Walking into school with my coffee and my left hand and my concealer in my left hand, I felt like it was going to be a great day. I was rocking my favorite red Nike Sweater along with some black pants. I walked through the hallways with 'Plastic Hearts' by Miley Cyrus blasting into my ear drums. This day was gonna be phenomenal.

I stopped by my locker to grab my books for first period. Looking into my mini mirror, my bruise was still noticeable even with my concealer trying to block it. Honestly, I was starting to dig the battle-damaged look I was rocking. Just as I closed my locker door, Carly appeared, leaning against the locker room doors.

"AH!" I shrieked.

"Sup, Buckets."

"Bitch. Why are you always scaring me."

"You had sex."

"Excuse me?" I said, trying not to break a sweat.

"You had sex. You're dressed like your Tiger Woods. You're confident. Kinda like Ron Swanson from Parks and Rec."

"I did not have sex." I said, trying to avoid the statement. Carly gave me a death stare, her eyes squinting really hard.

"Damn. Maybe my horoscope is off."

"Probably it is."

"Damn. I thought someone fucked your brains out. I would've after that performance on Saturday. Oh well, see ya at practice," Carly said as she walked away. "Also, I love bruises. It's got a 2003 Emo Punk-Rock look going for you."

I looked deranged but I stopped breathing really hard. Carly nearly freaked me out. I thought I was gonna have to admit that I was having an affair with Reina. My eyes remained bloodshot as I tried to control my breathing.

Walking to Algebra class, Emma sat down at her desk. Now, I was conflicted. Usually, I tell everything to Emma—my secrets, my past—but this time I couldn't. I wanted to tell her so badly but I couldn't. I took my seat next to her as she looked at me.

"Oof. Let me help you out here," she said, staring at my bruise.

"Oh my gosh. I'm gonna go home if everyone is gonna talk about my nose. It's not even that bad!"

"It's not bad. It's more like someone just left a giant raisin on your face, and then the raisin just sank in your skin and now you're stuck with it for a week."

"That's probably the worst metaphor I've ever heard in my life."

School flew by quickly as I entered Econ for the last portion of the day. My mood was still happy. I was chewing gum to the beat of my music. I had my feet laid up on the desk chilling and other than everyone mentioning my nose, I truly was having a good time. Until he had to come and tap me on the shoulder.

"Hey, Bethany." Says Jalen.

"Oh, hey."

"So, did you decide?"

"Decide on what?"

"If you wanted to go to the hockey game?"

I completely forgot about the hockey game. I shoved that completely out of my mind. Maybe it was his way of apologizing to me but I didn't care. I was happy and healed.

"Oh shit. I forgot. My bad. We have practice," I motioned.

"Oh, it's fine. No big deal. I was just curious, that's all," Jalen said.

"Invite someone else. Like that girl you're talking to."

He didn't comment back. It felt like giving him a punch in the face, and I loved it. I nodded my head, not giving a fuck about him. Let's be real here, I think Reina in the matter of a few nights, has whipped me over and made me into a different person. It's crazy to think how one little kiss changed the entirety of my life in a matter of days.

"Also, you made the sports page for the Miami-Herald. Congrats on the victory."

"I did?"

He pulled out his phone and showed me the article:

BATTLE OF TITANS: PALMETTO TAKES VICTORY OVER SPRING RIVER BEHIND RAMIREZ'S FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE

There was a picture of me shooting the ball over Lexi. I loved it. It was about to be my new profile pic.

"That's dope. I look so good shooting."

I gave him back his phone and went back to jamming out.

"Also. I'm not with that girl anymore."

His comment caught my attention. He just told me he had no feelings for the girl he left me for. Maybe he still wants me. Maybe he's been secretly pining for me all this time, regretting his decision. But then again, I could be reading too much into it. After all, I've changed so much in just a few days. Maybe I'm the one who's delusional, trying to make sense of this whirlwind of emotions. I'm not crazy right? 

"You don't?" I softly ask.

"Nah. She was dry, boring, a one-hit wonder," Jalen exclaimed.

"Oh."

I gave one last look at him and those colors returned,  slowly flickering around him.

After class ended, I ran to the gym. I had to find Emma and tell her the news. I felt like I needed to tell her. As I approached the locker room, I saw Emma already in her practice uniform.

"EMMA EMMA EMMA!"

"Is One Direction having a reunion tour? Why are you so excited?"

I immediately pulled her to a separate part of the locker room where it was just the two of us.

"Jalen likes me."

"Um... okay?"

"He's not with that girl. He's single. So technically that means he could have feelings for me. Which means I still have a chance. Which also means I could go to the hockey game with him. Which means..."

Emma smacked me in the face, bringing me back to reality. "Okay. I deserved that."

"You did." She paused for a second, her expression softening. "C'mon girl, I know you're smarter than that. Don't fall for the tricks that put you in a hole for two days."

"But... but... Maybe it's for real this time...maybe..."

I stuttered, struggling to find the right words Emma put her arm on my shoulder, grounding me.

"Look, Bethany. I love you. But, I don't want to see you crying on the floor, with a bottle of whiskey again. Now, I won't stop you from pursuing him. But I'm going to warn you—it's not the best idea."

Emma was right. I was being delusional. Jalen was in my mind now, but so was Reina. It was bugging me. Why did I create a love triangle with my crushes? My heart was torn between the familiarity of Jalen and the thrilling newness of Reina. As much as I tried to rationalize my feelings, I couldn't shake the confusion. Emma's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the pain I'd already been through. This was a mess, and I needed to figure it out before it tore me apart.

"C'mon. Go suit up for practice," Emma acknowledged.

I nodded my head and went to my locker. Quickly I got into my practice uniform and headed out to the gym. I put my hair in a ponytail and jogged out to the court. There I saw Reina shooting free-throws. The colors were uncontrollably around her. I couldn't stop staring at her. The only thing that could get me out of this trance was Coach Vodicka annoyingly loud whistle blowing in my ear.

"Okay. That one hurt Coach."

"Just had to make sure your ears worked as well."

She looked at my face and could see the bruise that I tried to hide so well.

"Nose still fine?" She asked.

"I'm still pretty, Coach."

"Sure you are. No contact drills today. Okay? Let's make sure that swelling goes down til Friday."

"Yes, Coach."

She blew the long whistle and practice began. I participate in just shooting drills and simple ball handling. I watched some of the 3-on-3 drills that the team was running, providing tips to my teammates. 

After a good practice, I hit the showers, letting the hot water wash away the sweat and fatigue from the intense session. I quickly dried myself and put on my street clothes. I walked outside and waited for Emma. As I waited, Reina came out and approached me.

"Hi," she said with a smile.

"Hey," I replied, trying to sound casual.

"Are you doing anything tonight?" she asked, her tone hopeful.

I thought about Jalen for a quick second. I was thinking of calling him up and going to the hockey game, but I didn't want to tell her that.

"I have to work on this English paper," I said, lying to her.

"Oh... that's okay. I get to see you tomorrow as well."

"Yeah. Maybe tomorrow," I said, feeling a pang of guilt.

"Your nose still looks great," Reina said flirtatiously.

"Thanks," I smiled, trying to hide my discomfort.

She brushed my arm gently, then walked away and got into a car with Frida. As the car drove away, I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. I didn't want to lie to Reina, but I also wanted to take my leap of faith with Jalen, the boy I had loved forever.

With a deep breath, I took out my phone and scrolled to Jalen's number. My thumb hovered over the call button for a moment as I wrestled with my emotions. Finally, I pressed it and held the phone to my ear, the ringing sound filling the silence around me.

"Fuck it. It's fine."