For those brave enough to love, against all odds.

* * *

She saw her on the first day of volleyball practice.

Green highlights adorned her black hair, which was thrown into a high ponytail. Her complexion was relatively dark when compared to her own fairness, and her green eyes sparkled with joy and concentration when she hiked a ball to the other side of the net.

"Hike!" She yelled, her voice slightly hoarse yet still melodious. The biceps in her left arm flexed as she smacked the ball towards her team mates, sweat trickling down her back and moistening the black jersey with MARTINS printed on her back.

The smile on her face was blinding, dazzling every boy that ever looked in her direction, as well as a less obnoxious member of the cheering squad.

Katherine's eyes were fixated on the cheerful girl in the volleyball court, who was being tackled into a massive group hug by her fellow team mates. She didn't hear the cheering team captain blow her whistle to signal the start of their new routine - she didn't realise she had zoned out completely until she felt someone gave a hard pull to her blonde hair.

"Willis! Eyes front and centre and listen to the bloody whistle!" The head cheerleader snapped. The blonde nodded frantically, her golden ponytail bobbing up and down. This time, as the whistle blew, she kicked and did leaps right on beat - yet her eyes were fixated on the cheerful volleyball player in the volleyball court.

She envied the Martins girl with a passion. The volleyball player could yell and laugh all she wanted, and play the sport that the cheerleader had wanted to play since year two. She could wear her heart on her sleeves, instead of hiding her heart behind the horrid pompoms and wearing the hideous, mortifying uniform when Kate wanted to wear merely a baggy t-shirt, skinny jeans and a pair of Converse trainers.

Sometimes, when she wasn't so caught up with cheer leading practice, she would duck into a school hoodie and flip the good over her head. She'd observe the volleyball team practice from the bleachers, occasionally noting some points that they should take note of and work of, and mentally reminding herself to stay behind - alone - another time to put what she observed into practice.

* * *

It was on a day like this when they first spoke.

In spite of being naturally good at gymnastics, which made the stunts during cheering easy to be performed, Kate hated it when people forced her to do quadruple cartwheels and be the flyer during cheering performances. But it was expected of her to be a cheerleader, and she could overthrow the current head cheerleader at this very moment if she wanted to. After all, her sister had been the Keira Willis, legendary valedictorian of Harrington School for Girls, who was also the head cheerleader and the captain of baseball team at the same time.

After cheering practice the squad went to the changing room to shower and change. Kate lounged in the shower stall, stalling time so that everybody would've left by the time she exited the stall. Swiftly she tugged on the school hoodie and a pair of black leggings, and jogged to the store room to get a volleyball.

As she threw the volleyball to and fro against a brick pillar, a familiar hoarse yet melodious voice spoke up. "Nice throw."

Kate spun around, the volleyball blurring into a bunch of blue, yellow and white. "I'm sorry?"

"You seem to be inexperienced, but you surely know a lot about volley, judging from your speed of releasing the ball and the angle of your throws."

"Uh, thanks," she murmured, and the volleyball player, still in her black jersey and shorts, walked towards her and sat down cross-legged on the ground.

"So tell me, why is this amazing volleyball player who's, sadly, not on the team doing at six in the evening at school alone, throwing a volleyball with stunning skill?"

Kate sighed.

"Long story short, I love volleyball, but I'm forced to be a cheerleader."

The Martins girl grimaced, thinking what it would be like if she were forced to dance when she adored volleyball.

"Anyway," the cheerleader spoke up. "I'm here only to play some volleyball without anyone knowing, but that obviously backfired."

"Do you want some pointers on how to play? I was going to practice my throws against a pillar like you, but I don't mind company." She offered, and Kate's grey eyes lit up.

"I'd love to," she softly said, stunned by her easy-going nature and helpfulness. "Thanks, -"

"Olivia Martins."

"Katherine Willis, but call me Kate."

* * *

"Liv!" A blonde joyously exclaimed, and dashed forward to engulf her friend in an embrace. Her friend laughed, black tresses with green highlights cascading down her shoulders.

"Katie! Heading to cheering practice?"

"Yeah."

"Do you want to stay for a little while afterwards? We could try a one-on-one.

"Definitely."

Olivia grinned, and Kate affectionately kissed her friend's cheek while biding her adieu. The blonde was feeling giddy, glad that she could learn how to play volleyball from someone who adored the sport as well without anyone's knowledge. It was a secret between her and Olivia, and she'd like to keep it that way.

