Unlocking the front door, I slid into the house with Gray right behind me. Due to the fact that I wanted to avoid any contact with his mother before the dreaded dinner, we though that it would be wiser to go to my house instead.

"I haven't been in here for some time now," he pointed just as I closed the door behind him. Rolling my eyes, I wanted to yell at him again for having the nerve to break one of our windows. Mom already gave me an earful when she saw and I transferred that scolding to Gray, plus adding a few not-so-decent profanities along the way.

In the end, he paid for the repairs before buying me a large ass teddy bear to get back into my good graces.

As we entered the living room, we saw mom on the couch, an apple on one hand with the other hovering over the keyboard of her laptop. Still clad in her office clothes, she attempted to do some work while the television provided some sort of background noise.

I cleared my throat to gather her attention and she looked up from the screen, removing her reading glasses and setting it down on the coffee table. She opened her mouth to greet me, but the words died down in her throat when she saw the boy standing next to me.

Switching my gaze from her to my boyfriend, I smirked before hugging his arm, "Mom, you've met Gray before, right?"

Her expression became more stern as she crossed her arms over her chest, standing up from her position on the couch, "Yes, but I think a reintroduction is needed."

Stretching out an arm, Gray tried to present her a polite smile, "Gray Martyn, ma'am, nice to meet you again."

He was clearly putting up an act and I knew that he was doing his absolute best to not laugh when we saw mom's jaw slowly drop as she numbly lifted a hand to shake his. While she was still in shock, I laced my fingers together as I dropped the bomb, "I'm officially going out with Gray, mom."

She looked like she was about to faint and I don't blame her. Gray Martyn, this town's notorious bad boy, what most mothers gossip about keeping their child away from, the same guy who she almost caught sneaking out multiple times, the reason why I usually don't come home, the infamous player, was now her daughter's boyfriend.

In my opinion, it was better this way. Only I can understand him in the way he wants and if you forget all those rumors about him, he's a really great guy deep inside.

"We're going to study here," I told her, dropping my bag on the sofa.

She was still processing the information as she slowly nodded, walking out of the room with her laptop under her arm. I held back a snicker as I bent down to grab the remote and turn the tv off.

"Do you think she hates me?" Gray questioned, settling down on the couch, "Scratch that, I already know that she hates me."

Darling, she hated you the day you first walked into this house back in sophomore year so don't be so surprised nor be disappointed.

"And that makes it all the better," I grinned, taking the spot next to him.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to the space in-between his legs, "I don't want that, I need your parents' approval."

Sorry to break it to you, honey, but my mom doesn't like you and your reputation. Dad, on the other hand, is still so sold on Evan that I fear that he wouldn't favor you if I told him that I rejected him in exchange for you.

"You don't need that," I grinned as he placed his chin on top of my shoulder, "And besides, when did you care about these kind of things?"

"When it was about you," he replied simply, lifting his head and when I turned my face, we were inches apart.

Shaking my head, I lightly pinched his arm, "You corny little shit."

He shrugged as he leaned forward, "You know it."

Before our lips can come together, mom came barging in once again and I instinctively stood up, hitting Gray's chin in the process. He groaned, plopping sideway to lie down on the couch as he clutched the affected area.

"What happened to Evan?!" was the first question she said.

Gray quickly glanced up at the mention of the other boy and I internally cursed. That's not really something you should say when my actual boyfriend was inside the room. Especially if that boyfriend kind of knows that the said guy actually used to like me.

"I was never together with Evan," I informed, placing my hands on my hips, "He just went to Hallie's wedding with me."

"Don't remind me," Gray muttered gruffly behind me.

That was the time you were an idiot and a jerkass. Though you still are, now you're my idiot and jerkass.

You think my problems were over just because I picked a guy? Oh hell no.

We still have Vivian, Gray's mother, my mother, then there's Will, plus the competitions. Let's not forget the different sport games we have to cheer and I have to do this while making sure my academics doesn't go downhill.

