Blindsided (Game On 2)

“Oh. Is that why you zoned out in class? Because he’s not worth thinking about?”

“I didn’t say he isn’t worth thinking about. I said the situation isn’t worth thinking about. So he’s fit. Big deal. Lots of guys are.”

“Yes. But he is the only one in our house, and is obviously into you too.”

She always did this. Made me think someone liked me, only for me to discover they were talking to me to get closer to her, or being nice because I looked lonely.

“Don’t. I’ve had enough of being disappointed. One day, I’ll meet someone who likes me for me, and then I’ll get excited. I don’t think Jesse is going to be that person though, so just drop it.”

Disappointment washed over me after I spelled it out so blatantly, but even if by some chance he did like me, he’d be going back to L.A in less than a month anyway.

We walked the rest of the way to the canteen in silence, and I regretted being so snappy. Georgia only wanted me to be as happy with someone as she was with Elliott. She didn’t seem to realise that trying to make it happen with anyone who so much as looked in my direction just made it harder. Every disappointment set me back a bit more, and I needed her to let me be. To find my own way.

After ordering two gigantic ham salad baguettes – that’s how hungry I was – and a hot chocolate, Georgia and I sat down at our usual table where her friends, Emma and Mischa, were waiting for us. Well, waiting for Georgia. I was waiting for my own bestie, Willow, to show up.

“Good afternoon,” Emma greeted us as we sat down, “You took your sweet ass time getting here!”

“Sorry,” Georgia said, “Swift had a lot to say today. What’s the rush anyway? It’s lunch, we have two hours until Psychology.”

Mischa pulled a magazine from her bag, flipping through the pages until she landed in the fashion section, then laid it on the table.

“What do you think about this for the end of term party?” she asked, pointing to a bold, half-black, half-yellow mini dress.

“I assume you mean for you,” Georgia said, “Because even for me, it’s a little wild.”

“Of course me!” Mischa laughed. “I think I’d look hot in that.”

“Or freeze your tits off,” Emma pointed out.

“I won’t be freezing anything off, because once Toby sees me in the dress, he’ll be the first to offer to warm me up!”

Mischa never failed to get any guy she wanted. Ever. Toby Fitzgerald from her art class was her newest target, although I wasn’t sure if he knew yet.

The end of term Christmas party was the biggest event on the college calendar. It was being held at Mischa’s, another Notti

ng Hill resident, and because her parents were always away on business trips, nobody could stop her from throwing a massive celebration. Of course, not everyone from college had an invitation. Mainly her closest friends from her classes, and boys she and her friends wanted to hook up with. It was the first time she’d hosted a house party and she hadn’t stopped talking about it since September.

“I haven’t even thought about an outfit yet,” Georgia said, “We need to go shopping!”

Mischa’s face lit up at the idea. “Oh wait! Aren’t there two sexy boys staying with you at the moment? You should invite them!”

“Shopping?”

“No! To the party!”

“Slow down, Man Eater,” Emma chuckled. “You’ve already got your eye on Toby, you don’t need any other boys to chase after.”

Mischa flipped her long, red hair over her shoulder. “Darling, it never hurts to have a back-up plan.”

Georgia cast a sideways glance at me, and this time she must have really read my mind. The last thing I needed was for Little Miss Back-Up Plan to get her claws into Jesse. Even if I had no chance with him, I didn’t want her getting with him. Plus, he seemed really sweet.

Mischa would eat him alive.

“I don’t know,” Georgia said, “They’ll probably have better things to do than come to a college party with us.”

“Let me come round to yours later, I’ll convince them. You know men can’t resist my charms.”

She puffed out her chest, and Emma giggled at her friend’s confidence. I would have almost admired her if she didn’t come across as being so … slutty.