at my best //sidney. clue.

It was difficult for Cleo to focus on practice and it showed. She’d already missed two shots that should have been easy blocks. This was because every time her mind started to wander, all she could think about was the taste of Benji’s lips on hers, and sitting on his lap in the back of the library. Shallowly breathing in his ear as he let his hands roam over her body. She got all hot and bothered just thinking about it. It was a dangerous game she was playing now, but she felt exuberant.

She licked her lips and tried to pay attention to the field. It was an exercise in futility. She wanted that thrill, that adrenaline rush of wondering if she was going to get caught, the feel of their bodies pressed together in that workstation. His lips on her collarbone.

It was just a one-time deal, right? It’d be too risky to become a repeat offender. The ball flew through the air to the right and she screamed out a warning just in time for the defender on that side to shit the bed. Cleo tried to compensate, but the ball went past her and into the net.

The whistle blew and Cleo ground her teeth. They were tied up now. So much for their early lead.

“Are you kidding me?” she yelled, taking her helmet off and throwing it at the ground in fury. “Get the lead out ladies!” No way she was going to lose this one. Even if she had been saddled with three of the benchwarmers. Favoritism at work. Had to be. Why else would Clara have gotten the best starters?

Burns, watch the attitude! Pick up your helmet, now! she shot the coach a dirty look but fulfilled the request.

It was game point. And who else would be taking the shot but their team captain. Her sister. Clara wouldn’t let anyone else go for it, of that much she was certain. But she was ready for that, she hoped. Clara and her knew each other’s moves better than anyone.

She supposed she should be grateful that Clara wasn’t on the volleyball team. No time for it with all her academic pursuits. Sure, she was the smarter twin, but Cleo was sure she was better at dealing with people. Clara just liked to talk.

The debate team. Gag.

They both hated losing. A tie would be better than losing, but not by much. Second place was only the first in a long line of losing placements. Clara generally seemed to feel the same way. Everything was a competition for them. Always had been. Except romance. They’d never gone for the same boy. Small miracles and all that. Not that Clara was capable of seduction in the first place. And speaking of—

She wondered if she should tell her sister she’d gotten something major over on Stella.

Coach blew the whistle and everyone raced back to their positions.

“Come on Clara, I haven’t got all day!” she screeched, strapping her helmet back on and readying her stick.

The sooner they got this over with, the better.