words are ringing, each time even louder and its meaning finally dawns on me.

They know. They don’t know clearly, but they know. The insurance company. My father. My mother. It won’t take long until I’m busted.

They’ll know I burned the house down and worse, they’ll know I hide it from them.

“Oh, God! Bloody hell! I’m screwed!”

******

*Author’s Note*

Apology! Huge one. I went M. I. A for nearly two weeks. Feels great to be back. Expect more frequent updates. It’s a new year!! Drop your thoughts in the comment section below. Muah.