I pulled up into the school with the backseat of my car filled with a huge amount of sunflowers. I honked my horn to signal the team who I told to wait for me so they could help me with unloading these pollen filled creatures.

We carried the flowers inside the building and I headed straight to Erin's locker after I told the girls to scatter the sunflowers around the school. I coaxed the student body president that what I was doing was a project for beautifying the school and she quickly approved. Besides, I'm quite friendly with her so she wouldn't really reject it as long as I pretend that all intentions are good.

Opening her locker with the combination I had, it clicked open and I placed a huge bouquet inside. Picking out the biggest flower, I tapped it at her door before I shut it closed. When I did, I jumped in surprise when I saw Evan staring down at me with a disappointed look.

"Why are you doing this?" he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

Tilting my head to the side, I spoke, "Have you ever been in love?"

He paused for a moment, thinking about his answer. He then shook his head as a reply, "No, I don't think so."

"Good," I nodded, turning on my heel, "I haven't been as well."

"That makes no sense!" he groaned as I walked away.

Vivian flashed me a smile as she gave me a thumbs up, confirming that they had done their job. As I passed by the doors, I saw Erin come in with her two sidekicks. Should I really bother with their names?

Let's see, I'll call the one on the right Side and the one on the left Kick.

Those two better be grateful that they have a spot in my memory.

Taking a spare bouquet from one of my teammate's hands, I approached the trio with the fakest smile, "Hey Erin."

When she noticed me her eyes showed caution as she took an instinctive step back. Raising my eyebrows, I mentally told myself to keep my composure, "I'm so sorry about the other day, I was just blinded by anger."

And still currently am.

"Okay," she squeaked out, taking another step back.

Calm, Clara. You're in front of everybody now.

"As an apology," I said, handing her the bouquet. Well, more like forced it into her arms, "I got you some flowers."

The moment it came to a close proximity, she started going into a sneeze frenzy, automatically dropping the bouquet onto the ground as she covered her mouth and nose.

I'm not even going to stick around because I know the result I wanted is already happening. I gave her a smile and herded the girls away as I went on to my first class – which I'm spending with Gray.

Since this was a class where our teacher said that our seat during the first day of classes will be our seats for the whole year, Gray and I have no choice but to endure this our spots next to each other for a full period.

But turns out, I didn't have to.

I don't know if he was absent or late, but he didn't show up. The desk next to me was empty and I just kept staring at it for the longest time.

Hold up, if he's late, it's done time for him. He has reached the maximum amount of tardiness that the principal allowed him ever since his suspension. If he's absent, he can just whip up a lie about being sick or something but the principal wouldn't believe him if he's late.

No, Gray can't get kicked out of the team. That's the only thing he has been rooting for ever since he got in.

I slammed my head on the desk, emitting a loud thud. The teacher paused in the discussion and turned to me, "Anything wrong, Harper?"

"My ankle suddenly started hurting again," I lied, sitting back straight, "I'm fine."

I told myself that I was going to stop concerning myself with Gray, why am I still worrying like this?

When lunch came by, I found out that Gray didn't even turn up to school. His lackeys already told me that they tried calling him but the nearest answer they got was a yell to leave him alone.

I'm starting to think that this was my fault, but then again, he shouldn't have acted like the way he did.

I stabbed my fork onto the overcooked slice of chicken before placing it my mouth, giving a sour expression. I didn't sign up for this!

He's controlling my life and I have to a put stop to it.

I've got the lunch covered, I talked sweetly to the cafeteria lady so she would serve the peanut butter cake that I ordered especially for Erin. She thought that it was a kind gesture from me since I told her that the lamb has been avoiding me and all I wanted was to apologize.

So the lady took the cake and promised to give it to her anonymously. It looked like a plain chocolate cake, but in truth, the peanut butter under there will show when you take a bite.

My image with the adults of this school is squeaky clean and I'm close to the student council. I've always made sure to cover up my tricks with good intentions so they'll think that it was all a coincidence.

