"This evening is going to be a pain," Gray groaned from his position on his bed as I rolled my eyes, zipping up my dress from the side.

If he thinks that this was going to be a pain then for me, this is going to absolute torture. I'm the one under interrogation tonight and even though the spotlight does belong to me, I'd rather shove it off onto someone else for this situation.

Adding up another problem, my mom has gone eerily quiet. I've been going home, but I purposefully timed it so that I wouldn't run into her or Will. Usually, when I have these melodramatic breakdowns, she would be trying non-stop to contact me, but now, one missed call plus a text message and that was it.

Maybe after handling this problem then I'll go to her.

Bending down, I grabbed my shoes before sitting down on the bed so I can put them on, "It doesn't help that I have a competition tomorrow."

"You girls will win that, I'm as sure of that as I am that we're going to win our championships," he stated, shooting up from his position and pressing a soft kiss on my shoulder, "After that, you'll go to the state finals, right?"

I hummed in confirmation with a smile, strapping on my heels before standing up, turning to him and gesturing to my outfit. He smiled softly before nodding in approval, "That's my girl."

"Thank you," I laughed as I reached out to grab my clutch, "Okay, I'm ready."

Getting up on his feet, he grabbed his suit jacket and swung it on before opening the door for me, "If they ask, I picked you up from your house."

As if I'll tell them that I've been staying in their house for the past week.

I'm still trying to comprehend what was behind Bryan's mischievous tone during that time. All I know is that it will not be good for me or Gray.

Then again, if he pulls any dirty tricks out, he should remember who he's dealing with.

After locking up the house, we got into the car and proceeded to drive to the restaurant that they told us about. I looked it up online and let me tell you, it's fancy.

Full on snobby waiters and a hundred dollar for a piece of leaf kind of fancy.

Stopping right at the front, raised his finger to tell me to wait as he got down before going around to open my door for me, "You're a gentleman tonight."

He shrugged as offered his hand, "I'm always a gentleman."

I held back a snort before taking his hand and stepping out of the car, "Yeah right."

"Only to you, babe," he chuckled with a suggestive wink while he took the piece of paper the valet employee handed to him with a polite nod. Hand in hand, we entered the restaurant and as we got greeted by the maître d' that was rooted by the podium.

"Good evening, do you have any reservations?" he asked with a formal but gentle tone.

"We're joining the others under the name Martyn," Gray easily replied and the man looked into his monitor screen before nodding.

"This way, please," he said as he stepped down from the podium and led us towards the table where Gray's parents were already seated.

It was a round table composing of six chairs and I sighed at the reminder of the other Martyn. Although during dinners with Gray's family, the fun was actually the guessing game in which we all have to find out who the eldest son brought to be his date. That, and his feeble attempts to get into their mother's nerve without being too obvious about it.

These two adults should be damn happy that their younger child only brought one girl consistently for the past two years.

Plastering a smile, I greeted them with a sugary sweet tone, "Hello Mr. and Mrs. Martyn, thank you for inviting me."

Translation? Get me out of here.

"It's our pleasure, Clara," the matriarch grinned as she offered us to take our seats.

Translation: I don't like you.

"Have you two ordered yet?" Gray coughed out, pulling out my chair as he gestured for me to sit down.

Meaning, please let this be over soon.

As Gray acted as a barrier between his mom and I by claiming the chair between us, his dad shook his head, "We were waiting for you and your brother."

In other words, they were waiting for Gray and his brother.

Well, at least one of us were saying their actual thoughts.

"So Clara, how are you?" she questioned with that fake ass pleasing tone, flashing us her pearly whites.

Translation... oh you know what? You people have already figured out that everything was going to be plastic tonight.

"Good," I grinned, opting to go with the short and non-complicated answers so she wouldn't be able to find an opportunity to Segway towards another topic that may lead to her badmouthing me.

Because I know her tactics. The moment I met her, I already knew her intentions. Although she couldn't say anything horrible about me at the first time, the few other meetings obviously showed that she was starting to become more hostile.

Ma'am, I should tell you that no one else could manage and handle your son's shit except for me so you better be thankful. And one more thing, no sane girl would succumb herself to repeated meals with you unless she was dutifully loyal to her boyfriend.

