The last day before Homecoming...

"Tomorrow's going to be the biggest night ever," Kendal gushed as she, the other heroes, and I made our way through the hallways of Centennial Grove High School. The air was full of excitement as the students were looking forward to the homecoming parade later this afternoon when everyone wasn't preparing to get tickets for the game and dance tomorrow night. And of course, I had to make my appearance at both events (if I wasn't called to save the world again).

But the main thing that was on my mind was the biggest decision that I had to make. Three ultimatums, one path for me to take. And yet... I felt like the decision I had to make was one that I was ready for.

So why did it feel like things were going to go sour on me?

"Focus, Skylar," one of the allies, a plush Latina sophomore named, Yesenia, said as I was soon handed a cup of coffee. "We need you on your A-game at all times, especially for today and tomorrow. You got a big decision ahead of you."

"Thanks, Machado," I replied calmly, pausing to drink the beverage briefly. "I was deep in thought."

"We can see that," Rogelio remarked. "You know that we're only being hard on you because you know of the stakes, right?"

I nodded. "I already know of the answer that I'll give during halftime tomorrow. I actually have half a mind to give my answer now."

"Ah, but anticipation is the key to keep people wanting to know," Jamal piped up as he gave me a pointed look. "You can wait until tomorrow to give us the answer. But we all know that you will make the right one. You hold the keys to a future of plenty or a future full of hardships. Our good graces are all up on you, bro. We all hope you'll take good care of it."

I inhaled deeply, catching sight of the scowling Greenlee as she walked past me and shot me a glare of her own. And I knew that I needed to clear the air with her. "Drake? Jorge?"

"What's up?" Drake asked as he and Jorge came to my side.

"Set me up a meeting with Greenlee Sammons," I said, keeping my voice formal. "I think it's time to clear the air with her regarding her ultimatum. And I feel that it's only fair that I let her know firsthand before everyone else does."

"That's a bad idea, if you ask me," Brian commented. "She should be able to wait until tomorrow like everyone else."

"Yeah," Dominic remarked, nodding earnestly. "Not only that, she's not going to want to hear anything unless it's the answer she wants to hear."

"But I know I won't sleep easy until I can be sure that I can truly set the record straight with her. And if she has any problems with that, then it's on her."

Everyone looked at each other. "Okay," Kendall said calmly. "But I think that you shouldn't be alone when you do talk to her. I can be there."

I shook my head. "This has to be between me and her alone," I said, my tone brooking no argument.

"But Skylar-" Jorge protested.

I held up a hand to cut him off. "I'll let you guys know when things do get nasty," I promised. "But I need to get through this for my sake. For the sakes of those who suffered before me by her. Tell Sammons to meet me during lunch."

Brian nodded. "We'll get it done," he promised me. "But the moment that things do get south or if Pinero gets involved, you let us know at once."

"I give you guys my word."

And as the bell rang to signal the start of the day, I knew that today and tomorrow would be eventful for everyone. But I would be affected the most.

***************

"Sammons, I'm glad that you agreed to meet with me on such short notice," I said as the dark-haired beauty (her dressed like Britney Spears for 'One More Time') came into the conference room of the main office with the Lewis duo playing watchdog (Kendall's condition, of course). "I'm going to cut straight to the chase since I'll be pressed for time all day today."

"That's fine by me," Greenlee said, sitting down in one of the chairs as I sat across from her. "Just as long as you tell me that you're going to make the right decision and will cut all ties with the YHA for good."

"Well, you're going to have to wait until tomorrow like everyone else will as I was told to wait as well."

"So why even bring me here?"

"Because I feel like it's time that I cleared the air with you. You said that in the beginning, you never saw me as a threat because I initially wanted nothing to do with Drake and Jorge. And I believed you because I was prepared for a senior year where I would fight to keep my distance from them and their friends. In all fairness, I should've stayed in the living room when they were heading upstairs. But unfortunately, I knew that things would have a way of making sure that I would be brought to this point one way or another. I would be facing the same three ultimatums from you, the others, and even Enrique Pinero and his clan. And I would have to have the same talk with you today."