She didn't notice that she bumped into another blonde when she walked along the corridor, making both of them drop their bags. "I'm sorry - Cat?"

Caitlin Wallace stood in front of Kate, her face masked in the usual cold, slightly condescending smirk. "Kate. Is there something you aren't telling me?"

Her mind instantly flashed to the late afternoon volleyball practices with Olivia. "Nothing, Cat. Nothing at all."

"Then explain why I just saw this," Caitlin raised an eyebrow and widened her cold, piercing blue eyes, holding her newest smartphone in front of Kate's eyes.

Kate's grey orbs skimmed over the picture displayed on Caitlin's phone, and her heart skipped a beat when she saw that the picture captured her kissing Olivia's cheek. "We're friends," she defended, keeping her face an emotionless mask.

"I didn't know you two were friends."

"We're friends, Cat. You just never noticed," Kate explained, when all she wanted to do was blanch and sprint away. If there were one person that she feared, it wasn't her mother or her father; it was Caitlin Wallace. She was the form representative with straight As, as well as the vice head cheerleader. She was known for her vice and malice and deceptive appearance, often reducing others to nothing more than a walking existence from a bubbly person.

"Really?" Caitlin challenged.

Kate nodded. "Her brother goes to the same uni as Keira. They would drop by for a visit with Keira when she returns home for breaks," she fibbed, internally marvelling at her ability to spin a tale spontaneously. She sighed out of relief when she saw Caitlin nod in satisfaction, dropping the subject and signalling her to go to cheering practice.

* * *

Olivia hadn't talked to her ever since she started seeing Kevin Morton.

She was saddened by the turn of events, for she wanted both her best friend and boyfriend in her life. Growing up in an all-girl's school, girl friends were an essential part in Kate's life, always supporting her throughout ups and downs. She didn't have many friends, but she treasured every one of them - especially Olivia.

Someone hugged her from behind. Kate turned around, hoping to see a flash of green hidden in black, but she was disappointed to see a handsome face with pecan-coloured hair falling over his black eyes. "Hey Kev," she greeted his boyfriend, softly pecking his lips.

"Katie," he said, kissing her neck, and she felt her insides stir. Katie was a name that only Liv could use; having someone other than Liv call her Katie felt unnatural.

"Stop that," she whined, and he laughed.

"Stop what? This?" He smirked, trailing kisses down her collarbone.

"Stop that, Kev. We're just outside the school gates." Kate complained, untangling herself from Kevin's arms. In her peripheral vision she caught Olivia staring at her and Kevin with a myriad of nameless emotions flashing across her beautiful emerald eyes. The volleyball player turned away, flipping the hood of her black hoodie over her hair, hiding the green streaks from slight.

"Kev -"

"What now, Katie?"

"It's Kate."

"Whatever. What the hell is going on? We've been dating for two weeks, and -"

Kate snickered. "What the hell is going on? Kevin, that's the problem. We've been dating for two weeks, and I know you only want to get me in your bloody bed. Sorry to burst your bubble, but this won't work. Now listen damn well, Kevin Morton. We're over. I'm not dating some guy that just wants me in bed."

"Like you aren't a virgin," he retorted, and she laughed out loud.

"You don't know me at all, darling. Not all blondes are dumb, and not all cheerleaders are what you think, Kevin," she sneered. "Now bugger off. I have somewhere else to be."

She took off, sprinting, and called. "Liv? Olivia?"

The black-haired girl halted, but didn't turn around. "What now, Katherine?"

"What did I do wrong, Olivia?" She implored, ignoring the pain searing in her. Calling her Katherine was like stabbing her in the heart, for Olivia had only called her Katie before - nothing else.

"Wrong? Wake up, Katherine Willis. How do you think it felt when a friend that you cherished suddenly ignored you?"

"I didn't ignore you, Olivia - you ignored me!"

"How did it feel to be ignored, Katherine? Seeing your best friend choose her boyfriend over you? How did it feel?"

"I'm sorry!" Kate yelled. "I'm sorry for ignoring you, because I didn't realise I was doing so! Dammit, Liv, you should have told me!"

Liv quieted. "I'm sorry I never said anything, then. Now it's my fault? How could I possibly look at you in the eye when I only wanted to - to warn you against Kevin Morton? My brother went to his school, Katie. He's bad news -"

"I know."

"He dated girls, he charmed them, and broke - wait, you knew?"

