My Best friends Cousin

High School

The third frame Cheryl picked up held two photographs, the first one was of her and Jacy, the second one was the two of them at Jacy's birthday party with Sweet Pea, Fangs and Toni.

The redhead smiled at the fond memories she had as a teenager, She rubbed her fingers under her hair at the front of her head just past her hairline over her second scar.

•••

High school was going well for both Cheryl and Jacy, the redheads confidence grew and so did Jacy's.

Cheryl had joined the cheerleading squad as a freshman, now she was a senior and the captain.

Her hair still as red as ever but now it was styled flawlessly everyday and she began to wear make up, not leaving the house without her signature red lipstick much to her nana's distaste.

Her wardrobe began filling with more red clothing as she discarded her old garments one by one.

Jacy on the other hand joined the school newspaper team, The Blue and Gold, as a freshman he was a keen writer although he had started spending more time with the Serpents causing his appearance to change a lot as he grew into a senior.

Instead of neat and tidy hair it was slicked back and he began wearing a lot of leather, the sweet little boy had grown into a young man that intimidated his fellow classmates just because of the way he looked.

Cheryl and Jacy now looked like unlikely friends but they still spent as much time together as they did when they were in middle school, other students would make up rumors that they were in a secret relationship but it wasn't true, they were like brother and sister, always there for one another.

•••

It was Saturday afternoon and Cheryl was sat in her room feeling rather bored, she decided on pulling out her phone and calling her best friend.

'Hey Cher, whats up?' Jacy said as he answered the phone.

'What are you up to tonight? I'm sooo bored, wanna do something?' Cheryl asked.

'Actually Cher, I'm heading to the southside for a bonfire and maybe a beer' Jacy said feeling pretty bad that he already had plans.

'Oh well that sucks' the redhead huffed.

'Do you wanna join? Sweet Pea, Fangs and Toni will be there, I know it's been a while since you've seen them but at least you'll know some people'.

'I don't know Jace' Cheryl hesitated 'I've never been to the southside or even touched alcohol before'.

'You don't have to drink alcohol' Jacy chuckled 'and the southside isn't that bad but it's up to you, I'll be there to protect you from any big bad serpents'.

'Shut up Jacy... fine I'll come' Cheryl rolled her eyes even though the boy couldn't see her.

'Great, I'll swing by your place and we'll walk together'.

'Okay what time?' Cheryl asked.

'In around two hours'.

'Okay text me when you're on your way'.

'Will do Cher, bye'.

'Bye Jace'.

•••

Jacy texted Cheryl letting her know he was almost at her house so the redhead waited outside for him.

'Hey' he smiled.

'Hey' Cheryl said jumping down from the wall 'did you tell your cousins I was coming'.

'Nah but they won't mind, they'll be plenty of people around' Jacy shrugged.