"And, so what?" Greenlee challenged, her voice calm yet full of exasperation. "O'Hara, I know that you want to have your life back and I want Drake and Jorge by my side. And this can all be over if you make the best decision for you and me. Just tell me whether or not you're going to renounce the Youth Hero Alliance and you'll break up with Jorge and Drake. And while you're at it, you need to let me have that fine piece of ass named Enrique Pinero. I can benefit from having three fine guys wanting to have me as their girlfriend. You might face a lot of heartache and backlash, but you can live a normal life. And everyone else can find someone else to moon over. Everyone wins."

"Greenlee Sammons, you are really an annoying and demanding brat," I interjected. "I was hoping to keep things civil between us, but you're still acting like you can be the next Bella Swan or Elena Gilbert. And believe me when I say that you can't even compete to be like Nina Dobrev or Kristen Stewart. And as for the guys, they have no interest in you since they are as gay as a Pottery Barn during Pride Month. But you are free to pursue Pinero since I have ZERO interest in him whatsoever. I can tell you that right now. Back to the matter at hand, you can't just claim someone who has no interest in you like you want a doll that's been saved for someone else. The guys aren't prizes to claim as your own. And as much as it pains me to say it, you need to move on and let them go. Good God, girl! Get a clue, get a grip, get a life, and get a hold on yourself. Let things be and move on with you life."

"But-"

"No, Sammons, it's time for you to wake up and smell the cups of freshly-brewed tea. You're a scorned woman with so much to offer to someone else, but your obsession with Drake and Jorge is getting very old and very tired. Please, for your sake, just let them go. And as for your ultimatum, I will let you know what I choose tomorrow like I will with everyone else at halftime during the game."

Greenlee pursed her lips, eyes narrowing in silts. "No matter what you say, O'Hara, I know that Drake, Jorge, and Enrique are meant to be with me," she said in a clipped tone. "And I won't be happy until you make the right choice. But I'll wait until tomorrow. Just know that the wrong choice will signal your end."

With that, she stood up and stormed out of the conference room.

"What are you going to do, Skylar?" Principal Lewis asked me. "You know that tomorrow is going to be one that will change your life one way or another. Are you sure that you know your decision?"

I sighed. "All I know is that tomorrow is going to be memorable for everyone," I replied just as the bell rang. I bit back a groan, knowing that I didn't get a chance to eat. But I had to prepare for the final fitting for my designer tux anyway. So I couldn't even complain about that to the others. Reap what you sow and all that.

***************

The homecoming parade came and went with a small hiccup featuring one brokenhearted jumper that I had to coax alongside another bank robbery. And after two hours of training and the tuxedo fittings, I was back home with my parents as I was still facing homework assignments. "Make sure to get enough sleep tonight, Skylar," Dad instructed. "After tomorrow, you got a swim meet on Saturday plus your house party after that. Sunday will be about family and your friends- the YHA ones, that is."

"Yeah, Dad," I replied tiredly. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough, I thought as I got down to my homework assignments. But no sooner than I sat down at my desk when my phone rang. Rhea. "Hey, I just got back home," I said. "What's up?"

"Listen, Sky, I just got something that you're going to want to see," I heard her reply, her voice thick with seriousness. "I know you're bogged with homework and shit, but you need to take a look at this. I sent you the video message and everything in the text."

"What is it?" I asked.

"I gotta go, but promise me that you'll make the right decision when you do watch the video," she said urgently before disconnecting the call.

I sat down the phone, knowing that homework had to come first before anything else. Then again, I also knew that Rhea had something important to share. Studying could wait a little longer. I grabbed the phone and opened Rhea's message to me, the message reading "URGENT! Big factor in the plans!"  I pressed PLAY, telling myself that I would be ready for what was coming.

But five seconds into the film, things were starting to unravel once again. And from there, the game was about to change.

Cumulative word-count so far: 24,772 words.

Ah, shit! What was on that video that would have things come unglued? Well, that'll have to wait because there's going to be one more game-changer coming up as Skylar gets ready to make his decision in the next chapter! And this one...is sadly going to be tragic. Don't go anywhere!

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