"Oh here comes Bryan," his dad announced as his eyes were trained behind me, his stature now obviously relieved to have found a way to cut through this compromising air. I took a deep breath and willed myself to turn around and look at the older Martyn.

Freezing on the spot, I tensed my muscles in an attempt not to gape at what he calls 'lady friend' or whatever he titles his dates to these things. Judging from the sharp intake of breath from the guy beside me, Gray was as shocked as I was.

Bryan had an arm around the blonde beauty as he marched up towards us. I tried my hardest not to gasp as Kelly walked with all the grace in the world, her lips poised on a permanent smile.

In Gray's exact words, this evening is going to be a pain.

"Everyone, I want you to meet Kelly," he introduced, gesturing to the former head cheerleader.

I don't know if Gray's parents haven't met her yet in spite of how serious Gray claimed their relationship to be in the past or if they simply forgot. The two adults greeted them nonchalantly and told them to sit down while a waiter passed them their menus.

Oh and get this, Kelly sat on the chair next to me, making my nails dig into the table as I tried to make sure my grin didn't falter. Knowing myself, the sugary sweet expression has now turned into something that would make the Joker proud.

Maybe because I ignored her the whole time because when she finally settled down, she seemed genuinely shocked to see me there, "Clara!"

Hearing this, Mrs. Martyn strayed the rim of the glass from her lips as she eyed us two carefully, "You met already?"

"Oh yes," Kelly nodded enthusiastically, "Clara was one of the freshies in our team during my time as cheer captain."

Alright, what gives?

"So you went to high school with my boys," Mr. Martyn observed and she once again stated her confirmation.

She's too cheery, even for Kelly standards.

Guard up, it's time for battle.

The waiter came and took our orders and it was the silver of peace amongst us. No one was stealing suspicious glances or such, all of us concentration on saying our preferred food to the man holding a notepad.

"So how are your parents, Clara?" Mrs. Martyn questioned, lacing her fingers together on top of the table, "It seems like we haven't met them yet."

How come I'm the one being interrogated when there's Kelly here who they just met today?

Smile, bitch, and let's just go through with this, "My parents are divorced," I informed, "I live with my mom and my step-father, but I often visit my dad."

Although with the way things are going, the arrangement will turn out pretty different soon.

"Oh I'm sorry," the judging glare she had on gradually softened at the new piece of information and I held back an are-you-fucking-serious kind of exasperation.

Not all divorces end up with a child weeping in the corner. I'm not that mad about it, I'm angrier about the reason they separated.

Hearing that your mother was cheating on your dad was not a good way to go.

"It's alright," I shrugged lightheartedly, "They still talk on some occasions."

Most of the time, mom complaining about me or dad asking her if I could go visit him.

"So do you get along with your step-father?"

Nope.

"We're on good terms," not.

As the waiter arrived with our orders, Mrs. Martyn turned her attention away from me and Gray took it as an opportunity to lightly touch my thigh to make me face him. He gave me an approving nod while mouthing, "Sorry."

There was only one person Gray and Bryan Martyn was afraid of, and that was the powerhouse known as their mother.

"It's okay," I whispered back.

Kelly suddenly cleared her throat loudly and my shoulders slumped at the interruption, looking over my shoulder to glance up at her, she signaled that it was just something stuck in her throat before averting my gaze by taking a drink from her glass.

I'm amazed at my temper right now. This is perhaps the most patient I have been for a while.

I don't really know what Bryan's planning nor can I find a reason for the sudden way Kelly was pulled into this again, but there are three females on this table that has a knack for sticking to their opinions so...

This is going to be entertaining as hell.

"Kelly, how are you with Bryan?" their mom once again started firing questions, thankfully it wasn't on me anymore.

"We're great, Mrs. Martyn," was her preppy reply and I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes, "We've ran into each other recently and it just went on from there."

"I hope you get along well," she nodded, "And with Gray too, of course."

Woman, you have no idea how well she got along with your two sons.

"Can I go to the restroom?" I asked just for politeness as I folded up the napkin on my lap before properly setting it down on the table.

They showed their confirmation with a subtle nod or a hum as I slightly pushed my chair back and stood up. Perhaps the employees wouldn't be too bothered if I let out a scream inside the ladies' room. If I don't release some frustration right now, this is going to be completely unbearable.

