Play It Safe

“You bombed that quiz? I’m so sorry to hear that,” you say, just loud enough that a couple people glance your way.

Avril doesn’t even really get a chance to respond ‘publicly’ before everyone’s already turned back to their conversations. The smile that spreads across her face isn’t quite like the one you expected—it feels a little like mother looking down at her favoured child (and yes, of course your parents did play favorites).

“That’s the most embarrassing thing you could come up with? Aww, you’re sweet, aren’t you,” she says, placing a hand on your resting arm. “You know what Gina would have done, right?”

“What, torn you apart in front of all these strangers?” It sounds roughly like what she would do.

“That’s what would happen if she were feeling nice. But sometimes she doesn’t, and now you know why half our pledges need counselling.”

“You sisters are so vicious to each other,” you say, chuckling. “I almost believe that you’d get close to me just to get at Gina.”

There’s a pause in the air as a gleam passes through Avril’s eye. “I like you,” she says. “You’re nice. Isn’t that enough?”

You bite back the snark and nod dumbly with wide eyes, knowing that this is the way you’ll get into her pants eventually. You think she sees through your act, but it doesn’t matter—as long as you both can keep up the charade, she can use you for her purposes, and you can use her for yours… whatever they may be. A loud alarm buzzes from the front of the room, disrupting the short silence between the two of you.

“Time’s up for the first round,” Alexei announces, and he gestures to the new pairings projected at the front of the room. “Find your new partner! Make haste, because time is short!”

Avril rises from her seat, giving you a quick hug goodbye as she finds her next guy, and you figure that you should work out who this Amy girl that you’ve been paired with is. After a couple false starts and a couple good looks at some female chests (it helps that that’s where they all put their name-tags), you finally find Amy.

Amy

She’s curvy in a way that looks real good, with plenty in her rear to keep a guy satisfied for days, not to mention that heavenly bust.

“So it’s Alex,” she says, taking an open seat. She looks you over, and smiles as if there were some inside joke that you’re missing out on. “What’s your best pick-up line?”

“I don’t believe in them. I think actions speak louder than words. I mean, I love scoring, so I just go for it, drive straight for the hole, maybe touch the rim if my hand’s on a ball, and you know, it’s always fun to double team,” you say, and she gives you a beat, trying to figure out what’s going on. “Oh, you didn’t mean pick-up basketball?”

She groans at your follow-up, finally putting it together, and her head sinks deep into her hands. “That line works for you? Why else… why else would you say it?”

“I just came up with it, so maybe you tell me if it’s worked,” you say, half wondering if that was too cheesy.

“I mean…” she shrugs and looks off to the side. “I wouldn’t ever use it again, but it was impressive enough that I’ll throw you another bone. Ask me any question, and I promise I’ll answer it with the truth.”

“Wow, anything,” you say leaning back in your chair and giving a low whistle. “I guess it’s time for me to figure out the meaning of life.”

“Okay, fine, maybe not anything,” she says. “Any question about me, and I’ll answer it. Come on, wise guy, surely you’ve got something for me.”

Avril +15
Amy +5