Emma Interlude: Prize Material

Interlude warning: since this is from Emma's perspective, it might give some hints about what is to come later on in the main Isaac branch.

The sound of the DDR machine was mostly drowned out by the hubbub of the arcade - it was a Friday night after all - but Zach and Justin were both going as hard as they could. Justin was missing almost every beat, but Zach was surprisingly good, staying with the rhythm even if he tied himself in knots now and then. With the huge gap in the scores, he even had time to glance over at our table and wink at Nina.

Sarah's voice brought me back to our table. "Exactly! That's why they clearly are a thing, she can't contain herself around him so she ignores him in public, then when they sneak off to some secluded corner of the staff room... Boom, fucking like rabbits."

"Ew," Lily said. "I did not need that picture in my head."

"Where are they even going to fuck in the staff room?" Nina asked. "I've been in there a couple times and it's just one room."

I grinned. "Don't you know all teachers are secretly exhibitionists? It's part of the interview process: how are you with kids, what experience do you have, have you ever been to a nude beach, what was your college major...?"

"Nude beaches aren't about exhibitionism, they're about 'freedom from societal norms'," Sarah said. "At least that's what my mom says."

Callie gave her a hard look. "They're definitely about exhibitionism for some people."

"And how do you know that?" I asked, smiling sweetly.

She laughed. "I've never been to one, if that's what you're asking. I know someone who has, though ..."

Her eyes flicked to Maddie, who blushed and looked away. A chorus of "Oh my God"s quickly followed, before she held up her hands to defend herself.

"Actually, I'm more of a voyeur ... All those dicks and tits just hanging there ..."

There was another chorus of "Oh my God"s, this time mixed with loud laughter. Maddie giggled and swatted Callie playfully. "I told you that in confidence, too."

"Shouldn't have told her, then," Sarah grinned.

"It's fine, Maddie," Lily said. "No kink unheard."

"Amen," I laughed, clinking my coke against Lily's and then Maddie's.

Sarah turned to me with an evil grin on her face, and my stomach turned to ice. "Speaking of which... Emma, how are things with Picture Guy?"

I focused on glaring at her to ignore all the eyes on me. I already knew everyone knew, but having it openly brought up meant I couldn't fake obliviousness anymore. "Fine," I deadpanned.

There was a moment of silence as the others watched our staring match, waiting for something more to be said. When it became clear that neither of us were going to elaborate on it, but also that neither of us were going to back down, Lily gestured to the group of boys, who were crowded around Grant and Cameron. "Who are you all hoping for tonight?"

Nina piped up first, detailing how Justin was going to tie her to the bedposts and treat her like an animal. When Maddie added that she hoped Justin came last so she could join in, she earned a few laughs and a blown kiss from Nina.

I was still glaring at Sarah, but she held my gaze. Slowly, she leaned in, and then her lips parted slightly and her eyes flicked to my mouth as she got within inches of my face. I cracked and jerked backwards, rolling my eyes, and she giggled and nudged me playfully. I elbowed her shoulder, but she just laughed harder before wrapping an arm around me.

"Sorry," she said softly.

"It's fine." I waited a little longer and then elbowed her in the ribs.

"Hey!"

The conversation turned away from what sexual escapades everyone was hoping for later towards more mundane topics like the recent snowfall, Christmas presents, and the best part of a Christmas dinner. Lily was a staunch advocate of gravy, but Callie shut her down with the argument that gravy was the only part of the meal you couldn't actually eat.

"You can't disqualify it!" Lily protested.

"I just did."

She pouted. "Fine, what's the best bit then?"

"Not gravy."

Sarah giggled. "That is so not helpful, Callie."

"Everyone knows that the best part of Christmas dinner is the mash potato," said Nina, "Because even though the turkey might taste a little better, or the sprouts might be healthier, the mash is what really fills you up the most."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "This is either a euphemism or some heartfelt metaphor about getting what you need rather than what you want. So which is it?"

"Emma ..." A puzzled expression crossed her face. "You should really consider a career as an English teacher, because that was some A-grade bullcrap."

