^^Banc of California Stadium

The rest of the week passed in a blur. Andrew and Ben made up, the clichés were back to normal, and so did Chloe, Toby, and I.

On Tuesday, Principal Morgan called all of us into her office. Brittany went inside and after five minutes, she came out with Principal Morgan and she dismissed the rest of us without even saying anything. I wondered what magic Brittany did on her. Every chance I got, I avoided the clichés and after all those secrets it was finally a peaceful week.

On Saturday around eleven in the morning, I was in my room doing my homework when my mom knocked on my door.

"Yes?" I asked without looking up from my work and didn't get any response. My brows knitted in confusion, and I glanced up to see my mom opening and closing her mouth like a fish. "Mom?"

"There's a hot boy..." she uttered.

"Excuse me?" I tilted my head.

"There's a hot boy downstairs..." she whispered, pointing down.

"Mom..." I groaned. "I know that you and Dad are in love and it's cute, but can you not call him like that in front of me-"

"No." she shrieked, shaking her head. "I know your dad is hot, but there's a boy..." She blinked in disbelief. "And he's looking for you."

Dad is at work, so who is she talking about?

"Mom... Are you drunk?"

"What?" she snapped out of her trace. "I'm not a drunk young lady and there is a handsome young man downstairs looking for you."

"Who?" I asked, and she scratched her head.

"I forget to ask his name."

I sighed and got up from my bed. Following my mom, I went downstairs and saw Ben in the living room.

"Ben?" I called, getting his attention. "What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you about something..." He eyed my mom, who was listening intently. "... alone..."

"Oh, of course." Mom let out a nervous laugh. "Why don't you take him to your room, Lillian." She glanced at me with her twinkling eyes. "I'll bring you guys something to eat."

"No need for that, Mrs. Smith." Ben gave her his charming smile. "I'll be quick."

"Take as much time as you need dear." Mom giggled, like a teen girl.

"Let's go upstairs." I grabbed his arm and took him upstairs before she embarrassed herself.

"Your mom's cute." Ben chuckled.

"You're not the first one to think that," I mumbled, thinking of Andrew's encounter with my parents. "How did you find where I live?"

"I have my ways." He shrugged and plopped on my bed. "You were doing homework?" He questioned, picking up my book. "Who does homework? It's the weekend you should enjoy it."

"I'm enjoying it," I said, snatching my books from him. "Now tell me, what are you doing here?"

"I need a favor." He sat looking seriously at me.

"What?" I asked, putting my books away.

"You remember my birthday..." I nodded my head.

"How can I forget the day I got spiked?"

"Yeah..." He trailed off. "Ok, so this happened. Every year Andrew gifts me tickets to the football season matches..."

"Wait... Toby also gave you those tickets."

"Exactly." He sighed. "I can't go with Toby because it's Andrew and my thing, but I can't just leave Toby either."

"What do you want me to do?" I tilted my head.

"I'm going to go with Andrew like always and I'll tell him I got two extra tickets, so I invited you and..." He trailed off, raising his brows suggestively.

"I'll bring Toby." I finished for him and he beamed.

"You are a little smart lady." He teased.

"Are you sure it's a good idea?" I asked, sitting next to him. "I don't think they both like each other."

"Andrew is my best friend and Toby is my boyfriend. It's going to be a perfect opportunity for them to get to know each other, so it'll be easy for me in the future, you know."

I smiled when he mentioned the future with Toby.

"Alright." I agreed. "I'll be there with Toby."

Ben grinned and pulled me into a tight hug. "Thank you so much!"

I chuckled, hugging him back. "No need to thank me, Ben."

He beamed, letting go of me. "Be ready at one. Toby will come to pick you up."

"Wait... Today?"

"Yup." He jumped off the bed. "Andrew reminded me this morning, and I was freaking out about what to do, but now you've helped me and I love you for that." He kissed my cheek.

I ducked my head in embarrassment. "It's not a big deal."

Ben laughed, and we walked downstairs. My mom was sitting in the living room watching us as we descend the stairs. She asked Ben to stay for lunch, but he politely refused, saying he needed to get ready. I explained to Mom the situation and asked for her permission.

"Of course, you can!" she exclaimed and wiggled her brows. "Is there something going on between you two?"

