Read Online Game On by Monica Seles - Free Book Online Page A

and you were on a deadline, he’s your guy.”
    â€œYeah,” Maya said, “I’ve already been gifted the request. That would not give me a thrill.”
    â€œIt might give you a disease,” Cleo said, and laughed. Maya and Renee joined in. With the three of them laughing together, the Academy was a million miles away.
    â€œCome on, Cleo,” Renee said, leaning in with a devilish look in her eye. “We’re sharing secrets. What’s yours?”
    Renee looked at her, waiting for her to give it up. Maya knew better.
    â€œCleo’s not really a secret-sharer—” Maya began.
    â€œI kissed a girl,” Cleo said, interrupting.
    Maya looked at her, shocked. Cleo seemed to be shocked she’d said it, too. Where did that come from?
    â€œWhen?” Maya asked.
    â€œThe night before you got here,” Cleo said. In the short time she’d known Cleo, her roommate had been closed up tighter than a vault, but something about the conversation made her dare to share.
    â€œThat was only a few days ago,” Maya said. “Was that your first time?”
    Cleo nodded.
    â€œIs that why you’ve been so edgy?” Maya asked.
    â€œNo,” Cleo said. “I’m always like this.”
    Maya nodded. Okay.
    â€œWell,” Renee asked, “what did you think? Of the kiss?”
    Cleo took a second to think about it. “It was … cool,” she confessed. “I guess. I don’t know what it means. I’ve only ever kissed guys, and I’m pretty sure I liked that, too. I’m so confused. And I’m not used to being confused. I hate it.” Cleo looked to Maya and Renee. Maya could tell that, for all the bluster Cleo put out, she cared what Maya and Renee thought. She was waiting for them to say something. Anything.
    â€œYou know, you can question your sexuality,” Maya said. “It doesn’t make you weak. It certainly doesn’t make you any less of a person if you did like … you know …” Maya stumbled over the words.
    â€œAre you having a stroke?” Cleo asked.
    â€œI’d support you no matter what,” Maya said, unwavering.
    â€œMe too,” Renee said.
    Cleo tensed. This kind of unabashed sentiment seemed to be too much for her. Maya needed to cut the tension, fast.
    â€œYou know what?” Maya said, leaning into Cleo. “Forget everything I said about Travis. I’m over him. I want you now.” Maya grabbed Cleo and tried to kiss her on the lips.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Cleo yelled, and flailed back.
    â€œOh yeah, me too,” Renee said, playing along.
    â€œStop!” Cleo screamed, pushing them away. But she couldn’t push away a smile. And soon a laugh.
    â€œI’m going to throw up. Get away from me!” Cleo finally pushed them off, but they just kept laughing. “You guys are idiots.” Then more quietly she said, “Thanks for the support.”
    â€œYou’ll be fine,” Maya told her. “You just need to relax.”
    â€œAnd you need to gargle some mouthwash,” Cleo retorted. Maya had calmed her down, for the moment, anyway.
    This was turning out to be the best lunch ever.
    Just then, the waiter approached.
    â€œGood afternoon, ladies,” he said. “Have you decided what you’d like?”
    The girls looked at one another, surprised. All this and they hadn’t even ordered yet. They didn’t have to say it. The smiles that crept across their faces said it all.
    Maya, Cleo, and Renee returned to campus red-faced from laughing. And very stuffed.
    â€œI think my belt popped,” Maya said. They laughed some more.
    â€œThis was so much fun, you guys,” Renee said. “I don’t have a lot of girlfriends here. If it’s not too cheesy, I kind of wouldn’t, you know, mind it …”
    â€œAll right, fine,” Cleo said. “Stop begging. You’re embarrassing yourself.