I went ahead and volunteered, "We're working through some stuff, but we'll figure it out."

Mr. K grinned and reached across the corner of the table to pat my shoulder. Turning back to Belle, he jerked a thumb in my direction and said, "See? Was that so hard?"

Belle rolled her eyes and returned her attention to her meal.

But I chuckled, smiled, and honestly, I felt better.

Tuesday was more of the same. Mari and I made out with each other before school and during recess and then we had a minivan quickie at lunch. It was impossible to be awkward around Belle or Naimh because

Mari was monopolizing all my time anyway. The only real difference from

Monday was that Alice got to spend the afternoon with me, just as Mari had promised.

By Wednesday I was getting used to cruising around the campus with Mari hand-in-hand. Lunchtime was almost over, and on the way to our next classes, she and I turned a corner and came face-to-face with a familiar boy.

“Oh hey, Gerald!" Mari greeted brightly, still flush with happiness after a couple of nice orgasms.

“Haven't seen you in a few days."

"Uh, right," the guy muttered, frowned as he looked at Mari's hand in mine, and then without another word, he put his head down and walked away.

With her free hand, Mari started to reach in his direction and open her mouth to say something, but the words died on her lips a moment later.

Her shoulders sagged and a frown tugged at the corners of her mouth. It was evident that whatever good cheer she'd gotten from the Lunchtime nooner had evaporated in two seconds.

“I'm sorry," I said quietly.

“What?" Mari looked over at me and quickly closed both of her arms around mine. She Leaned forward and pecked my Lips.

“There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm holding hands with my boyfriend, and if Gerald can't handle it that's his problem."

I arched an eyebrow. Although I'd been careful to never mention a potential end to our relationship thus far, I forgot myself for a moment and said, "You're only going to be my girlfriend until Sunday.

But if you really like him, Gerald could be your boyfriend a lot longer."

Mari abruptly pulled her arms away from mine.

“Already made up your mind about me, huh?" And then she took an extra step back as well.

I frowned, not yet understanding. But I got it a second later, and I shook my head. "I didn't mean it like that."

“No, it's alright," she muttered bitterly and took a deep breath.

“I told myself from the beginning not to get my hopes up that we might be for real. Thanks for the reminder that to you, all this is just a game."

“Mari, I didn't--"

“Too late," she said dismissively, and then turned on her heel and walked away.