Oliver

"Let's go Lakefront!" Everybody clapped rhythmically as the school chant was shouted across the field.

"Tigers, you suck ass!" Wes shouted, with his hands on the sides of his mouth. Me and the rest of the wrestling group started booing. The people who were in purple, who were from the other team, shook their heads in disagreement. I mean, have they looked at the scoreboard?

Bears: 42
Away: 28

The game is almost over anyways. There's no way Smith could beat us with one minute on the clock. Maybe next time, Tigers.

The band was playing our school song as the crowd was singing to the beat. The cheerleaders were doing their pyramid stuff and holding their legs up to the sky. The mascot, Barry the Bear, was running up and down the sidelines, trying to lift up our school spirits, which is working.

I hate to admit, but I'm enjoying this football game. I started to smile at the atmosphere.

"Ooh, Ollie boy, whatcha smiling about?" One of the wrestling boys, Quentin, asked.

"Nothing. Just the school spirit."

"So, not any girl in particular?" I made a face and turned to him.

"Boy?" My eyes widened in shock.

"No, Q, I'm not gay."

"I'm okay with it by the way. #Loveislove." I shook my head at his foolishness.

"Who's gay?" Wes joined our conversation.

"No one is. Go back to watching the game."

"Nah, man. It's over." As what he said was on cue, the horn blared.

"Aaaand, that is it, folks! Bears won the game with 42, Tigers 28." The announcer said and the cheers got louder. A whole mass of people started to leave the bleachers.

After 10 minutes of following the huge crowd to the parking lot, my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Ollie!" It's Cassie.

"Hey, Cass. Did you see the game?" Wes perked up as he heard me say her name.

"Yeah! It was awesome! One of the best right now."

"True that." He got closer to me to listen to our convo and I tried to push him away.

"Sooo, Nat and I are going to Ocean Bar now to celebrate and I want you to come. You can bring your wrestling friends if you want."

"Um-"

Wes snatched my phone from my ear. "What the hell!"

"Of course we'll be there! Can't wait to see you!"

"Give me back my phone, Wes." I tried to reach for it, but he turned at the last second, making me stumble on my feet.

"Uh huh. Yes. Okay. Great. Bye! Can't wait to see you, gorgeo- Hello?"

I snorted. "Guess she didn't want to talk to you any longer."

"I usually would have gotten mad at you for saying that, but I don't care because your sister invited the guys, me, to an afterparty!"

"It's not an afterparty. It's not even a party. Calm down, Wes."

"I don't care what it is. I'm still going. I'm texting the guys right now to meet us there."

A group of guys + the girls + Wes = a horny disaster. And I got front row seats for it.

We finally arrived at the bar after a long drive. Even though it's 10 minutes away from school. But it felt like one because of Wes.

All he was talking about is how he would make his moves on my sister, which made want to punch him and throw up at the same time. But, he's the driver and I care about my safety.

When we parked, I saw Ricky, Q, and the rest of the guys waiting outside their cars. When Ricky made eye contact with Wes, he scowled and started talking to someone next to him.

"You guys still not talking?" I turned and asked Wes. He frowned for a split second before his face turned neutral. "Derantis is acting like a baby. It was just a fight." A bloody, physical one.

"You sure? It seemed like more than that."

"He needs to get it together. Tryouts are next week, and he has to make the team so we can spar, just like old times."

"Can you find someone else to spar with?"

"No." He replied quickly. After seeing my confused face, he sighed. "He's the only one who knows my strengths and weaknesses, and knows how to help me with certain moves when no one else can. He gets me...wrestling wise."

"Then I think you should call a truce." He scoffed at that.

"Have you met Derantis? He's the most stubborn guy ever. He was about to fight a ref after he called off a play that was clearly his fault." I smiled and shook my head. I remember that match. He would've got disqualified if it weren't for Coach.

"Give him some time. When tryouts come around, you guys will be back to bickering your heads off." Plus, I miss my best friends and I hanging out together.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Are we going in or what?" We all turned around to see Ricky, who was waiting impatiently.

"Don't get your panties in a twist, Ricky. Let's go." We all entered the building.

The bar was set up like you were underwater at the bottom of the sea. The ceiling had blue lights and moved like it was water. The walls had seashells plastered all over the place. The ground had dark wooden floors that sometimes made creaks every time you walk over it.

