PITD 2: Project Player

"When I see your faces next week, it had better be with your completed projects!" Miss Janelle said just as the bell went off for recess and everyone scrambled out of class and headed to the cafeteria.

Leigh took her time packing her bags, until the class was empty of students. Then, she walked up to Miss Janelle's table where the older woman was arranging files.

"Miss Janelle?"

The History teacher's eyes snapped up, surprised that a student stayed back after the bell had called for freedom. She knew most students didn't like her class as they preferred 'new stuff' to 'old stuff' but she loved her job and was bent on making her students see the beauty of the past. Hence, the project she had given them a couple of weeks ago, on Korean culture.

"Yes....."

"Leigh." Leigh prompted. "Leigh Raeken. Newly transferred," she continued in a bored tone.

"Right, Leigh. How may I help you?"

"I wanted to submit this." She pulled a blue file out of her cheery pink backpack and handed it to the teacher. "My history project." She explained when the teacher looked seemingly confused.

"Ah... you're done already?" There was a tinge of uncertainty and amusement in the teacher’s frilly voice.

"Yes ma'am." Leigh replied and turned to exit the classroom. She had gotten the printed question during her tour earlier in the week and completed the project within two days. Her grades were not the problem; they never had been. She had always been among the top of the class right from junior school and would’ve graduated with an amazing record if she hadn’t been transferred at the peak of high school. 

Not wanting to think of the unfortunate events that led up to her transfer, Leigh shrugged off the sudden feeling of sadness and stepped out into the hallway. 

The hallways were deserted just like she had wanted them to be. She wasn't one to eat in the cafeteria and always brought her lunch pack from home. She was heading towards the fields to find someplace cool and quiet to eat when she heard someone calling her name.

At first, she thought she was mistaken or had heard wrong as not many people knew her name with her being a transfer student and all.

"Leigh!!"

The voice sounded like it was coming from somewhere down the hall she had just come out from. Yet, she didn't know who it belonged to. Curiously, she stopped and waited for whoever it was to catch up to her.

She wasn't overly surprised though, when the person eventually turned out to be Mr. Hotshot.

"Hey," He greeted, coming to stand in front of her. "You walk pretty fast." His voice sounded just a little bit breathless and had Leigh wondering how long he had been chasing after her. Still, she didn't reply.

"Where are you heading to? The cafeteria is the other way." He pointed out, seemingly oblivious or not caring that she had not even acknowledged him.

Leigh rolled her eyes under her hoodie. He was going to have to try harder than that to get a response from her. She almost jumped out of her skin when suddenly, his face filled her vision. She hadn't even noticed that he was standing that close to her or that he had crouched to her eye level. Now, she could practically inhale him.

"Hi there beautiful." He said to her face, sporting an easy smile.

Leigh, uncomfortable with his closeness, took a step back and then another trying to put as much distance as possible between them. Willis however, aware of her retreat, advanced further until he had her backed up against a wall.

"I don't believe we have been properly introduced Miss Raeken. I'm Willis. Willis Reeler and it’s my pleasure to meet you." He was beaming at her now, long fingers stretched out, demanding a handshake.

Leigh felt a familiar tremor run through her body. The kind she felt when she was irritated at something like she currently was with Willis' cheesy moves. Her head still bent low, she did her best to make her voice sound nervous and shaky. Bad boys and players always fell for the shy girl. It was one theory she had researched and confirmed herself.

"I..I'm L-lei-igh."

"What? I can't hear you," he leaned in, so that his hot minty breath fanned her face.

"Leigh." She said, her voice a little bit stronger.

"There. That wasn't so hard." He commented, "Now, where were you heading to?"

"T..the field." She replied, trying her best to keep irritation out of her voice. 

"Aren't you going for recess?"

She brought up the brown paper bag in her hand and practically shoved it in his face.

"You're going to eat in the fields?"

She nodded.

"Leigh, that is what cafeterias are for. Come on, let’s go." He grabbed her hand and drag--pulled her along with him back inside not listening to her mental string of protests.

Willis couldn't stop thinking of how small her hand was underneath the hoodie she wore. He felt like all he was pulling along with him was bones. She was so tiny and frail that he thought if he rattled her well enough, she would crumble and turn to dust. The thought had him slowing down his pace to match hers and releasing his death grip on her wrist since she had not even made any move to resist him.

