^^David Mayer

"Good morning." I greeted my parents as I reached the kitchen.

"What is that?" I froze in my steps at my mom's voice. "Tell me that's not what you're wearing for the match?" She eyed my plain black shirt with grey pants. I nodded, and she shook her head. "No, no, no."

"It's not that bad," I mumbled, glancing at her.

"My dear daughter, you need to learn some things about fashion, and as your mother, I must fix it." She shoved her spatula to dad. "You cook this..." Mom said to dad then turned to me, "...and you're coming with me."

She strode to me and yanked me upstairs. I gave my father a pleading glance, but he shrugged his shoulders.

"Let's see what you have..." mom mumbled as she rampages through my clothes. "What do you do with the allowance we give you?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"I save them." I gave her a sheepish smile.

She groaned. "They aren't for saving Lillian. Use them on yourself and get the extra things you need. Like clothes..." She pointed at the few outfits in my wardrobe.

"I wear a uniform to high school so I need little to wear." I bit my lip.

She sighed. "If I had any idea about this before I would have taken you shopping." She turned towards my closet. "Let's see if we could come up with something."

Ten minutes later, she finally decided on an outfit. "This is better." She gave me a green sweater shirt with black leggings and shoes. "The green is going to compliment your eye color. Now hurry and change. I'll go see your dad before he burns the house."

Giggling, I walked to the bathroom and changed into the outfit my mom took for me.

I glanced at my hair, which I tied in two French braids. Picking my phone and some money, I jogged downstairs, and I saw mom scolding dad for burning the oats. I chuckled and waited for my mom to fix the meal. After eating, I bid them bye and walked out of the house on my bicycle.

I glanced at the sky and thanked God when I saw it clear. Mounting on my bicycle, I rode towards West high.

I placed my bicycle on the stand and saw the parking lot filled with cars and more were coming. I texted Toby and asked him where he was. I knew Chloe was here already because she had to rehearse with the cheer squad.

Toby: I forgot to put the alarm on and just woke up. I'll be there as soon as I can.

Me: Okay.

I followed the students in front of me as they walked through the high school corridor to the back. I gawked at the already filled stadium. On the left side were the opposite team and their supporters with red foam fingers, and posters, and on the right were West High students with blue posters of West Wolfs, wishing them luck.

I padded towards the seats and glanced at the field. Both teams were warming up and in the corner, Chloe was practicing with the cheer squad wearing a blue cheer uniform. I waved to her when we made eye contact. She beamed and waved back. On the opposite side, the opponent team's cheer girls in red were doing their routine eyeing Brittany.

No doubt Brittany was the best among them and that's why she was the leader.

I was looking for a seat when I heard someone calling me. I turned my head towards the voice and saw Madeleine waving at me. She was sitting with Louis, David, and Nate in the front row.

"Hey, guys." I greeted them.

"Sit with us," Madeleine said. "The view from the front is the best."

I nodded and Nate shifted into another seat, giving me space to sit between him and Madeleine. I smiled and sat on it.

"I really like your outfits," Nate said, noticing my sweater.

"Thanks," I mumbled, adjusting my glasses, and internally thanked my mom. "You look good too." I sighed in relief that I could compliment him without being awkward.

He wore a grey shirt with a blue denim jacket over it and black jeans with the same shoes.

"Thanks." He gave me his charming smile.

"We have face paints. Do you want to do it?" Louis asked from Madeleine's right.

"I uh..." Now that I noticed, all of them had blue and white lines on their cheeks. "Sure."

"I'll do it," Nate said and grabbed a bag from under his seat. He took two bottles out. "Take off your glasses."

Taking my glasses off, I watched as he turned his body towards me. He dipped his finger in the white paint and placed it on my cheek. I closed my eyes, not being able to see him this close to my face as heat crept through my cheeks. I heard voices from the background but wasn't able to pay attention, as my focus was on Nate.

"Done." He announced after a minute.