The guys sat down at the tables while I was still looking around at the place.

I turned and saw the alcohol on multiple shelves and memories came crashing into my brain. How I would get drunk and forget about the horrible shit that my sorry excuse of a dad caused my family. Man, thinking about him just makes me wanna punch the wall over and over and-

"Hey, Ollie." I blinked out of my thoughts and met Nat's gaze.

"What?"

"I said hey. Are you alright?" My face was still scrunched up from the memory. She must have noticed.

"Um, it's nothing. This place just brought back stuff that I wanna stayed buried." I scratched the back of my head and looked down uncomfortably.

"Because of your dad?" She asked quietly. I looked up at her green eyes, which were full of sentiment.

When I didn't answer, she sighed. "I know this is gonna sound weird, or 'un-Nat like' as you quote, but I'm here for you if you wanna talk about it. He's not shit, you know, and you, Cassie, and your mom deserve better than him. Like, 10x better." My mouth curled up a bit.

"Thanks. And you too, with your dad stuff." She laughed. "To daddy issues, again."

"Right on with that." I laughed right back. We were still standing and noticed that everyone else already sat down. We went to an empty table and pulled out the chairs to sit.

"Sooo, how was Operation Take That Bitch Down?" She shook her head. "First, it wasn't operation anything, that's such a dorky thing to say." I rolled my eyes. "And second..." She smiled brightly. "it worked!"

"That's great!" She was about to go in for a high five when I held up my fist. She paused, then curled up her hand and fisted bumped me.

"What did you say to her that made her back off?" Before she started to protest, I cut her off. "If I tell you, then I have to kill you, is what you were going to say, but I rather die knowing than live being out of the drama. Tell me."  I did the puppy pout thing, hoping it would work. But it didn't.

"Hi, guys! Welcome to Ocean Bar! My name is Tess, and I'll be your waitress this evening. Can I start you off with any drinks?" We both looked up to her.

"Coke," I answered.

"Water with lemon on the side, thanks." Nat said. When the waitress left, I snorted. "So specific, Nat."

"Shut up. Or do you not want to know what I told Lila?" She smirked.

"Okay, sorry. Now, tell me."

"Promise that you won't tell anyone, not even Cassie."

"You keep your own skeletons away from your other half? I'm shocked." And I'm not kidding. They tell each other everything.

"I'm serious, Oliver."

I low whistled. "Damn, you're serious. Fine, I won't tell. Your secret is safe with me. I'll even pinky swear." I held out my pinky.

"I'm not doing that. You're not gonna spill. I believe you."

"Do it."

She waited for a moment before giving in. "Whatever." She got her pinky out and we both locked ours together.

"So, what happen was-"

"Here are your drinks! A coke for you, handsome, and a water with the lemon on the side for you, Red. Can I start you off with any appetizers or are you ready to order?" Nat looked like she wanted to rip her head off.

"Can you come back to us, Tess? We haven't decided yet."

"Of course, gorgeous! Just let me know when you're ready." She bit her lip, and I watched her walk off.

I turned back to Nat. She was no longer frowning, but instead smiling her 'Miss-Know-It-All' smile as she opened her straw.

"What?"

"That waitress has it bad for you. Did you see the way she was talking? Or how she swayed her hips when she walked away? Called you 'handsome' and 'gorgeous'?" She snorted at the last part. "Like, come on. She's trying way too hard."

"I didn't notice it. It's not like I'm an expert when it comes to flirting or anything." Tess was really pretty, with her long brown hair, tan skin, and a body I know guys will kill for, but I didn't see her that way, and I never will.

"Anyways, we're off topic. You were going to tell me the secret. Now go."

"So Lila likes to..." She continued to talk inside her drink that I couldn't hear her.

"She what?"

"Lilalikestosleepwithherstepbrother." She said quickly. Okay, I understand that.

What? Cass talks that fast when she's telling me something exciting. But, I wanna hear it again to see if I heard correctly.

"Huh?" I faked, acting confused.

"Lila likes to sleep with her stepbrother."

"As in, they share the same bed and sleep?"

"No. As in, they have sex and screw each other."

"No way." That shit is disgusting, but hilarious. Like how in the hell? Is she that horny that she- I have so many questions, but don't wanna know at the same time.

