Second Chance (#1 Chance series)

Chapter 5

"And who do we have here?" his deep, husky voice asks as he smiles slowly, an over confident all American boy smile revealing perfect white teeth, full plush and pink lips and everything that instantly makes me melt, everywhere. 

 It was undeniable that he exuded arrogance, from every single pore. I notice the exact moment his baby blues flare with recognition.

 "I would've been able to answer that question dude if you hadn't so rudely interrupted," Ryder says his words tinged with amusement, before turning back to me expectantly. 

The blonde guy from across the table who was very invested in Phoebe's neck less than a minute ago suddenly pipes up. "I'm Gabriel Thompson by the way" he offers me a warm smile. 

Feeling overwhelmed I realize this was the part where I'm was suppose to speak, introduce myself or something, my nerves shoot up at the six pair of eyes that are trained on me curiously. 

"I'm Liv-" "Who cares who she is. The girl is a mouse, she could never fit in here. So what time are you picking me up tonight Colton?" all eyes immediately dart to Sierra and she grins seductively as if she hadn't just interrupted me mid sentence. 

My stomach sinks and my my chest tightens, being thrust into these kind of situations were not my forte, they were situations I always managed to avoid, until now. Needing to escape I shot up out of my seat, "I just remembered I have to make a quick call," I threw feebly over my shoulder, grabbing my bag and bee lining it towards the exit. 

Relief cascades through me as I emerge through the double doors, the cool air instantly embracing me. Barely a minute passes before Brooke and Phoebe come out through the same exit. I'm genuinely shocked they bothered to follow me out, but I don't dwell on that. "Hey," Phoebe says cautiously, why she was being cautious was beyond me. "I'm so sorry about Sierra, she can be an absolute bitch when she wants to be, but that was insanely rude of her," Brooke's voice is full of apology even though she wasn't the one who committed the offence. 

"It's okay," I murmur quietly, already hating the nosedive my day has taken. I just wanted to turn and run far, far away from here. They both study me for a good few seconds before speaking again. "You don't talk much do you?" Phoebe asks softly. I shake my head, not having an inkling why I even answered. I suppose I fed into the part of me that desperately wanted to be understood by people other than just my family.

 "Oh my God," Brooke began, "the bonfire tonight, I almost forgot." "What bonfire?" I ask, my brows furrowing. "It's a sort of tradition, a kind of good luck charm for the football team before they start their first season," Phoebe answers brightly, excitement etched all over her heart shaped face. "Football is big around here, isn't it?" I say remembering the various posters and banners that I saw hung up all around the school. "Brooke grins, "You have no idea. Not a big football fan?" I shrug, the only times I ever recall watching football were with dad and uncle Jesse during family holidays and even then I hardly understood it.

 To me it just looked like a bunch of sweaty boys rolling around in the dirt all day and chasing a ball. "Well trust me when I say, you'll be loving it in no time at all. We're kinda football crazed here at Melrose," Brooke smirks. "Besides," Phoebe begins her eyes twinkling feverishly, "This year is especially important. 

There's going be college scouts attending a majority of their games this year. But most importantly scouts from Columbia!"

 "Columbia?" I ask clueless at their excited expressions.

 "Colton and Ryder have always had their hearts set on Columbia since we were kids. It's unimaginable that they'd go anywhere else." Ivy League, who would've thought. "So anyways, I'll pick you up at nine tonight," Brooke interjects.

 I don't even think twice, before I rattle off my excuse, "Oh I have something tonight actually." Neither one of them look convinced. "What do you have tonight?" Brooke's face is a cool passive mask.

 "Oh, you know, just family matters," I cringe at my mediocre and stuttered excuse. Brooke beams, obviously catching me out. "Come on it's your senior year, you can not miss the bonfire, in fact it's absolutely compulsory." "But-" "No buts, you're going even if I have to drag you by your hair, I promise you'll have a great time, be ready by nine, give me your phone."

 I hand her my iPhone, she taps several buttons before handing it to Phoebe who also does the same. The bell rings, and Phoebe hands me back my phone. "There now you have both our contact info's, I'll call you when we're on our way, we'll meet the boys there." 

"Will Sierra be there?" the words slip past my lips before I can stop them. Brooke looks almost guilty "Yeah she will, but don't worry about her she won't bother you." 

"She'll be too distracted whoring herself out to Colton, ugh I honestly don't know what he sees in her." Phoebe states unabashedly. My stomach turns at her comment which was meant to reassure me but instead stirs a strange and foreign feeling within me. "Come on let's get to class, I don't want to be the lucky canvas for Mr. Humberts saliva today." Phoebe laughs as I grimace, dragging me along.