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
"Hey!"
I glance behind me and then back at Nikki in confusion. "Are you talking to me?" I begin unlocking my locker.
"There's no one behind you so..." Nikki smiles with teeth, her body leaning against her locker.
"Do you need something?"
After the mall, my father was incoherent. I've never seen him like that. I didn't know what to say so I just held my head while he rambled on and on. I think he yelled for about an hour until my mom stepped in and told me to head to bed. The next morning, he was silent. I waited and waited for the beating but it didn't come. It's Monday now and I don't know how to tell him I got an extra week of detention because I was late to class.
I don't know if Mrs. Heathers told him either.
"Actually, I wanted to ask how it went with Victoria." A nervous laugh bubbles out her lips. "You disappeared after lunch and I didn't see you until it was time to go." Nikki's eyes are focused on me.
"What's it to you?" I cross my arms, staring her down.
Nikki's eyes begin to quiver. "What?" She takes a step back as if she just realized where she is. "No. No." She clears her throat. "Nothing. I'm just bored." Her hands seem to tighten around the straps of her backpack. "I - I have a meeting so... so I have to go to it."
"What?" I tilt my head in confusion. "You came to me." The hell is wrong with her? "Did you forget your coffee or something?"
"The meeting is there." Nikki points to the locker across from mine. "I'll see you later!" Nikki fast walks away from me.
Girls are crazy weird.
With a shake of my head, I focus on the task at hand. I grab my World History homework and begin searching for the answers online. The familiar scent of cologne fills my nostrils but I ignore it.
"Boo!"
I remain calm as I continue scribbling the answers down. "What do you want, Carter?" My eyes remain on my phone, searching for the last answer.
"Dang, how'd you know it was me?"
I chuckle. "You smell like you sprayed yourself with orange juice." It's the most bizarre cologne smell ever.
"Hey!" A hand pushes my head against the locker door. "My grandma made me this cologne." Carter sounds defensive.
I shrug. "Maybe she should stick to baking cookies." Is that offensive? Because if it is, I meant it. Her cookies are delicious.
"Whatever."
Finally! I internally cheer and stretch out my neck. I shove my pencil into my pocket and open my backpack. "Do you need anything?" I push the worksheet into the inside pocket. "I need to head to World History so I can do some reading before the Pop Quiz."
