The First Life of Vikram Roy (Many Lives Series Book 3)

The First Life of Vikram Roy (Many Lives Series Book 3) by Laxmi Hariharan Read Free Book Online

Book: The First Life of Vikram Roy (Many Lives Series Book 3) by Laxmi Hariharan Read Free Book Online
Authors: Laxmi Hariharan
exaggerated surprise. "Well, of course, dummy. Is there any other game to play?"  
    She brushes past me towards a clearing I hadn't noticed earlier.  
    "Well?" She looks over her shoulder. "You coming or what?"
    When we reach the edge of the forest, she whistles. Catching the attention of the tall boy behind the cricket stumps, she throws him the ball, before running over to him lightly. I trail behind her, feeling just a little useless.  
    "What took you so long, Ash?" the tall guy asks in an irritated voice.  
    Aware of four sets of eyes following me, I try my best not to hunch inside myself. I do need to look strong in front of Ash … who has just jumped up to kiss the boy, full on his lips, before running past him towards the far side of the field.
    "I was getting you your sixth player." She gestures vaguely in my direction.
    The tall boy sweeps me with a gaze that seems to go right through to my bones. "Him?"  
    I bristle at the tone in his voice, which implies I don't play the game—which of course I don't. Not that I am going to admit it.
    The boy hasn't taken his eyes off me. Hands folded, he continues to assess me, his stance aggressive.   He's older than me, a senior. I look from him to the girl and back.  
    "A newbie, Ash?" he drawls. "You sure about this?"
    "Of course." She replies. "He fielded the ball, after all? Besides, I can spot a cricket player a mile off."
    I make up my mind right then to become the best cricket player in school.  
    And I am going to get Ash.

    ***

    "Watch carefully, and I don't mean me . Watch how I roll out the grass mats, because it's your turn tomorrow."
    "What?" I grin. She's right. I was watching her. But what a picture she makes. I know I am in the throes of my first crush. But I am not fighting it particularly hard. I'll probably regret making a fool of myself over her.  
    Right now, I don't care.  
    Best to just give in and watch her. Let this feeling just pull me under. My pulse is racing; breath coming out in short bursts as if I have run a mile. I feel dizzy. Feel like jumping high in the air, leaping from treetop to treetop. Just as long as I'm with her. And that's the only reason to come here after school. I'm keeping Ash company as she rolls out the grass mats over the rocky ground between the trees. It's the only way to create a smooth enough pitch to play on.  
    "Tomorrow you roll out the pitch."
    "Me? I don't know how to do it," I protest.
    "You'll learn." She brushes past me to get to the cricket stumps. Her scent is sharp, tangy like that of an orange, but musky on the edges like a warm chocolate cookie.  
    I wonder if she wants to meet after practice for a coffee. I'm about to ask her when a voice hails her from the distance.  
    She looks up, waves back. "All done, Amar. We're set up, ready to go."
    The tall boy from yesterday comes up to me. The look on his face says he is not happy to see me.  
    "Stay away from my girlfriend," he mutters in a grim voice, low enough that only I hear it, as he passes me.
    "Let's see if she can stay away from me," I reply in a matching undertone.
    He shoots a glance at me. "Let's see, shall we." His forehead is contorted, cheek muscles pulled back in a grimace. He wants to punch me. Good. I feel good. I'll fight for her if I need to. He walks over and kisses Ash full on the lips. He wraps his hands around her waist and lifts her up so her feet dangle in the air. The kiss seems to go on and on. I wipe the smile off my face and turn away.  
    Soon the other three players have joined us.  
    Amar is clearly the captain of the team. "Okay, newbie, show us what you've got!" He gestures to me to take the bat.  
    No way can I refuse this challenge. Picking up the bat, I take position on the pitch in front of the wickets. The very first ball bounces off a rough patch to hit me full tilt in the chest. I drop the bat and bend over in agony, sparks of pain flashing across my limbs.  
    Amar runs up to me and pats me on the back.

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