Once again I catch a ride with Alex. When we reach school the basketball team approaches us. One of the good players, Joel, speaks up. "we have our first game today. Its against San Pedro Private."

"thanks for letting us know Joel." They all walk away and fear starts to take over me. "Hey are you okay?" Alex asks me looking at me with concerned eyes. 

"It was my old school." I stare blankly ahead and continue walking to the large 2 doors. He catches up with me and stands in front of me. "Are you okay to go?" 

"Yeah. You know what lets show them how awesome we are at basketball." I say trying to lighten up myself. He smiles then pulls my arms. "Come on, we have an hour til we go." 

Because we have a game we don't have classes. I spend the free time watching my brother playing football. I watch as he shouts out orders to his team. I now imagine what it would be like to watch Alex. What happened to him was purely out of jealousy and envy.

When its nearly time to leave I head to my locker and pull out my bag with my sports uniform. 

I go off to the gym and head towards the basketball team. "Okay that's all of us." Coach announces, counting us. "Let's go onto the bus and beat those Pedro Suckers!" Alex announces. We all cheer in response and load into the school bus. I probably have never mentioned this but our school, Harrowfield West is a pretty prestigious and exclusive school. So is the area around us. 

We take the twenty minute drive to San Pedro Private. It is also a school for the best. We are quickly joined by none other than Reigan. She was my best friend here in San Pedro. 

She guides us to the gym. As we walk we pass their football fields and see their famous team practising. The gym comes into view. Before we reach inside I go up next to Reigan. "Hey Reigan." I say casually.

She turns at me wide-eyed. "Rhea?" I smile and she returns it. She then hugs me earning me confused and strange looks from the coach and the team. After our hugging moment we continue the walk to the gym. "So how have you been Rhea?" "Okay I guess. But its Rayanne now."

"Why did you change it?" I sigh and drop my gaze so she won't see the tears forming. "I wanted to change for my parents. They got murdered a few months ago." I reply quietly. The smile leaves her face and she looks at me with pity in her eyes. 

Reigan was only one of my 3 friends that knew about my wealth but didn't befriend me for it here in San Pedro. 

"Does Tom still go here?" I ask hoping for a no. She sighs then links arms with me. "Yes he does but so what? let's continue on with our lives, forget the past and play basketball." I smile and we continue our way merrily. 

=~=~=

We get out of the change rooms and step into the gym. When our school, Harrowfield Private, excels at both academics and sport, San Pedro excels mainly in sports. You can tell they enjoy and take sport seriously here just by stepping onto the school grounds. 

We stretch and practise on the court. Their team comes out and that's our queue to stop. Even though I'm captain I tell Alex to go up for the toss-up since he's taller. Their team captain comes on and I freeze. Tom stands there smirking at me and that shakes me out of my daze. I glare at him and focus on where the ball is.

The referee tosses the ball and Alex pushes it towards our side. Joel grabs ahold of it and starts dribbling towards our hoop. Out of nowhere 2 of their members block him and he can't throw to anyone in front. He quickly glances behind him and spots me. I go a bit more forward and he throws it backwards.

From there i catch it and run to the 3 pointer line. I can see from the corner of my eye, Tom coming towards me. I take a deep breath and throw the ball. It circles along the edge of the hoop then falls in.

By the end of half time we are winning 37-25.

Tom gets ahold of the ball and dribbles towards his hoop. Alex and I sprint to defend and we stop him. He looks around for his teammates but they are still coming up the court.

He turns around and attempts to dribble around us. One of his teammates is open and he passes it to him.

Alex slaps the ball away just before the other guy catches it.  It bounces into my hands and I dribble to our basket.

Tom stops in front of me blocking me from passing. I step backwards and jump.

The ball flies out of my hands and drops down right into the basket without touching the edge or the backboard.

We win the game 78-39. We line up in front of the other team and shake hands. We say 'good game' to everyone but when I get to Tom I say nothing and don't look at him.

"Good game Princess." Is all he says then walks to the locker room with his team.

I am the first one to finish changing so I wait on the benches near the court.

Someone sits next to me and I turn to see Tom.

"What do you want?" I say harshly, bitter memories flood back to me.

"I want another chance." He says quietly.

"Oh really? Well I am not going to risk going through that pain again."

"Calm down Princess. I swear I won't hurt you again. You have to understand that-"

"It wasn't your fault. Yeah well I don't believe that crap. You have control of your own actions."

"I'm sorry."

~Flashback~

I am dancing with Reigan and Tina at an end of school party. Tom left me a few minutes ago to go and get us some drinks.

"Hey I am just going to go to the bathroom." I tell Reigan. She nods then continues dancing.

I walk up the stairs of John Connor's mansion and try to look for a bathroom.

I see John himself and go up to him. "Do you know where I can go to the bathroom?"

"Down the hall third door on your left is my bedroom. You can use it since all the other rooms are.... occupied."

"Okay thanks." I start walking when I hear John say the words 'I'm sorry' really quietly.

I turn around and face him. "What?"

He just shakes his head then heads down the stairs.

After I do my business I close John's door then walk down the hall to the stairs.

In the room close to the stairs I hear a muffled scream.

I walk slowly to the door and find it ajar.

I push it open ever so slightly then peek inside.

A gasp escapes my lips and i run downstairs.

~End of le flashback~

Tears well up in my eyes and I turn away from him.

"You hurt me. There is no excuse."

I stand up and attempt to walk away but he grabs my wrist.

"I was drunk please give me a chance."

I take in a big gulp of air and turn to him.

"We aren't together but we can start off as friends."

I can tell he's disappointed but he covers it with a smile.

"I will get what I can grab but one day I will prove to you that I am the one for you."

I then walk away without being grabbed.

"Rayanne." I see Reigan coming.

"Yeah." 

"There is something you need to know."

(A.N): Attached pic of Reigan, played by Indiana Evans