S.W. Tanpepper's GAMELAND: Season Two Omnibus (Episodes 9-11) Read Online Free PDF Page A

got tons. They’re better that way.”
    â€œAre you sure? Because I don’t want to totally zom out,” the other girl whined. “I still have pre-calc next period and, ugh, he makes us do problems in class. Just give me enough to get me through this period without tearing my hair out by the roots.”
    The three girls giggled, then moved over to the sinks. There was a rattling noise, following by soft crinkling. A faucet came on and Jessie heard the telltale slurping of someone drinking from cupped hands.
    Poppers , Jessie thought.
    â€œI can’t go back yet,” Siennah said. “I told Doctor Dork mond I was having my period. You should’ve seen how red his face got. He probably hopes I’ll be gone for the rest of the class.”
    â€œOh my god, Siennah, that’s utterly hilarious. You’re so naughty.”
    Jessie rolled her eyes.
    â€œAre you going to have another party this weekend?”
    â€œMaybe,” Siennah replied.
    â€œUgh. You said there’d be more guys at the last one,” came the first voice. Jessie still couldn’t place it. “I was stuck with that dork Kenny Ratcliff all night.”
    â€œOh, stop complaining, Mon.”
    Monica Anderson , Jessie instantly guessed. One of the two Anderson twins. Which meant the other girl was Samantha, her sister.
    Each girl alone was barely tolerable, but paired up with Siennah they could be downright evil. Jessie quietly pulled herself into a tight ball and hoped they wouldn’t notice her.
    â€œI hope you don’t mind, See, but it’s kind of boring just sitting around and watching you play.”
    â€œMonica!” Samantha gasped. “Don’t worry, See-See. I utterly love watching you play. You’re so good.”
    â€œStop being such a kiss ass, Sam. And stop saying ‘utterly.’ It’s a stupid word. Besides, everyone knows you’ve got a mad crush on her Player.” She laughed. “You probably have fantasies about doing it.”
    â€œEew! That’s ut— That’s disgusting!”
    â€œYeah, Sam totally thinks he’s hot,” Siennah said, joining in. “I’ll let you have it once I get my new one.”
    â€œReally?” Sam exclaimed.
    â€œNo!”
    â€œSam’s got a stiffy for the stiffy!”
    They giggled again.
    â€œSo, I wonder,” Siennah said, sounding thoughtful, “if you did it with a Player, but say the Operator controlling it was really a girl, would that make you a lesbian?”
    Jessie’s stomach clenched with revulsion. How could people actually talk about the Undead like that?
    â€œEew! That’s even grosser, See!”
    â€œHow long have you had this one?” Sam asked.
    â€œEleven weeks,” Siennah answered. “Sixty-two confirmed kills, so I’ve made back most of what we paid for it. And that’s not even counting IUs.”
    â€œIUs shouldn’t count anyway,” Monica argued. “They don’t even do anything. They just stand there like sitting ducks. Some of them just stare up at the sky.”
    â€œShut up, Monica. I think Siennah might be the best Operator ever !”
    â€œHardly,” Siennah replied with false modesty.
    What she really means, Jessie thought, is “Don’t stop kissing my ass.”
    â€œYeah, everyone knows Zpoc is a lot harder. The programmers do a good job of— What? ”
    Silence. Jessie couldn’t see any of their faces, but she could imagine Siennah’s right now. What Monica was suggesting was heretical to a girl like Siennah.
    â€œWhat I meant was—” Monica hastily said, but the air dryer came on and drowned out the rest.
    By the time the blower shut off, the discussion had turned away from Siennah and The Game . They were now back on the subject of Monica’s boy troubles.
    â€œI’ve seen you suck face with much worse than Kenny,” Siennah teased.
    â€œLike who?”