I smiled and quickly replied, then opened my locker. If only he could be beside me throughout the day. I wanted to believe that text would make everything better, but it was going to be a rough Monday.

"Hey girl!" Zoe exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around my neck, holding onto me like a sloth hangs to a tree.

Something in her tone told me that something was going on. It caused my stomach to tie into knots. "Hey. So, what's going on?"

She frowned. "So maybe the entire football team hates you, thanks to Isaac, but that's ok because we didn't like them anyhow."

It didn't matter that I was the old team captain's little sister. Now that Tristen was gone, I could be public enemy number one. "Let them believe what they want."

Isaac thought that would make my life hell, but I had already been through hell. Plus, but the end of the school year, I would never have to see them again.

"That's the spirit!" Zoe fist-pumped the air as the bell rang. Suddenly her excitement died down as she glared at the bell. "NOOOOO!"

I chuckled at her. "We aren't here to be social." With that, left her to pout alone.

With my head held high, I sat down in the same chair as always for first period. As I pulled out my books a ball of paper hit my head. I picked it up with a frown as looked around the room to see the culprit, but no one made eye contact with me.

I glared at the three football players behind me then stuffed the paper into my bag. Real mature.

By time lunch came, I was ready to leave and forget the pettiness.

"Please tell me what you bought for lunch because Mom gave me lentils and rice and I HATE them. Can we trade?" Zoe asked as she pulled out her lunch, placing it on the table.

I handed her my leftover mac and cheese. "You know I do like your mother's lentils."

"I don't think I have ever been so happy to eat cold mac and cheese," Zoe said as she opened the container.

Laughing behind me caused my head to snap up towards the direction. I locked eyes with the soccer team a few tables away. Ever since last year's championships, we hadn't talked, not after what I did. They tossed me out even though I was the best player, saying I was emotionally unstable and a terrible person.

I tried not to dwell on those words, but they bubbled up, making me numb. I had done so much to try to get in their good graces, but they still haven't accepted me back. They didn't give me leeway last season even though I was an emotional mess. They didn't care that my dad died, and they didn't understand why I acted out.

"I'll be back."

Zoe's eyes widened as she tried to stop me. "No, Isla, don't engage," Zoe hissed.

I shook my head as I swallowed my fear. "Practice starts soon. I need to talk to them."

"But they already think you're crazy, don't let them fuel their fire." She glanced at the soccer players who watched us.

At least I would get some things off my chest. With a deep breath and my head held high, I walked over to them. "I, um, hi Rayden." I said, feeling my confidence waver. I held onto the edge of the table as I tried to steady myself.

"Hey," Rayden said as she chewed on her gum. We were never best friends, so this was uncomfortable to say the least.

"Practice for the season starts soon..."

She shrugged. "Maybe."

Frustration rose within, making my cheeks hot. I wanted at least a second chance. "Listen, I know what I did at the championship was out of line, but can't we just look past that?"

Rayden frowned then looked around the table at the teammates. I knew some of the members still wanted me on the team so I might have a chance. My toe tapped on the ground as I waited for an answer.

"You sent a girl to the hospital," Rayden replied.

Tears pricked my eyes as I tried to keep myself together. That girl made fun of death and I lost it. I pushed her to the ground, and she fought back, nearly broking my nose. Rage was the only thing I felt as I hit her. I couldn't just let her get away with it.

I took a deep breath as I cleared the memory from my mind. "I'm trying my best here, don't be like this."

She placed her head in her hands with a small smile. "Isla, you made your grave, it's about time you laid in it." and with that, she stood up from her seat as the bell rang and the entire team left without saying a word.

Tears ran down my face as I collapsed into a seat at the table. I wiped the tears from my face as I took a deep breath.

My dreams about playing soccer this season were over. They would never let me back.

Breathe

So much for that scholarship.

Breathe

So much for leaving for a better school.

Breathe

But nothing could fill my lungs. I was tired and sick of all of this school drama.

"They'll come around," Zoe said as she came up to me.

I shook my head as took a deep breath to calm myself.

Breathe.

I saw the look on their faces, there was no changing their minds. "No, they won't."

I blinked tears from my eyes.

Breathe.

"Rayden just wants to see you burn since she wants to be captain," Zoe said as she handed me my backpack.

"I'm already burning."

She placed her hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "She doesn't need to see that. Fake it until you make it." Zoe winked. "Let's get to class."

I nodded as I quickly wiped any stray tears away.

"There we go." Zoe smiled as she wrapped her arm around me.

She was right, I had to fake it. I was good at that. That is until I reached my breaking point.

After school, I sat beside Miles on the same cliff I took Miles not too long ago. This location was hidden and out of the way and it was quickly turning into our favorite place to escape.

In silence, as I sat on the cold ground, thinking about the encounter with the soccer team and the football players. I wouldn't be surprised if Isaac spread some rumors about me to the soccer team too. Isaac was really trying to make my last year hell but I wouldn't let him.

Miles sat down next to me with a heavy sigh. He hit his leg then shivered. "You're quiet. Everything alright?" he asked.

I nodded. He had larger fish to fry than my high school drama. "Yeah. I'm fine. How have you been? You didn't text me a lot today. Busier than normal?"

He shrugged. "Yeah."

There were a few minutes of silence until Miles broke it. "Hey Isla, I have to tell you something."

His tone was serious which made me pull away to see him better. I thought back to the slow response times of his texts recently and suddenly my heart started to speed up. "Ok."

He was silent for a moment as he tried to find the words to say. He opened his mouth, then closed it again as silence filled the air between us.

My stomach tied into knots, making me feel sick as I waited for the information he would share.

"I'm going to go home for Christmas."

That statement was not as bad as I thought it would be. His face made me believe it was something worse than that. My heart slowed down as my melted into him again with a small smile. "Good. I want you to go. The holidays are about spending time with family. You should see them."

"I'll be back soon. I'll be gone for only a week."

Only a week. That wasn't too bad. Of course, I wanted him here with me for Christmas, but I had to share him with so many people. "Good, because anything longer than that and I'll miss you too much."

He flinched slightly then smiled. "I'll miss you as soon as I get on that plane," he said and kissed my forehead.

"Just bring me some maple syrup."

He laughed. "Of course."

We were silent again until I decided it was my turn to ask something of him. "I know this may sound silly, but it would mean the world to Everly if you came to the last basketball game she is cheering in."

"When is it?"

"In two days?"

"I'll be there," he said confidently.

I smiled then kissed him lightly. "I don't know how you make time for me."

"Because you're the priority."

And that statement melted my heart. Never once had a boy said that to me. Miles made me feel things that I had never felt before.