When the girls arrived last night, I learned that we indeed got into the second round. The judges thought my recovery from the fall was impressive enough to grant us a spot and I got more praise than I originally bargained for.

Oh well, my fan club is growing and we got in, what else is there to worry about?

Getting out of my car, I looked up at the familiar house. Pulling my sunglasses off, I sashayed to the front door and rang their doorbell, Evan's jacket neatly folded under my arm.

The door swung open and I was greeted with Evan's tired yawn, still clad in his pajamas. Lifting a brow, I gestured to his outfit, "I called you that I was coming."

"Doesn't mean I should get dressed up," he quipped, I stepping aside to let me in. As I passed by his figure, I thrusted the jacket in his arms.

"Thanks for that," I said, pointing to the article of clothing.

He nodded before his eyes zoomed in on my wrapped ankle. Looking right back at me, my expression fell and I shook my head, silently telling him not to question it.

After a quick look by the nurse, it was concluded that I sprained my ankle due to the fall. It wasn't really that bad, just a minor injury but they still had to bandage it up to help it heal. Technically, I shouldn't be just walking around so casually right now.

But this little thing can't stop me.

"How did you drive with that thing?" he asked, his tone light so that I wouldn't be mad at him.

"Automatic," I replied simply, limping right behind him as he went into the living room, "Only you here?"

"No, Erin's upstairs still in bed," he answered, going into the kitchen, "Want anything?"

"No need," I told him, looking around, "And your mom?"

He came back, holding a tall glass of orange juice and a piece of toast, "Work."

"It's a Sunday," I pointed out.

"Emergency business trip," he explained before holding up his toast, "Sure you don't want anything?"

I shook my head to decline his offer, "I do want to use your bathroom though."

He held out a hand and I just stared at it, questioning the gesture. Looking back up at him, he realized my hesitation so he spoke, "The toilet down here is broken, only the one upstairs is working."

So that's why he offered me the hand, he knew that I'm going to have some difficulty climbing up the stairs. Placing my hand on top of his, he led me to the staircase and allowed me to hold onto the rail with my other hand as he gave me the support I needed.

With every step, I didn't have to worry with placing the pressure on my sprained ankle. Once my uninjured leg took the climb, he'll tighten his hold and lift me up for the next one.

When we reached the top, I couldn't help but smile as I glanced down at the high steps that I managed to conquer. He tapped on my shoulder before pointing towards one of the doors, "It's that one, just yell if you need some help."

"You're not scared I might do something to Erin while you're gone?" I asked jokingly.

He shook his head before he let out a laugh, "You told me to trust you."

I couldn't say anything more after that. He nodded at me before going back down the stairs, leaving me there to sink in his words. He knows that I have this dislike of his sister, he saw how horrible my attitude is, and he heard from the others the extremes I take my tricks to. Yet he still trusts me just because I asked him to.

Turning around, I slowly walked to the door he pointed at earlier. Just as I was about to reach for the doorknob, it swung open.

I was expecting Erin to walk out, but what caught my sight was enough for my eyes to widen and to tell myself not to scream.

Gray Martyn was in the Matthews' bathroom in nothing but his jeans as he wiped off his face, his torso wet because god knows why.

Oh my fucking gosh.

When he realized that it was me, his mouth gaped as the towel he was using earlier fell from his hand and dropped onto the floor in the space between us. What the actual hell is going on here?

"I got one of my brother's shirt, it might be a little small but..." Erin came out of what I presumed was Evan's room, holding a plain black shirt in her hands. When she saw my figure standing there right in front of Gray, she gasped at the newest addition to the scene.

Another question: where is this guy's shirt?!

This is the one time that I would like it if that wonderful chest and those amazing abs are covered. Don't get me wrong, they're gorgeous, but in this situation, they're only making things worse.

I don't know how long the three of just stood there. None dared to make a move so we all stayed rooted out our spots. The white towel was forgotten on the floor, the once folded shirt was now just a crumple in Erin's hand and my shocked expression didn't falter for just a second.

"Clara?" we heard Evan yell from downstairs, "Are you okay up there?"

"My brother," Erin muttered under her breath, her voice filled with worry.

