Forbidden Love

Mallory

Mallory's POV
(The photo is Mallory)

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I wake up to find that it's 5:00 in the morning. Coach Mike makes us come to football practice before school. By "us," I mean the cheer team, if that wasn't obvious. Why? I'm not entirely sure, but it gives me the opportunity to stare at Gabe while they practice. I went to prom with Gabe last year. He was my first kiss.. My first everything really. We dated for a few years, until last year when something inside me snapped. I know that Gabe noticed a change in the way I acted around him right away, but he didn't say anything until it became unbearable for him. Maybe he ignored it in hopes that I would be normal again in a few days or weeks. Maybe he didn't mention it because he didn't want me to freak out on him. It went on like that for a while, me slowly going insane with rage, while Gabe chose to ignore the fact that anything was even going on. He was a great boyfriend and I will always be thankful for him. I just wish things could've ended on a lighter note. I got so bad that he couldn't stand being in the same room as me, and he ended things just before last year's big game. Shocking though, right? A cheerleader with a football player. Totally not the cliche or anything.

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I get dressed, putting on my makeup and cheer uniform. I quickly eat a bagel and brush my teeth before heading out the door. "Have a good day, sweetie," I hear my dad call as I head out. I walk back into the living room, "Thanks, dad," I say, wrapping my arms around my father's waist. I may be tall for a girl, but my father is the tallest man I know. He makes me seem short, and I'm 5 foot 10. I grab my cheer bag, which I almost forgot the first time I ran out the door, and head to my car. It's a sparkly silver Nissan Altima, my baby. I throw my stuff in the backseat as I sit down in the driver's seat. I sit there for a minute, debating whether or not I have time to stop for coffee. I figure I better not test my luck with Coach and decide to just go to practice. I grab my bag and head over to the football field. "You're late, Morrigan," Coach shouts my way, "Again." I roll my eyes, "I know, Coach. It w-," "Let me guess, it won't happen again?" he asks, cutting me off. I nod slowly, "Yes, Coach." He nods as I find my place on the field. Not very many people scare me, but Coach is one of few. He and my mother are two of the only people who could ever have me cowering in fear with just one look. I glance over at the other girls who are gossiping about the boys on the team. "Oh my gosh, Mallory!" A blonde girl squeals as she wraps me in a hug. "Hi, Larisa," I chuckle, "What's going on?" The blonde glances at me with a confused look on her face, "You didn't hear?" I wait for her to continue, but she apparently doesn't understand why I'm staring at her silently. "Go on," I say, gesturing for her to keep talking. "Oh, right," she smiles, "Okay, so, I figured you knew, seeing as everyone else does, but," she explains, her smile slowly turning into a frown. I raise a brow in confusion, "What is it, Lar?" She glances up at me, "Gabe.. He um.. He has a new girlfriend.." My breath catches in my throat and it suddenly feels as though I'm drowning. We broke up a few months ago, but this stings. He was my first love, my first kiss, my everything.. My legs start tingling and I feel as though I'm about to pass out. I sit down on the ground to avoid fainting. "Come on, Mal," Larisa says, sitting next to me. "It's not that bad." My eyes fix themselves on the boy with lightly browned skin, chasing the football as it glides through the air. My heart sinks, shattering into a million pieces at the thought of the only boy I've ever loved loving someone else. Rage boils up inside me as practice goes on. Before I know it, it's time to hit the showers.

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I walk off alone and head to the girls' locker room. I quickly undress and wipe off my makeup. I turn the dial all the way to hot as I step under the water. I gasp as the boiling hot water scalds my back, but I refuse to turn the dial. I stay under the water until it becomes unbearably hot and I can't take it anymore. I quickly turn the dial to cold as I begin washing my hair. I hop out after I rinse the conditioner out of my hair, grabbing my phone. I check the time to find that my dad had sent me a text, "Happy birthday, pumpkin." I smile as I type my response, "Thanks, dad :) love you." I shut off my phone as I finish getting dressed. I fucking hate it here. I walk over to a mirror where I start reapplying my makeup from two hours ago. A girl walks past me and flashes me a smile as she walks by. I smile back at her only to realize that it's Natalia, Gabe's sister. I frown as thoughts of Gabe flood my mind once again. I miss him.. A tear forms in the corner of my right eye, but I force myself to keep it in. I check the time once I've finished my makeup. 7:30 am. Larisa walks up to me, "Hey, Mal." I smile ever so slightly at the blonde, "Hi." She frowns, "Come on, let's go get some food." She drags me by my arm and we're suddenly sitting in the cafeteria eating breakfast. "I heard that Lola Preciado was caught making out with Jackson," one of my cheer minions gossips. I almost choke on my food, "What? When did that happen?" I ask in complete shock and confusion. Lola might be a bitch, but she wouldn't be caught dead making out with Jackson Hendricks. He's the star player on the football team and everyone knows he's an asshole. I don't like Lola by any means, but everyone deserves better than Jackson. A brown haired girl named Holly leans over the table towards me, "You didn't hear? Jackson had a party last weekend and everybody said they saw her shove her tongue down his throat." The brunette shrugs. What? She would never.. I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. I don't think I've ever been as shocked as I am by what's coming out of my friend's mouth. "Lola isn't that type of girl," I blurt out, immediately covering my mouth with my hand. Everyone at the table glances over at me, knowing I would never defend my ex boyfriend's twin sister. "What did you say, Mal?" a voice asks at the end of the table. "Nothing.." I say, shaking my head.

