I woke up to the sight of Gray laid across the bed from me. I flipped over so I could stare at the ceiling, a past time I found myself doing most of the time I stay here. Something somebody would guess easily after staring at his ceiling for so long is that it used to have stars stuck on it.

You could see the faint outline of where they used to be, and it's actually quite endearing to think this bad boy used to be an innocent kid who would stare at glow-in-the-dark figures when he was in bed, being interested with the way they could be visible in the midst of a heavy darkness.

"Morning," I heard his husky voice mumble, making me turn my attention to him.

His eyes were puffy and was complimented by the heavy bags under it - a good indicator that he didn't fell asleep as quickly as I did.

From the faint smell of smoke that I can sense, I have an idea on how he passed the time.

"We have to get ready for school," I muttered, pulling the covers off of my body and getting out of his bed. Reaching down, I grabbed most of my clothes that were spread out around the room and walked to the ensuite.

I looked at the time on my watch and released sigh of relief when it was still early. I need to get back to my house to change before heading to school.

I attempted to flatten my hair with my hands, before staring at my reflection in the mirror.

I know, I should be disgusted with myself.

But there was something about this routine that was so hard to break.

"I'm heading home," I told Gray as I exited his bathroom, looking around for where did my purse go, "I'll see you later."

"You sure you don't want to just go to school with me?" he questioned, crossing his arms and leaning against the headboard.

Look trashy because I wore the same clothes as yesterday? No thank you. Besides, I still have some business to attend to.

"I'm sure," I said, leaning down to press a kiss on his cheek, "You better not skip classes, you know the principal's on you already."

He smiled at my concern, before nodding his head, "Yes, ma'am."

I bid my last goodbye before finally going out. His parents were rarely here because of their jobs so sneaking in and out was no problem.

When I reached my own home, I saw that both of my parents' cars were still there, so it's either they were still snoozing in or they're already up and is ready to scold me for not informing them that I wasn't coming home last night.

Slowly clicking the front door open, I quietly entered and kept my ears open to find out if I could hear the clattering of plates and small chatter that would indicate the two of them were already up. A full minute of just observing my surroundings, I could confirm that they were still asleep.

I did the usual routine of taking a brisk shower before dressing up for the day. I took one of my bigger bags and stuffed in some clothes that I could practice in.

The start of the competitions are starting and there's no way am I letting my team slack off. When I stepped in and got the title of head cheerleader, I became determined to break our losing streak. I will not waste years of aching muscles and cold hard sweat for some ditzy idiots.

I breezed through the kitchen and grabbed a breakfast bar before heading to my car. Looking at the digital clock, I nodded in satisfaction at the time.

We have a good early start today.

Pulling into my usual parking space, I observed the lot and the extremely small amount of cars that were already here.

I headed quickly into the gym and dumped my stuff into the locker room, changing out of my outfit and into the spare ones that I brought.

"Clara can't even do the kflip properly yesterday during practice."

Vivian's words echoed in my mind, and like I always say, I love proving people wrong.

Stepping into the empty gym, I saw the mat that was set up in one of the corners. After classes, this place is packed with the different teams, ranging from the basketball team to my own, plus there were a lot of students who loved watching us practice.

Though it is fun to have a ton of people here, it did limit the amount of space we can use for training.

Positioning myself at the edge of the mat, I took a deep breath before throwing my body forward and doing a flip, I let my hands touch the ground and push myself up to do another flip to gain momentum, while I was in the air, I willed my body to turn once, then twice, before I stumbled to the ground.

Well, fuck you too, gravity!

I found myself on the ground, rubbing my bottom as I tried to soothe the oncoming pain that I was feeling.

The triple flip that I was supposed to do is a big contribution to our routine. The thing is, after years of practicing, it was one of the few moves that I couldn't do.

And Vivian knew this - that's why the little snitch suggested it in front of the whole team that I should do it.

So no matter what, I will do it.

Pushing myself up, I walked back to my starting position to do another attempt. Pulling my ponytail tighter, I puffed out, before I started again, doing the same thing.

Same stupid result.

If you just knew how many times I wake up early so I could come to school to practice when nobody's around.

I love cheering, I love doing the tricks and flips, but there was one thing that I loved more - my pride.

If they found out, I could almost imagine the huge smirk Vivian would show. Though she's not the one to talk when she, herself, can't even do a proper backflip without stumbling around.

I did it a few more times, but I always end up falling by the second flip. It's called a triple flip for a reason!

Looking up at the huge clock perched up at the wall, I cursed under my breath to see that it getting later, meaning that students must have started piling up outside this gym.

Quickly standing up, I raced to the locker room and changed into the outfit I was wearing before. I splashed some cold water into my face in attempt to cool down after sweating from the amount of times I attempted that trick.

I hastily did my makeup and ran a comb through my hair before braiding it so it wouldn't be obvious that I was in such a rush.

Taking one more look at myself in the mirror, I jammed my gym clothes into my locker. Slamming it close, I took a deep breath before walking out. As I swung the door open, I was quickly greeted by the sight of Evan and his sister.

They were surprised at my sudden appearance, but I tried to play the nonchalant act. Evan lifted a hand and greeted me, "Hey."

I nodded in recognition and then I spotted my team walking down the hall. Without much of a goodbye, I turned and walked to them.

Those two wouldn't tell anyone so they're good.

"You're a little late today," Vivian muttered when she caught my eye as I was approaching them.

"What can I say?" I said, doing the signature hair flip, "I spent the whole night with Gray."

They started saying words of praise and jealousy. It wasn't a lie, but there's no way am I telling them that I come here early so I could nail my moves.

