I watched in both horror and annoyance as the pyramid slowly toppled over, sending a few of my teammates to the ground. I was starting to get pissed at the amount of times we attempted to do it, but every single try, at least one girl will lose her balance that will lead to this domino effect.

They looked up at me, their eyes pleading to move on and save the part for another day.

Sorry girls, but I'm a dictator.

Clapping my hands together, I commanded, "Again! Go to your positions now."

I heard groans of frustration and I literally felt a nerve pop as I mustered my hardest glare, crossing my arms over my chest and letting out a loud yell, "I said now!"

Like I mentioned before, the gym was packed with the other teams and some spectators. Because of my boisterous demand, it went silent for a second, but they all went back to their own businesses after a quick while.

The girls scrambled back to their feet and ran to their spots on the mat. They stood still, already in a stance to do the jumps and flips.

"One, two, three," I counted off, "Go!"

The first five that were to go on the bottom did a flip before positioning themselves, the next three followed, getting lifted up by the five at the bottom, and finally, Vivian – who was supposed to go at the top – did a couple flips, before climbing from the back of the pyramid so she could end up being carried by the three other girls.

But of course, because she was oh so talented, she lost her footing and like before, the whole pyramid went down.

The only reason why Vivian was voted as co-captain was because people assumed she was the only one who can handle me.

The seniors that graduated all favored me as the captain so the rest of the team had no say in it, but they did have a say on who will be my right hand man. Though the problem is that they chose the worst possible person for the job.

"Can we take a break?" one of the girls asked, rubbing her bottom that was probably aching from the impact.

I was fuming and it was pretty obvious from the way she quickly shut her mouth once taking a good look at the expression I was wearing.

I'm going to break some bones if I have to spend a whole session just to get this part right. Why can't Vivian accept the fact that she's too heavy to be on the top of the pyramid?!

The said girl walked up to me and wrapped an arm around my shoulder as I resisted the huge urge to glare at her. She gave me a smile and spoke, "Why don't we just end it for today? We'll surely nail it tomorrow."

"If we're going to do it tomorrow then I'm demanding the whole team to be here two hours before first period," I muttered.

Few mumbles of protests sounded in the room and that's when I smirked, "So are we going to do it today or tomorrow?"

"Today," they hesitantly replied.

"Good," I approved, before removing Vivian's arm around me, "And Viv, you're no longer on top of the pyramid."

Her eyes widened and I could feel her menacing aura, but I easily ignored it as I pointed at the lightest girl in our team, "You'll be on top."

She was just a tiny freshman but I could already see the determination in her eyes when I told her my decision. She nodded enthusiastically at the new task she gratefully took, "Of course!"

"Clara you've got to be kidding me," Vivian practically screeched, "The one on top should be the star of that part."

I flicked her forehead just to shut her up, "And that's going to be her."

The girl was practically beaming and Vivian openly gave her the nastiest look, "Then what am I going to do?"

"You'll just switch places, Viv, nothing to worry about," I informed, "Alright, I'll give you girls five minutes."

They breaths sighs of reliefs as they went straight to the restrooms and locker rooms. Some stayed and plopped to the ground, stretching their aching muscles.

Vivian, on the other hand, stayed still on her spot. She was still in disbelief, and I'm not shock that she is. Sometimes, you overestimate yourself, dear Viv.

"How come I can smell drama here?" we say Gray ask, smirking as he approached us. We can all assume that he just got out of the shower as his hair was still wet and his shirt was clinging to his body.

Oh yes, football training doesn't disappoint anyone at all.

Some of the girls started smiling and waving at him and he loved the attention, giving them a small wink as I rolled my eyes. He saw my reaction and let out a chuckle, finding this game all too amusing.

"Gray," Vivian sprinted to his side, slightly tugging his arm and batting her long lashes, "Tell Clara to put me back at the top of the pyramid."

He lifted his gaze and our eyes met. His showed confusion, clearly questioning what the hell the girl that was clinging onto his arm was talking about. I simply shrugged in response, giving him a look that indicated that I was already tired with dealing with her.

"Sorry," he said smoothly, subtly trying to pry her away, "It's the queen's orders."

She was obviously disappointed with his reply and I laughed at this, earning a grin from him.

Girl, we both know whose side he's going to take.

