"The best way to love is to love like you have never been hurt,"
--Anonymous

A.J.'s POV:

Okay, I kissed Portman. Hold up, rewind: Portman kissed me and I let him. What was I thinking? I was talking about Portman, the original player. I wouldn't let his kiss distract my true feelings. What was I talking about? Portman would never fall for me. I must remember 'Player.'

After our kiss and the game, we went to a little park just outside of Eden's vicinity. That's where we are now. I'm walking along side Portman as we try hard to keep ourselves preoccupied with talking instead of other things.

"So, how's soccer going? I heard that we're going to have a really good team this year. Especially if you're captain," Portman said nudging me in the arm.

I smiled, "Yeah, we're good. But defense needs some work. The problem is the other teams will just run right over us if I'm not in. They take advantage of the weak. I've been trying to take Alex McNair under my wing but she's just not getting it."

"That sucks. I mean about Alex. I understand. That's what I'm lucky to have Fulton. If you want, I can try to help you."

I couldn't help but laugh. "You help me? You play hockey, not soccer. In fact, I've never even seen you kick a soccer ball."

"I played soccer when I was little. They said I was too rough and that I should join hockey. So I did and now I'm at Eden with this great girl walking beside me." I looked up at him since he's a good foot taller than me. He wrapped his right arm around my shoulders and hugged me into his chest. "Hey, can I ask you something?"

"I guess. I'm not sure I'll give you an answer."

"What does A.J. stand for? Everyone calls you A.J. and the teachers don't even call you by your first name."

I looked up at the stars shining above us as I listened to his thoughts. "I never liked my name. It never fit who I was so I shortened it to my initials A.J. No one even knows my name except my mom, my father who I refer to as my sperm donor and me. When I started school my mother and I decided to go by A.J. It fit my personality better than Av..." I caught myself before I said the rest of it.

"Av...? Come on tell me. It can't be that bad," Portman said pulling at my wrist. He led me over to one of the park benches and we sat down.

I covered my eyes with my hands and quietly whispered, "Ava Joy."

"What was that? I couldn't hear you. The wind swept away your words." Portman pulled my hands away from my face and tilted my head up to look at him. He held my hands in his.

I took a deep breath and just let it flow, "Ava Joy Roxon."

"Ava Joy Roxon, well I have to say that's not what I was expecting. But I wouldn't be ashamed of having such a beautiful name. Why is that such a bad name?" Portman asked moving hair out of my face again.

I nuzzled my face against his hand and smiled. "I guess it's not such bad name when you say it. Why don't we get out of here? Curfew is in like a half hour."

He held his hand out for mine and we got into his car. We drove back to Eden and he walked me to my dorm door. I leaned against the door and starred up at him. I started to bite my bottom lip thinking of what I should, what I should do.

"Well, Miss Ava Joy..." Portman started to say before I cut him off.

"A.J. Please don't let word about my name. If people hear that name they'll think of some preppy girl that has bleach blonde hair. Not me; the rough tough brunette that I am. Okay?"

He winked at me and went on, "Miss Roxon, I had a great time with you tonight. Paint ball and all. I guess I'll see you in class tomorrow?"

I couldn't think of what I wanted to do. Portman would sleep with the girl he was on a date with. I was afraid to do what I did next; afraid I would get too close too fast. But I did it anyway. "Um, would you like to, maybe stay...the night?" I started biting at my bottom lip again.

Dean tilted forward his lips graciously meeting mine. I loved the way his lips felt against mine; the way his movements fit perfectly with mine. My heart started to beat faster and started to pound hard as if it wanted to come out of my chest. I pushed him back away from me for a minute. "Is that a yes?"

He wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned close to my ear, "What do you think?" I met his gaze and knew what he wanted. I complied with his embrace and wrapped my arms around his neck not before opening the door. He picked me up and kicked the door shut behind us. He dropped me on the bed and I had no idea what I was doing.

A few moments later, I told myself the only reason I was doing this is because this is what Dean wanted. He wanted sex. He didn't care that as he was kissing my neck and nibbling on my earlobe I wanted to be his only his. But I wouldn't let myself fall for this trick, for his game. This was who we were: players. He wanted every girl. I wanted every guy, but the right guy. I was just going to be another one night stand on his list. I was going to do the same thing. He meant nothing to me but sex, right?