So I get it now, Evan is not aware that his sister brought the bad boy home. And from the panic evident in Gray's eyes, he doesn't want him to find out as well.

I'm really going to kick myself for this.

"Yeah," I called out, "I'll be right down."

Turning back to Gray, my shoulders slumped. I opened my mouth to say something but when I saw his face – a face of nothing but mortification, I swallowed my words. Taking a painful step back, I told him softly, "I'll always be your ally."

Those words seemed to take him off guard and I turned to the lamb, "I'm not doing this for you."

She was still a bit panicked from the idea of Evan finding out but because of my words, her expression morphed into a slightly frightened one. As I made my way to the staircase, I sat down by the rails, "Give me two minutes then sneak out."

"Clara, let me explain," Gray suddenly muttered.

Shaking my head, I plastered the fakest smile I had for a very long time, "It's really alright, Gray."

Heck no it's not.

I slid down the railings of the stairs, going down without inflicting any work on my ankle. As I reached the bottom, I carefully got down before walking to the living room where Evan was sitting by the tv.

His back was still turned to me but because of my lumpy footsteps, he probably guessed that I was already there, "I can't believe people actually watch this crap."

When I didn't reply with a snarky comment or even a hum of agreement, he turned around and his eyes widened, "Are you crying?"

I faced the mirror that hung on the wall. Even though the tears hasn't fallen yet, my eyes were already watery. Angrily rubbing my eyes, I shook my head and walked around the couch to sit next to Evan, my mind trying to decide what I actually want to feel.

All I know is that there's not a freaking smile on my face.

"Was the flush not working?" he suddenly questioned and I looked at him incredulously. He saw this and raised his hands in mocker surrender, "What do you expect me to think when you get out of the bathroom like that?"

I don't know, maybe because I found the guy that I've been trying to be mine suddenly shirtless with another girl.

I looked at the clock hanging on the wall, it has been a good minute, they only need another one before they can sneak out. I've promised Gray that I'll be his ally and I'm sticking up to it.

Even though every bone in my body has told me to just walk away.

"I should just give," I whispered unintentionally.

Leaning against the cushions, my lips turned into a frown and shook my head in a rapid motion, trying to tell myself not to cry. If there even a single tear that escapes my eyes, I'll punch myself on that ankle. If I can't hold myself together then I think I need to punish myself.

I cannot let myself cry because of this petty thing.

I felt a gentle hand on my head, stopping my movements. Turning to Evan, he was looking at me with those comforting eyes. He didn't ask why I was acting this way, but he simply wanted me to calm down.

And that was enough for me to burst into tears.

Well, not literally, but it made a few drops fall down my cheeks. I wasn't balling, but my face wasn't dry anymore.

"Evan?" we heard Erin question from behind us. I quickly covered my face with my hands and I'm thanking the heavens that our backs was turned to her so she couldn't see my condition right now.

Two minutes has passed by and we can all safely say that Gray was successful in his great escape.

"You're awake," he stated the obvious, "Not really a good time."

Of course she's been awake, she has been awake for probably hours.

"I'm sorry..." she trailed, "It's just that, I want to talk to Clara."

"Maybe later," he told her.

She paused for a while and maybe after some pondering, she spoke, "It's better to stop."

What else does she want from me? I'm already weeping here and she still wants to talk to me? There's nothing, nothing that she can say to smooth out this situation. If she wanted Gray before, she finally has him and she just rubbed it all over my face.

She just stole my man and she now wants to say that I should stay away?

Oh hell fucking no.

You want to play? I'll play.

Wiping the tears with the back my hand, I took deep breaths before shooting up from my sitting position. Slowly turning to her, she suddenly went silent and so did Evan.

My eyes were still probably red but I don't give a damn anymore. I shot her a smirk – a smirk of nothing but malicious content.

I've been playing games for years and if she suddenly wants a chance at the ball, then I'll entertain her wishes.

"I'll see you at school," I laughed lowly, making sure my shoulder bumped her as I was on my way out.

When I got into my car, I pulled out my phone from my pocket and opened the group chat I was in with the other girls from the team.

A reply came instantly after from one of them.