"No, mom." I groaned. "He's already in a relationship."

"Good." She beamed. "I like Andrew with you more."

I frowned. "Andrew?"

"You two will be an adorable couple!" She gushed, and I sighed, shaking my head.

First Chloe and Madeleine were shipping me with Ben and now Mom with Andrew.

After Ben left, I completed my remaining homework and took a quick shower. The soccer match was between LAFC and LA Galaxy, so I took the LAFC shirt from my brother's stuff. My dad and brother supported them, and so did I. Now I was waiting in the living room for Toby to arrive.

I got up and picked up my bag when I heard the horn. Mom peeped from the window and observed him.

"Oh my, he's a cute one." My mom mumbled. "Who's Toby again?"

"He's my friend from high school," I answered again.

"Yeah, but... What kind of friend?" She waggled her brows.

"Mom. He's gay." I calmly told her.

"Oh..." She gave me a sheepish smile. "But still he's a cute one."

I chuckled, shaking my head, and opened the door. "Bye."

"Bye and have fun!" She waved as I walked to Toby's car.

"Good afternoon." I greeted him, settling in his car.

"Good afternoon." He gave me a tight smile and drove towards Ben's house.

"You don't look much happy," I questioned. "Shouldn't you be ecstatic to spend time with Ben?"

"I am, but it's just..." He scowled. "... Andrew."

"You don't like Andrew much, right?" I asked. Toby went still.

"Am I that obvious?" He hesitated.

"Kind of..."

"I just... I know he's Ben's best friend but..."

"It's all right if you don't want to talk about-"

"I'm jealous of him." He blurted, and I blinked my eyes.

"Why?"

"I didn't like him since we were kids." He sighed. "He can be with Ben twenty-four seven without worrying about anyone watching them and I have to hide and see them from afar... I just hate him because of that."

"Even though they spend time together, Ben doesn't love him the way he loves you." I pointed out.

"I know." He grumbled. "I sound like an insecure bit*h."

"No, you're not." I smiled. "You are just overthinking." He smiled and nodded his head.

The rest of the way, we talked about the soccer match. He was also wearing an LAFC shirt and told me that most of the people in West Hills supported them. In my previous town, Hidden Hills, people were with LA Galaxy.

We reached Forbes' house and stopped in front of the main gate. The guard came to our car and groaned when he saw me and Toby. He was the same guard when we came on the twins' birthday.

"It's the girlfriend." He mumbled, peeking in the back seat, and blew a breath in relief when he found it empty. Toby and I glanced at each other in amusement. "You can go in, Mr. Forbes told us about you."

The huge fierce gate opened, which had F written on it, and Toby drove inside. In the driveway, I saw Andrew's car already parked.

Hope he doesn't freak out to see us.

I parked my car in the driveway and went inside Ben's house. It was the end of January, the sky was clear and there was no sign of rain today. The maids on my way greeted me and I nodded as I climbed the stairs to Ben's room. I knew Brittany wasn't home because I didn't see her car in the driveway. Gripping the doorknob, I entered his room.

"Ben!" I looked around his empty room and heard the water running from the bathroom. "I'm here!"

"I'll be out in a minute!" He answered.

Taking my phone out, I plopped on his bed. I always preferred Ben's room whenever I came here because Brittany's too girly for my taste. I never told her that because I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Besides, she can have it any way she wants, it's her room.

After a minute Ben came out of his bathroom in his trouser drying his hair.

"You look better." He commented referring to my healing face, just a fading mark on my cheek.

"No, thanks to you." I gave him a blank look and snorted. "Where's Brittany?" I asked as he walked to his closet.

"She's at the saloon with Tiana." He answered.

Typical.

"Hurry dude, we'll be late for the fan fest." I scowled, and he rolled his eyes.

"You won't be late. Besides..." He trailed off, and I raised my brows for him to continue. "We have company."

"Excuse me?" I sat straight on his bed. "Going to the match every year is our thing and after all those fights in the past weeks, we need this to enjoy and now we have company-"

"It's Lillian." He cut me off.

I closed my mouth and tilted my head, processing it. "Lillian?" I repeated, to make sure I heard him right.