He took a cautious look back at her. Though most of her face was still covered in the hoodie, he could tell she was displeased by how he was pulling her along. 

Willis closed his eyes and sighed. Brilliant way to woo a girl Reeler. He berated himself. No girl wanted to be manhandled. He of all people should know that.

"Leigh?" He stopped and turned to face her. "Do you wanna go to the cafeteria? We could eat someplace else."

Now he's asking. Leigh scoffed inwardly. After dragging her half across the school. She weighed her options. Going back with him to the fields would mean both of them alone together. Not a wise decision on her part. Going with him to the cafeteria would mean being seen with him by the whole school. It would also make him feel like he had her wrapped around his little finger. Brilliant plan.

"C-cafeteria is good. I-I guess." She made a show of shrugging lightly.

"Do you always stutter when you talk?" He asked, one brow raised in question.

"No," She spat out a little too sharply. Then decided she would have to downplay her nervous act a little so Mr. Hotshot wouldn't suspect a thing. Not that he would ever find out her quest to break his heart but he might suspect that her 'shy girl' act was all a facade.

Quick to temper aren't we? Willis thought as he gave her a nod and resumed walking down the hall to the cafeteria. Good to know the Shy girl doesn't like been called shy. This was going to be a very satisfying Play. He smiled to himself. 

The aroma of different delicacies hit Leigh the minute Willis pushed open the double doors of the cafeteria. At least Muddy had the decency to serve good food, she thought observing food trays as she walked past them. 

 The cafeteria itself wasn’t too bad either, it was set in standard school style much like how her previous school had been too. Each round table housed six chairs but had enough space to take up to ten when squeezed together. They were in varying colours of blue, green and white. The blue, Leigh quickly noticed, was occupied by the Juniors, the green by the nerds and 'unpopular' kids. This she could tell by the lack of vibe and number of empty chairs. 

There had to be students like her who didn’t like eating in the cafeteria after all. She concluded, walking quietly behind Willis until they came to the white tables. 

Now, Leigh thought, this was the lair of those who considered themselves the kings and queens of the school.

This, was where Willis was dragging her to. Most of the tables were already occupied by rich looking kids some of them typing away at their iPhones, others picking at their food or probably talking about whose Dad was richer or who bought the latest limited edition shoes.  

Leigh couldn’t stop herself from scoffing. In her opinion, they were highest circle of delinquents.  

She spotted the cheerleaders pretty fast given their uniform blonde hair -- yes, all of them had dyed their hair a shocking blonde-- and super tight crop top over jeans. Leigh wondered how anyone could breathe over something that tight, confining and damaging to the ribcage. She was still stewing over the damages of super tight tops to the ribs when she noticed one of the cheerleaders glaring at her.

 Oh! Not one. All of them were literally throwing eye daggers at her. She followed their eyesight and discovered that they were really focused on where Willis' hands were clasped around hers.

Then, it dawned on her. They were jealous. Every single one of the girls were jealous and she could bet they were all dying to be in her shoes. The prospect made her want to throw back her hooded head and laugh. Laugh at their narrow immature minds. They should be grateful to her. Grateful that she was going to help them rid a player once and for all. Be happy that when she was done with him, he wouldn't have it in him to hurt anyone ever again. But then, they did not know what she was up to. They only saw what she wanted them to see. Willis' latest conquest. Oh, she was going to have so much fun this November. She snickered underneath her hood.

Finally, Willis stopped in front of a white table this one slightly bigger than the others and specifically designed for the basketball players. The striped brown ball sitting proudly on the table announced that just fine. Willis, oblivious or unconcerned about the stares and whispers directed their way, cleared his throat loudly till he had the attention of all his teammates at the table.

"Guys, this is Leigh Raeken or as you all know her, the new transfer student. Leigh, meet Saints Academy's basketball team."

Immediately, the table was filled with male voices calling out greetings to her.

"Hi there."

"What's up,"

"Yo!"

"Sup."

"Pleased to meet you."

"Welcome."

"Hi," She said simply when they were done. Lifting her head up slightly so they could make out her face under the hood.

"Sit next to me and Jer here." Willis said, pulling out a chair for her in a gesture that could only be described as sweet. Leigh however, didn't fall for it.  Still, she smiled briefly at him before plopping down on the sit and placing her paper bag on the little space left on the table. Leigh didn’t have to look twice at the messy table to know that the boys had started lunch and they were giant eaters. 