I smirked before tapping on my phone to tell them that all the holding in and self-control I've been doing is finally going down the drain.

Erin, you're just about to get the taste of how bad the blonde cheerleader can be. Remember, I'm the one that people think is a complete bitch and acts as the sinister antagonist of the story.

You're the hero in this world? No you're not, sweetheart.

I drove back home and when I got outside, I was surprised to see Gray's car parked right at my driveway. I noticed that he was still inside the vehicle, his ears were jammed with his earphone and he was wearing that black shirt Erin stole for him.

Ignoring him, I drove around and parked at the space next to my mom's car. He noticed my arrival and quickly scrambled around to get out. I watched him from the corner of my eye as he started to run to me with a single flower in his hand.

The poor thing looked like it was just picked up from the side of the road, it still had some of its roots, but the petals signaled that it was far from pleased because this guy just ripped it off from the soil.

Taking out my keys from my pocket, I walked to the front door and just as I was about to get in, I felt him grab my arm and turn me to face him.

Because of my ankle, I wasn't really in the condition to be flopped around like that so when he did, I quickly lost my footing and stumbled around.

He wrapped an arm around my waist to stop me from falling and when I looked up, my face was as close as ever to his.

Not today, mister.

Pushing him away, I stood straighter and attempted get out of his grip. But nope, he wasn't budging.

"Let me go!" I demanded, writhing in his hold.

"Not until you let me explain," he muttered.

"Fine!" I gave in, just for the sake of freedom. He slowly released me, making sure I didn't fall when he did. I blew my fringe out of my face and crossed my arms over my chest, tapping my foot impatiently on the ground.

Before he spoke, he held out the poor flower and gave me a cheeky smile, "I got this for you."

Oh the poor flower.

"You rough handled it," I pointed out, taking it gently from his hands, "Now what do you want?"

"I'm putting down my pride for this, you know," he grumbled under his breath.

My blood was starting to boil at this point and that's a record, I'm usually a puddle by his smile, but now, I'm fuming, "Lucky me, is that all?"

"I know you're about to get her back and I'm just saying it's not her fault," he said, "It's mine so can you leave her alone before this gets worse?"

Before I even made him choose a side, he already did.

"Do you trust me?" I questioned, my hold on the flower getting tighter.

"Yes," he replied in a heartbeat.

"Good," I smiled, before I painfully slapped the flower onto his chest, "Then trust me when I say that Erin Matthews will not have a happy sappy life."

"Clara!" he suddenly shouted, making me flinch.

He never raised his voice at me. Well, aren't we experiencing so many firsts today?

"Gray," I muttered softly, "I won't do anything to hurt her."

I won't hurt her badly... just a little bit.

Even with a broken ankle, I'm not going to hesitate to deliver a roundhouse kick if she steps on my territory again. My team is probably concocting a very amazing plan and whatever it is, I'm sure it would make me really happy.

If not, I'm going to take matters into my own hands.

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True love is when you still stay even if it changes to the point that it frustrates you. This is my current relationship with Wattpad, all I'm saying is I'm starting to get annoyed by all of these updates.

I don't know what miracle just happened last chapter that made us go up to 300+ comments, but that's amazing, I haven't see those numbers in a very long time so a big thank you to all of you. Silent readers, please don't be shy to speak up.

Question: What tricks do you want Clara to play on Erin?

Seriously Wattpad, get your shit together. I love you and everything, but your newest update with the home screen is just no.

But anyways, I love you guys, don't forget to comment, vote, and follow. I shall see you all next week with a new chapter.

P.S. Who read my other story Hollywood's Princess? Do you remember Valentine's best friend Adam? Well, he's getting a spin-off and it's up now on Radish. It's an app where many of your favorite Wattpad writers are distributing their work. If you haven't read HP yet then it's alright, it's a stand-alone book. Just download the app (available on iOS and soon for Android) search for the title, Writing's Second Taste, and give it a read. My username there is still yourstrulytrina. It's free so don't worry. A preview will be up here on Wattpad on the last week of March so if you can't wait, just go to the app (I'm starting to become a beg so I'll shut up now). If you want more infor, head to the chapter on HP titled 'Spin-Off'.