I didn't see her after Monday in school. It was like she was avoiding me, and it made me think if it was because of something I did. I thought of texting her to ask about it but stopped because I didn't want to sound clingy.

"Yeah, Lillian." He turned towards me. "I got two more tickets on my birthday. I didn't want them to get wasted, so I invited her." He finished.

"Oh..." I said, leaning on the bedhead.

"You don't mind... Right?" He asked curiously.

I didn't see her the whole week, so the thought of seeing and spending time with her made me excited.

"Nah." I shrugged. "It's cool."

That made him grin. "Good. She's bringing Toby with her."

"Toby?" I scowled. "Why would she bring him? Isn't Chloe, her best friend?"

"She is, but she isn't interested in soccer, Toby is." He said, narrowing his eyes at me. "You have a problem with him?"

"I don't." I scoffed. "But that guy sure as hell got a problem with me. I don't remember even talking to him and still, whenever he's around, he always shot me glares like he wants to eat me."

"He's not like that-"

"Or maybe." I cut him off and laughed at my thoughts. "The guy likes me since I'm obviously hot. But I'm straight, so maybe that's why."

"You are too cocky for your own good." He said deadpan. "And no, he isn't interested in you."

"How do you know that?" I questioned.

"Because not everyone gives a damn about you." He smirked. "Like Lady Fiona."

I groaned, throwing a pillow at him, which he caught laughing. "I don't want to hear that bit*h's name."

"I'm sure she is planning revenge with the other girls you played." He gave me a sly grin. "You should be more careful or you'll end up like John Tucker." He said, referring to the movie, and threw the pillow back at me.

"I am not an idiot like him to fall for a girl," I answered, capturing the pillow.

"We'll see about that." He smirked, and the bell rang.

"I'll take that." I jumped up from the bed and ran towards the door. "You wear a shirt and come down in a minute!" I ordered.

"Fine!" I heard Ben as I descend the stairs.

The maid was about to open the door, but I stopped her. Grabbing the doorknob, I looked at the mirror beside and ran my fingers through my brown hair to set them. I gave one last glance at my black LAFC T-shirt that I wore with blue jeans and yanked the door open.

"Glad to know we are on the same team," I said to Lillian, leaning my right shoulder to the doorframe, and observed her. She wore a loose LAFC shirt over a black high neck with blue jeans and her long hair was wrapped in a cute ponytail.

"Black and gold forever." She smirked, making me chuckle.

"I didn't know you were interested in soccer."

"You don't know a lot about me." She shrugged.

"Now you are making me curious." I gave her a lopsided grin, and she giggled.

"Eh-Ehem." We turned our heads towards Toby and saw him squinting his eyes at me. "If you are done flirting, can we come in?"

Clearing my throat, I stood straight while Lillian ducked her head, blushing. "I wasn't flirting."

"And I'm not gay." He said deadpan.

"Do you have a problem with me?" I asked, cocking my head. "We can sort it out-"

"How about we leave?" Ben's voice interpreted. "We don't want to miss the fest." He said, plopping his hand over my shoulder. Toby narrowed his eyes at Ben's arm but said nothing.

"Yeah. That's a great idea." Lillian bobbed her head, walking backward with a still red face. "We should leave now."

Lillian and Toby walked ahead, and we followed them. "I told you he has a problem with me."

"Dude, we need to enjoy this so can you lose it a bit?" Ben scolded. I narrowed my eyes at him, but he was right.

"Fine." I sighed.

"Good." He patted my back and walked to his car. We were taking his Range Rover since my Aston Martin was only a two-seater.

"Who is going to sit in the front?" Ben eyed me and Toby.

I was about to say me, but my gaze darted to Lillian and saw her sitting in the back. Without thinking, I said.

"I'll sit in the back."

"You will?" Ben and Toby asked simultaneously, looking surprised.

"Yeah." I shrugged and slid beside Lillian. "Hi, neighbor."

She blinked her eyes at me, then watch Toby and Ben sitting in front and smiled. "Hi."

"Let's start from where we left off. " I said as Ben drove to the main road. "How come you are interested in soccer?"

"My brother played soccer in high school so maybe that's why." She shrugged.

"Do you play?"

"No. I just played video games with him."

"I remember how you beat Jordan and Louis on my birthday." Ben chuckled.

