Here is a picture of AnnaMae as a reminder

+++++++++

Levi's POV

You aren't good enough to be quarterback. You aren't good enough for her. You aren't good enough to be alive. Why did you live? Why? You should have died. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN YOU.

His screaming sends a jolt through my body, waking me up, gasping for air. It's been awhile since I last had a nightmare about Jack and I know it's my growing feelings for Bailey that has my guilty conscience tossing and turning at night.

I let out a deep sigh, trying to regulate my breathing when I notice the time projected on the ceiling reads 5:00 a.m.. There's no point in falling back asleep when I would be getting up in an hour anyway. Instead I climb out of bed and decide to clear my head by going for a run.

++++++++

Jogging while the town sleeps is oddly satisfying for me. Everything is hushed. No birds chirp. Cars don't drive by. I can run in the middle of the road without having to move to the side every couple of minutes. It's just me and the sun slowly waking up together. I jog down the block toward the gas station listening to my feet make contact with the pavement and the farther I distance myself from the comfort of my home, the clearer my head becomes.

Bailey wants me to go after my dream of being quarterback and finish my last year of high school doing what I love, but no matter how hard I try to mentally prepare myself for what should feel natural, I can't shake Jack out of my head.

I proved that yesterday to the entire team and school that I'm not ready. My leadership skills were weak. My body froze when I needed to make a split-second decisions and I had the wind knocked out of me. The team probably thinks I'm a failure, and it's true, I'm no Jack Daniels.

I continue to jog down the only hill we have in town and turn towards Main Street. The stores are all closed but the American Flag continues to sway in the town plaza, greeting me with a morning wave and as I make my way passed it, I nod out of respect for what it represents.

One day I hope to bring my kids here and watch the flag wave in harmony with the morning breeze as the sun rises, letting our town know a new day is upon us; just as my father did with me when I was a kid. When I look around at all the beautifully aged buildings that our great, great grandparents built for us to achieve our dreams, I am reminded that this town is my home, and always will be and if I want to chase my dreams, I need to learn how to get Jack out of my head, if only it was that easy.

I stop in front of the Sears to catch my breath and check my heart rate.

"Morning Levi. You're up early. Working hard for the football team?" Hunter Haywood's dad waves at me from the Sears Auto Service Center and I return the gesture. I can't remember the last time I saw Jerry, or anyone from Hunter's family.

"Yeah, trying to work on my body for hell-week. How are you Mr. Haywood?" I pant, wiping the sweat off my brow.

"Ah, I remember training for hell-week. Those were the days and you know better; call me Jerry. Well, to be honest, it's no fun slowly losing your job." He points his wrench up at the sign and I remember overhearing that when the store closes the auto shop will go too.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. Everyone needs a mechanic! Have you thought about working at Mr. O'Malley's shop?" I ask. Jerry's once cheery morning smile quickly shifts into a more grim- sinister look. His eyes darken and I swear I heard a flash of lightning somewhere in the distance. He's always shown me kindness but within a split second he changed into a completely different person. Now I know where Hunter gets it from.

"I know I'll be fine. I've always picked myself up by the bootstraps. I don't need you or anyone to tell me what to do or who to work for. Mr. O'Malley and his entire staff can go to hell. I don't need them," He spits.

"Oh, okay. Well I have to get back home. School day." I quickly take my leave with shivers still running down my spine. If there's one family that does not deserve to live in this town, it would be the Haywoods.

On my jog back home I decide to swing by the cemetery to pay tribute to Jack. I know I need to get him out of my head but the thought of parting ways with him, pains me. When I arrive, I notice three yellow dandelions sitting in front of his grave and I toss them to the side; he doesn't deserve weeds.

I sit in front of his headstone and tell him how I'm working on my body again to get back into shape for hell-week but how my mind probably needs more attention because I had the wind knocked out of me and had to leave the game early. If he was there, he would have laughed.

I apologize if my relationship with Bailey upsets him, but there's something about her that I can't seem to stay away. Maybe it's how different she is since Jack left or maybe it's that I think I can make a difference in her life. It's probably because I've always admired her since we were kids playing in Hunter's backyard. Jack always knew a part of me was attracted to Bailey and he made it clear to both Hunter and I that she was off limits. Jack always brought up my weakness for girls and how quick I am to fall head over heels and how Hunter was the opposite, always willing to fuck them and leave them. Jack didn't want our friendship ruined by him having to kill one of us to protect his sister's honor. Ironic, since he was so willing to marry her off to us when we were in elementary school.

