"Would you like something to eat or drink?" he asked.
"Just some cold water. My throat is dry from cheering, I think."
He nodded and got me a glass of ice water and one for himself. Then we went to his room. He sat on his bed and looked at me.
"Why did you dress like this?" he asked. "Dress like what?"
"Like you are dressed. The makeup, the clothes. Is this who you are?"
"I just tried to make myself look nice," I said.
He sipped his water. "I'm just surprised," he said, putting the glass an the nightstand.
"Don't you think I look nice?"
"I'm not sure if nice is the right word." He patted the bed. "Relax."
There was something about his expression that sounded alarm bells in me. I moved hesitantly to his side.
"We really don't know all that much about each other, do we?" he asked. "Even, moment is a new discovery. It's not unlike competing against a new player in chess. You wait to see his or her moves and learn how he or she thinks. Only then can you make your
own moves wisely."
"You can't compare everything to chess," I said.
"Why not? The world is a great board game to me, and most people in it are merely pawns."
He took the glass from my hand and leaned over to place it next to his own on the nightstand.
"So, I am to discover the real you tonight, is that it?" he said, smiling lustfully and bringing his face closer to mine.
"No. I wanted you to go to the game and see Brenda and..."
"You talk too much about your sister," he said, and then he kissed me.
He pulled back, grimacing at the taste on his lips.
"That lipstick," he said. "It's on you like a few layers of mint or something."
He leaned over to pluck some tissues out of a box and brought them to my lips, wiping hard.
"Hey," I said, pulling back when he actually began to hurt me.
"You don't need so much," he said. "And why did you put on so much eye makeup?"
"I thought I looked good."
"For a clown." he said. "You don't need it, in my opinion."
I turned away, and he reached out and put his hand under my chin.
"Just be yourself, April. Don't try to be anyone else."
"I am myself!" I declared firmly.
"Oh? Maybe you are," he said, and he kissed me again, this time bringing his hand off my shoulder and alongside my arm.
The kiss was longer and harder. He then kissed me on my neck and moved his hand over my arm and then over my breast, pressing himself against me as he did so.