So if you even dare underestimate this blonde cheerleader, I'll fucking kick you down.

Then again, the short fuse known as my temper is such a big contributing factor to my self-crisis.

"Clara, can I speak to you in the kitchen?" it was constructed in a way of an inquiry but the way she said, it was more of a command. Turning around, I showed Gray a tightlipped smile as she flashed him a warning look.

"I thought that you were finally making the right choices," she sighed once we were out of the room as her nails tapped the marble kitchen island, "That boy spells trouble."

"You didn't even blink when I protested against Will," I reminded, shuddering at the memory known as my thousand complaints against my step-father.

"That was different, Clara," her tone softened, walking towards me, "Look what happened to us when we decided to go with Will."

As she reached to touch me, I took a step back to avoid her, "Yeah and we turned into something horrible."

Money-hogging, spoiled, rich, selfish... shall I say more?

Her expression fell as she went back to this frustrated look, "You're turning eighteen in three weeks, Clara, it's time to stop acting like a child."

Please, we both know my actions may be immature but if you're going to use that cliché line on me, then you had it coming.

With my mind clouded because of the anger boiling up in my chest, I took out my phone and plopped it down on the island. Opening the gallery, I tapped on one of the pictures of Will and Evan's mother, swiping my finger on the screen to show her the others.

Slowly, I could see her eyes widening and without another word, I grabbed my phone again before stuffing it back into my pocket. Her hands then gripped the ends of the island, trying to process what she just saw and I took this as my cue to leave.

By the time she has buffered everything, I would be out of her way. It would be better than me repetitively telling her 'I told you so' because heaven knows I wouldn't be able to control my tongue.

As I stepped out through the doorway, I looked to my side and my eyebrows shot up and when I saw Gray standing there. Clearly caught eavesdropping, he shrugged as he showed no shame or guilt. Lifting up a hand, I stared at him expectantly and getting the silent message, he placed his hand on mine and allowed me to pull him back into the living room.

Well, at least the boy was smart enough not to ask questions.

We gathered up our things before marching out of the house, getting into Gray's car, "Can I stay the night at your home?"

"You never really asked," he shrugged, starting up the vehicle, "You just end up staying anyway."

"And your parents?" I questioned, turning to him.

"Then we'll be quiet," he smirked, before shooting me a glance partnered with his eyebrows wiggling, "Knowing you, that's impossible."

I smacked his arm and he laughed, driving out into the streets. Going there was a gamble, but I'm pretty sure they're working. That's the reason why we can sneak in and out with no problem, they're rarely at home.

Then that's also the reason why we managed to put our guard down last Sunday.

Nonetheless, I have nowhere else to go so let's just do this. Life without a little risk is so boring.

And this girl demands the opposite of boring.

He stopped right in front of his house, parking at the driveway. As he pulled out his keys, I unbuckled my seatbelt before stepping right out.

Judging from the lack of other cars, I can safely assume that no one else is home. As I walked towards the front door, I could hear Gray following right behind me. Somehow, I'm here more than I am at my actual house.

He unlocked the door and we stepped inside. Taking off my jacket, I made my way upstairs to his room, "Babe, get me a drink."

"I'm only getting you one because you're in a bad mood and I don't want to be murdered in my own house," he yelled from downstairs.

See? He's smart.

Throwing my jacket on his bed, I looked around the room and let out a sigh. This place has never been anywhere near tidy for the past three years I've visited here. When my gaze fell down on his desk, there was a clumsily folded piece of paper right at the center with the various knickknacks on there were pushed far towards the sides, making it all the more suspicious.

Should I?

I never really cared anyways.

Slowly unfolding it, I realized that it was a map of USA. At some spots, there were various dots that was done by a black marker, all of them somehow strewn out randomly.

"You found it," I heard him state, making me look towards the door's direction. In his hand was a can of diet coke.

If I didn't know any better, I would assume that you're going to run away from this place.

But isn't that a little too predictable even for Gray?