"Yeah. That was impressive." I complimented.

Lillian ducked her head and whispered. "It was just a game."

"What happened?" Toby asked and Ben told him about the boys' vs girls' game Lillian played with Maddie and beat the boys.

Banc of California Stadium was about thirty miles away from West Hills. On our way, we talked about LAFC's past matches and our favorite players. After around forty minutes, we reached the stadium and Ben looked around for space to park his car, and after minutes of searching; he found one.

Getting out of the car, I stretched my limbs and looked around the parking lot and enthusiastic people. Before the match in Banc of California Stadium, they held a fan fest for everyone to enjoy. They also held matches for the fans. Ben and I always take part in those and win.

We walked towards the fan fest that was blasting and took some pictures with the giant LAFC letters, watched the parade and mini-concert, then went to the stalls to buy goods. We got some banners and hats for cheering. After hours of roaming around, we got hungry and were looking for what to eat.

"You should try the Sriracha Beast Burger," I suggested to Lillian as we walked to the food street. "It's lit."

"I think we should try Barbacoa Tacos. I heard it's more delicious." Toby said, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

Both the places were in opposite directions and no way in hell I was going to his.

"We are going to be the burger."

"No." He matched my glare.

"Tell him to back off, Ben." I crossed my arms and stood in front of him.

"We are getting tacos, alright Ben."

Ben scratched his head, looking between us, and Lillian stepped in between.

"How about Ben and Toby go get tacos and Andrew and I will get the burger." She offered.

"That's a great idea!" Ben and I said simultaneously. "Bye losers." Grasping Lillian's hand, I took her towards the stall. "I swear that guy hates me," I mumbled, slowing in my steps.

"He doesn't hate you," Lillian said, taking her small, soft hand from mine as I lose the grip.

Clearing my throat, I shoved my hands in my front pocket. "How do you know that?"

"I uh... just do." She shrugged. "I'm starving." She murmured, walking towards the line.

"How about..." Stepping in front of her, I pointed toward the empty bench. "You wait on there and I'll bring it."

"I uh-"

"Go on." I grabbed her shoulders and turned her. "I'll be back in a minute." Nudging her towards it, I jogged to the stall.

I tapped my foot impatiently as I waited in the line for my turn and ordered us burgers and drinks. I got a chicken one for Lillian, knowing she doesn't eat bacon and walked back to the bench with a grin.

I looked for Lillian and my smile faltered when I saw a guy in an LA Galaxy shirt talking to her. Narrowing my eyes, I walked up to them when I saw the guy laughing.

No way I'm letting my rival take my girl.

"I'm back!" I announced, getting their attention. "And who are you?" I stepped in front of Lillian, eyeing him.

"I'm Mark."

"This also marks the end of your conversation," I smirked and turned to innocent Lillian. "You shouldn't talk to strangers, it's dangerous-"

"He's a senior from my previous school." She cut me off.

"Oh..." I blinked and stood beside her.

The guy smirked and gave me a once-over. "And who are you?"

"I'm a senior from her current high school." I retorted, and he narrowed his eyes at me.

"Uh..." Lillian darted her eyes between us. Out of the blue, a Burnett girl came.

"Hey, Lilly!" She greeted her. She was also in the rival's team shirt.

"Hey, Maria." Lillian greeted her back.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" She said, glancing at me.

"Yeah... Um... Andrew, this is Maria. She's also from my last high school. And this is Andrew, we go to West High together."

"It's nice to meet you, Andrew." She extended her hand, and I involuntarily shook it. "I've seen you in magazines, you are a Pierce."

My mom is a fan of giving interviews in magazines and she forced us to.

"Yeah," I said, shrugging my hand out of her grip when she didn't let go.

"A Pierce?" Mark raised his brows.

"You have a problem?" I growled.

"Of course, my brother doesn't have any." The girl giggled, nudging her brother and he groaned.

Ah, so they're siblings.

They started talking how their past days and how everything was going. I quietly listened to them and ate my burger, which I wanted to eat alone with Lillian, but they had to ruin it. The girl a few times 'accidentally' touched my hand, making me groan. I knew what was going on in her head, but I wasn't interested.

My phone pinged, and I took it out to see Ben's message that he signed up for the fan match. I grinned and jolted up.