Because let's be real, what evil mastermind will parade around his plan in a huge ass sign? Those always fail. You do everything in secret.

The fact that I've scattered sunflowers around the school didn't help her a bit. She sneezed at almost everywhere she went with her nose and eyes started to become red and swollen. Although I should be amused, I couldn't find the energy to laugh or even snicker at her misery.

At some point during the day, one of the girls informed me that Erin had to be sent home because her allergies were going whack. It was exactly according to plan, but somewhere at the back of my mind, I knew this was going to backfire somewhere.

After classes, I willed myself to practice. There was another football game on Friday and even though we still had plenty of time until the next cheer competition, I had the girls training for a routine so that we could at least show something during the game.

"Then you clap, walk," I said, doing what I was instructing, "Before you look back and pose."

They nodded and attempted to do my instructions.

After I did the basic routines, I started to plan the pyramid. Due to my still healing ankle, I was going to stay away from pyramids for a while since it's the reason why I can't walk properly. I assigned the girls to their positions before I placed Vivian to the top. It was a huge one so even though she's not the lightest, the whole team can support her weight.

I'll be the one clapping at the front of the pyramid, waving those ridiculous pompoms around.

Compared to the last game, I'll surely be less enthusiastic this time around.

Fuck Erin, fuck Gray, fuck Evan, fuck me.

After that, I rejected their plans to go to the pizza parlor and went straight home.

"I'm home," I yelled, slamming the door loudly behind me. My mother came emerging from the living room with a loud sigh.

"Clara," she groaned.

With a raised brow, I placed a hand on my hip, "What?"

I'm getting a strong sense of déjà vu here. What's next? I'll learn that the Erin and Evan are with their mother in the living room because Will invited them?

Walking past my mother, I stopped in my tracks when that was exactly the case. My gym bag dropped onto the floor as a gaped at the scene. Erin hid her expression behind her hair and Evan exhaled loudly, running his hands over his face.

You've got to be kidding me.

"Clara, you met the Matthews," Wil said, gesturing to the family mentioned.

I didn't even wait a second, I'm not even going to try, "I'm out."

"Clara!" the dear step-father called after as I kept walking away.

Nope, nah, and no. I'm not sticking around to find myself in another compromising position. That girl in there knows I'm out to get her, her brother is currently frustrated at me because I ruined his trust, their mother has no freaking idea what's going on, Will is a bastard, and my mom is acting like everything's alright when in truth, it's not.

Open your eyes, your daughter is about to lose her sanity!

I went outside and just like last time, I sat on the hood of my car. Folding my knees, I hugged my legs against my chest and I rested my head on them. I need to think of another plan, a plan that didn't require me to go crazy hell lady on anyone.

My eyes casted upwards and I stared at the stars once again. They were always there during the lone night yet it was like they lost their magic tonight.

And that was when I concluded something. I go to this default position because this is what I do in Gray's bedroom. I'll look up and pretend that the stars were still stuck to his ceiling. I'll just stare at them until I wait for him to wake up, until I can feel him wrap his arms around me.

When the thought that it might never happen again, the stars lost its touch in me.

I felt around to hold onto a can, but then I realized – shit, I forgot to grab a beer.

Hopping off the hood, I was just about to go around the house so I could sneak in through the backdoor. Before I did, the front door opened and I halted in my steps, turning to see who it was.

Just like the first time, Evan stepped out of the house. His eyes were expectant, as if he already guessed that I would just be sitting outside.

"Like the first time we officially met," he commented, closing the door behind him and slowly approached me. I stood up straighter and waited until he was directly in front of me, I gulped audibly and waited for the blow.

Surprisingly, he didn't yell, he didn't accuse me of anything, he just calmly spoke, "Back then I told you that I didn't believe that you would do something horrible for no reason..."

I nodded and waited for him to continue, "And slap me, because up until now, I still think that."

