SAM's POV

The school gym was crowded with screaming fans from our school and other local schools. The boys' and girls' varsity basketball teams from Wesley High were both present for the tournament. A row of chairs were lined up on the side opposite from the section of bleachers for the two teams that would compete against each other. 

Looking at my schedule for the tournaments, I saw that our varsity boys will be the first match up against North High School. There were eight schools total in the tournament. Since there are seven matches total and three rounds for an entire tournament, there would be fourteen games going on today. The girls and guys game will switch every other game. It's gonna be a long day.

I had driven myself to the tournament and was waiting for Becca to appear. I was waiting outside the gym when she finally arrived.

"Sam! OMG, you will not believe what happened last night!" Becca shrieked while giving me a huge hug.

"What now?" I asked.

"So, me and Khalil were dancing to a slow song and we were talking for a little bit, then he led me out of the gym and out here in the lobby where nobody was. He was telling me how much fun he was having and told me I was a sweet girl. And then... OH EM GEE. He kissed me!!" Becca screams and I plug my ears. "He really kissed me!! Oh, it was so amazing!"

"It sounds amazing..." I reply with a sigh.

"Eeep!! What about you? How was bestie day yesterday?" Becca asked with a huge smile on her face.

"Ha! It was a joke."

"What do you mean?"

I rolled my eyes and set my basketball bag on the ground. "Diggy decided to ditch me for Julie."

"You're not serious."

"I am. He said she asked him to homecoming. And we saw him at the BBQ restaurant last night. He was kissing Julie."

"Wait, a BBQ restaurant?"

"Yeah. So... Chris and I went to his uncle's BBQ restaurant since Diggy ditched me, and we ended up seeing them there. Like, what are the odds?"

"Oh, I didn't know that. You and Chris?" Becca lifts an eyebrow and grins.

"Yep. Don't read into it too much, okay? But anyway... they kissed. Diggy and Julie."

"Wow. That's messed up, girl. I guess you had an eventful night too..."

"Mhm. And Chris told me something very interesting." I start to tell her what Chris told me but the Wesley High boys' basketball team were arriving. "I can't tell you now. But do you think I can borrow some clothes?"

"You? Wanna borrow clothes from me? Why?" Becca asks, almost laughing.

"Yes, I do. And it's a long story..."

"Well, looks like your date with Chris really changed you, huh?" Becca smirks.

"It was not a date," I aggressively whisper. "We were just getting something to eat."

"Of course, honey," Becca wiggled her eyebrows at me and I hit her in the arm. "Ouch!"

The boys' basketball team and Coach Jerry walk by us heading toward the gymnasium. Coach Jerry gives me a nod and I return the gesture. Near the back of the line, we see the three musketeers: Khalil, Chris, and Diggy. Khalil spots Becca first and flashes a sweet smile. Becca blushes uncontrollably.

"Calm down, girl, you look like a red tamale," I say.

"Whatever."

Me and Diggy catch each other's eye and I can't help but picture him kissing Julie like he did last night. I rolled my eyes in disgust and he shakes his head. The three musketeers walk up to us in the hallway.

"Hey, Becca," Khalil says.

"Hello." She turned another shade red and I laugh a little at my friend.

"Sup, Sam? How was you and Dig's bestie night? He wouldn't spill the beans to me," Khalil asks.

"Oh, that's too bad. I'm sure he'd have plenty to tell you about his... escapade." I feel Diggy's eyes on me as I ignore his glare.

"What?" Khalil laughs.

"The important thing is did y'all have fun? I heard some exciting things from an excited amiga," I ask with a grin.

"Yeah, we had a good time." Khalil nods his head.

"That's so cuuuttteee," Chris blurts out, making us laugh. He winks at me and I blush.

"Yo, Chreezy! Who'd you go to Homecoming with?" Khalil asks.

"I didn't go to the dance," Chris responds.

"What?! That's impossible, man. Then what did you do last night, because I know you always got somethin' goin' on?"

"You know me too well, brotha," Chris smiles at me and wraps his left arm over my shoulder. "I actually spent the night with this girl right here."

Everyone looks at me and their jaws drop down to the floor. I felt a little nervous, but I remembered our deal and I quickly played along.

"Yeah, we went to this fabulous restaurant last night. It was really fun." I force a smile and look at my friends.

"NO WAY!" Khalil gasps and looks at us. I feel Diggy's glare on us and I can just imagine his face turning redder than the devil's. Khalil seems to be the only one reacting to the news.

"Wait, so are y'all like a thing now or what?" Khalil asks.

