White Lies | All American

thirty four

It was the end of summer, the group had returned from Las Vegas. Tensions were high and secrets were being hidden.

Haiden waited at the counter of the cafe with Cameron. Her eyes had been watching the employees complete their tasks until Cameron's voice drew her attention.

"A little far from home, ain't you?"

"So the rumors are true. You transferred to Westlake." Spencer said, fist bumping Haiden.

"Oh, my bad. Was I supposed to sit on the bench and play backup to Spencer James? The colors look good on me, don't they?"

"You abandoned your school when they needed you the most. That's low even for you, Cam."

"Ain't that what you did? Twice, in fact?"

"Ain't the same." Spencer denied.

"No. You right. I ain't dog my old team on the way out."

"What are you talking about?" Spencer questioned, glancing to Haiden.

"Oh, you don't remember? "Star Crenshaw athlete dismisses Beverly as his past. Says 'Crenshaw is my future.'" Oh, hold up. This is my favorite part. "'As for the state championship,' he says, 'I'm not worried. I won last year. I'll just win again.' Ha!" Cameron read, laughing when he finished.

"That ain't even how the interview went down, man."

"Yeah. Whatever."

Spencer scoffed.

"You know what? I ain't got to explain myself to you. My boys at Beverly already know how I really feel."

"They do now."

Spencer followed Cameron's stare across the room to JJ, Jordan and Asher. The boys were at the pool table, eyeing Spencer and Cameron.

"Worry about your own problems, all right?" Spencer told him.

"I ain't got no problems. I'm living my best life."

"Until the season starts 'cause you gonna have to beat the Eagles and us Chargers to win State. Ain't no chance of that happening. You bet on the wrong team, dog."

Cameron smirked, crossing his arms.

"You sure about that?"

"I got an order for Baker." The waitress called.

"Thank you."

Dane pulled Cameron away so Haiden grabbed her food, making her way over to where Spencer now stood with the Beverly boys.

"Everything good? Simone doing okay?"

"Simone's fine." Jordan replied, not looking to Spencer.

"What are you doing here, Spence? I mean, now, seeing as Beverly is in your past." JJ spoke with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Yo, who's up for some cutthroat pool?" Jordan asked, heavily feeling the tension.

"Y'all got some room for us? Or are you afraid of a little friendly competition?" Cameron added, smirking at Spencer.

"Man, if you don't kick rocks.." Spencer started.

"The more, the merrier." Jordan interrupted, despite his hatred for Dane.

"Cool."

The players started the game, throwing each other competitive stares. Jordan eyed the ball, configuring a plan to hit it in the hole.

"Hey, how's Simone doing?" Dane blurted out, hoping to throw Jordan off.

Cameron chuckled, dropping his smile when he felt Haiden's nudge.

"Say her name again." Jordan said, walking toward the Westlake player.

"Chill. He ain't worth it, all right?" Spencer intervened, blocking the quarterback.

"Get off me."

Dane moved around the pool table, stopping when Jordan stood in his way.

"Yo. You need me to help you move or something?"

Jordan chuckled.

"Watch yourself."

He made his move, failing to get the ball into one of the pockets.

"Ooh, man! What a shot." Jordan taunted.

Haiden shook her head at Jordan's annoyed face when Spencer made his move.

"Oh, OK. So we're using illegal moves now, huh?" Jordan called him out then chuckled.

"You accusing me of cheating?" Spencer questioned.

"Jordan, he's on your team, dude." Asher said.

"Oh, my bad. I guess I forgot. It's hard to tell where your loyalties lie these days, Spence."

"Hold up, hold up, hold up. Stop being a bitch, man. If you got something to say to me, just say it."

Jordan scoffed, swinging his fist to punch Spencer. The receiver fell onto the table behind him, slightly panicking as he arm went numb.

"What, Spence?"

"Jordan, what the hell!"

Spencer gained his composure, swinging his uninjured arm to retaliate the hit.

"What the hell's wrong with you?!" He shouted, roughly hitting Jordan in the face.

The bystanders watched and recorded as the players separated their brawling teammates. Haiden glared at Cameron and Dane as they laughed at the unraveling situation.

"People are stupid.." Haiden whispered, shooting a quick
text to Kat.