They have this image that I can do everything, and I'm determined to keep it that way.

"Talking about us already?" Gray questioned as I felt him behind me.

The girls quickly shut their mouths as they stared at him. That charm just doesn't fail anybody, doesn't it?

Turning to face him, I gave him a smile, "Likewise."

He chuckled, shaking his head, before nudging his head towards the direction of our first class, "Let's go."

Nodding, I started walking beside him, but of course, I looked over my shoulder and winked at the girls.

I could practically feel their jealousy and I want nothing else but to bask in it.

"I see you took my advice and came in time," I muttered, keeping up with his pace.

"I do want to graduate," he told me, jamming his hands into his pockets, "But thanks for last night, things alright when you got home?"

What no one else knew about my relationship with Gray is that even though we're not really together, we still cared for each other, we're not just make out then run out of each other's personal life.

That's why he knows about my life with my parents, and I know he gets lonely inside the huge house by himself.

"They were asleep," I replied, finally reaching the classroom, "Don't know what will happen when I get home though."

"Hey, if anything goes wrong, I'll be willing to comfort you," he said with a suggestive wink.

I rolled my eyes, before playfully slapping his shoulder, "Whatever."

We entered the room, and like expected, there were already a lot of students inside. We took our usual seats at the very back, a place where we couldn't be seen by the teacher.

I saw a familiar face go into the room. I squinted my eyes, before I recognized that person as Evan's sister. Just like how I met her yesterday, she meekly walked to the front of the class and sat on one of the chairs nearest to the board.

Goody two shoes, a smart kid, and teacher's pet. What else is next?

"Gray, whatever you're thinking, get it out of your head," I warned him when I saw him observing her.

He turned to me and gave me a quizzical look, trying to act all innocent, but I could see right through it. I've been trying to hold you down since we've met, I know all of your motives so you better watch yourself.

"I'm not thinking of anything," he snorted.

That's the same thing you said to me when we first did it, I'm not trusting you with those words.

"Sure," I huffed, turning my attention back to the front.

I felt his hand on my shoulder, lightly shaking me to get my attention, "Don't be like that, Clara."

It's not like me to get bothered by this, so I plastered a grin as I turned to him, "Just playing with you."

But in all seriousness, Gray, don't even think about it.

The day breezed through quite quickly. With every class, my companion changed, ranging from girls on the team to just some people I'm acquainted with.

"Heard they're selling cheesy fries during lunch today," one of the girls said as we walked out of the classroom when we heard the bell ring.

"No thank you," Vivian rejected, before patting her waist, "There's no way am I letting that greasy spawn of a devil enter my body."

So you're like that yet you let other dirtier things enter your body.

"I'm skipping lunch today," I informed them, making them pause midway.

They blinked at me before shrugging, "You need a light?"

Are they really going to assume that I'm skipping just to smoke?

Shaking my head, I turned and waved to them, "See you."

They went to the direction of the cafeteria as I went the opposite side, making my way to the field. Opening the school's back doors, I found myself at the place I wanted to be. Climbing up on one of the bleachers, I set my bag down before laying on the hot metal.

Closing my eyes, I was quite uncomfortable with the surface I was laying on since it slightly burned my skin, but that was a given since it was exposed to the blazing sun all day.

I'm exhausted! I feel like I've been in a continuous work out since last night.

Suddenly, I felt the sun getting blocked, and I opened an eye to peek what happened.

I saw someone's face staring right at me.

Evan.

"May I help you?" I questioned, slightly leaning up as he took a step backward.

"Just confirming if it was really you that I saw," he told me, sitting on the spot next to me. Pushing myself into a sitting position, I ran my hands through my hair, before facing him.

I thought he was just checking.

"So let me guess," he started, resting his arms on the row behind us, "You don't smoke as well."

"Don't you know it's rude to eavesdrop," I muttered. There was no way that he would ask me that unless he heard Vivian ask me if I needed a lighter earlier.

"I was passing by," he excused himself.

"I tried it once, but I hated it," I confessed, "Now, I just hold a cigarette but I never go as far as to actually using it."

"So where's your sister?" I asked, looking around for the girl.

From just the small amount I've seen, these two are very close - only separated during classes.

"She went and talked to a teacher about something, she told me to wait for her," he explained. He glanced towards the school doors and perked up, "There she is now."

I saw the brunette girl wave to her brother and Evan gestured for her to come here. I could be friendly to her as I am with Evan, but that's not how I go.

Besides, this is the one that will possibly snatch Gray away from me.

I shot up and leaned down to get my bag, "I'm leaving."

"Are you bipolar or something?" he inquired jokingly after he saw the quick mood change.

"Piece of advice, Evan," I told him, "But keep an eye on your sister."

"Erin?" he questioned, looking at his sister before quickly turning back to me, "What's wrong with her?"

"There's a wolf that's about to get your little lamb," I warned and he only looked at me with this confused expression.

And to bring down a wolf, you need a hunter.

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

I'm grateful and resentful for the APEC Summit. Grateful because it gave me a break from school and gave me time to write this, and extremely resentful because they basically shut down the internet for the most part of the country to give those visitors the fastest internet.

In other words, I spent half of my vacation praying over the internet.

But in other news, we've got a cast. Thank you so much for your suggestions, you can check them out now.

Should this be like my other stories where I put a question at the end of each chapter? My old readers, what do you think?

Now before I go, I just want to say I love you guys, and before you go, don't forget to vote, leave a comment, and follow me if you're feeling extremely generous.

See you all next chapter!