Take Me Out to the Ballgame

(Rita's PoV)

I’m finishing my makeup, already dressed for the game when June asks: “Since when do you get into school spirit?”

“Since I have a date for the game and I need to be extra cute!” I can’t just tell her about the quest, she doesn’t know about Quest Master. Besides, it’s my first game since, well, ever. I got some ideas from girls I’ve seen on Starsgram, I hope I’m not over doing it.

“Ahh, the boy. That explains it. Do you even know anything about football?”

“I know enough! Our team is the Bucks and we’re gonna win!” I gesture to Bucky the Deer on my t-shirt, he looks more like a grown-up Bambi with antlers to me. I hope we win. I wonder if our team is any good. More important, I wonder if the stadium food is any good?

“I guess that’s what matters. Let me look at you.”

I stand up and pose for June with one hand on my hip and one in the air. I styled some of my hair into a crown braid which is tied by a shiny black and gold ribbon, the rest free to be wavy and long. To make my eyes pop, I have my best mascara and some of that eye black football people wear. Of course, I have my pink lip gloss!

I tied my shirt in the middle, just about my belly button, since I don’t have a fat gut to hide anymore. My shirt meets a cute gold skirt with black trim continues to mid-thigh. To finish the outfit, white high-heel sneakers and knee socks. I hope there’s not too much walking, but the heels are so cute!

“What do you think? Do I look cute?” I spin around for June. Posing again for another picture. I’m going to post so much from this game!

“It’s like my little flower is blooming.” She takes a picture for me. “We were supposed to be introverts together. Why are you leaving me here alone? What will I do if you get too popular for me?”

“You aren’t losing me, Junie! I haven’t changed that much.”

“Haven’t changed that much?" June scoffed at that. She shoved her phone showing the pictures she just took in my face. "You don’t think you’ve changed that much? Look at you! You look like a perfect little model in these pictures." She scrolled to pictures from last year. I cringed at how bad I looked. "See this girl? Look at her! Tell her she hasn't changed!"

Wow. I've changed a lot. The girl in the old picture looked like she was apologizing for taking up space. Her skin was a mess, her posture was hunched, she was trying to hide in baggy clothes.

“Okay maybe I’ve changed a little. I’ve been working out to get in shape.”

“You’ve done much more than ‘get in shape’. You workout three times a week.”

“You should join me! Miss Maria’s will have you in shape in no time!”

“You’re making my point. You’ve worked out more in the past two weeks than your entire life. Not only that, you have that new friend, the bratty blonde. Since when did you invite someone like her to your room?”

“Cotton? I didn’t invite her. She’s annoying and pushy, but she’s really nice!”

“No, Cotton’s not nice. Cotton’s a bitch. Not only is Cotton a bitch, Cotton’s the kind of bitch who has picked on you since middle school. Did you see what hear the rumors about Melissa and Tegan? Both of them are on academic probation now, almost got kicked out of their room.”

“What’s that got to do with Cotton?”

“Word on the street is she spread the rumors. No one can prove it, but it started after they were tagged together in a Starsgram post.”

“Well, if they get kicked out, it couldn’t happen to more deserving people.”

Knock, knock, knock.

“Squeak That must be John!” I run to open the door, opening it to be assaulted by flying boobs. This is not John’s greeting.

“Hey bestie! Look who I found!” I can’t look when I’m being smothered.

“Speak of the devil.” June grumbled, then her breath hitched.

“Let the girl breathe, Cotton.” I hear John’s voice. “Hi, I’m John. You must be June. Rita’s told me a lot about you. Nice to meet you.”

“Oh, oh, h-h-hi, June. I’m John. Ooops! I mean, yes, I’m June. Rita told me about cute, I mean, Rita told me about you, too.”

“John!” I escape Cotton’s grasp to embrace John. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. His strong hands squeeze my back, then one goes up to my shoulders while the other goes down to my hips. Keep your hands there! People are watching! I feel his hand on my head and hear him take a deep breath of my shampoo. Hugs are the best! Do we have to go to the game? I could stay here nuzzled into his chest forever. He smells so good!

“John! I’ve missed you! Do you like my outfit?” I gush.

“Step back, so I can see you.” Stupid man, you’re supposed to just say ‘yes’! Now I have to let you go. I stand back and give the skirt a twirl. Skirts should be twirled.

“Aren’t you the cutest little football fan!” He likes it! He pulls me back in close. “Let’s head over to the stadium. We can get lunch at the Club.”

Cotton grabs my hand and drags me towards the door. John keeps a solid hold on to my waist so I feel like I’m in the middle of some competition between the two of them. I've never been fought over before.

I hear June find her voice behind me, very faint. “Bye John, meet to nice you.”

He has that effect on me, too.

(John’s PoV)

Rita’s made real progress wearing heels in the last week. We walk at her pace, her improvement was not her walking speed, but her confidence. She still clung to my side, but it was looser, more affectionate than hanging on for dear life.