"Hi Leigh," A dark haired, dark skinned cute guy sitting to Leigh's right greeted in a warm voice. "I'm Jer, best friend to this knucklehead over here." He gestured extensively to Willis who was seated to Leigh's left.

Ah, so this was the Jer. The one with whom Willis had made the bet. "Hi Jer," She replied in a small voice and shook his outstretched hand. His hands were cold. Unlike Willis' which had been warm and big enough to swallow her small ones. This thought brought her back to the fact that she shouldn't be thinking of Willis' anything except his heart which was long overdue for heartbreaks.

"So tell me Leigh," one of the guys, a dark blonde this time, queried as she unpacked a sandwich from her paper bag. "Do you have a fetish for hoodies? I mean, you're always in one." He smirked playfully as the other guys around the table murmured words in agreement.

Always in one? Dude, I have barely been in the school three times. She rolled her eyes inwardly, careful to keep here expression blank.

"Or... could be you don't want us to see your beautiful face. Yeah?" Another of the guys said and earned claps on the back from his teammates.

"Guys!" One word from Willis had the table silent. It was one of the perks of being captain. He'd been watching her unpack her bag and was mildly surprised when she'd only pulled out a sandwich. No wonder she was all bones. He'd also noticed how her hand shook slightly when Cole had asked the question. 

"Leigh here is a shy one." He explained in a steely voice that also clearly said 'She's mine, jackasses back off!' "She'll show her face when she chooses so don't throw questions at her. We good?"

"Yeah man."

"Whatever you say."

Most of the guys simply shrugged and acted like they'd lost interest in her after Willis had not-so-subtly claimed her for himself. Time to turn the tables around, Leigh thought, and show the bad boy a glimpse of what exactly he was dealing with.

"Actually," she began, her voice losing all hints of shyness. "I don't have a fetish for hoodies. I simply prefer them to other clothing." She made a show of pulling down her hood and lifting her curls away from her face.

"Whoa." If the guys ogling reaction was to go by, then her quick trip to the ladies to brush up her make up before heading out for lunch was a good idea.

"What?" She made an innocent face. "Omg! Do I have something in my hair?"

"No babe. Your hair is just fine. All of you is in fact fine." The blonde guy replied her not trying to hide the fact that he was checking her out.

Disgusting as it was, Leigh noticed that Willis had gone stiff and cold beside her like he had been dunked in ice then complimented herself for having done a very good job when he ground out a single icy word. "Cole."

"So you must be Cole then," She addressed the blonde guy who had questioned her. "I'm Leigh but you already knew that." She let out a breezy laugh. 

"Yeah, I'm Coleman actually but everyone calls me Cole." He responded, still checking her out. She batted her eyelashes at him before moving her gaze to Jer.

 "How long have you been Willis' best friend?" She asked him, careful not to act too curious. She knew she could have asked Willis himself but it was all part of her plan. 'Pretend to be interested in him by giving attention to another guy.' It worked all the time in bruising egos.

"Since sixth grade. We were both not so happy to be starting school then. Threw a fit and fists that had the teacher running out screaming for help. We've been friends ever since." 

"That's awesome. So you're like practically brothers." She made sure her voice rose a pitch when she said 'brothers'.

"You could say that. What about you Leigh, where did you transfer from?" Jer asked suddenly.

He was a quick learner and a smart one, Leigh had to hand him that as she chewed slowly on her sandwich, drawing out her reply. Thankfully, the bell rang for end of lunch time just before she could answer.

"I'm sorry guys, but duty calls." She apologized and quickly left the table grabbing her paper bag along.

"I've never seen anyone that eager to get to class." Jer commented after she'd left.

"Not everyone has your lazy ass bruh." Cole told him, punching his shoulder lightly as he rose to leave the table like the rest of the guys already were. "See you at practice man."

"Yo! You okay?" Jer turned to his best friend who hadn't said a word since Leigh had started talking.

"Yeah man, I thought you said she was shy." He accused, almost pouting.

"Apparently she isn't. Is that a pout I hear in your voice?" Jer joked.

"Lay off man." Willis swatted Jer's hands away from his face.

"Come on bruh, we gotta get to class."

"Yeah, class sucks." But didn't suck as much as how he had felt when Leigh had suddenly transformed from Shy to Sexy in a millisecond.