"If the scholarship thing doesn't go too well, I'm backpacking around the country," he explained as he handed me the beverage, "Even if it does, I'm planning to take a year off at some point."

"Your parents know about this?" I questioned, folding up the map again.

He shook his head before plopping down on his bed, "Nah."

Knowing him, he'll just disappear out of nowhere and those two adults will go ballistics. It happened before when he ran away after an argument with them so it's not impossible now. He'll go back though, he always does.

Sitting next to his body, I poked his stomach, my finger immediately meeting his hard muscles, "You'll keep in the loop, right?"

He reached out a hand and wrapped it around my wrist, "Why don't you go with me?"

Now isn't that sweet?

But we're not in some fairytale book, babe.

This is reality and even though the sound of spending some alone time with you around the country is very tempting, I worked too hard and am still working like crazy to get into a good college. When I mean a good college, I mean somewhere where I can earn a degree and still continue my cheering.

I will not, I repeat, will not trade that sweat and tears for anything else.

You may have completely taken over my heart but my logical reasoning is not yet clouded.

Hopefully, never gets clouded.

"No thanks," I turned him down flatly, "But like I said, contact me every single day."

He laughed lightly as he glanced up to me, already expecting that answer, "You're not going to be jealous that some girls may come and try to seduce this handsome guy?"

He winked down at me and I rolled my eyes, "Not really, they won't even see another sunrise if they dare to come near you."

I'm determined to make sure that we're for the long run. I've invested too much into this boy to give up halfway.

Chuckling at my response, he wrapped his arms around me before pulling me down so I was laying right beside him, "I'll behave."

Since my back was turned to him, I allowed myself to smile as I murmured under my breath, "I trust you."

That phrase was a foundation for us. I may have trusted him too much than what was deemed appropriate and he may have done the same to me, but in the end, we ended up in our current position. He said it on that fateful night and up until now, we were still whispering it.

The only reason why some couples fail is because when one gives up, the other one will as well. It's not like that, if one of you is letting go and you really think that what you have is right then you're going to hold on as tight as you can.

Even if you have to torture some girls, maybe reject a few people, and perhaps endure a freaking friends with benefits ordeal.

I'm not proud of it, but hey, it's all part of the journey.

Snuggling myself closer to his body, I could stay in this position forever. Just spooning on his bed, no wild make out sessions of any sort or some life hitting conversations.

"Gray, let me borrow your car!" a booming deep voice requested as his door opened wider.

And nice atmosphere just got cannoned away by the pirate known as Bryan Martyn.

His grip around me got tighter and I peeked at the familiar boy that has now entered the room. When Bryan's gaze fell on our current position, he sported a sly smile, "Afternoon, Clara."

We didn't find the will to move from our position so I greeted him with a nod, "Good afternoon, it's a nice surprise to see you here."

"Can't say the same for you though," he crossed his arms, leaning against the doorframe before shooting his younger sibling a dirty look, "So tell me, baby brother, what the fuck did you do this time?"

"What now?" Gray groaned, burying his face in my hair.

Bryan's dirty look was now a full on glare, "Those two wouldn't just call me out of the middle of nowhere for a shitty family dinner for nothing."

"Don't blame, Gray," I defended, "It's my fault, they caught me here during morning."

"Getting rusty with surveillance, I see," he chuckled before shaking his head, "I can't believe you're actually going through with this crap."

Turning to I was now facing Gray, I let out a laugh, "Well, he is my boyfriend."

As the boy whose arms were wrapped around my body smiled, Bryan's smug expression fell from his face as his jaw slightly opened in surprise, "You're dating?"

"That's what boyfriend and girlfriend mean, idiot," Gray grumbled in a harsh tone.

Once again, his brother's features still portrayed nothing but shock, "You settled down?!"

Which one was he asking? Me or his brother? Because if he's asking Gray, he didn't just settle down, he settled down with the finest girl in the country.

Or universe, whatever.