"He was harassing me, Liv. I broke it off."

"You - you broke it off?"

Kate nodded.

"Thank goodness," she breathed, and gathered Katie into her arms. She pressed a gentle kiss on her blonde friend's hair and murmured. "I'd never forgive myself if I let him break you. We're best friends, we're supposed to look out for each other."

"I'm sorry, Liv."

"Don't apologize, Katie" the volleyball player chuckled. "I'm glad we're okay."

"Me too, Liv. Me too."

* * *

"I wonder why they didn't admit they're together already."

"I'm sure Claire is going after Tracy but Tracy definitely is uninterested."

"Did you see how they banter? It's just like a married couple! Only they can't be married though. Such a pity."

Message after message flashed across Kate's computer screen, making her cringe. Liv was lounging on her bed, reading a book on sports injury, and she looked up from her book. "What's it, Katie?"

"Caitlin."

"Caitlin Wallace?"

Katie nodded. "She's sabotaging - anyway, I think you should see it for yourself."

Liv leaned across the gap between the bed and the computer and read. "Admit - together - married... Oh, dear. Poor Claire and Tracy. They're nice people."

"Yeah," she murmured, berating herself internally. If she hadn't been one of Caitlin's minions, she wouldn't have to pretend to hate Claire and Tracy and spread those godforsaken rumours about them. She was slipping down that treacherous slope - fast - and she could imagine and understand the pain and despair the other two girls were going through.

She couldn't help herself. She cared about Liv, she truly did. But at the same time she knew, deep inside, that it was so much more. She longed to wrap an ice pack around her wrist delicately to soothe the pain and bruises from hitting the volleyball with force. Seeing her best friend wince in pain whenever she used an overexerted hand to wrap an ice pack around another sore arm hurt her, but there was only so much she could do.

Insane, she chastised herself. It's just a bloody phase. Get over it.

 * * *

Over the next week, Kate saw Claire's deadly Facebook post. Claire was the walking dead: lifeless brown eyes were dead, limp auburn hair  framing her sunken cheeks - she was the death note, personified. Despite it all, Claire had still be at school, going through the motions of school, and keeping to herself.

Kate felt her heart crack a little. If Claire was bludgeoned into oblivion, for naught but a rumour, what would Caitlin do if she caught wind of the truth?

What would happen if Caitlin caught wind of her overly friendly feelings towards Liv? Would Caitlin do the same to Liv and her? She wasn't worried about being kicked off the cheering team - she never wanted to join an heat - but what about Liv?

Kate had seen what Caitlin's tactics were like first-hand. With Claire, she had broken a girl to seriously contemplate suicide; before this, she had tormented a girl until she voluntarily dropped out, and harassed a girl until she failed every subject and had to stay back a year.

She knew she cared about Liv. But was she willing to subject her to such torture simply by being her closest friend?

* * *

Kate heard, one day, one girl sobbing softly when she was heading to the changing room after cheering practice. It had been two years since Claire's suicidal contemplation was publicly announced on Facebook; and it was safe to say that the note changed her. She started paying attention to other people, learnt to empathize and sympathize; and the gentle evolution of her caring nature had earned her the nickname "Angel Kate" among the girls in lower forms.

She was now the head cheerleader, Caitlin having been kicked out of the squad after she was spotted making out with Kevin Morton in an empty classroom - Kate didn't even bother telling Caitlin Kevin was bad news, she just nodded and walked away when the PE teacher announced Caitlin was off the squad.

It was curiosity that brought her to the spot where a girl curled up on the ground sobbing, yet it was shock that empowered her when she reached the girl. She felt her grey eyes widen in astonishment as she took in the sobbing girl's countenance.

"L - Liv?"

The green streaks peeked out of the black curtain as Olivia looked up. She hastily wiped her nose with the sleeve of her hoodie, and then met Kate's gaze. "Katie?"

"Oh my goodness, Liv, what happened?" She squatted down next to the sobbing volleyball player, putting an arm on her shoulder. Liv gratefully leaned into her friend's shoulder, letting out a shuddering breath.

She shook her head. "It's - it's nothing."

Kate frowned, unaware of the inner turmoil her best friend was facing. So similar to her own it was, that it was nightmarish for Olivia, and bitter-sweet for Kate. "Tell me," the cheerleader prompted.

"You'll hate me for it."

"I can never be mad at you, Liv. Tell me please, dear, what's wrong?"