Of course, this was the perfect moment for Kelly to also excuse herself, "May I go as well?"

I eyed her uneasily but I simply clamped my mouth shut and walked by with her following a step behind. Although she was the epitome of confidence as she walked in her high heels, I could tell by the way her fingers fiddled with themselves that she was doing her best not to suddenly blurt something out.

And true to my thoughts, the moment I closed the door, she jumped up to her own defense, "Clara, please trust me that whatever intention you think I have right now, it's not it."

"I know that you wouldn't simply do this out of nowhere," I stated, looking both of our reflections through the mirror, "So I can't comprehend this situation."

Which was saying a lot because I can usually figure things out quickly.

She paused to grab her lipstick from her purse before uncapping it, "Bryan invited me, I never thought that you two would be there."

The way she was so casually standing there, her lips puckered up as she swiped a fresh layer. One of her knees was slightly bent as a hand rested onto the counter, producing an aura of being completely unshakable.

But I've seen her crack a few times and there was a single reason for all of those occurrences.

"Why did you cheat on Gray?" I questioned tactlessly without any warning. She froze from applying her lipstick, slowly turning to me with her eyes wide as saucers.

I gripped the edge of the sink but I didn't allow my expression to falter. Whether or not I deserve to know, I have this unsettling feeling that I want to. Why did she throw it all away when Gray treated her like a queen?

The only reason why Gray became a complete douche was because of her. The only time he ever loved someone and that girl broke him.

And I still can't comprehend why.

She exhaled loudly, dropping her lipstick back into her clutch, "There are many things that I regret and getting into bed with Bryan on that night was one of them."

I only blinked at her as my response and she took this as a signal that it was okay to keep on talking, "I see the way he looks at you and those subtle touches, I can't believe that I threw a guy like that away."

"Then why are you not stealing him from me?" I asked with a raised brow, crossing my arms over my chest.

I'm not really willing to challenge her, but if you think of it from my perspective – she, who is very like me, knows what and how to get what she wants. How come, having the full access to him right now, she isn't pulling any moves?

"Because you're the one with him right now," she answered with no trace of resignation, "I would willingly kick any girl's ass if she ever comes near something I desire, but it's you who's making him happy, it's you who has him wrapped around your little finger, and I can't get myself to duel with you."

"Why?" I breathed out.

She smiled softly as she placed a hand on my shoulder, "Because you never looked down on me because I was some blonde cheerleader and you never feared me, you just treated me like your normal senior."

Because she literally was my normal senior.

"If I can't have Gray back, I'm glad that it was you who got him," she muttered, "Tell him I'm sorry for me."

My legs felt like jelly after her small speech and I had to shakily go up to the wall and lean on it for the sake of me not sinking to the tiled floor, "You know, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have Gray right now."

"Because I would still be dating him?" she tilted her head to the side, her blonde hair falling off of her shoulder.

Shaking my head, I explained, "Because he wouldn't feel the pain of having your first love, he wouldn't be jumping from one girl to another, he wouldn't be so doubtful of relationships and commitment, he wouldn't..."

"Clara!" she called out to stop me from my ranting. When I looked at the gentle look on her face, I realized that no matter how high I think I am, I would still have a long way to go. Kelly may be a horrible person to everyone else, but she was still that girl who would be the one to give me the pep talk of the century when I was breaking down.

She did it to me on my first competition, she did it before leaving for graduation, and I think she's about to do it again.

"People make mistakes so please don't follow my footsteps on this one," she told me, "I heard the continuous rumors about Gray and I've been living in constant guilt that I was the one who made him into that, but during this evening, I couldn't believe a single horrible word said about him because I saw how he acted with you."

If I learned correctly from this girl and if it was true that I picked up her habits, she was about to deliver a killer one-liner right this second.

"You didn't tame the bad boy, you stood by his side without any intention of changing him."

"You can't force people to change," I pointed out and she nodded, "They have to do it on their own."

"Exactly my point," she extended her arms with a grin, "Now let's head back out."

