Forte Knox

3. Cher

Of course, Landon got the position, and he sped so far up the social hierarchy that even I, the invisible new girl, became popular by acquaintance.

And of course, that meant my life had changed drastically.

Landon and I no longer had to look for empty seats at the cafeteria during lunch; we were offered seats. People said hi to us everywhere we went and complimented us even though we were wearing the same stuff from two days ago. Everyone wanted to be our friend and we were constantly invited to parties and sororities. But in between Landon's hectic practice hours and my music club meetings, the amount of time we got to spend with each other was so much lesser than I would have preferred. And in the times when we finally got to hang out, Landon would be too burnt out from football to be of any fun.

I hated how being the quarterback meant having to sacrifice that part of him.

Sure, the fame and recognition that my best friend had passed on to me felt nice at first, but I would have traded it all in a blink to get my Landon back.

"Ri, I'm so, so sorry." Landon tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his eyes apologetic. I knew he meant it, and that he was just as disappointed as I was, but it still sucked that he had no choice but to ditch me for Broadway Fridays. "The game is on Sunday and coach wouldn't let us rest until we bring home a trophy."

"I know, it's your first game night," I told him, trying to smile.

"You'll be there, right?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."

He pulled me in for a tight hug as the bell rang overhead. "You're the best."

I still stood, rooted to the spot in the middle of the hallway after Landon hurriedly left for practice, figuring out how I was going to survive Friday night all alone for the first time since the day dad passed away. Landon had helped me out of one of the darkest times in my life, and as much as I didn't want to admit it, I was sort of dependent on him.

"Excuse me!" A shrill, high-pitched voice came from somewhere behind me. "Coming through!"

Before I could react, something knocked into me and the next thing I knew, books and papers were strewn all around me.

I turned around to find a pretty blonde girl with the bluest eyes staring at the mess in horror.

"I'm so sorry," I started to say.

She fixed a glare at me. "You have got to be kidding me! Now I'll have to rearrange Miss Summer's notes all over again, you idiot!"

"Sorry," I said again. I really wasn't in the mood, otherwise I'd have bitched her back about how the hallway was wide enough to fit an elephant so she could've easily went on her way without running into me.

"Ugh," she threw both hands up in the air and rolled her eyes. "Oh I know you, River Andrews. The new girl who suddenly rose up to fame because you just so happened to know Landon. Girls like you are absolute parasites, trying to claw your way up to fame by using poor unsuspecting popular guys."

My eyebrows knitted together. Who does Blondie think she is? I was just about to give her a piece of my mind when another voice beat me to it.

"Cut the crap, Bea." It was Red, one of the girls at the bleachers from Landon's quarterback tryouts the other day. "Nobody needs your opinion."

"Make me," Bea sneered at her.

"Well, wouldn't it be unfortunate if Senator Grundy found out that her supposedly perfect daughter was kicked off the debate team and had resorted to running errands for Miss Summer to get her spot back?"

Blondie Bea's nostrils flared dangerously. However, Red must have played her cards right because other than glaring at us like her eyes are about to pop out, Bea didn't utter another word as she gathered up her things and left.

"Thanks," I told Red, somewhat unwillingly. "You didn't have to though. I had it all under control."

She rolled her eyes and uncrossed her arms. Pushing herself off the wall that she was leaning against, she strolled over until she was right in my face.

"Look, River, you don't have to pretend."

I quirked an eyebrow. I've had enough of snappy encounters to last me a lifetime, I don't need another.

"I saw what went down with Landon," she explained. "And from what I could tell, you guys seem pretty close. I guess what I'm saying is that I know what it's like to lose a friend to football."

Admittedly, I was taken aback. That was not what I was expecting, especially not from Red.

"I don't need your pity, if that's what it is."

She exhaled loudly. "I'm just trying to be nice, okay?"

It felt fake, almost like a trap, but considering how she chased Bea away, I decided to overlook our initial interaction at the tryouts and give her a chance.

"Okay, so we got off on the wrong foot. I'm River Andrews," I extended a hand. "Nice to be of acquaintance."

She smiled, a genuine one by the looks of it, and took my hand. "Cher McCarthy. So what are you doing Friday night?"