My ribs were aching from laughter by the time the boys abandoned the DDR set. Justin's beefy arms were shoved deep into his pockets as he glared at the ground, while Cameron and Ryan chatted amiably about something. Zach swaggered up to the table, and the conversation died as all eyes turned to him.

"Heck, I didn't win," he grinned. "Ladies, give it up for your champion this week ... Cameron!"

Cameron blushed, and stumbled forwards when Grant slapped him on the back. I clapped along with the other girls, genuinely happy for him since wins didn't come as often for him as some of the others. Then, as Sarah flicked her hair and Lily leaned forwards to give him a view down her cleavage, he began eyeing us up. He lingered on Sarah and Lily, but then his eyes stopped on Callie and he smiled.

"Callie, do you want to ...?"

She faked a look of surprise. "Who, me?" Standing up, she swayed over to him and pulled him into a long, passionate kiss, which only ended at a wolf-whistle from Maddie. "I would be honored."

Cameron gasped for air, grinning giddily.

The table dwindled as the boys continued picking. Zach picked Sarah without a moment's hesitation, and Colin quickly followed by choosing Taylor. I had been trying to catch Grant's eye the whole time without success, so when he stepped up and pointed at Hailey without even a glance in my direction, I slumped a little in my seat.

"So many hotties, so little choice," Ryan said, flashing his smile. He tapped his chin and ran his eyes over all of us, clearly waiting for us to sell ourselves.

"I'll let you **** me," Nina said, wrapping a hand around her own throat and rolling her eyes back.

"I'm wearing a new set of lingerie that I can't wait to show you," Lily said as she teased her t-shirt up her body to reveal a red garter belt around her toned stomach. Ryan's eyes bulged a little.

I leaned forwards and injected all the sexuality I could into my voice. "I'll ride you from sundown to sunrise so hard you won't be able to move."

His eyes glinted at me. "Tempting ... Maddie, have a better offer?"

Maddie smiled slyly. "I won't even touch you ..." She brushed Lily's hair with her hand. "But I'll get my strap-on and go to town on this slut's pussy while you watch, and when she's nice and broken, I'll have her suck your cock like she was born into it."

"I'm sold," Ryan laughed, beckoning the two of them over. Maddie grinned and slapped Lily's ass on the way, to which Lily bit her lip and bent over, wiggling her hips.

"I should have come fifth," Colin muttered, earning a soft slap from Taylor and a laugh from everyone else.

With only Justin left, I looked between him and Nina, trying to mask my disappointment at being picked last. I knew I shouldn't take it personally; after all, I was either too quiet or intense depending on whether I was recording for someone, and the guys couldn't be in the mood for that all the time.

It still felt too close to rejection.

"You're a lucky boy, Justin," Nina said as she sauntered towards him. "The two hottest girls here have been passed over and now we're all yours." She trailed her fingers along his neck, then looked over her shoulder and winked at me. I grinned despite myself. Justin was so easy to tease.

Hopping off my stool, I fixed him with a stare and began advancing on him slowly. "Of course, with two of us, you're going to have your hands full. I doubt you'll sleep at all for the next three days. Think a big man like you can handle that? Or are you going to be begging for mercy by the end of the night?" I was right in front of him now. Despite being several inches taller than me, he wilted under my gaze, unable to look away.

Then an arm was around my waist, hoisting me away from him. "That's enough, he's scarred enough from DDR without you she-devils getting involved," Ryan laughed.

"Ryan! Let me go!" I kicked and struggled before finally managing to wriggle out of his grip and brushing myself down. Callie was smirking, and Zach was supporting Sarah by her shoulder as she doubled over with laughter. Ryan smiled apologetically as I flushed red. Flipping him a middle finger, I turned to Justin. "You're lucky you have a white knight to protect you, Justin. For now."

"Ohhh snap," Hailey cackled.

Justin rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay, thanks Ryan. I've got this." He shoved him lightly out of the way and hooked an arm through Nina's before offering me the other. "Come on, let's see who's scarring who later."

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't stop a grin tweaking my lips. Given Nina's earlier comments, I didn't think she was too disappointed either.