The two girls chattered at each other on the way to the stadium like they were in their own world. By the time we make our way through the waves of students headed to the game, Rita had alternatingly blushed red and needed to be held back from attacking the tall brat.

It really seems like they’ve known each other forever. Of all the changes I’ve made with the Quest Master app, adjusting their relationship is the most selfless. Not that I have any qualms about being selfish. I just want those I care about to benefit.

I lead the way to General Admission and Cotton diverts us to the South Club entrance. It’s a private entrance away from the throngs of students and fans entering the main stadium. The outer door responds to the keycard I downloaded to my phone. I didn’t know stadiums could be so fancy.

We step into a wood paneled elevator that has a screen showing “Welcome John Moore and guests.” Rita takes a deep breath, taking in the rich wood scent of the elevator. After a short ride up, the doors open to a dimly lit paneled hallway. I expected to be bombarded by stadium noise, but instead we’re cocooned in quiet luxury. Good to know the year’s rent I spent is put to good use.

No way I could’ve afforded anything like this before Quest Master. I wonder how much more I need to spend to raise Cotton’s financial satisfaction enough to open up a harem slot for Rita.

Along the walls are sconces lined with the athletic awards the school has won and also large framed pictures of the coaches. It looks like we’ve won several championships in various sports over the years. I should probably pay more attention.

There’s a panel that lists donors supporting the school, separated by year. Rita points out a name from last year. “Cotton is ‘Arthur Newman’ your dad?”

”Yup. Daddy spent a lot of money so I could go here. I’d never heard of this school before he suddenly decided I needed to ‘make some new connections’. I don’t know why I need to go to college. Not like I need a degree to enjoy his money.”

Huh, so the Newman’s are new money. That makes sense why Cotton seems disconnected. She probably didn’t go to the right prep school.

“Enough about that. Here’s the Club entrance.”

We approach the wide, heavy looking double doors made from some expensive-looking dark wood. I push open the perfectly balanced door and my jaw hits the ground.

The place is gorgeous.

The far wall is split in half. The one half a lounge area with a bar and seats. The other half is a glass facade over looking the field. The lounge area has a chandelier.

Why is there a chandelier at a football stadium?

There’s ambient lighting from the shelves and under the bar. Everything about it screams above my pay grade.

The floor-to-ceiling glass side is backed by two tiered rows of couches that seat 2-4 people facing the field. Off to the left is the door to the outdoor seating.

While I’m soaking in the opulence Cotton, unaffected, heads directly to the bar to order her lunch.

Rita bounces with excitement next to me. “Wow! Everything is so nice!” I'm glad someone else is impressed.

Even more shocking than the decor is the company. It’s a who’s who of University Higher Ups. The University Librarian, who is my boss’ boss, Dr Whitmore, is seated on one of the couches, chatting with some one I remember meeting from Faculty Athletics. I also identify the University Provost and the University President from their pictures! Those are just the people I recognize. I’m sure the other dozen people are just as important.

Our entrance is met with disinterested glances. Better disinterest than scorn among this company. Why did I blindly trust that girl's suggestion? These people don’t even know I exist. What am I going to say in conversation?

“I’m hungry, let’s see what’s on the menu!” Rita urges me towards the bar. “Look at this menu! So many yummy things!”

“I was expecting standard stadium food. It feels like a waste to order wings or mozzarella sticks.” I remind myself not to overdo it, Mat’s making dinner back home. “Do you like sushi?”

“I love sushi!” Rita’s excitement for food remains contagious. We order a couple of sushi rolls and some fried calamari. I already mortgaged my future for these tickets so why hold back? We're ordering sushi, so I order soju for Rita and myself.

We take our drinks over to one of the couches overlooking the field. The game hasn't started yet, so there's not much to see. Rita sits next to me, leaning against me. A server brings our sushi, with chopsticks.

"Say 'Ahh'." I take the chopsticks and use them to offer Rita some of the sushi.

"John! We're in public!" She blushes nervously looking around the room. I gently put one hand under her chin and wave the tasty sushi under her nose. She pouts for a second, before submitting. "Ahh." Nom! Her face when she enjoys the sushi is so cute! "Oh my gosh! This is so good!"

With each bite, Rita squeezed closer to me. By the time we had finished she was fully snuggled next to me with my arm wrapped around her. The comfy couch had a high back and sides, providing the illusion of privacy.

We sip on our soju and wait for the kickoff. If I have to watch sports. This is the way to do it.

Fwump! Cotton planted herself on Rita's lap. "Hey guys! I have a couple of people you need to meet!"

"Cotton! I'm here with my boyfriend. I don't want to meet anybody." I agree with you Rita.

"Too late! I told them you were here and I'm bringing you over."

I shove Cotton's legs off of my lap and decide to bargain. "We'll meet your people, but you owe me."

The agile girl spun to her feet. She bent at the waist with one hand on my thigh and one on Rita's, bringing her face down to my level.

"Owe you?" She leaned in. "After this introduction, you'll be thanking me."

We'll see about that.