Higher (East Knights book 1)

Monty

Wednesday 9:56 am

Monty: Mags, can we meet up after practice?

Margot: What's up?

Monty: Just wanna talk, come over?

Margot: Sure.

Fuck. I don't even know what I did that. I've been trying to get her out of my head I don't know how inviting her over is gonna make me forget about her. You're a fucking idiot Monty.

"Hey, Monty right?" I turn to see the blonde from yesterday standing at the locker beside me. "Oh hey, Ivy. What's up?" God, she's so hot. Maybe I should just fuck her, that'd make me forget about Maggie. "You were talking about a party on Friday right?" She says as she leans onto the locker beside mine. I mimic her action and lean on my locker facing her. "Yeah, you planning on popping out? I'll send you the addy."

I look down at the bracelet on her wrist and all I can think about is Maggie. It's the same bracelet I got for her on our one year. God, what is wrong with me. I'm standing across from this gorgeous, girl and yet all I can think about is my ex-girlfriend who has a massive crush on my best friend. I hate myself.

"Nice bracelet, where'd you get it." I pull her wrist closer to me as my eyes meet hers. "My dad got it for me, perks of divorce." She laughs and then drops her wrist out of my hand. "Sorry," My eyes travel to meet the phone in her hand. God, how much money does her family have? "Divorces suck." I say speaking from experience.

I feel my phone vibrate in my hand, to see that I have a new message from Maggie.

Margot: enjoying urself, lmao.

I look around the now almost empty hallway to glance in the direction of Maggie's locker. I don't know what even comes over me but.

"Hey, I'll text you the addy later. Gotta go talk to someone before 2nd period." I make my way over to Maggie and leave Ivy sitting at my locker. "She's new I'm being nice." I gaze over her body before saying anything else. "You look good today." I look up to meet her eyes. "I look good every day," She responds.

She's not wrong there, she looks good enough to eat every day. God, why can't I just get this girl out of my head. "So what's so important that you couldn't just tell me over text?" She questions sternly. Fuck, I can't just blurt it out right here before second period. I need her to come over today. I just need her.

"You're gonna be late." I tease as I start making my way down the hallway, and towards my class. Maggie and I still have classes together that we chose last year while we were still together. It sucks. Seeing her in half my classes just watching her get on with other guys. She's been my girl since freshman year. And I would have planned to keep it that way if she didn't make me chose.

"Monty," she whimpers out from behind me. "What is it? Come on just tell me. I have shit to do after school." I laugh. She doesn't have shit to do I know her schedule. I've been friends with this girl since 5th grade and I've dated her since 9th, her schedule hasn't changed in five years and I know that better than most.

"The bell is about to ring just come over and you'll find out." I say walking into my marketing class and taking my usual seat next to Arlin. "Sounds kinky, can I find out too big man." I sigh, pulling my notebook out of my bag. "Shut up." I return to him. God, he might be my best friend but he's a pain in the ass.

I glance towards the door right before the bell is about to ring, and spot Ivy stumbling in. God, just what I needed another fucking distraction. "Can I sit here?" She whispers pointing to the seat next to mine. "All you, babe." I respond turning my chair towards the board. Just as I do Celia struts in with a pass. After handing it to Mr. D she struts over to her normal seat, which is currently in use by Ivy. "Get up," she declares towards the new girl. "She's new Ivy, chill on her." I hear Arlin whisper from beside me.

This is not what I needed. A distraction, Maggie, and my current hookup all in the same place at the same time. Fucking trouble. "Fine," Celia mumbles as she walks over to sit beside Maggie. "But that's still my seat, new girl, don't get comfortable." She adds. Arlin whispers something under his breath but he says it too quietly, and before I can catch it Ivy says something to me.

"She seems nice." She says sarcastically, lightly laughing about the situation. "She's okay, you just gotta get to know her." I lie. Celia is not the nicest person in the world. I'll give Ivy that one, but she distracts me from Maggie in the one way she can. Sex.

Wednesday 12:25

I make my way into the cafeteria and sit down at my usual table with the rest of the team. "Clayton sucks." Mike says looking up from his phone. "Okay, an easy win is all I'm hearing." I respond. Arlin snickers at that. I may not be the best football player our school has to offer, but I take pride in the fact that I'm the quarterback, team captain, and that I could get into any college I want with an easy-adjustment.

I feel a hand placed on my shoulder and turn to see Celia sitting down in the seat next to me. "Miss me?" She says as she leans in. Next thing I know my lips are covered by hers. Her lips are soft I'll give her that and they're full. Full, soft, pale pink lips. They kind of look like Maggie's. Fuck, I can't keep doing this. I pull away from Celia to notice a blonde sitting next to Arlin. It's Ivy. "Nice of you to join us today." I say mockingly. "Celia, this is Ivy. She's new be nice." I laugh putting my arm around her shoulders.

"You smell like weed." Celia whispers into my ear. "Get over it." I respond back to her out loud for everyone at the table to take notice of. I don't understand what the problem is with girls in this school and me smoking. If anything they should be glad it's just weed and not anything harder.

"Monty's house Friday. Who's going?" Mike calls out across the length of the table. Just then I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket and I reach to pull it out.

Margot: I'm coming to the game on Friday. Jersey?

Monty: I'll give it to you tonight. Yk when u come over.

Margot: LMAO FINE.

I laugh to myself. But sadly it gets the attention of Celia, who's now glaring at my phone from her seat. "Who's that?" She asks questioning. I don't respond. Instead, I just put my phone back in my pocket and listen to what the guys are saying. Inside I'm having a fit. Maggie wants to wear my jersey. This is what I don't get. We broke up, she hates me, but she wants to wear my jersey to the game. She could have asked anyone else on the team. But I'm not gonna complain because I know that seeing her up in the stands with my jersey on will make me play better. I'm not the only one wearing my name. I have to show justice for her, even if we aren't together anymore.