Like You Mean It

2. Hayden

"Why is Lovell here?" A trumpet exclaimed from the middle of the pack, "Hey wait, that's one of their drum majors. Where are they going, get back here you stupid cheaters!"

I turned to my right to see Max, David, and Jace already booking it away. I didn't. Why didn't I? My feet were glued to the ground, I was a deer in headlights. A few Valley kids were shoving their way to the front, including that stupid trumpet player.

"They're cheating!" Someone exclaimed.

"Once I get my hands on them, I swear to God!"

I couldn't move. They were coming straight for me to beat me up and I just couldn't move. Why couldn't I move?

And then a flash of teal.

"Just go with it," A familiar voice urged and then they pulled me into a kiss.

I got the message. Thank you for my savior, whoever this kid is, thank you so much for sending them to me. I closed my eyes and held their waist, pulling them closer to me. Making it seem believable. They weren't a bad kisser, far from it actually. It was good, like really good. Like sparks flying, butterflies racing, chest pounding, like how every book says a first kiss with your true love is like. I hadn't actually believed a kiss could be like that until this moment.

When we broke the kiss, I slowly opened my eyes to see Cameron, of all people, staring back at me. His freckled face was twisted with a slight glare and his cheeks were nearly redder than his hair, "Hey babe, I didn't think you were coming!" He exclaimed, his cheery voice juxtaposing the evil eye he was giving me.

If his look could speak, it would say go along with it, idiot.

So, I did.

"I couldn't miss your first home game, Cam." I smiled and he looked like he wanted to choke me.

"Cam, you're dating a Knight?" The same trumpet player asked.

"Tom, did you know about your brother dating the enemy?" A clarinet roared.

The distant red-headed drum major in the tall tower, who was apparently Cameron's brother, rolled his eyes, "Yeah, honestly he's around more than Gabby at this point."

"Yeah, he's a real pain, right Gabby?" A red-headed marimba player, who must've also been related to Cameron, asked.

"He ate all my cereal!" A red-headed baritone player, who again was probably related to Cameron, exclaimed.

Jesus Christ, how many siblings does Cameron have? And how are they all ginger? And why did that drum major look so damn familiar? Where the hell do I know him from? God, why is he so far away? If only I could get a better look...

"I said sorry Gabby, I even bought you another box!" I exclaimed; Cameron had to hold back laughter. I'm so happy he found my horrible misfortune and lack of acting skills funny.

"And none of you thought it was important to mention that Cam was dating the enemy?!" The clarinet exclaimed.

"Oh, calm down, Kylie. Not my place to say anything, besides I didn't know if Hayden was out yet." The drum major brother shrugged, "I won't out anyone, not even dirty Knights."

He knows my name. How does he know my name? Tom...Tom...did I march with him this summer? I didn't know Cameron had a brother named...Tom. He must've been on the horn line. The only ginger Tom from Kings I could remember was...Thomas Miller, lead mellophone. Which means...

Cameron's last name is Miller. No way.

Miller as in legacy Miller. Cameron was the younger brother of Kayden Miller who revived the Valley band's competition standings his freshman year. All three of Cameron's older siblings were ridiculously talented musicians who led Valley to nationals four years in a row, with three titles under their belt. And Valley was banking on a fifth year at nationals, with four Millers on their roster. And I am fake dating a Miller. Is this traitorous? Oh my god, I'm just like Logan. Logan of all people!