Protecting Your Own

Chapter 15

    Before I knew it, a week had passed by. My life was so busy with cheer practice, training, avoiding Wren and Nadine, and lessons that I didnt even notice what day it was until my mother came in with my purple and white 'wildcats' uniform. 

   "Ready for today? And tonight?" She asked and I smiled. Honestly, it was going to be fun getting to wear a uniform at school not be such an outcast for once. Dylan promised she would be with me all day, and naturally Laken would be with her, in his football jersey. No matter how many missions they went on, dad made sure he never missed a game. 

   "I guess so, I forgot tonight was the first game." I said as I took the uniform that she had already had cleaned before i even got the chance to wear it.

   "Wren is going to be there, just to watch make sure nothing goes amiss." She said with a soft smile. I think she could see my feelings for him, and his in return but I wasn't budging. This was to important to me.

   I had an actual friend now, and a cheer squad. Granted I may not actually like cheer leading but at least i had friends. 

   I got dressed, slipping on the uniform and grabbing the pom poms off my desk before leaving my room. I made sure my hair was down today so that I could put it up tonight for the game. Dylan was meeting me at the entrance of the school when our driver dropped us off.

   I pranced into the kitchen and grabbed a glass of orange juice before jumping up to sit on the counter. "Beverly you know you aren't supposed to be up there." My mom scolded as she walked into the laundry room. 

  "You look good." Laken said as he entered wearing his jersey and jeans. "First game, are you excited?" 

  I shrugged in response. "Its kind of like training but instead of kicking someones ass you are twirling around in a short skirt while everyone whistles. Same effort though." I said as downed the glass and set it down. Laken chuckled while doing the same. "Hey, can I as you a question." I said and he nodded.

  "Sure whats up."

  "Dylan, you didnt put her up to all of this did you? the team and everything, being my friend?" I knew that she had no idea that Laken and I were related but that didnt mean he didnt ask her to be nice to me. 

  Laken shook his head as he set his glass down. "No, she just didnt stop talking about you after our hiking trip, about how you were nice and no one actually knew you. Its all her." He said and I frowned, deciding on whether or not I should believe him. "Look, Dylan is really sweet, and if I wasnt involved in the life I was in, I might actually marry her. Don't think im doing you any favors, I already had dad bring in Wren for you, why would I give you my girlfriend." 

   "Dad is married and mom knows what he does." I pointed out and he nodded.

  "Mom and dad also weren't in high school when they met. Maybe when we are both out and she has gone through college and lived her life, but im not making her give anything up for me. Its not what I want for her." It hit me in the moment that it wasnt all for show. Laken actually didnt like Dylan Cole. He may not show it in front of people, but he didnt in front of me, just now.

   "I hope it works out, i really like her. And who knows, maybe one day she can know we are siblings." I teased as he rolled his eyes.

   "Lets get to school." He grinned as I jumped off the counter and grabbed my backpack.

   Our driver dropped us off in our usual places and I walked the rest of the way to school. Wren was leaning against the brick building with Nadine by his side. She was sneering at all of the girls in their uniforms, jealous that she got kicked off.