Chapter Five

The Game Begins

Once I calmed down, I decided maybe I should stop punching trees, and see whether or not Sawyer even felt the same way. If he doesn't, I can go back to punching trees, but if he does, then I bruised my knuckles for no reason.

I walked back towards the beach, and immediately saw him.

Cowboy Tom.

Leaning against a tree.

The wickedest tree ever seen.

No.

The tree isn't all that wicked.

Maybe a bit.

But.

Sawyer.

He makes the tree wicked.

I bit my lip. I could feel my heart pounding. Really fast and really hard. It's kind of scary, in a way, that one person can affect you so much.

But he's a rat, remember? It doesn't matter what he thinks. He doesn't have to fancy me. He doesn't even have to like me.

That's a lie.

I sighed. I'm really over thinking this.

I walked up to Cowboy Tom. He has a large purple bruise on his nose. I smirked.

"Howdy there, cowboy," I said, mimicking his accent. Poorly.

"Cheerio, fair lady," he replied. His fake accent was worse. Way worse. And he's just leaning against this damn tree, so casually. Smirking at me. Not a care in the world, like he doesn't care that I fancy him.

"You're a rat," I told him, hoping that didn't sound too mean.

"Just when I thought we were starting to get nice," he kept on smirking.

I narrowed my eyes. OF COURSE he has to be sarcastic about this. Like why the fuck not?

"A bit.. Touchy feely?" He added. I knew this. This is what my brothers do. They purposely try to get you pissed. So pissed you don't know what do with yourself. Then just as you punch them in the face, mum walks in. And you're grounded for a month. I know this game, just like the back of my hands. And I will not let him win. So instead of replying with my usual anger, I decided to do the opposite instead.

"Oh, I'd like to touch and feel you alright," I winked. Well, maybe it was a bit overboard. And it was definitely different then when my brothers try to anger me, but it worked. I turned the conversation to my side.

"Oh?" he replied, with surprise on his face, and carelessness in his tone of voice.

"Of course!" I replied, cheerfully.

He was confused. He tries to make me angry but instead I'm… happy? I could just see the wheels turning in his head. I love it.

In a sudden moment, the confusion was gone from his face. And he was cocky again.

"Well, Rainbows, you know you're invited." He just doesn't miss a beat, this one.

"I didn't realize this party was invitation only," I replied.

"All the best are," he winked.

"Do I get a plus one?" I hoped he would take the bait. Hoped he would completely lose it and stumble on his words and not know what to say. But this is Sawyer we're talking about.

"Two is a party. Three is a crowd."

"So it's just you and me then?" I asked, knowing his mind was filled with sex at the moment, and knowing that he thinks I'm serious.

That I'm seriously gonna fuck him.

I mean I might..

But not now.

"Just you and me," he echoed.

I looked him up and down, really obviously. I smirked at him.

"Not interested," I said, and with that walked away. I can just imagine his confusion.

This game that I call my own? The game of jedi mind control?

Yeah, I won the first round.

I'm winning.

I will beat this disease if it's the last thing I do.

And by beat?

I mean the rat will be mine.