And then I was reverted back to that freshman who stood nervously on the mat, scared that she wouldn't be able to make it into the team. Then there was Kelly, who gave me a light pat on the back as a source of encouragement. The day I approached her to teach me most of the moves I've seen her do so smoothly was the day I solidified my admiration to her skills and leadership.

She swung an arm around my shoulder as there was now a lighter bounce to her step and I couldn't help but say, "I knew I got my attitude from you."

"And that's why I you're still one of my favorites."

Although we were now waltzing back with some happy face, the nearer we came to our table, the heavier the air felt. There was tension, judging from the way both Gray and Bryan dramatically waved their hands in the air as their mouths rapidly spouted out some words directed towards their parents.

"He ruined everything for me," Gray growled, jotting a thumb towards his brother's direction.

"It's because it's always Gray this and Gray that coming from these two!" Bryan furiously stated, pointing at the two adults.

As the sun was shining brighter on our side, there was now a forecast of dark clouds on theirs.

"Calm down you two!" their mother demanded, "Do you think it's easy for me hearing about what the other people are saying about you both?""

"It would have been avoided if you didn't raise a fucking son who sleeps with other people's girlfriends!"

Bryan glared at him as he retorted, "Don't act innocent with me, I know you had sex with Clara the same night."

Their mother looked livid at the information her sons were saying and Kelly was mortified on the spot as she gasped towards my direction, causing me to internally facepalm at how bad this was going.

Well, the poor guy needed a shoulder to sleep on.

"And I'm still with her," he pointed out, "And I am because she was the only one who fucking stayed with me after all the shit you caused."

"Stop it!" their father finally spoke up.

If the usually calm dad burst out like that, you know we're in deep shit already.

"Gladly," Bryan huffed, pushing himself up before storming out of the restaurant.

Gray's eyes turned into slits as he followed his actions. His chair scraped against the floor and he marched out through the doors, leaving his parents shell-shocked.

So does that mean that we're skipping dessert?

Suddenly, Gray came in once again, his eyes scanning the whole restaurant. I could see his parents perk up, but when his eyes met mine, he easily passed by the table they were once occupying.

With the scene that just happened, we have managed to gather quite an audience.

He took my hand in his and gently tugged me along with him. His steps were still heavy, but they were now slower, an indication that he was making sure that I was able to keep up with his pace.

Like what I said before, people doesn't need to change, they do it on their own. I never asked Gray to come back nor did I ask him to slow down. Heck, the Gray I know would just leave so he could cool down on his own.

But he didn't, he went back in and pulled me with him.

When we got out into the cold night, Bryan was leaned against his car, a cigarette in between his lips. Gray didn't much as look at him when he directed me to the direction of his car. Before we got far thought, Bryan called him out, "Oi little brother, let's settle this."

"Put off that cigarette," he muttered, "Clara hates them."

"Clara, Clara, Clara," he dragged on, "Look at you, you get laid by this and you're already turning into a huge ass softie."

Asshole, I'm wearing heels so if you haven't gotten stabbed by a stiletto before, then I suggest you stop talking before you do.

"Will you stop acting like children?!" came in the new addition to the scene, Kelly, "All I see are two boy fighting over a fucking toy, in this case, your parents' approval!"

"You have nothing to do about this, Kelly," Bryan told her, "Even Clara has more of a right to interfere."

She stopped right in-between the two boys as she swapped her gaze from each of them, "I still care!"

"If you cared then why did you sleep with me in the first place," he hummed, bending down to her level, his brown eyes challenging her blue ones.

I could practically see something snap in her. She lifted a foot and kicked him right in the crotch and I flinched, as if I was the one she hit. Bryan groaned, clutching the area as dropped onto his knees and she didn't stop there, she continuously started to scratch him with her long nails and punching him with her fist.

Oh yes, get him. Use that left hook, girl.

I was not informed about this, go get me some popcorn.

"I'm over it," Gray shrugged, wrapping an arm around my waist, "You two can do whatever you want, I already have what I need."

The two of them stopped on their scuffle to look at us and that was the moment Mr. and Mrs. Martyn walked out of the restaurant. They weren't pleased a single bit but a time off from their children appeared to have calmed them down significantly.

They observed the position we were all in and Mrs. Martyn let out a long sigh, "I don't want to know."

Trust me, woman, you do.