I laugh to myself as those memories flood in. Bailey used to complain that the game, Kings and Knights, never ended how she wanted it to but she's always been a bit bratty like that, and extremely stubborn, and probably the feistiest girl I've ever met, but when you catch her at the right moment, she can be genuine and sweet. Those are moments I strive for. To see her smile, and watch her teeth shine off the sunlight, while letting out a bellyache of a laugh. It's rare when it happens around me but it's worth everything.

My mind once again wandered off track, thinking about her as it always seems to do when given the chance. I wonder if she ever thinks of me.

++++++++

Georgia's POV

I toss my bag into the locker and grab the books I need for my next class. Ever since Bailey and Levi started this 'pretend' relationship, I have to walk the halls alone. When I close my locker, I notice Jake standing there.

"Hey Georgia," he says.

"What do you want?" He already embarrassed me once this week by eating lunch with us, now he's showing up at my locker?

"I was wondering, since we are both in Chemistry together, if you would be my lab partner for the next project?"

"Isn't there any other sophomore who can be your partner?"

"There is, but I figured since you're a freshman you probably aren't friends with anyone in the class." He states.

He has a point; being a freshman in a sophomore class does put you at a disadvantage. I knew I would regret taking freshman courses over the summer.

"Well, I was planning on asking Jessica to be my partner," I admit. Jessica is one of the smartest kids in school and our future valedictorian. With her as my partner I would easily maintain my 4.0 GPA.

"I already asked her, and she told me she was partnering with Carson," Jake admits.

Of course, Carson would be the first to ask her to be partners; he's nearly flunking the class and Jessica is too sweet to turn someone down. I eye Jake up and down analyzing my options and I have no reason not to say no. Bailey's words play through my head, get out of your comfort zone. "Fine, but you better not bring my grade down!"

The bell rings and Jake escorts me to Chemistry.

"Also, don't sit with me at lunch! It was embarrassing," I scowl.

"Okay then," He replies.

Bailey's POV

Memories. That is the first thing that hits me when I walk through the door. On one hand it feels like the first time I've been here because of how forgein my presence is, but on the other hand, it feels like I found a piece of myself that I didn't realize I had lost. A piece so tucked away that only being in the same spot could unlock the memory.

I quit gymnastics when I entered high school. Eleven years of dedication I decided to walk away from. There was no reason for it besides wanting to do something new and be someone new once I entered high school.

Now I stand in what used to be my second home for the first time in almost a year and by looking around not much has changed. You still have to cut through the store in order to get to the locker room and the building still smells like sweaty feet but after awhile you get used to it.

I do a quick stretch then start with the pit. It's been forever since I've tumbled and landing in foam puts me at ease. The repetition of the movements is calming. When the muscle memory kicks in, I can almost auto-pilot; my body doing the work for me. After a few roundoff back handsprings and back tucks, I'm in serious need of water.

My panting echoes against the barren gym walls. After I finish drinking, I notice I'm one of maybe three or four people today. Days like this were my favorite because I would have access to all the equipment.

"Can you move? You're blocking the water fountain," a voice calls out, breaking my concentration.

I look over and see AnnaMae standing with her hands on her hips, eyebrows raised and lips curled. After a quick once-over I notice she's wearing black Soffe shorts with a pink tank top and of course, her lucky pink scrunchy in her hair. I'm immediately taken back to a time when AnnaMae's mom used to take us both to practice.

Ms. Hancock used to be a very prominent mother figure in my earlier years. During our practices she sat in the upstairs room, watching over us, taking notes on how we could improve. She used to give me tips and helped me perfect the back tuck. She even bought me my first leotard with a matching purple scrunchy. AnnaMae had the same one in pink. She called them our lucky scrunchies.

AnnaMae dreaded going to practice and used to throw tantrums every car ride. She hated tumbling because it interfered with her social life. I was the opposite, so eager to learn and fly in the air. For me, gymnastics was something I didn't have to share with Jack. For her it was something she wanted to give up for Jack.

With the amount of time we used to spend together you would have thought we would be best friends but there was one thing that always came between us, Jack Daniels. It all started when they were twelve, AnnaMae and Jack Daniels on and off again relationship but their feelings for each other go even further back. Their love caused our hatred.