"I, I think, I think - I think I may be - be -" Liv took a deep breath, her eye shining with determination, and fear.

Green met grey.

Slowly, and hesitantly, Kate's grey eyes held more and more green, until green was all she saw, and a calloused hand softly stroke her cheek. She felt an odd sensation on her lips, the feeling so foreign, so unfamiliar, yet so warm and loving.

Unconsciously she leaned closer, closer, and closer, the emerald in her vision slowly morphing into ebony until all she felt was -

"Shit!"

Kate's eyes flew open, and she took in Liv's mortified face.

"Holy - dammit, I'm sorry, Kate, I didn't mean - I didn't - I -"

"Liv -"

"I - Kate - I didn't - I'm sorry, Kate; I have to go," Liv muttered the last four words, shot up from the ground and sprinted off, leaving a thoroughly confused Kate sitting in the playground alone.

Kate never got to know why Liv cried that afternoon, nor did she know what prompted Liv to kiss her. She was bewildered, hurt - hurt that Liv wouldn't tell her why she cried, why she wouldn't let her in; and most of all, confused. She wanted to refuse to acknowledge that her heart warmed from the kiss, as if the ice around her heart thawed and melted though she didn't know ice existed there in the first place. She couldn't tell why she almost cried when Liv's lips left hers; she wanted the sensation to persist, to liberate her from the stress from school, the pressure from living in Keira's shadow, the fear of Caitlin seeking revenge and plotting against her and Liv - everything.

But most of all, she didn't know why she didn't flinch away from the kiss.

* * *

Kate decided to take the matter into her own hands.

One late night she found herself in front of the Martins household, raising a clenched fist to rap on the wooden door.

Knock. Knock.

The door opened, revealing a black-haired girl with green streaks in her hair. Her hair was let down, the green in her hair blending with the emerald irises that looked so dead - so lifeless that it was heartbreaking to look into. "Katie?"

"Liv!" Without further ado, Kate launched into an embrace with Liv, holding her close. She combed her hand through her tangled dark hair, feeling tears fill her eyes as she inhaled the scent that distinctively belonged to her best friend. All too soon Liv stiffened, and untangled herself from Kate's arms.

"Katie, what are you doing here?"

"Can... Can we talk?" Kate whispered, and Liv's blanched. She shouted, telling her mum she was going out, and gestured Kate to follow her. They strolled towards the park, silence being their third companion. It was tense, yet serene; Kate had longed for Liv's company since she bolted. She had a confession to make - only that she was afraid how Liv would take the news.

They reached the swings, and Kate hopped onto one, slowly swinging to and fro. Liv sat on a swing next to her, staring at the sky, her green eyes reflecting the dim light from the street lamps, devoid of vigour.

"Why?" Kate softly spoke up, and Liv started.

"Why what?"

"Why," the cheerleader swallowed nervously and stuttered. "Why were you crying? That day, when we... I mean, before we..."

Liv let out a shaky sigh. "It... It was nothing."

"That didn't seem like nothing."

Another bout of silence dragged on before Liv started to explain herself. "It... well, it was silly, really; but I... I thought you would've made a guess and got the right answer already."

"I have my theories," Kate dryly said. "But I want to hear it from you."

Olivia sighed and turned to face Kate. It's now or never, she told herself. "I was scared."

Kate turned her head, such that her grey eyes mirrored Liv's emerald ones, and raised an eyebrow.

"I was scared, Katie. I didn't... I was confused. I thought... I thought I liked you more than... I thought... I didn't know... I... didn't... I don't like boys."

"Liv -" Kate felt her heart stop - out of joy or shock, she didn't know; but Liv's answer explained her doubts explicitly. "So... You... you like me?"

Liv nodded, lowering her head in shame and embarrassment.

Kate leaned in closer to Liv, resting her forehead against her best friend's. "you know, Liv," she whispered, her lips a hair's width away from Liv's, "I didn't flinch away that evening."

"Katie -"

Kate's eyes widened, and Liv was shocked to see the grey swim in the moonlight. "No, Liv, I... I was confused too. But then... I knew... I just knew... knew that it didn't matter." The cheerleader raised a slender arm and cupped the volleyball player's cheek. "Please, Liv?"

Tears fell from Liv's eyes, moistening her black hair and Katie's blonde locks. "K - Katie, are... are you sure about... are you sure about this?"

"I'm certain."

