The following day you bump into Gretchen

After getting the lowdown on what exactly you'd have to do - taking people's coats, serving drinks, that kind of thing - your detention period was over, and seeing as Randall already had plans this afternoon (of what you weren't entirely sure), he turned down your offer to head back with him and help out a little more with the house.Though admittedly, work had been the last thing on your mind.

The following day Bryce was back in detention, so there was no fun to be had there. You did however run into Gretchen before fourth period and had a brief conversation with her (much to Sean's amusement).

"Oh wow, really?" she asked you, after you'd told her about your new duties at the ball. "You're helping out at the fundraising ball?"

"Uh, yeah... Miss. Card said me and Bryce had to as part of our punishment. Why?"

"Well, because I'm gonna be there too," she grinned. "Not serving drinks and stuff, but attending. Me, Brandi and Lisa. We helped Mrs. Walsh come up with the idea and we're hoping to get some new cheerleading uniforms out of it."

"Oh. Okay. Awesome." Suddenly the stupid thing wasn't sounding quite so bad after all. It possibly being worth it just to see Gretchen all dolled up in a beautiful dress.

"So it looks like you'll be running around after me too!"

"Yeah, I guess so," you chuckled. Still not entirely sure if she was flirting or not.

That uncertainty was quickly pushed aside by what she said next however. There being no misconstruing this. "Speaking of which, I don't know what you're doing after detention today, but me and the girls are gonna be practicing a few routines in the gym later and some of the guys are gonna come watch. Maybe you wanna come along too... You know, if you're not too busy."

Holy crap! Is she actually asking me to come watch her practice? Some dude she's only know for like less than two weeks?

It seemed she was, and although you were beaming inside, on the outside you tried to play it cool. "Uh, yuh-yeah. Sure. I could certainly do that." The thought alone of watching her jump around in one of those cute little skirts and pompoms being enough to get you excited, never mind the added fact that she was asking you personally - a guy who had nothing at all to do with the football team, nor cheerleading.

"Cool," she said, giving your arm a little rub. "I'd appreciate the feedback."

This move made you feel slightly flustered, and all you could do was awkwardly joke in return. "Well being the sporty guy that I am, obviously you've come to the right person!"

Gretchen just smiled, before telling you that she'd see you later. Rushing off down the hall then to catch up with Amy and Lisa, leaving you to be teased mercilessly by Sean who had observed the whole thing.

"See! I told you! I told you she was into you!" he said with a grin, grabbing you by the shoulder.

Your other friend had a slightly more subdued reaction to this however. Filling in Randall on what had happened after Government, you received a rather lukewarm, "Oh really?... Cool." Clearly still clinging on to his previous opinion of Gretchen. An opinion that it didn't seem like you were going to change.

"Yeah. Pretty awesome huh? I'll get to watch her and the rest of the cheerleading squad doing their thing."

"I thought you'd already seen that before?" he asked. "Last year when Allison was a cheerleader?"

"Nah, not really. She was only on the squad for two games and I never got to see her practice." Allison being rather self conscious about how good she was. "Besides, Gretchen is way hotter than Allison. Don't you think?"

Randall just shrugged, "I guess so." Informing you then, "Anyway you better get going. I've got a class coming in a few minutes." Almost as if he'd had enough of talking with you.

Though slightly perturbed by Randall's behavior, wondering if he really didn't like Gretchen or if he was in fact jealous... kind of like how it seemed sometimes with Sean, you did as instructed and headed to your next class. Feeling both excited and nervous about meeting up with Gretchen again, even if there was going to be loads of other people there as well. You'd tried to convince yourself before that you were just imagining things that she had any interest in you romantically, and while you supposed that could still be the case, you didn't see the point in continually questioning it. Sure, you'd just split up with Allison, but this was high school and she had been your first and only girlfriend. It was time to move on. As for Randall, well that situation... complicated, and though you wouldn't give up sex with him for the world, he was your best friend not your girlfriend. You couldn't really stay single forever.