I reached out and pulled Vivian by her shirt to get her away from Gray, "Cool down for a minute while I talk to Gray."

She huffed but did what was told. She knows that more trouble will come out if she didn't follow my orders. She hates me yet she was still afraid to provoke.

And she at least know that much. She has witnessed first-hand how extreme I can take my tricks to when I'm angry.

I latched my arm around Gray's and we walked out of the gym together, sending a slight smirk to my girls just for some extra teasing.

"Should I ask what just happened in there?" he quipped when we got outside.

"Just Vivian being annoying as always," I answered with a tired sigh, "But thanks for backing me up."

"I'm always your ally, remember?" he reminded, stuffing his hands into his pocket, "And you're mine, right?"

"Right," I nodded, releasing him as we reached the school doors, "See you tomorrow."

He walked out and I watched him slowly go down the stairs. Surprisingly, he stopped midway and turned back to me, "The guys and I are going to that new pizza place tomorrow, tell the girls to come too."

"We have training," I told him, giving him a hard look.

"Stingy as always," he mumbled, but he made sure that I was able to hear it.

I rolled my eyes, but I spoke, "Maybe I can cut the practice by an hour."

He smirked in victory, waving at me, "You're the best."

I lifted a brow before giving him a confident remark, "As if I don't already know."

Rolling his eyes playfully, he bid another goodbye before heading out to his car. Sometimes, even I'm not sure where our relationship currently stands. I mean, if you can consider this as a relationship. Usually, situations like these doesn't tend to end well. I even read stories where the guy and girl sleeps together and yet the guy somehow thinks badly of her, but with Gray, I know he doesn't.

Even with the things he's showing to everyone else, he knows how to respect a girl.

"Deep in thought?" a voice said behind me, making me jump a little in shock.

I turned around and gave Evan a dry look. This guy just loves to pop out of nowhere and give me a fright, doesn't he?

Like I expected, he stood there with his sister glued to his side, her eyes wide in wonder as she stared at me.

I was aware that she had been curious since she saw me and Evan talking this afternoon. She kept glancing towards my direction, it was as if she was deducing a mystery.

The great mystery why I hadn't completely destroyed her brother.

That, little lamb, will never be answered unless you actually see everything from my point of view. I treat people based on the way they treat me. Hence the menace against Vivian and the kindness I show Gray.

Turning my attention back to Evan, I answered, "Kind of."

"You've met Erin, right?" he said, gesturing to the brunette standing next to him.

"Pleasure," I muttered, assessing her.

She became flustered that I suddenly acknowledged her, but she nodded her head and spoke, "Nice to meet you."

Darling, I'm doing my best to make sure you and Gray don't have that accidental meeting that would make you two plummet into one of those stupid clichés. And if those stuffy teen books taught me something, it usually goes that way because the blondie is mean to the good girl.

But like I said, I'm not mean for no reason.

I watched as her eyes suddenly widened, her hands feeling up her pockets before she started digging in her bag, "I think I forgot my phone in my locker."

Evan signaled for her to go and she darted back inside the building. He made sure she was out of earshot before he turned back to me, "Bad boy not treating you right?"

"Quite the contrary," I told him, "I'm a bit skeptical since he's treating me so nicely."

To my complete surprise, he didn't react as badly as I expected him to. He simply leaned against railing and spoke, "You know, some girls will be complaining that a guy is rude to them or something but you're the complete opposite."

I think we've established pretty early on that I'm not really normal.

"Well if you've been living my life, you'll have your doubts as well," I said with a sigh.

"I have a feeling under that big mask of superiority, there's a bit of insecurity," he commented though I didn't argue with him.

He was right. The only reason why I put up a front like this is so no one will be brave enough to stab me. I know that this is going to bite me in the ass someday.

I wore the same expression I did when he found me standing here earlier. He lifted a hand and lightly did a chop on top of my head, making me give him a ridiculous look.

"You're going to get premature wrinkles with that," he pointed out, "Are you worried someone might take Gray from you?"

Was I really that easy to read?

"For a girl who's usually guarded, you're quite an open book," he commented.

Well, at least there was one guy who can see that.

I saw Erin jogging back to us from the corner of my eye and I took a step away, "Remember the thing I said about her?"

He nodded and I continued, "Take care of her, Evan, I know she's important to you but you also look like a guy who would want to put her happiness first."