She turned to me before she glanced at the way Gray held me close to his side and once again, a sigh escaped her lips, "I won't really be able to do anything about you."

She then went over to where Kelly and Bryan were situated on the ground. She opened her mouth before her shoulders slumped. Shaking her head, she turned on her heel before going to where their car was parked.

Mr. Martyn jammed his hands in his pockets before shrugging towards us, "You got her temporary approval."

My eyes widened and then he stepped to the side too stared at his older son, "Go and drive your companies home, then I want to see you both at the house by nine, we have a lot to speak about."

I bent my head lowly while he went off to follow his wife. Looking over my shoulder, I watched as Kelly scrambled up before reaching out a hand to help Bryan back onto his feet, "Sorry."

He hesitated a bit by staring at her offered hand, but finally giving up, he took it and she carefully pulled him as he spoke, "Sorry too."

Well then, that was fairly easy.

"Come on," Gray said as he guided me away from them. As we were out of earshot from both Kelly and Bryan along with their parents, I started to laugh and he did as well, throwing his head back in amusement, "That was a rollercoaster."

It was ridiculous, completely insane. I've been picturing a sane dinner where all of us would be plastering fake smiles and such, what I didn't imagine was all of us managing to create such a scene in the middle of a restaurant. Entertaining as hell though.

"From start to finish," I added between giggles, "But hey, compared to having sex with you right after you saw your girlfriend in bed with your brother or a drunken midnight trip to Walmart for a damn cupcake, I'll say it was a pretty chilled day."

We kept replaying the events that happened, from the minute we stepped into the restaurant to the way Kelly proved that once again, cheerleaders have some muscle in them, add some sharp claws and they can beat you down with no problem.

"Home sweet home," Gray declared as he pulled up in front of my house.

I gave him a sarcastic look and he chuckled, finding humor in my annoyance over this household. With a groan, I unlocked my door my door as I unfastened my seatbelt, "The least you can do is to stop with those remarks as an apology for tonight."

"Nah," he chuckled, "I'm good."

Stepping out, I bent down so I could still directly look at him, "I hate you."

"Hate you too," he teased before showing me a grin, "I'll see you tomorrow."

With a playful pout, I stood straight before closing the car door. Stepping back, I waved at him as he drove off onto the streets once again.

Looking down on my wristwatch, I prayed that mom and Will were already in bed, but it was only half past eight so that was quite impossible.

Climbing up towards the porch, I took out my keys from my clutch before proceeding to open the front door. Slowly stepping in, I flinched when my shoes clacked against the floor.

So much for stealth.

I stopped for a full minute, my ears now open to find out if anyone heard me. Although there were no voices, I could identify the faint sound coming from the living room as a familiar tune from a tv commercial.

Walking towards it, I saw my mother poised on the couch – she was in her office clothes with a bowl of ice cream on her lap as her eyes stared blankly at the tv screen. Dark bags were under her eyes and the way that there was some other bunch of junk food laying on the coffee table, I don't think I want to ask.

She cheated on my dad and now the guy she had an affair with was now cheating on her. Poetic justice, isn't it?

I positioned myself right next to the couch, waiting for a reaction from her. When she didn't even move a muscle, I reached for the remote to mute the tv and once again, nothing.

"Mom!" I practically yelled and I watched as she slowly blinked before turning to face me.

"Clara," my name escaped her lips, her voice cracking in the process.

Complicated relationship or not, she was still my mother.

"Alright," I sighed, tossing the remote on the coffee table before plopping on the sofa next to her, grabbing a bag of chips in the process, "Let's hear the tale of how you ended up like this."

"It's been a long day," she murmured, "I'm betting you're tired."

Mother, I've been tired since the day I learned about math.

"Never stopped me," I shrugged, popping a chip into my mouth, "Now come on."

----------------------

Moved in my things into my dorm today so that was fun... sort of. Anyways, how was your week my darling readers?

I'm well on my way with finishing this story, I'm working on the epilogue now then I'm going to move on with the Evan chapters so you wouldn't be left out of updates while uni tortures the hell out of my brain and time.

Dedicated to BlueCrewTrojan_8 for the cover.

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow. I love you guys and I shall see you all next chapter!