Me and Chris look at each other, then back at the others and shake our heads. Becca is smiling the whole time and Khalil still looks shocked.

"I'm not surprised. I shipped you two all along," Becca says with a pleasing look on her face.

"Man, I never pictured you with Sam though. I gotta be honest, I thought she was too manly for you," Khalil says. I punch him in the arm and he flinches holding his arm and rubbing the pain away, or so he thinks.

"Shut up," I retort.

"Yo, Diggy, you been quiet this whole time. You got an opinion on us?" Chris asks him.

I look at Diggy for the first time since we've been talking and he has this mean look on his face. Haha, he looks so pissed I can't even bare it! He looks me up and down and I continue smirking at him. He tells Chris that he's cool with whatever we got going on and then looks away. After his reply, we all walk into the gym. Chris's arm is still around my shoulder and I put my arm around his waist. He offered to take my basketball bag as well. I didn't know he could be a gentleman. 

As soon as the others were far away, we stopped in front of the bleachers and Chris turned to face me.

"How you feel?"

"Alright."

"Man, did you see Diggy's face?! We must've been mega believable, huh?" Chris laughs.

"I guess so. He was turning so red, too!" I said, getting in a good laugh.

"Okay, well keep it up. Oh, watch out for Julie. She should be here pretty soon cheering on her 'man' with the rest of the cheerleaders."

"Alright. Go kick some North High butt!"

"You know ya man will." He winks at me and sprints off to the other side of the court where his teammates are.

I turn around and find a seat next to Becca on the bleachers. I sit my bag on the seat next to me and prepare for the long day ahead. Of course my best friend asks me all sorts of questions about me and Chris and I tell her everything... except the part about it being fake. I want to tell her that this is just a scheme, but I'm afraid she'll spill the beans because she never knows when to be quiet. I do tell her about the kiss last night and of course she freaks out. That should keep her occupied for a few hours.

***

Julie showed up before the first boys' game with the rest of the Wesley High cheerleaders, including my girl Becca. Even Julie's evil clones were there, Dana and Ladelle.

After the cheerleaders performed, the games began! A few minutes into the boys' game and Becca runs over to keep me company on the bleachers. Julie was staring over at us the whole time with a stank look on her face.

 "Hiya!" Becca greets me.

"Hey. What are you doing?"

"Just came to keep my best friend company..."

"Mhmm," I reply, turning my attention back to the game.

"...And getting a good view of my man."

"Wow. So after one night Khalil's your man now? Whooaa, Becca!" I joked.

She is smiling and blushing up the ying-yang. My girl must really like him. Awww.

"It was a good night," she says.

Julie was still staring at us and her minions had that problem too. They were whispering to each other on the sidelines then before you know it, Julie comes strutting her butt towards the bleachers and sits right beside Becca.

"Hey, Becca--"

"Hmm?"

"Whatcha doin'?"

"Oh, I just wanted to come up here and give my friend some company while the boys are playing. We don't start cheering again 'til halftime, so I thought I could spare a few minutes," Becca says with a smile on her face.

"That's fine. I just think that all the team members should be on the sidelines... as a group. We can't have individuals chatting with their friends or relatives while the game is going. I mean, I could be talking with my friends too, but I'm not because I know my responsibilities. Okay?" Julie tried to sound as sincere as possible -- but I can see right through that fake crap.

"Yeah, okay." Becca turns to face me: "Guess I'll TTYL..." She walks down the bleachers and back over to where the rest of the cheerleaders are sitting. Julie is still here.

"Can I help you?" I ask with attitude.

She smirks and forces out a fake laugh, then looks me in my eyes saying, "No, you can't. I wouldn't even try if I were you - ha! I don't know what idea Chris has in his head... but I'd never trust a smart mouthed broad like you."

"Touché. But at least this broad knows how to get a man, instead of stealing them from other people." I added a little neck roll to get my point across.

"You just can't get over the fact that Daniel likes me better than you, huh? Mm, I don't know, maybe it was my tall frame, beautiful brown locks, my... flexibility skills," Julie giggles, "And-- OH! I know! I give him his space when he needs it and I don't continue harassing him about how crazy the new girl at school is. He appreciates a good listener."

"You are really feelin' yourself! Diggy, is just under some spell for some reason, but he'll be back to his old self in no time. Just watch," I say.

"Okay, Miss Know-It-All. Sorry your feelings got hurt during this love triangle, but just know that I was Daniel's first..." Julie rubs her stomach, winks at me, then finally leaves my sight joining the rest of the cheerleaders.

His first? What is she talking about? The buzzer sounded for half time.