When he didn't reply, I knew I hit the bullseyes. If there were a time that she might fall in love with Gray, he wouldn't stop her because he'll trust her decisions.

I don't even know why I'm so guarded already, I've managed to steer away many girls in the past that had the same attitude as her, but why am I so threatened by her?

It might possibly be because I already witnessed an encounter during that fateful day in the hallway when she bumped into our group.

"You're worrying again," Evan spoke, getting back my attention. His voice was lower and quieter, probably because his sister was approaching, "Everything will be fine."

"You don't even know the main problem."

"But I know you," he stated, "And you won't just let anything slide thorough easily."

Finally, I cracked a smile just in time for his sister to reach us. He asked if she got her phone and when she nodded, he turned back to me, "We'll be going then."

I watched them leave and just as I was to think I can relax, I suddenly realized the time. Five minutes had been long gone.

When I came back, the girls were now in a relaxed mood, a far cry for what I was going for. When one of them saw me coming back in, she whispered to the others and they straightened up, ready for another round.

"If we perfect the pyramid, let's have one run-through of what we've finished then we can go home," I announced and they all showed their relief.

I clapped my hands and started the practice once again and since Vivian, who was the biggest problem, was lifted off of everyone's shoulders – literally – we easily did the pyramid. We then performed the whole thing from the start up to that part and with a few claps from the people who remained in the gym, we took that as a signal that it was time to call it a day.

The whole team went straight to the locker rooms while I stayed behind to push back the mats we used. Honestly, I literally feel like I'm the only one working here.

Teamwork is bullshit if you're working with those girls.

Wiping the bit of sweat, I slowly went to the door leading to the locker room and when I slightly opened it, I heard the girls' voices mentioning my name.

"Today was tougher than usual," one of them said, "Clara was extra bad this time."

"How much are you willing to bet that she and Gray did it while she was gone?" another giggled, "She said five minutes but she was the one who didn't return on time."

Seriously?

Clenching my fist, I took deep breaths to calm myself, but nope, it was impossible. I was so tempted to march in there and yell at each one of them for even daring to think of me in such a way.

But in the end, it's still my fault for creating this image.

Closing my eyes, I leaned my forehead against the door, telling myself that everything was going to be alright. With that as my source of strength, I gently opened and the waltzed in as smoothly as I can.

From the horrified look on their faces, they probably guessed that I heard their conversation and was ready to torture them.

Not this time, I'm too tired for that.

Instead, I breezed to my locker and grabbed a towel, wiping the sweat that formed on my body before grabbing my bag and walking out without a single word.

I thought that when I get home, it will be a quick run through the shower and I can peacefully think things through.

I should have known better.

The moment I got through the front door, I could hear my mom's loud screeching voice sounding through the house, "Clara Harper come here right now!"

I reckon she's mad?

I took my sweet time strutting into the room, enraging her more. She was absolutely fuming, her face showing a permanent scowl and I casually sat down on the couch in front of her, "You called?"

"Where were you last night?!" she yelled.

"I told you I was going to Vivian's, didn't I?" I reminded her.

Actually, I went to Gray, but I don't think she would like to hear that.

"You should have at least called that you were going to stay the night," she sighed, although she wasn't completely calmed, her posture relaxed when she found out that I was only at my supposed best friend's house.

"Next time then," I muttered, looking away.

I felt the cushion beside me sink indicating she was now sitting next to me, "Clara..."

Oh god, if this is another 'I know you're probably having a lot of problems right now' speech, I'm walking away.

"Your father called," she informed, making me snap my head to her direction, my eyes expectant, "And asked if you want to visit him this weekend."

A four hour drive away from this place? Sign me up!

"I'm in," I said, standing up, "Now if you excuse me, I have a lot of homework to get done."

Before I could leave, she spoke once again, "You know you can talk to me about anything."

I didn't bother to respond to that as I continued to walk away.

I'll talk to you when you finally realize that you're the reason why I'm like this.

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

Yes, we have an update and since I've finished my other stories, I can finally focus on this one. Though, I'm going to go back to uni next week so let's just see how it goes.

Since you guys wanted to keep up with the questions, I'll continue to do and besides, I'll miss doing it if it's gone.

Question: Do you think Gray should stay with Clara?

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