I catch her on her way out of the building. Ravina doesn’t smile or blush or anything when I grab a hold of her arm and pull her to the side of the school, where hopefully no one will hear our conversation.

Lee and James had already started walking home for the day. When I told them I’d catch up they both made kissing noises. Fuckers.

“I think you have some explaining to do,” I say to her, stuffing my hands in my pockets.

Ravina looks up at me, her eyes calculating. Did I notice that before? How smart her eyes are?

“I think I made myself pretty clear.” She says simply.

As clear as a snow storm…

“So, you’re going to play?” I ask, noting the distinct sound of hope rising in my voice. Better keep that hidden.

Ravina nods, “Yes.”

I hadn’t even stopped to consider the fact that maybe she’s willing to do whatever it takes. Interesting.

“Then come with me, we need to talk.”

I reach out for her hand but she just blinks.

“We are talking,” she says.

I shake my head, walking through the parking lot to my car. Ravina follows me. She glares at me when I open the passenger’s side door for her, and I’m surprised when she climbs in without another word. This’ll be fun-

Once we were on the road I risk a glance over at her, her galaxy backpack in her lap with its myriad of buttons.

“Let’s go somewhere more fun to talk.”

Ravina stays silent. A few minutes later after I find a spot, she hops out and then gazes up at me questioningly.

“The mall, really? This is your idea of fun?” She gives me a look that says she’s disappointed.

“Consider it our first date, while we work out the details.”

Ravina sighs, “Fine. You’re really creepy you know.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment coming from you.”

She scoffs and crosses her arms, but I see the hint of a smile threatening to give her away. I reach for her hand again but she pulls away.

I smile. “No, rule one: we act like any other couple.” I announce as we walk inside.

“Why are we here?” She says.

I point up the escalator at the sign that reads; Arcade.

Even Ravina can’t hide her smile now, as we finally walk into the place and see that we have the whole thing to ourselves. There’s only one poor soul that works here and he, thankfully ignores us.

I watch with curiosity as Ravina parks herself next to the basketball hoop game. She smiles at me when I hand her some quarters then she begins casually tossing the foam basketballs toward the contraption while I lean against it.

“So?” She sighs. “Rule one already kinda sounds impossible. And weird.”

I cross my arms and try not to laugh.

“You assaulted me today in the middle of school but now you’re too shy to hold my hand?” I tease her as she takes another shot.

She shrugs, “I was proving a point earlier.”

“What point?”

She makes it again, the fifth time in a row-

“When it comes to The Love Game, I’m already winning.” She states like it’s obvious.

“Think of rule one like a reminder,” I offer. “We act like any other couple, because our endgame is to get the other to fall head over heels, crazy motherfucking in love with us.”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Ravina lets out a loud laugh and then covers her mouth with her hand as if she’s embarrassed. When she looks at me and lowers her hand, I notice the subtle blush on her cheeks.

“Were you dropped on the head as a baby?” She raises an eyebrow slyly and tries hard to replace her delicate smile with an angry grimace.

Hell, she’s cute-

“Probably. But hey, you agreed to this. Aren’t you already having so much fun?”

Ravina rolls her eyes.

Show time…

“Want me to demonstrate rule one?” I ask, leading her over to the skee ball lanes and starting a game.

I take a ball and hand it to her. She tosses it up in the air a few times, then looks at me like she’s not sure what’s happening. Well, I’ll show you.

I place my hand on her left shoulder. Turning her so that her back is facing me, I reach around her to grab her right hand, still holding the ball. I feel her tense up as I slowly step closer.

“What the fuck, Theo?” She breathes, completely still.

With my right hand, I pull her arm back, noticing how stiff she’s trying to keep it.

“Relax,” I whisper, and Ravina shivers.

As her hand in mine sweeps forward, the ball rolls with a satisfying rumbling sound and then lands in the ‘10’ hole.

I keep her in my arms for a second longer, then let go again. Ravina eventually turns to me, and her eyes narrow when they meet mine.

“What was your point, that you suck at this game?” She pouts.

“You could try being a little nicer to me Ravina, and no. The point was to show you what I mean by rule one. Actions have reactions, and doing what I just did definitely made you react. Which means I’m one step closer to my goal, you see?”

She frowns. “I didn’t react,” I hear her mumble.

I smile. I’d felt when she’d leaned into me…

Ravina just shakes her head. “Okay, what’s the second rule?”

“I don’t know. What do you want to add?”

She pauses in thought for a second and I catch myself staring at her…

I like that she looks comfortable. I can’t explain how much I dislike girls, even people in general, that try so hard everyday to get attention; skirts, high-heels, no jackets even when it’s freezing outside. Ravina’s not like that, thank goodness. I do wonder if she’s actually ever been to NASA though… I smile at the way her huge grey hoodie almost looks like a dress on her over her leggings.

Ravina finally answers me-

“Starting from today,” she says. “We can’t mention The Game. That would make it harder to feel real.”

I nod, “I see what you mean.”

Why was I so excited that she was taking this seriously? This would certainly be interesting.

Ravina suddenly frowns, covering her face with her too-long sleeves-

“Argh! What am I doing?” She cries into her sweater.

I grab her wrists and pull them away from her face. There you are.

“We’re playing a game,” I remind her. “And it starts now.”

Ravina’s light brown eyes search mine, and then I watch as her features soften and she smiles like I’ve never seen.

“Buy me food.” She demands.

“Hold my hand,”

Ravina narrows her eyes a little, but then takes my hand anyway. She pulls me out of the Arcade and downstairs to the food court.

“Talk to me,” I say to her as she eats.

Time to see what goes on inside that head of yours-

“About what?”

I smile, “Anything. Who’s your friend that ran me over in the hallway?”

Ravina smirks a little and then she glares at me.

“I’m pretty sure you ran over her, but whatever. Her name’s Julie. She’s been my best friend since freshman year.”

“Are you really close?”

Ravina nods. “Hell yeah, we tell each other everything. And she’s not afraid to fight with me if I do something insane and dangerous. I need her.” She says with a small shrug.

“Insane and dangerous. Do I fall into that category too?” I ask, leaning my elbows on the table and lacing my fingers together.

Ravina looks up at me and swallows, “You?”

I nod. “Yeah, does your friend care that we’re together?”

Ravina blushes, but I see it in her eyes when she figures out what to say.

This is The Game…

“Even if she does think it’s insane she won’t stop me,” Ravina says as her intelligent eyes meet mine once more.

“When I want something I don’t give up until I have it.”

I can definitely hear the double meaning in her words, but I let it go this time. We aren’t allowed to talk about The Game- her rule. We simply have to give it everything we have.

I roll up one of her sleeves so that I can hold her hand easier. Ravina blushes. It looks so pretty on her light skin.

She’s so different. Strange, but comforting at the same time. My life is just about to get interesting now that I get to spend time with this girl. I linger on her words for a moment.

When I want something I don’t give up until I have it…

“Me too.” I smile at her.

The Game was in place and there was nothing either of us could do, since I’m too stubborn to stop it and she, just wants to win.