"Yes, and I would like to request you to leave my room," Gray said in a scarily calm voice. With a huff, Bryan turned around and we heard him marching down the hall. As we were sure that he didn't go far, Gray suddenly yelled out, "And you're not allowed to borrow my car!"

Squirming out of his hold, I stood up before stretching out an arm for him to take my hand, "Alright, time for homework."

"You were serious?"

Rolling my eyes, I approached my bag that I left by the desk, opening up the pocket to bring out my things. When I looked at my phone screen, I scrunched up my eyebrows at the message shown.

It wasn't from mom or Will, but it was from Evan.

Call me when you get this.

Glancing over my shoulder towards Gray, I clutched my phone before turning to him, "I need to call someone."

Because his eyes were closed, he simply hummed in response. Going out, I went downstairs into the living room before scrolling through my contacts to call the brown haired boy.

The minute he answered, I could hear his composed tone but it was obvious he was trying not to be so brash, "I don't even want to know what happened between you and your mother nor do I want to know where you are, but I just need to make sure you're okay."

"How did you find out?" I asked, sitting down on the couch.

"Your mom called my mom," he answered, "So you alright?"

With a heavy sigh, I answered, "Yeah, thanks."

Can't say the same for my mother and maybe it was a little harsh of me to leave her after such a big revelation, but I think she needs alone time more than anything. I could just imagine the words she said to Mrs. Matthews when she called.

"You've been getting yourself stuck in messy places recently," he pointed out with a laugh, attempting to lighten up the mood, "Don't you ever take a break?"

I smiled before responding, "It's all part of the job. By the way, I talked to Erin the other day."

"And?" he questioned, prying out any kind of result.

"We're good now," I stated, leaning against the backrest, "It's so hard to believe that I used to hate her so much when I'm completely okay with you."

"You have a unique way of judging characters," he said and I could practically hear the smile in his voice, "But I guess that's the many reasons why you're different."

"I'll take that as compliment," I grinned before deciding that I was time to end this conversation before Gray thinks that I've been gone for too long, "I'll talk to you later, Evan."

He said his own goodbye and I hung up, standing up before I started to make my way to the staircase. I didn't get far though as Bryan emerged from the kitchen, holding up a can of beer in his hand, "Who's Evan?"

Whipping around, I replied quickly, "A friend."

"You two got something going on?" he questioned, taking a sip.

Eyeing him cautiously, I shot down his assumption, "No."

He literally saw me and his brother not too long ago and he's asking me that? The nerve of this asshole.

He stared me for a moment before giving me another question, "He got something for you?"

When I wasn't able to reply fast enough for his standards, a smirk overcame his lips. Suddenly, feeling victorious, he continued with his annoying comments, "And you're still friends with him. Let me guess, Gray knows he's into you?"

Once again, I wasn't able to say anything

He took this a confirmation and I swear, I'm a hair length away from kicking him where the sun doesn't shine.

I was ready for him to accuse me of cheating or some sort. If he did, I was ready to inflict some kind of pain to him, but when he simply nodded with an amused smile, I knew something was up, "See you at dinner, Clara."

I don't what's about to happen, but all I can say is oh shit.

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

There are four things about this week. One, I learned that karma is such a bitch because out of our whole squad, I was the one who got stuck in a class with the one person we all hate. Second, if you ever feel bad about yourself, just know that my friends and I got kicked out of a room for singing One Dance (how did that happen is up to your imagination). Third, accidentally drank non-decaf coffee and slept at about seven in the morning and then ended up getting woken up by our maid at noon for lunch. Fourth, my internet is such a prick and the reason why I wasn't able to update last night.

Yes, Clara is a horrible and rude human being right from the start. The only reason why most people are so shook because this is with Vivian, a character we all know she's usually civil with. That will be our ticker for character development though.

Question: What do you think is Bryan's scheme?

Dedicated to ooodles_ for the cover.

That's it for now, I love you guys so much. Don't forget to comment, vote, and follow as I shall see you all next chapter!