TROUBLE

Chapter 3

I wanted to say that I made a bit of a mistake when I was writing about where Layla got her nickname from. Her actaul name is Layla Grace Taylor. They used to call her Gracie, though. Before high school Layla and Eric were good friends but as time went on they went their separate ways. Oh, later on in this chapter, I'm going to be making reference to Rally girls. If you don't know what that is, they are girls who are chosen by football players to bring them stuff before games like baked goods or inspirational notes. Basically a football players own personal fan that does stuff for him. The girls who are usually chosen are sluts....

Layla's POV

Second period, College Algebra is a safe zone for me. No football players whatsoever and especially no Eric. My good friend Grant is in this class, though. When he sees me walk, he smiles wide. I sit down in the desk next to him and let out a breath I had been holding in.

"What's wrong?" He asks, worried.

I place my books on the desk and turn my body towards and lean in. He brings his head down so I can whisper in his ear.

"I had another run in with Eric."

He pulls away and glares in utter disbelief. "Seriously? Tell your dad. This has been going on for way too long."

I shake my head and set back into my seat. "I'm not going to be a baby about it and go running off telling my daddy about the local school bully. I'm a senior in high school. I can take care of myself."

Grant rolls his eyes at me and flips open his math book. Class hasn't started yet so I continue talking.

"He called me a bitch." Grant goes wide eyed. I nod my head.

"I say, tell Four to beat his ass. I would really enjoy seeing a good fist fight." Grant is the last person who would enjoy something like that but he would definetely like to hear that Four came in to save the day. He acts as if Four is superman around here.

"I'm not going to tell him that. He's got enough on his mind with the season just starting." I turn back in my seat and stare at the white board at the front of the class. Grant is silent for a moment, then he smacks me on the arm.

"Ow!" I say, rubbing my arm.

"Isn't today the day, the players pick rally girls?" He says, excitedly. I inwardly roll my eyes at him.

"Yeah, so what?"

He leans forward in his desk towards me. He looks like a little kid in a candy shop.

"So?! Are you going to be one this year?!"

I'm appalled! I scrunch up my face at him in utter disgust. "No! I don't want to be a players personal lacky!"

Grant pooches out his lips and raises his eyebrows mischievously. "Okay." I all he says.

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The cafeteria is as loud as ever today. I can't even think over all the noise. I sit quietly at a table and wait for Four, Tris and Grant to join me. As I unwrap my peanut butter and jelly sandwhich, my eyes glance over at the football players table. The first person I notice is of course, Eric. A girl with white blonde hair sits in his lap while two brunette girls sit on either side of him.

Sluts.

The rest of the players crowd around the table. I make the mistake of letting my eyes linger too long and Eric catches me watching them. An evil smile spreads across his lips and I immediatley turn my attention back to my food.

I see Four and Tris walk through the cafeteria doors and a flood of relief washes over me. They both sit on the opposite side of me. My cheeks must still be red from looking at Eric because Four says,

"Did something happen?" He cocks an eyebrow at me.

"No..." I mumble and look back over to the jocks table again.

Four glances over his shoulder briefly before turning back and shaking his head.

"You let them get to you way too easily. What happened this time? Eric pull your hair or something." He's joking, I know but it still slightly hurts my feelings. Four keeps telling me that I shouldn't take things so personally but it's hard..at least for me.

Grant all of a sudden plops down beside me. "Hello, again." He says, flirtatiously. I shove my elbow into his side. "Ssttooppp." I drag out.

I watch as our principle, Mrs. Dackers approaches the stage in the lunchroom. She taps the mike in front of her and waits for everyone to become quiet.

Everyone all collectively turns in her direction. "As most of you know, today the Varsity football players get to pick their rally girls! This year, we're allowing our seniors to pick first. Starting with our star quarterback!" She motions towards Four. He stands from his seat, he walks to the front of the stage where a large box of jerseys is sitting.

He rumages through it until he finds his jersey with the #4 on it. Mrs. Dackers hands him the microphone. He takes it with a smile and turns in the direction of our table. "I'd like Tris to be my rally girl. If she's up for it." The football players hoop and holler as Four walks over and gives his jersey to Tris.

Mrs. Dackers begins speaking again once Four has taken his seat. "Next, we have the captain of our Defense!" The girl that is sitting in Eric's lap stands and kisses him on the cheek before letting him walk to the front. I scowl at the scene. All three girls giggle as looks through the box. The black jersey with #56 is pulled out and Eric takes the microphone.

He's silent for a moment as he scans the room. He winks at his little fan club and they giggle some more. "I'll take...Gracie." My eyes shoot up to him. He just called me a bitch earlier, now he wants me to be his rally girl?! The girls he was sitting with all exchange looks before turning their gaze to me and giving me the ultimate death glare.

Eric walks over to out table and pulls me from my seat. He forcefully shoves the jersey over my head. I don't even need to turn around to know the looks I'm getting from Four, Tris and Grant. The football players once again start cheering.

Eric gives me a once over before leaning in and whispering softly, "My number looks good on you, Gracie."

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