Once the day was over and detention was finished, you quickly collected up your stuff as Bryce turned to you and asked, "You coming to watch this new routine the girls are doing, bro? Gretchen said you might be and we'll probably go grab something to eat afterwards if you're up for it."

"Yeah," you happily told him. "Definitely."

"Cool."

"Mr. Connors, If I could have a quick word with you please," Randall then interrupted, causing Bryce to shuffle out the door and tell you, "I'll catch you over there."

"What's up, dude?" you asked once he was gone. Anxious to get over to the gym pronto.

Getting up from behind his desk and heading towards you, seemingly emphasizing the swing of his hips as he did, Randall began, "Well I know you've got this cheerleader thing Gretchen invited you to, and I know this is kind of a pain..."

Oh-oh. Where was this going now?

"... But I was wondering if maybe, just maybe you could come back to my place instead and give me a hand with some more yard work and stuff. I really need to get the place looking decent." He had to be kidding.

"Dude, seriously?" you responded, not quite believing he was even asking you this. "I asked you yesterday if you needed any help and you said no. Why now? I mean... can't it wait?"

"I wish it could, Tim, I really do," he told you, removing his glasses and giving them a little wipe, "But more and more people are coming over to my place all the time and I really need to keep up on this stuff." Though he seemed sincere, you weren't entirely sure he was. Was it just some ploy to keep you and Gretchen apart?

"Randall, I can't. Gretchen invited me..."

"I know, but you can get out of it easily enough, right? Its not like it's a date or anything," he said, planting his butt down on the corner of your desk. Telling you then that, "You can catch up with her another time."

"Well... I dunno, maybe," you agreed, it being true that it wasn't a date. Still, it was definitely something - girls like Gretchen didn't invite guys like you along to watch them cheer for no discernible reason. "That's not the point though, dude," you continued, spelling this out to him. "She asked me. She actually asked me. I can't pull out of it now, not after I said I'd be there." Feeling kind of bad that you had to make this choice. "...I'm sorry."

Randall wasn't about to give up quite yet however, his voice then taking a rather **** and wanting tone. "Oh come on. Please, Tim. Pretty please. I'll make it up to you. You know I'll make it up to you." His hands suddenly sliding their way down towards his crotch. "Nobody's coming to visit this afternoon and we both now how badly you've been wanting back in here." The "here" in question being his vagina, which one hand was now rubbing at beneath his skirt, while his big brown eyes were staring at you with sultry intent. "Plus, I've got some new things to show you," he then smiled, raising an eyebrow. "New lingerie for starters..."

Oh God... you cracked, feeling your heart start racing due to Randall's display.

"Don't tell me that wouldn't be a lot more fun than watching a bunch of bulimic girls prancing around waving pompoms? Hmm?" he added, thrusting his chest out towards you also, clearly trying to seduce you into helping him.

It worked though. The promise of that body... of getting to have sex with him again completely fogging your mind, just as it always did. Causing you to toss Gretchen to the side once more. "Oh, alright. Yes. I'll do it. I'll help you."

"Oh thank you, Timmy-boy, you won't regret it!" he beamed, climbing up off the desk and grabbing his coat and handbag. Instructing you to follow after him then.

You weren't sure whether you'd just been played or not, or even if you should really care. After all, sex with Randall was bound to be a hundred times better than awkwardly hanging around in the background again with Gretchen and all of her jock football and stuck up cheerleader friends. I'll just pretend like something came up, you told yourself. It kind of being the truth anyway. Randall's little performance having already given you a semi, which you were doing your best to disguise as you both made your way to the car park and to his car. Randall continually giving you little teasing glances to make sure that you were definitely on board. Flashing you his incredibly legs as you got inside his fiat, as well as unbuttoning his blouse slightly to give you just a little glimpse of bra.

He was definitely right in what he'd told you. All girls really had to do was show a little leg or cleavage and guys were putty in their hands. And while you were certain that this had been the right decision currently, you weren't entirely sure how to feel about this in the long run. Would Randall be able to make you do anything he wanted with the simple promise of sex, or would you ever actually be able to resist? It remained to be seen. Although right now, you just couldn't wait to get back to his and get the work over with as soon as humanly possible.