Play Not With My Heart

Continuation to The Beloved’s Bittersweet Torture

SUMMARY: It is one year later and Bella Jacobs’ feelings haven’t changed. In fact, they’ve grown deeper and she’s dealing with the consequences of falling for James Parker. Things will never be the same. It’s her senior year of high school and while her friends are happily in love and she’s happy for them, she can’t help but feel and wish that she has her own love story. She moves to get James Parker out of her life. After all, he already has a girlfriend. But then Bella discovers a secret – a secret she can’t keep but ends up keeping, and hurting James in the process. Will James be able to see that she didn’t want to hurt him intentionally? Or will he think that Bella only wants revenge from him? Will Bella finally be able to get her own love story, and will it end happy this time?

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Chapter 1 – This Christmas

“Here’s to one more year of memories!” Tory Mason cheered as she held up a bottle of beer on one hand and the other wrapped around her boyfriend of one year, Bryant Jerkin. She was sitting on his lap and bent down a little as she kissed him on the lips.

“Tory, you should see yourself!” Penny Dickson smirked. “Last year, you hated us for even saying Bryant’s name. And now, look at you! You can’t get enough of him!”

Bella Jacobs couldn’t help but laugh. What Penny said was indeed true!

Bryant looked up at Tory questioningly. “You hated them for saying my name?” He truly looked hurt.

Tory glared at Penny before turning sweetly back to Bryant. She kissed him again and whispered something to his ear that caused his hurt expression to turn red and he smiled shyly.

V Carson made gagging sounds. “I don’t think I’d salvage my life just to know what she said to him!”

“Why shouldn’t you?” Andy Thomas asked her innocently, stopping from playing the guitar. “I’m betting what she said is nothing compared to what you say to me.”

“Andy!” V exclaimed, blushing. “Those things are private!”

Carver Donovan guffawed. “Can you believe it, James? We are surrounded by couples kissing!”

“That’s not true Carver,” Penny said in reply. She batted her eyelashes at him and said, “I don’t see you and James making out!”

James Parker coughed, choking on the handful of chips he just ate. “That was uncalled for, Penny! I think I just lost my appetite.”

Carver was laughing as he went over to James and made like he was going to kiss him. James pushed him away and scrambled up to get away from Carver. “Carver I know you like me, but I’m sorry, I already have a girlfriend,” he called from behind Bella, using her as a shield.

Bella yelped. “James! You’re strangling me!”

“I was not!” he cried defensively.

“Get out from behind her, Parker and face me like the half of a man you are!” Carver demanded.

“It’s uncanny,” Bella spoke softly, “how Carver seems to really like you right now, James, and I believe in a way that is more than just friends.”

“Liv’s going to kill you!” Andy taunted laughingly at Carver. “You’ve just turned her boyfriend into a homo!”

“Can we go back to just being the sex we were born in?”

“Tory, I hope that is a rhetorical question,” James told her in reply. He held up his hands. “I’m as straight as a pole. I have no interest whatsoever in Carver Donovan.”

Suddenly, Carver ran from the other side of the room towards James – Bella right in between them. She let out a yelp. As she was about to move out of the way, she discovered James was still holding her by the shoulders. Carver attacked from the front, and the three of them tumbled to the floor, Bella sandwiched in between them.

“Oh James, my darling!” Carver exclaimed in a falsetto voice very much like that of heroines in old movies. He planted a big wet noisy kiss on James’ cheeks.

“Carver!” came James anguished voice. “Get off me!”

“Carver, you’re heavy!” came Bella’s squashed voice. She was practically lying on top of James, but with Carver on top of her!

“Say ‘threesome!’” Penny hollered as a bright flash blinded both Bella and James. She was laughing as she said cheerfully, “I think your mom would just love to see these pictures, B.” The rest laughed, knowing how Bella’s mom was strict especially when it came to boys.

“Don’t!” Bella wheezed underneath Carver’s weight.

Andy guffawed. “Uh-oh, James, looks like you’re tickling Bella with something!”

Bella immediately blushed beet red. “Andy!” She felt embarrassed at being caught in the middle of the two guys, literally and horizontally. She knew she wouldn’t live this down from her friends. And Andy just had to say something like that! It was downright unthinkable!

“That wasn’t me!” James exclaimed indignantly. He ducked Carver’s puckered lips. “That was Carver!”

Finally, Carver rolled off Bella.

“I can breathe again!” she gasped.

“Now, I can’t!” James grunted from underneath her.

“Sorry!” Bella cried out as she also rolled off James, feeling her cheeks grow hot and her heart beating faster. “Now I know I shouldn’t be meddling in your love affair James. It sure is dangerous!” Then she pushed herself off the floor, leaving James and Carver lying side by side.

“You’re mine, lover-boy!” Carver cried triumphantly.

“Carver, stop it!” James exclaimed exasperatedly. “I’m calling Liv!”

Their mini-Christmas party had lasted until past midnight. Bella’s mom called Penny’s house (where they were having their party) and demanded she go home. So the others albeit tired but drunk and happy, helped clean up a little then also went home.

Because Bella didn’t have a car and she promised her parents she would right with one of her friends, she asked Carver if he could drop her off. Penny had insisted James drop her off, which was a completely mystery to Bella considering everything that had happened almost a year ago yet her friend was still intent on playing match-maker.

Though thankfully but awkwardly, James had said he couldn’t. He was going to drop some gifts at Liv’s house. Everyone had pointed out to him that it was the middle of the night. James said Liv’s family was having a Christmas party as well and wanted to introduce him as her boyfriend.

Bella thought this was a completely lame excuse to avoid her. To whom would she introduce him? Empty bottles and cups? The party was sure to be over by now. But nonetheless, she insisted that James go before he missed anything.

Bella ended up being driven home by Carver with Bryant and Tory. She had to suffer hearing scuffling from the backseat. Carver told them off, three times. Bryant finally behaved. But Tory, being Tory, would make a move to kiss him.

“She must be really drunk!” Bella exclaimed, completely surprised.

“I heard that, B!” Tory’s muffled voice came from the backseat. Bryant’s hand was clamped over her mouth. Carver laughed when he saw that.

They stopped first at Tory’s house and after Bryant helped her up their house, and seeing to it that she was fine, they left for Bella’s house. Tory’s mom wasn’t angry but she wasn’t happy either. She was thankful though for Bryant.

Bella and the others had enlisted Mrs. Mason’s help before when they helped Bryant get Tory. It worked successfully resulting in their relationship now.

Carver and Bryant talked a little about their band. Bella put in some of her thoughts and opinions now and then. Pretty soon, they arrived at her house. Bryant transferred to the front. “Good night, you two! And merry Christmas!”

Bella stayed outside for some time, hugging herself and staring at the black endless sky. It was cold and she hugged herself tighter. Another year gone, but at least, this year…she wasn’t as unfortunate as she been so many times before. No more bittersweet tortures. Though she felt that this year, something was quite missing. Maybe it was because she was getting older, or maybe…

Bella sighed. Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to dwell on it. After all, it was Christmas!

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