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I grab my stuff and head to class without saying our usual goodbyes with the other cheerleaders, when I run into someone. "Oh, sorr-," I begin. "Watch where you're going," a voice snaps back. I look up to see Lola standing over me. You've got to be fucking kidding me. I stand up, almost towering over the 5 foot 4 girl. "What are you gonna do about it, Preciado?" I snap. She smirks slightly, "This." I furrow a brow in confusion, but before I have time to ask what she means, she strikes me in the nose. "You bitch!" I hiss, punching her right back. She stumbles backward before striking me again. Before I know it, we're both on the ground trying to murder the other, and Gabe's new girlfriend has joined in. I throw punch after punch, not giving a shit who gets hurt. Suddenly, I'm being pulled away by Mr. Norris. I glance around the room, searching the crowd that's gathered around us to find the person who "called the authorities." My eyes land on a short brunette with perfectly tanned skin and the most beautiful brown eyes. My heart skips a beat and the world stops spinning for a moment. Soon enough, she's lost in the crowd and I'm being walked to the nurse's office by Mr. Norris. "Ms. Morrigan, you really need to learn to control your temper around that family," Mr. Norris lectures as we walk. I shake my head, clearing my thoughts, "Sorry, Mr. Norris.."  I glance at the door of the nurse's office, not really wanting to go in. "Ms. Morrigan, you have a cut on your lip, and bruises all over your arms. I believe it would be wise to rest a while with Kathy," he gestures toward the nurse. I nod, not wanting to get in any more trouble with Mr. Norris, "You're right," I sigh, "Thank you for bringing me here." I sit on one of the ugly blue beds in the nurse's office. Mr. Norris nods as he walks back down the hallway to his classroom. The nurse, Kathy, I guess, is saying something to me, but I can't make out a single word. I'm too busy trying to figure out who that girl was.. I stare into the hallway as a silhouette of a woman appears almost out of nowhere. I stare intently as the silhouette grows closer. Who in the hell- The figure stops just outside the door and my eyes light up as I realize who it is. The brunette smiles softly at me as our eyes meet. I wave subtly, trying my best to muster up a smile without hurting my face. The girl giggles softly as she continues walking to her class. I frown, leaning back on the tiny, uncomfortable bed. "Mallory!" the nurse snaps her fingers in my face. I jump about five feet in the air. "Huh? What happened?" I ask in complete and utter confusion. Kathy smiles, "It appears you're all better." She hands me a lollipop as if I'm a small child. "Here you are. Now, head back to class," she says with a smile. I give the nurse a confused smile, "Thanks?" She smiles back, "You're welcome," she pauses abruptly, "Oh, wait!" She reaches into the cooler kept under her desk. Uhh.. Ma'am, this is a Wendy's. She pulls out a bag of ice and wraps it in a soft piece of cloth, holding it out for me to take, "Here you go, for your head," she says with a smile. I smile back at her, taking the ice cloth, "Thank you," I say as I turn to leave. "Of course, dear," Kathy says with a warm smile. I wave to her before leaving to head back to class.

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On my way back, I spot the brunette girl from earlier sitting in the back of Mr. Norris's class. I smile as I watch her. She's staring intently at the board, hanging on Mr. Norris's every word, a smile on her face as she quickly jots down notes. Of course she's into Greek Mythology. Mr. Norris stops what he's doing and that's when I realize he's spotted me. Shit. I turn around quickly to avoid being roped into his classroom when I hear him call, "Ms. Morrigan?" God dammit. I swivel back toward him. "Yes, Mr. Norris?" I ask nervously. I peer into the classroom, noticing that everyone has turned to see what's going on, including the brunette. She rolls her eyes at me, assuming I'm here to cause more trouble. Mr. Norris glances down at me, "Ms. Morrigan, would you care to join me in teaching this class?" I swallow the lump that had suddenly built up in my throat, "I um," I stammer nervously. I pause for a moment, clearing my throat. "You mean like a TA?" I ask. Mr. Norris nods, "Precisely." The brunette watches intently. "I uh.." I shrug, "I don't see why not." Mr. Norris places a hand on my upper back, leading me into his room, "Great," he remarks with a cocky smile. "You can start now then." I swallow hard. Great..