The blonde gently tilted her head, gingerly placing her lips on Liv's. There were no sparks, no fireworks; but somehow, Kate knew it was right, that nobody could convince her otherwise.

She knew Liv felt the same, too.

* * *

"Okay girls, let's call it a day. No practice tomorrow, so be back at seven in the morning on Thursday." Kate ordered, as the team completed their last cheer in the routine. The other cheerleaders sighed in content, and bid Kate goodbye with tired smiles as they dragged their exhausted bodies to the changing room. Kate would response with a smile and a small wave until everyone left the squad, and she'd sit alone in a corner to think of new stunts.

She was determined to be a good leader, and would train the squad with encouragement instead of an iron wrist. She had witnessed Caitlin first-hand and what her cruel tactics could do to a person; and she vowed to not be like her - after all, the head cheerleader was supposed to keep people on the squad and train them, rather than to put people off from joining the squad.

Kate had maintained the same routine for almost three years since she stepped up as head cheerleader to replace Caitlin Wallace. She'd stay behind for a while to formulate new cheer routines or to study, to wait for Liv to finish her volleyball practice. Then they would have an one-on-one training session or a match, in order to help Kate tone up her skills and let Liv spot any mistakes that her team members could make during a match or during training. The duo would then go home together, out of everyone's prying eyes and ears.

"Hey Katie," Liv greeted, a large smile on her face. Kate stood up and hugged Liv tightly, reminding herself to not kiss Liv on the lips while on school grounds where everyone could see them.

"Hey, love. How was practice?" Kate asked, linking her arms with Liv and walking towards the volleyball court.

"It's pretty good, actually. One girl was late by five minutes and then Coach Grayson made her do fifty hikes."

"Fifty hikes? That's painful," Kate winced, instantly sympathizing with the poor girl. "So, love, do you want to do a tutorial today, or should we do a match?"

Liv raised an eyebrow. "A match, Katie?"

"An one-on-one. We can correct each other's stance and stuff and you can then tell the girls what they should do or shouldn't do," Kate explained, earning a nod from Liv.

"You just want to have an excuse to be touching me on school grounds," Liv teased, and Kate nodded cheekily.

"Maybe," she smirked.

* * *

"So what do you think of our new routine?" Kate asked, as the couple hit the changing room after an hour. "I'm not sure if I should put in someone to fly. A flyer could make the performance much more stunning but I don't think I should use it again."

"Do you have a video of the routine?" Liv asked, and Kate nodded, handing her her phone. Liv unlocked it and keyed in the passcode, and found the video. She scrutinized the video, analysing the moves. After years of knowing Katie and watching her brother's girlfriend's gymnastic performances she knew something about cheering - at least, the stunts involved - and she'd offer opinions to Kate with a fresh perspective.

Three viewings later, Liv already had the improved routine in her mind. "I'm not entirely sure how to put it, but you can give a little twist to the flyer that you mentioned."

Kate raised an eyebrow.

"Can you get this gymnastics girl... What's her name again?" Liv frowned in concentration, struggling to remember the girl's name.

"Oh, Anna, you mean?"

"Anna, yes. You can put her on top of a two-tier pyramid and then have her do this really fancy spin jump forward, so that she lands in the hands of your other team mate. You know, like how the Olympic divers jump off the diving board and then land in water."

Kate thoughtfully mused and accessed the feasibility of the stunt. It sounded absolutely brilliant, but she also knew she couldn't risk to compromise the safety of her team if she trusted her lover's judgements solely. "I think it should work," Kate said after a minute. "I'll let them run the routine once with mats before I let them practice on their own step-by-step."

"I trust you, Katie. You and your team will do amazingly," Liv teasingly rested her hand over Katie's, intertwining their fingers. Katie faintly blushed, and led them both to the changing room.

As they exited the changing room and left school side by side, the street lights were already on. Twilight encased Ashgate Road, and not a soul was near the duo. Gently Liv took Katie's hand and linked her fingers with hers, and they both exchanged a warm, loving smile before leaning into a soft, quick kiss.

The couple continued their walk to their respective houses, revelling in their new-found, yet solid, relationship. Hidden in the dark it was, concealed from the world's privy eyes - darkness was the only place that allowed these two scorching stars to shine together, side by side.

Their relationship was clandestine. It wasn't ideal, and they had a long way to go before they would be accepted and welcomed.

For now, it would suffice. 

* * *

Love is love is love is love.