Playing The Game

Chapter 1. The Next Victim?

Author: j_rock873

Rating: PG-13

Summary: This is a response to one of Shyechick's challenges. It's slightly AU. Jessie and Grace are still stepsisters, but Jessie isn't shy, anorexic, or in therapy in this story. Jessie's high intelligence and athletic ability have given her a huge amount of self confidence. She is also out and bi-sexual for now.

Disclaimer: I only own the character, Nicole.

Reviews: Yes, I would like them.

Author's notes: As always, words in italics are personal thoughts while all capital letters required special emphasis

Upton Sinclair

It was a Monday in the halls of Upton Sinclair. As most of the students prepared to begin another week of dread, a beautiful blonde entered without a care in the world. Jessie Sammler strolled confidently to her locker aware of the many looks she was getting, but she didn't care. She may only be a sophomore; however, her positive attitude drew others to her. She used this to her advantage. By learning from Eli's previous relationships, she had become a player in the social scene. This helped her gain an almost equal amount of enemies as she had admirers. She had played with the hearts of both boys and girls. Each one of them thought they could tame the wild blonde. As soon as they got too close or she lost interest, she dumped them.

"So, Jessie, who's your next victim going to be?"

"What are you talking about, Grace?" she asked as her stepsister followed her down the hall.

"I'm talking about whose heart you are going to break next. You won't let anyone get close to you. Can't you see what you're doing to them?"

"Grace, it's not my fault if they can't handle it. I've been around long enough for them to know what to expect from me."

"So then you feel nothing when you walk past them?" Grace asked as they passed by Jessie's latest victim, which just happened to be a short, brunette cheerleader.

"Only pity, Grace." Great, here she comes again.

"Hi, Nicole," Grace said politely to her as the girl stopped in front of Jessie. Grace could see the girl was hurting emotionally, no matter how hard she tried hiding it.

"Hi, Grace. Hi, J-Jessie," she said with a nervous smile.

"What do you want, Nicole?" Jessie asked as she looked around at the growing crowd while occasionally winking at the boy and/or girl she would get the biggest reactions from.

"I was hoping we could talk about what happened at Tad's party."

"What's there to talk about? We broke up. I had fun, but it's over," Jessie replied as she spotted Katie Singer looking at them curiously.

When Katie realized she was caught staring at Jessie, she blushed and looked away. When she looked back, she was met with a wink and a sultry look from Jessie. This made her blush even more.

"JESSIE, are you even paying attention to ME?"

"Of course, I am."

"Then why are you looking at her?" Nicole cried out as she pointed to Katie Singer, which got everyone to look at Katie.

"I can't help it if people are so interested in me."

"I thought you said you really liked me."

"I do like you."

"What's wrong then? Am I not beautiful enough for you?"

"You're beautiful. You have a cute face, a great body, and really know how to shake those pom poms, but we have nothing in common. Sorry, but I need to get to class now."

Jessie gave her a soft kiss on the cheek and a pat on the butt before she walked away. She smirked at the reactions the rest of the crowd gave her from that display. Then she noticed Katie still staring at her. As she entered the classroom, she looked over at Katie and blew her a kiss. This caused Katie to blush and irritated Sarah Grasser. Jessie just laughed in Sarah's direction. After she disappeared, Nicole, who had watched her walk away, broke down into tears. She was comforted by a teammate as the warning bell started to ring.

Katie: Great, just what I wanted; to get caught staring at Jessie. She's so beautiful and smart. Would I have a chance with her? Could I tame that wild blonde? Well, she was flirting with me. Forget it, Katie. She's just a player.

Sarah: Oh no! Jessie may be beautiful, but she's not going to steal Katie away from me.

Jessie: Maybe Grace is right, but I can't help it if none of them can keep me interested long enough. I did like irritating Sarah though. If she wasn't so nasty, I wouldn't have done it. What Katie sees in her, I'll never know. Maybe if I ask her out, I can find out what it is.

Lunchtime

Once again, Jessie could feel all eyes on her as she made her way through the lunch line and to her table. The table was already occupied by her stepsister, Russell, and Tad, who had managed to keep his hormones under control after watching the confrontation between Jessie and Nicole.

"So anything interesting happen since you broke Nicole's heart this morning, Jessie?"

"Shut up, Tad. She'll get over it. Just like the others have done," Jessie answered while rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, Tad, leave her alone. Just because you can't get anywhere with her doesn't mean she needs to hear any of your comments."

"Thanks, Grace," Jessie said as she smiled gratefully at her stepsister. Then she looked across the cafeteria and noticed Katie smiling at her while Sarah looked back angrily.

Grace also noticed this and had to get a few words in. "Ooh, it looks like Sarah's about ready to get in a catfight mode."

"REALLY!" Russell and Tad exclaimed with joy.

"Yes, really."

Grace smiled as she watched Jessie stand and prepare to speak to either Sarah or Katie.

"HEY, KATIE. Would you like to join us over here? I'LL make it WORTH the trip."

The whole room went silent and became interested in what could possibly happen next. A minute later they got their answer when Katie answered the question.

"U-Uh, sure. I'll be there in a minute. I'll catch you later, Sarah."

Katie quickly picked up her tray and walked over to Jessie's table. Everyone stared in shock as Sarah angrily watched Katie head over to Jessie's table. Jessie motioned for Tad to move over, patted Katie on her shoulder, and sat down. Jessie looked over at Sarah, whispered softly into Katie's ear, and then smiled as everyone heard Katie start to laugh. This angered Sarah even more, and she stormed out of the room. The rest of them began to whisper among each other before looking back at Jessie and Katie. Their shock continued as they watched Jessie make Katie shiver in her seat when she whispered again and tickled Katie's ear with the tip of her tongue. She glared at all of them until they all looked away.

"What do you see in Sarah when there are so many other better looking girls in school?" Jessie questioned her as she gently massaged Katie's bare thigh with her right hand.

"W-What do you mean?"

Katie let out a gulp.

"Aren't you dating Sarah?"

"No, what gave you that idea?"

"Well, you two are always together. She also seems to have mastered the whole jealousy issue many couples have to deal with everyday."

"W-We're just friends. That's it."

"Well, you could always have another friend, couldn't you?"

"Yes, I could."

Katie began to relax as Jessie removed her hand from Katie's thigh.

"Would you mind if your new friend walked you to your next class?"

"I guess that would be alright."

"Great, let's go then."

Jessie grabbed Katie's hand as they left the table and exited the room quickly. They both felt the electricity between them, but Jessie was the only one who seemed confused by it.

Jessie: That's weird. What was that all about? I never felt that happen with anyone before. I must be just imagining it.

Katie: Oh no, don't start thinking that way, Katie. She only did what she did back there to get on Sarah's nerves. She looked like she felt it though. Forget it, Katie. The most you will get out of her is friendship or a broken heart.

Sarah: I don't care what happened back there. Jessie won't get Katie.