I opened my eyes and saw him smiling at me. Clearing my throat, I turned my head in front, knowing my face must be as red as a tomato. I wore my glasses and saw Jordan and Ben leaning on the front railing as they talked to Louis, Madeleine, and David.

Andrew was there too, but he was watching me deadpan. I blinked my eyes and he narrowed his burning blue ones like he wanted to throw me off the building.

This guy seriously needs to stop this.

"Hey, Lilly." Ben and Jordan greeted, cutting my staring competition with Andrew.

"Hi, guys." I smiled and tried to ignore Andrew, but it was getting hard as he was intensely watching me.

Ben raised his brow at me as if asking about Toby. I nodded my head, assuring him that he was coming.

"Andrew! We're here!" I turned my head left to see a beautiful blonde woman with a cute little blonde girl.

"Nate!" The little girl jumped to Nate, who caught her chuckling. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you too, kiddo." Nate pinched her cheeks.

"I'm not a kid anymore. I'm growing, see!" She showed her broken front teeth. "My baby teeth are falling!"

Everyone laughed while Andrew groaned and I watched in confusion as the little girl told her story of how she broke it.

"Hello, Mrs. Pierce." Brittany came with Tiana towards the railing and greeted the beautiful woman.

Oh, so she is Andrew's mother and the little girl must be his sister.

"Hello, Brittany darling. How are you?" I watched like an outsider as the Clichés talked with Mrs. Pierce.

"I'm going to sit with the adults and you kids have fun." She smiled and looked at the little girl sitting on Nate's lap. "Come on, Abigail."

"No!" She wrapped her hands around Nate's neck. "I'm going to sit with Nate."

Her mother sighed and tried to move her, but Nate stops. "It's alright Mrs. Pierce. We'll take care of her." She gave him a grateful smile and left.

"Get off his lap, Abigail," Andrew growled at his sister.

"No." She stuck her tongue at Andrew, then turned to Nate. "I learned a new word which mommy said is my feeling towards you called."

"Really?" Nate asked in amusement. "What is it?"

"It's called Lust." She sweetly replied.

My eyes bugged out at her reply as Nate choked on his breath, and everyone burst out laughing. Andrew almost fell off the railing and glared at her sister.

"Abigail!" He scolded.

"What?" she innocently asked. "That's what mommy said."

"Let me guess." David snickered. "You learned that from your brother?"

"Yup." She beamed. "He said the girls he dates are in lust with him."

"You shouldn't say those things in front of a kid, Drew." Louis chuckled, shaking his head.

"Even I stay careful in front of kids." Madeleine cackled.

"Just shut up." He grumbled.

Ben patted Andrew's shoulder. "It's not that bad. You could have said worse." He teased. Andrew rolled his eyes and was about to say something, but stopped at Toby's voice.

"Hey!" Toby greeted us as he came towards us. "Did I miss anything?"

He wore a grey sweater shirt with black pants and a muffler around his neck. His face was flushed as he heaved like he ran all the way here from his house.

"No." Ben shook his head and grinned. "You're on perfect time."

Toby beamed and sat beside Nate. I watched as they eyed each other while everyone else was busy teasing Andrew. Jordan, Ben, and Andrew left when their coach called them.

"Let's go. It's starting." Brittany said to Tiana. She nodded and pecked David, then left with her.

We turned towards the stage when Principal Morgan stepped on it and gave her speech. She started with the school history and how they won the matches in the past years.

Principal Morgan was a powerful woman in her late thirties. She looked nothing like the twins, just her eyes were of Brittany's color. When she finished, both teams' cheerleaders stepped on the ground and performed.

After that, both teams took their places.

"Kick there a**es or else I'll kick yours!" Madeleine screamed at the team.

"Maddie!" Louis scolded, pointing at Abigail, who tilted her head at Madeleine.

"Let's pretend you didn't hear me, and don't you dare mention it to your brother," Madeleine said hesitantly to Abigail, who gave her a lopsided grin.

"I already know what a** is."

Madeleine sighed in relief. A chuckle left my mouth that made Abigail look at me.

