GAME ON

(KRRRHHH....KRRRHHHH) 

Rose's phone began to ring. "Collin?....". 

It's been two weeks now since I last heard from Collin. I was back to square one, where I had no one to spend time with. I was back to my old routine. I must say I did miss the fun we had in just that few days.

The Mirabelle Bistro Café became my safe place. As usual, Mr. Finley always gave me the best.

FEW HOURS BEFORE THE CALL

I sat at my usual spot looking through the window like I always did watching the people walk by. There was this pregnant lady with a young girl walking pass the cafe and they seemed to be enjoying a fun conversation as they were all smiles. They were really nice to look at.

"I'm leaving Mr. Finley. Thank you for the wonderful cappuccino. You are the best" I said with a smile " Take care my dear" He responded with a smile as well and off I went.

I walked through the corridor heading to class with my head in the clouds thinking of nothing in particular. I bumped into someone. I saw books scattered on the floor and out of impulse, I crouched down to help. 

"I... I'm truly sorry, I didn't mean...." my words got stuck in my throat as I looked up to find out it was Eugene.

"It's fine," he said grimly.

He crouched down as well to gather the books when our hands touched. I stared down at our hands and back at his face with shock written all over mine. I immediately retracted mine. "I..I'm sorry". I got up abruptly and left leaving him there. I turned back and realized he didn't move an inch.

"What is wrong with you Rose?" I facepalmed myself.

Eugene was still crouched down but now he moved to gather the rest of the books. He wore an expressionless face. This was unlike him at all.

He took the opposite path heading to the library.

Back in class, I sat at my usual spot next to Tracy. It really was a wonder why I wasn't true friends with Tracy. Thinking about it, she wasn't bad. She didn't push me away like the others but there was still this boundary between us. I couldn't really pinpoint it.

"I heard Eugene and Collin had a fight." "Huh?" I asked with a frown. "My thoughts exactly. They were seen fighting at 'the Pantlo' the gang spot."

"You can't be for real. When? Why?" I asked in disbelief. "It's true. It happened yesterday some hours after lectures. Most of us had left." The Spanish boy chipped in.

I really couldn't believe what I was hearing. "From what I heard it was brutal. They really put their all in it, but no one knows the cause of the fight." "Tracy, are you sure? I just bumped into Eugene, and he looked just fine. There were no signs of him being in a fight". "That can't be right," Tracy exclaimed not buying what I was saying. After all, it was my words against theirs.

"If the fight was as they claimed, he should have acquired some bruises. Yet he looked fine, or did I miss it because of the shock of bumping into him?" I thought to myself.

"Speaking of the devil...." I looked towards the entrance and our eyes met. The entire class was in an uproar. There were whispers here and there.

He broke contact in what seemed like seconds and directed his gaze towards the far end of the class opposite to where I was. He was angry. No, I mean fuming. I turned my head and followed his line of sight. There was a girl in black. She looked pale, with long dark hair and dark lips. I could swear I had seen her before.

"Who is she?" I asked Tracy. She turned as well.

"Oh that's the new girl, she came in just this morning. I think she was here before any of us".

I turned back to look at Eugene and saw him clench his fist.

I turned back to the girl and saw her mouth something "That can't be real" "GAME ON" she said.....