He asked for it.

I lifted a hand and sent it flying across his cheek. It wasn't hard or anything but it was enough for him to feel the impact. When I dropped my hand, he gaped at me and I shrugged.

Be careful what you wish for.

"I'm sorry," I muttered, "Abut Erin and about what I said back then, your family life is not my business."

Like what I said to Gray, I'm done.

What am I fighting for anymore? It's useless, I've been battling a one-sided war and scarily enough, I was the one who's losing. My pride is telling me that I've done enough now, it's time to move on for its sake and mine.

You know what's painful? I lost my bad boy and Gray lost his cheerleader.

The balance in our lives suddenly toppled over because of one girl. I can't wave my pompoms on Friday for Gray anymore, I lost my motivation. I'm sure Erin will do the job of being his number one supporter for me.

Just the thought that she will be the one to congratulate him first and not me just stabs me in the heart.

I felt Evan's good ol' karate chop and I lifted my head up. His eyes were sympathetic, as if he already knew what I was thinking. Biting my lip, I leaned forward and rested my head on his shoulder, "What should I do?"

Feeling him pat my back in comfort, he replied, "Whatever you want. The queen just needs to keep her head up or else her crown will fall."

So can I assume that I'm forgiven?

"I think I'm the antagonist of your sister and Gray's love story," I spat bitterly.

I heard him chuckle as he tried to correct me, "Perhaps, but you're the protagonist to your own story."

I straightened back again and stared at him as he continued, "So what will it be? Will you keep moping around like that or you'll be that fiery blonde that got me to hate her on the second I met her."

"Are you saying that I have an attitude problem?"

"Yup," he answered in a heartbeat, "But that's your shtick, you're not Clara Harper if you didn't have it."

This smartass really does know what to say to me.

I grinned before flipping my hair behind my shoulder, dusting off my skirt, giving him my most determined look, "Well, we can't have that."

Alright world, let's do a take two. This time, I'm charging forward without any hesitation.

I'm the cheerleader with the blonde hair and blue eyes, I made the good girl's life miserable, I used to be the bad boy's girl, and yes, I'm a bitch. I may have encountered a little hiccup, but be ready for me. I'm going to show everyone that I'm the one who gets chased, not the other way around.

I started twiddling my fingers, letting out a maniacal laugh. Evan tapped me on the shoulder to stop me from my inner monologue and I snapped my gaze to him, "What?"

"Not to rain on your sudden burst of motivation..." he trailed off, "But I think you have one more person to talk to."

"I just did a moment of self-realization, I'm not apologizing to Erin if that's what you're asking," I huffed.

He shook his head, "I meant the guy whose name sounds like the color in-between white and black."

I blinked at him as if he just told me to try to talk some sense into a goldfish that he needs water to survive after it refused to jump back into its bowl.

Wait, what was that analogy?

Anyways, the idea of me talking to Gray in civilized manner is really the last thing on my mind. I'm sure he hasn't cooled off yet and even though my confidence has burst through the roof, I'm afraid that I would snap the moment I see him.

As much as I hate to admit it though, Evan was right. I have to talk to him.

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It's not update day, but since it's almost Easter, I'll let you all off with a treat. To be fair, this is a little  short and more of a filler-ish chapter so it's not really much but I hope you guys liked it.

Still updating again this week. Not on Friday, but on Sunday. Same hour though so we're still good. We'll return back to normal updates next week.

Question: How do you think Clara's talk with Gray will go?

To be honest, I've drafted up to Chapter 25 (Spoiler: Different POV on that chapter) so that I wouldn't have any problems about updates for a while since I'm about to enter finals period and that I'm working on two stories at once -- this one and another on Radish Fiction. I would like it if I had less load so I practically just kept on writing the whole break.

Well, that's about it. See you all on Sunday, don't forget to comment, vote, and follow. I love you and shall talk to you once again next chapter.