"Um, hello? I said you're blocking the water fountain. I want a drink," she says again.

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry," I say and step aside.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" she asks.

"Wanted to relieve stress and thought some tumbling would help," I say.

"Cool, just stay out of my way," she grumbles.

"Oh, I plan on it," I turn on my heel and head toward the balance beam.

I climb onto the beam and stretch out into the splits then swing my leg up bringing myself into a handstand. Observing the near-empty gym upside down brings back the memory of my first time on the beam.

I was six and the other girls were too afraid to give it a shot so I volunteered and like everything in gymnastics, it came natural to me. After that, I became addicted to the feeling of the four inch beam under my feet. Knowing at any moment I could lose control over my body and succeeding in completing my landings, was exhilarating.

Still upside down with total control over my core, I slowly bend backward into a walkover and once I'm upright on the beam again, I do a couple of aerials and a back tuck off the end, landing back on the mat. The adrenaline rushing through my veins is a reminder of how much I miss all of this. If I don't make the cheerleading squad, maybe I should look back into gymnastics.

Out of habit from competing, I throw my hands up in the air, looking around the room and my gaze lands on AnnaMae flying on the uneven bars. Right away I can tell she has no control over her speed to dismount properly and sure enough her legs bends to the side but her right ankle doesn't follow, letting out a yelp and grabbing her leg.

I want to ignore her and mind my own business but Dakota's voice inside my head tells me to take this as an opportunity to mend any hardship between us and I hate it when he's right. After a minute of bickering with myself, I throw my hands up in defeat and grab the first aid kit, padding across the gym.

I grab a hold of her ankle, that's already starting to swell, resting it on my lap, as I unpack the first aid kit.

"What are you doing?" AnnaMae cringes.

"I saw you twist your ankle when you landed and my instinct was to come help you." It's half-true.

"This doesn't change anything between us," she rolls her eyes but doesn't fight me on it.

"Good, you're mean to me, anyway."

"What? You're mean to me too!"

"Only because you were mean to me first! If you acted nicer toward me, I wouldn't have to defend myself! I was actually hoping to be your friend before you and Hayley stuck your pins into that voodoo doll of me."

"I have to be mean to you because Hayley is still in love with Levi and she's my best friend. Plus, I think it's really shitty of you to date Jack's best friend although you know he would forbid it."

"Well I think it's shitty of you to date Jack's best friend right after his death too. Looks like we're in the same boat."

AnnaMae's eyes widen at my comeback and looks away, I assume in embarrassment, "It's complicated between us but Hunter is no Jack and I miss him."

"Yeah, that makes one of us," I mumble under my breath.

"What?" She asks.

I decide against venturing down that path and instead I change the subject. "Nothing, but you should tell Hayley she is making herself more miserable waiting for a guy who isn't interested in her."

She snickers, "Trust me, I've tried. I don't know what it is about Levi, but she's put a target on your back because of it."

"Well, he's actually not a bad guy, when he's not being annoying. Plus, he can be nice sometimes and he's not a player like Jack always made everyone on the football team out to be," I snort.

"It doesn't bother you at all dating him even though it's going against your brother's rules?" She asks, and the question seems genuine coming from her. I can't lie, the thought ran through my head a couple of times but then I remembered all the goals I wanted to achieve that Jack prevented and how many rules he set for me.

Most people would see it as a caring older brother protecting me but I always saw it as his way showing me who had the power in our family. For the first time ever, I feel like I can step out from his shadow and be my own person and finally have the chance to achieve those goals.

"You know how suffocating it is to live under someone else's control? Especially when that person is no longer with us?" I ask and AnnaMae mumbles under her breath but I choose not to pry. "Well, It's extremely suffocating, and I decided I'm not going to let Jack dictate my life decisions anymore. Dead or alive. It's time for me to be my own person."

I smile up at her, "You know I've always admired you. Growing up you were one helluva gymnast and seeing you make cheer captain as a sophomore was pretty cool. It must feel good to accomplish the goals you set for yourself." I finish tightly wrapping her ankle. "All done. It should heal in a few days."

Half-expecting AnnaMae to scold me for the compliment, I'm surprised when she remains silent, holding no facial expression for me to analyze and I can't remember the last time we held a decent conversation. Wanting to end on a high note, I pack up the first aid kit, taking my leave.