"Who are you?" She asked, blinking her blue eyes at me.

"This is Lilly," Nate replied, putting his arm around my shoulder. I ducked my head as I felt warmth from inside. "And she's our new friend."

"Friend?" She narrowed her eyes at me, then at Nate's arm around my shoulder.

Nate nodded, then took his arm off as the game began. I turned my head towards the game but felt someone gaze at me. I glimpsed at Abigail and saw her eyeing me.

Is staring in Pierce's family genetics?

First her brother and now this. I smiled at her, but she huffed and turned towards the game.

The whole stadium screamed in enthusiasm as the ball passed from one player to another. After thirty minutes, the half bell rang and none of the teams made any score.

From my right, Madeleine cursed and plopped her back on the seat. "No goal seriously! They could have done better!"

"Do you want to get something to eat?" Nate asked Abigail, who gave him a toothy grin bobbing her head.

"Yes!" He got up and put Abigail on his feet.

"I want to eat something, too!" Louis jumped to his feet.

"I'll come with you guys," David said, and the boys walked with Abigail.

"Bring me something too!" Madeleine shouted a list of things she wanted and I turned to Toby and smiled.

"Glad you made it."

"Yeah." He coughed. "I think I've got a fever."

"Did you take medicine?" He nodded, and I glanced at his flushed face. "You should have stayed home."

"No." He sniffed. "I couldn't miss Ben's game." I gave him a nod, understanding his situation, and glanced at Ben, who formed a circle with his team and couch as they discussed strategies.

After a while, Nate, Louis, and Abigail returned with snacks.

"Where's David?" Madeleine asked, taking her things from Louis.

"Bathroom." He shrugged and took a seat beside her.

"Here." I glanced at the bucket of fries he extended. "I got them for you."

"Oh, you didn't need to-"

"It's alright." He winked at me. "I'm sure you must be hungry."

"Thank you." I sheepishly smiled at him and took the fries. He went to give Toby some snacks too, but he refused, saying he wasn't feeling well.

I again felt a gaze at me and darted my eyes to see Abigail narrowing her eyes at me. She stepped in front of me and gestured with her fingers for me to come close.

I looked around and saw Madeleine talking with Louis and Nate with Toby. I bent in my seat and the little girl whispered in my ear.

"Nate is mine. Stay away from him." My eyes grew enormous, and I backed away, seeing the girl raising her brows at me.

Ok... The little girl is seriously into Nate, and it's clear that she doesn't like him talking to me.

I watched as she sat on Nate's lap again and give me a side smirk.

Some girls know what they want and how to keep others away from them.

I seriously admire this kid.

The game continued, and the excited cheer from the crowd returned.

"Don't mind her." I turned my head to my right and saw Nate smiling at me. "She's just a kid."

Oh, so he heard.

I glanced at Abigail, who was scooted in front and cheering for her brother.

"I know." I smiled and darted my eyes back to Nate.

"She doesn't know what she wants and I'm going to blame Disney for filling little kids' heads like that," Nate said, and I giggled. "I hope you've grown up from Disney." He said, amused.

I opened my mouth to answer him, but a loud gasp escaped my lips when I felt something cold on my legs. I glanced down to see Abigail's milkshake half poured on my leg.

"Abigail!" Nate looked at her, bewildered.

"I'm so sorry!" The little girl squeaked. "I didn't mean to do that!" She pouted sadly, but her blue eyes twinkled.

It's official. The Pierce siblings hate me.

"That's going to be sticky," Madeleine mumbled.

"You should be careful." Nate scolded her. But I put a hand on his arm, stopping him.

"It's alright. It was an accident." I said and gave him a smile before getting up. "I'll go get this clean."

I scurried passing through the crowd who were shouting at the team and walked into the high school. The bathroom on the ground floor was packed, so I climbed upstairs.

I opened the bathroom door and was about to step inside when I heard someone screaming from the stall.

"Oh my God... Yes... Faster, David!" My eyes widened when the moans and grunts got louder.

Someone is having sex inside!

