Lucas Mabry wants it all.
He wants a girl, team captain, and the popularity that comes with it.
Unfortunately, the new girl wants nothing to do with him and he turns to the only person he thinks will help.
Nikki Young.
His worst enemy.
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Lucas
What a mistake my life has been.
I've been alive for seventeen years but can't make a single decision without feeling my gut twist in guilt.
"So, Mabry."
I run a hand through my face, annoyed by the questions thrown at me by the jocks and popular people of the school. They've held back on asking me what they want to know. They're probably waiting for me to tell them, acting like they haven't been talking behind my back. I know it's mostly about Nikki and I sleeping together. And on the occasion, it's about my rumored crush on Victoria.
"Is it true?"
"What is true?"
I know what they are talking about. Only outcasts are unaware of the kiss I shared with Victoria. The only reason I'm at school today is to talk to Nikki. Unfortunately, she hasn't entered the school. So I've been sitting on the bench outside for about ten minutes now, waiting.
"Look at him acting stupid!" Xavier ruffles my hair.
"Is it true?" Avan asks. "Are you and Victoria together?"
I pause. "Together?" I never imagined they'd think we would be. "We're not together." I lean my back against the bench, using my hands to hold my upper body up. "We're just... friends."
The jocks "oh" as if I dissed her.
"We saw you..." Avan leans his head close, eyes twinkling. "Kissing."
"We're just friends. It was at the heat of the moment." I wave them off.
For her, I mean. She was the one who initiated it. I didn't pull back though.
"I wonder what else they did at the heat of the moment."
This is how rumors get started people.
"Nothing happened." I run a hand through my hair. My insides churn in guilt for what I'm about to say, because after all, even jocks make mistakes. "I kiss a lot of girls. I barely remember it." Even if the mistakes as intentional.
The jocks holler.
"He's talking like a Mabry now!"
"How I wish to be a Mabry!"
"Save some for the rest of us!"
It's loud again. Their faces are excited, shocked, and jealous. They must think I'm finally worth their attention. Anything I do from now on, bad or good, will be remembered for as long as I remain in the spotlight. I try to concentrate on what they are saying but I find myself looking for Nikki.
What if she heard?
Xavier places his arm over my shoulder. "So are you saying she's a bad kisser?" He wiggles his eyebrows.
