Resisting Temptation

Chapter 31

Cheer leading practice started two weeks later, but we had to practice in the gym since it was too waaaaaayyy too cold outside for us. The cheer coach came back from maternity leave, her name was Karen Sylas. She was a very beautiful blonde, looking like she was in her mid thirties. From pictures I've seen from old cheer squad competitions, it was obvious that Coach Sylas had gained some stretch-marks. She was happy to meet me, and luckily upgraded me from the bottom of the pyramid. The middle right on the pyramid wasn't exactly what I had in mind, but I'd rather have one girl kneeling on my back than two.

We were granted a quick water break half on hour into practice. As I grabbed my bottle, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I stood up straight and and smiling as I turned my head to look back, but immediately regretted it afterwards.

"What do you want?" I asked Lucas. My voice was as cold and harsh as I could possibly make it, without sounding like I had laryngitis.

"I just wanted to say hi, making sure you're okay." he replied.

"That's ironic, coming from you." I said, turning away again.

"Dani, I'm so sorry-"

"Don't tell me you're sorry!" I snapped at him. "Because I don't think you are. You're just one of those people who like to fuck around with people and not pay the price."

"That's not me though-" he protested.

"I know it is. And don't try to convince me of otherwise. I'm not sure how much of what we had was real, but whatever you have to offer? I don't want it. I don't want you." I said.

"I do love you Dani." he said.

"You may think you do, but from what I've seen; you don't even know what love is." I told him, then turning on my heels and heading back for the court. Lucas called my name though, his next question made me stop.

"And you do?" he asked I turned my head, biting my lip cautiously, unsure on how to answer. I couldn't say no, but then again, should I say yes? Maybe not for now. But I did have an answer in mind.

"A lot more than you do, that's for sure." I replied.

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An hour later, I found myself in back in the penthouse, sitting on the couch with Luisa. Zac and Michael were in the kitchen, talking about the newest sport season coming up.

"I saw you giving hell to Lucas earlier. Good for you girl." she said.

"What can I say? He had it coming. Rat bastard." I muttered the last part to myself, but loud enough for Luisa to hear. She giggled and nodded in agreement.

"Word up. But I'm glad to see you're finally happy, you deserve a little cheer in life." she said.

"Thank you, but you know you shold prowl for someone too. There are a lot of guys at Havenhurst." I said.

"Well, I might actually have my eye on one." she grinned.

"Who?" I asked anxsiously. Luisa's eyes darted to the boys behind us, and I started getting the idea.

"Oh...Michael? Really?" I asked.

"I know it may be a little hard to believe, since he's so...so..."

"Michael?" I asked.

"Exactly. But I don't know. It's like, one day I woke up, and all of the sudeen we started flirting with each other. Crazy, right?" she said.

"Are you kidding? That's more normal than the way Zac and I got together. You should go for it." I told her.

"Are you sure? I mean he's really cute, and he's super silly, and I don't want to scare him away." she said.

"You won't. You're beautiful, you're peppy, you're smart; he's got to like you back!" I replied.

"Should i talk to him?" she asked.

"Why not? Luisa, you know all the advice you gave me over and over? Use it to your own advantage!" I replied.

"Alright, alright I will. When though?" she asked. I only shrugged, remembering the fluke of luck I had at Christmas.

"Whenever you want really. You may say it first, he may say it first, but it's bound to happen! Go for it!" I said. Before she could reply, the boys came running in and jumped on the couch, Zac on my right, Michael and Luisa's left.

"What're you ladies talking about?" Michael asked.

"We were talking about you, and how much you guys stink." I replied.

"Yeah, and she means literally. When was the last time you two had a shower?" Luisa asked. The boys stopped and looked at each other, then turning back to us.

"You two might wanna take that back." Zac said.

"Oh yeah? Why should we?" I asked him. He shrugged, before leaning in close and whispering into my ear.

"Because if you don't, you might wanna start running." that was my clue to grab Luisa and pull her off the couch, then running deeper into the penthouse. We knew the boys were hot on our trail, catching up to us every second. Just as we reach the door to the bathroom door, Luisa was yanked away and thrown over Michael's shoulder.

"Shit!" She squealed, then shouting back to me. "Run Dani!" and that time, I really did run. I was glad I was a quick runner, it would come in handy in moments like this. But I wasn't as fast as Zac.

He grabbed me and picked me up, digging his fingers into my stomach and tickling me again. He carried me into his room, as I still continued to flail and laugh while trying to pull his hands away. The next thing I knew, Zac threw me onto the bed and pinned me down, then peppering my face and neck with kisses.

"Ah! Stop! Stop! I'll do anything!" I squealed. Zac stopped and started laughing as he fell back onto the bed. I sat up feeling incredibly irritated, but at the same time...happy. He was incredibly silly, like a little kid. Zac's laughter was happy, loud and full of life. It was a pleasant, beautiful sound, bubbling throughout the air around us; like music to my ears.

"You're such a jerk." I giggled. Zac just continued to laugh as he pulled me into his lap, and started to kiss me...