Without wasting another second, I sprinted out of the bathroom. I pressed my hands on my burning cheeks as I walked away from the bathroom.

People should be careful about having sex in public places.

I shook my head to get the voices out of my head when my brain clicked and I paused in my mid-step.

Wait...

Did she say...

David?

I glanced back at the bathroom door with wide eyes. The only David I know is David Mayer who has a girlfriend who was cheering outside.

When Louis and Nate came back after getting the snacks, they told that David went to the bathroom... that means. I gasped and covered my mouth.

I shook my head. No, I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I had to make sure if he was the one or some other David and for that; I hid behind the lockers.

After a few minutes, the door opened, and I peeked through the locker. My heart dropped when David Mayer stepped out of the bathroom, making my suspicion right.

David is cheating on Tiana!

My eyes widened when the girl came into my view. Velma?! I couldn't believe my eyes. She was the same girl who was crying her eyes out a week ago about how Andrew broke her heart, and now she was hooking up with a guy who has a girlfriend.

I felt guilty for thinking badly of Andrew I knew he was a player and so did everyone, he never hides it from anyone and still, the girls date him so it wasn't his fault.

I gawked when they kissed. Velma whispered something in David's ear, making him laugh, and walked in the other direction. I pressed my back behind the locker when David came my way. I ceased breathing when he walked past by whistling carelessly like he didn't just commit a crime.

When I saw him turning towards the corner, I sighed in relief. After a few seconds, I got out of my hiding spot and turned around to go in another way, but before I could take another step, someone yanked me back and shoved me to the locker.

"If it isn't the mystery girl." I squeezed my eyes shut at David's voice. "You shouldn't go around spying on people."

I peeked at him and saw him glaring at me. I didn't know what came over me, but I matched his glare.

"You're cheating."

He raised his brows in amusement. "Am I?"

"I saw you with Velma."

"You did?!" He fake gasped. "You are such a naughty girl to listen to people-"

"I wasn't listening!" I cut him off. "And get off me," I said and tried to walk past him, but he grabbed my shoulder and pushed me to the locker again.

"Not so fast." He tightly gripped my shoulder. "I think there's some misunderstanding we need to sort out first."

"There's no misunderstanding. I know what I heard and saw." I grunted.

"And that's what we need to discuss because the thing is Lillian..." I scrunched my face when he said my name out of his disgusting mouth. "... You saw nothing."

"What?" My brows knitted in confusion.

"You saw nothing." He repeated and stepped closer. "And you will tell no one anything."

He wants me to keep it a secret!

"What you did is wrong and Tiana deserves to know," I growled.

"Nah, she doesn't and besides this wasn't my first time." He shrugged, making my eyes go wide.

"Why are you doing this to her?"

He clicked his tongue. "I'm with her because of my parents." He smirked and flicked my nose with his finger. "It's rich people politics, you won't understand."

David's father is the Mayor of the town and Tiana's is the head of the sheriff's department. I wondered if something was going on between them.

"So little Lillian, I'm sure you won't go around ruining my reputation." He beamed.

"It's not like you have a good one," I mumbled.

He blinked at me then burst into a laugh. "Wow. I wasn't expecting you to talk back with me."

I wasn't either...

"I'm going to tell Tiana." His laugh ceased, and he gave me a deadpan look. "And you can't stop me."

"I'm done being nice." He said and wrapped his hand around my neck, making me gasp.

"Let me go." I struggled to get out of his grip and tears built in my eyes.

"Listen carefully..." He shoved me into the locker as he leaned in my ear. "You won't say a word to anyone or else I'll make your life a living hell." He squeezed his hand. "I know many people here who would gladly help me..." He smirked. "Ben won't be there to save your pretty a**"

I grabbed his arm and tried to push him as I struggle to breathe. "You're hurting me," I mumbled.

"Oh, I'm sorry." He plastered a smile and let go of me. I gasped for air and rubbed my neck as I gaped at him in disbelief.

I can't believe he choked me!

I thought Ben was bad, but this guy was terrible.