"It's true. She told me when we were at a party. Get her drunk, and she'll tell you everything. Even her dirty little secrets." She smirked.

"Damn, girl. You're good."

"And I know it. Cheers to that!" We raised our glasses and they clinked.

"Now, let's look at the menu before your girl comes back to flirt with you."

"Sure thing, Red." She stared daggers at me. "Don't. Call. Me. That."

"Sorry, Red. I mean, Nat." I teased and she took out a knife from the silverware.

"It was an honest mistake! I'm not ready to die! I'm too young!" I put my hand on my head and closed my eyes, scared for my life. I sunk back in my seat, for more dramatic effect. I should really be in theater.

"And scene." I opened my eyes and see her staring at me weirdly. "You're such a dork."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

Speaking of drama, Tess came back to our table. When she saw me looking at her, she smiled and she flipped her hair back. Oh, I see it now.

"Are you guys ready to order?" We both nodded. She had her arm around my chair, which made her really close to me. I looked at Nat for help, but she was drinking her water, watching everything happen.

"I'll have a cheeseburger."

"And how will you like it cooked?" She turned to face me. I kept looking at the menu.

"Medium well."

"They come with fries on the side and pickles. Is that okay for you?"

"Yep. That's good for me." I replied quickly.

"And you, Red?" Nat's face went from her cocky smile to a frown.

"I'll have the avocado toast." I mouthed 'Red' to her and she wiped her eyebrow, subtlety flicking me off.

She collected our menus. When she grabbed mine, she leaned over a little too much, making me see her cleavage. I kept a straight face the whole time.

"Your face is priceless. I should've taken a picture. Cassie would enjoy it."

"Where is Cassie, anyways?"

Nat pointed at the bar. She was leaning forward on the counter, talking to some guy. When he turned around, my eyes widened. "Blake?"

"You know him?"

"Yeah. He was bartending when I was here the last time." I looked down at my Lakefront shirt. "Shit, he's gonna find out we're all high schoolers."

"I'm sure Cassie is gonna find a way to explain it." Blake gave her a drink, which I hope is non-alcoholic, and was about to pull away when she held his forearm down. He looked up at her and they both shared a smile. A type of smile that is a secret the two of them only know. Whatever they were talking about, it sure wasn't platonic.

"Or another way, hence, her body." Nat hummed in agreement. "Does she know he's legal? Does he know she's underage?"

"Yes and no. I keep telling her to tell him, but she won't listen. If she keeps this up, it's gonna end up a disaster."

"I don't want her to get hurt. Again."

"Me too."

We sat in silence as we watched the bar get filled in with new people.

Some guy with a microphone came up on the stage. "Hey, guys! Welcome to Ocean Bar. Today is Friday, and you know what that means?"

"Friday Night Karaoke!" The crowd shouted.

"The sign up sheets are going to be by the stage, so come and get her." The guy waved the clipboard in the air before setting it down.

Finally, our food came with a different server. As I silently praised thank you, Nat was already digging in.

"Wes! Wes! Wes!" The wrestling guys all urged him to go sign up. I joined in.

"I hate all of you!" He shouted and went to the clipboard.

A couple minutes later, a song that everyone knew blared on the speakers and Wes started singing. He did his God awful dance moves, took off his shirt, and threw it in the crowd. The wrestling guys acted like fan girls at a concert and tried to catch the shirt.

"It's mine! Yes daddy!" Q shouted in a high pitched voice and I bursted out laughing. When I looked over, Nat already had her eyes on me.

"What? Do I have food on my face?"

"No, there's nothing on your face. Just-never mind." She looked away.

I turned back and saw Wes twerking on stage. Everyone was laughing and singing along to the song. I got out my phone and started recording. "This is so going on Youtube."

-
A/N

Whaddup! It's ya girl, Meghan, back at it again with an update!

I think I'm gonna update once a month, which is what I've been doing for the past couple of chapters.

This chapter is one of my favorites. Nat and Ollie are not trying to kill each other, for once. And they make really good buddies.

There's gonna be more on the whole Cassie-Blake thing, sooo you don't want to miss it!

Tell me your favorite part of this chapter!

Feel free to comment, vote, or share!

Also check out my cover page! megbrocovers

-the main hoe, mb