"Thanks. Um, do you need a ride home?" She asks.

"Thanks, but Levi is picking me up after his workout. See you around," I wave.

++++++++

AnnaMae's POV

"Mom, I'm home." I drop my keys into the bowl and hang my coat up, Bailey's words still replaying in my head, -suffocating living under someone else's control. I know exactly what that's like and I had no idea she felt the same way.

Maybe Jack's decisions were controlling and not protective as we all assumed. Maybe he was hurting her more than helping and now I've taken over that role, acting as Jack's replacement, judging her for her choices. Who am I to tell her what to do?

Mom waltzes into the foyer, wearing a sequence red dress that drapes from her shoulders, down to the floor and then some and slowly sways back and forth with her hands delicately waving at our imaginary audience, pretending to thank them through hand motions and over exaggerated facial expressions. I exhale a deep breath, she's doing it again, reliving her glory days.

It's not until she glances down at the bandaged ankle that she stops dead in her tracks. "AnnaMae Hancock what on earth did you do?" she wails, shuffling over in her skin-tight dress.

I roll my eyes, "It's not a big deal. I just landed funny while working out. It will heal in a few days. I'm going to change and hang out with Hunter."

"I don't know why you are still with that boy," She gripes.

"Because you told me dating a football player would help my future," I remind her. That's all I heard my entire life. The importance of being a leader and dating a leader and in high school cheerleaders and football players are the leaders. I can still hear my mother's rant in my head.

Look at your father and me. He was the quarterback and now he's the mayor of the town and I was the cheerleader and supported his dreams and now we are living them! That's the life I want for you! You won't get that if you hang out with the wrong crowd doing drugs with dropouts. Leaders belong with leaders and you AnnaMae are a leader!

Little does she know about Jackson and our secret hangout place under the bleachers, smoking what she refers to as, the devil's grass.

"Dating a quarterback will help your future. What is wrong with Levi Bedford? Judy is in my book club and a very nice lady and Hunter doesn't have a mother for me to hang out with!"

"It's not Hunter's fault that his mom abandoned him and I told you, Levi rejected me. Plus, now he's dating Bailey Moretti."

"What does that Bailey girl have that you don't? More family drama that's for sure," She chuckles.

"What's wrong with Hunter? I thought you liked him?" I ask.

"That was before all this drama with his family. Because Sears is closing, Jerry lost his job and now they are moving into the trailer park at the edge of town. Imagine the rumors that are going to spread! That's going to be so much stress on you as a seventeen-year-old when instead you should be focusing on the parade coming up in August. Have you even started choreographing your dance routine?"

"What do you mean Jerry lost his job and they're moving into the trailer park?" I ask, ignoring everything else she said.

"Yeah, the ladies were discussing it at the book club last night," she affirms.

What? How did I not know any of this?

Hunter's POV

After our team workout, I follow Levi back to the locker room, wanting to chat for a minute before the team arrives.

"Are you fucking Bailey?" I explode, slamming my fist against a locker, rattling the others in a domino effect, making Levi jump at my entrance.

"Why do you care?"

"Just tell me."

"Dude it's none of your businesses. She's my girlfriend." He points to his chest. Girlfriend. It slips off his tongue so easily.

"Why are you even with her? What's your angle? You know Jack protected her from you. He would be pissed!"

"I'm protecting her now. She's my responsibility and I'm protecting her from men like you. That is what Jack would really want," he retorts.

"Bullshit. You always wanted Bailey, that's why he put that rule in place to begin with, because of you. But of course, as soon as you killed off Jack you fucked his little sister and now you're going for quarterback. I guess you do get everything you want."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Levi marches over closing the gap between us.

"AnnaMae told me you want the quarterback position. Good luck prying it from my hands. You'll have to kill me first. Oh wait, that's right, you specialize in that."

"Stop saying I ki-,"

"What the hell is going on in here!" Coach Miller storms into the locker room with the team idling out in the hallway. "I can't have my two best players, going at it like two kids on a playground fighting over a damn toy. Get your heads out your asses before one of you crosses the line and I'm forced to throw you off the team."

"Sorry coach," Levi apologizes like the ass-kisser he is.

"I'm going to make sure you don't get everything you want. I'm going to make sure you get everything you deserve," I hiss under my breath before leaving.

~~~~~7/9/20 • 3890 words~~~~~

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