I walk into school the next day and began the short walk toward my locker as Hit This Hard rang through my earbuds, I had my soccer bag with me so I could practice after school.

We have two more games before the season is actually over and I want to do my best, I know coaches from professional teams and various colleges and universities will be at our final game so I want to give it my all.

I get to my locker and turn my combination lock before finally entering the needed digits for the lock to open.

I grabbed my books for first period and closed my locker before making my way to the girls change room to stick my soccer bag in a locker there seeing as my locker was too small to fit my bag.

As I made my way to the change room, a body came running up beside me. "Lyla.. Hey." Spencer greeted from my left.

My eyes widened slightly as I realized I was going to confess my true feelings toward him and I sighed internally, clearly not ready to hurt his feelings.

"Uh, hey Spencer." I said, plastering a fake smile across my lips and slowly taking my earbud out of my ear.

He smiled back, "I was just wanting to tell you I, uh.. Had fun last night." He said, scratching the back of his neck, nervously.

My eyes widened again, "Oh, you did?" I paused. "Oh uh, y-yeah.. Me too." I said nervously.

"Are you okay?" He asked me, looking at me closer as if there was something on me he just realized was there.

"Uh- y-yeah of course. I'm fine, look I really got to go and drop my bag off and get to class before I'm late, so I'll talk to you later, okay?" I said, smiling shortly at him in hopes of him catching my message.

"Sure, yeah definitely!" He said with a smile. "But, one more thing.." He finished, trailing off as I looked at him in anticipation.

He quickly grabbed my hand, pulling me closer to him and placing a gentle kiss on my lips faster than I could say holy cow. He pulled away and winked at me, "I'll call you later." He whispered into my ear and with that, he was off.

I stood in the hallway completely shocked at what had just happened. How am I going to let him down now? He's going to be so upset.

Sighing to myself, I placed my earbud back into my left ear and continued my way to the change rooms. I had to figure out how I was going to break things off with him while still lessening the blow.

The rest of the school day had seemed to pass by weirdly fast and before I knew it, I was out on the field by myself shooting some goals.

I had set up a line of soccer balls in front of the net to practice my shooting. I jogged back from the first ball as I focused my attention on it and the net.

I mentally decided how hard I needed to hit the ball to get it directly into the net. I blew out and ran to the ball, kicking the ball as hard as I needed to. I heard the swish of the net and smiled contently to myself before beginning to shoot the other balls.

After shooting, I had practiced my dribbling with some cones I found in the gym closet. As I sat down to take a break after about an hour and a half of practice, a few girls from my soccer team walked by me.

"Hey Lyla!" They called, with smiles plastered across their faces.

"Hi guys." I said to them before they began to walk over to me.

"Did you hear about the party that's going on at Calvin's house on friday? It's going to be huge! You should come and bring Meredith and Amanda!" Hilary exclaimed.

Hilary's chocolate brown eyes twinkled as he luscious, long red hair fell in small waves behind her shoulders. Her tall, but small frame stood directly in front of me with her three other friends standing behind her.

Although Hilary was absolutely gorgeous and seemingly sweet at times, she did tend to have a bitter side that was unleashed every so often.

She was considered a queen at Greenlyn High school. I mean, she did have it all. She had friends, money, popularity and Patrick Sinclair. They were dating but it was so seemingly obvious she was into Calvin.

They way she continuously pines over Calvin attempting to be nonchalant is not actually nonchalant. Patrick seems like a decent guy and by Hilary pining over Calvin makes me feel almost bad for him.

Calvin hasn't really told me any details about his love life except that he was once in love with this girl awhile back.

I remember him telling me when we went on the ferris wheel together, that memory tends to be a bittersweet one for me though.

I felt this tinge in my chest at the fact that Hilary liked Calvin and I couldn't exactly tell what it was and it scared me.

Did I like Calvin? I don't know. If I did, well, it would not end well especially seeing as he's not the type to be in a real relationship. I-

My thoughts were interrupted by Hilary, "Hello?? Lyla, you in there?" She laughed while waving her hand in my face.

I blinked a couple times before finally remembering what she had asked, "Y-yeah sorry. Um, I'll think about it." I answered and stood up.

"Okay, well, we will see you later!" She said, obviously confused by my zoning out.

"Bye!" I called as they left the field before drinking the last swig of my water in my water bottle.

I decided that it was getting late and I did have some science homework so I began to clean up the balls and place them in a bag that I got from the gym.

Once I had put the balls into the gym closet, I made my way to my car and drove the brief ride home.

Sighing, I dropped my bag off by the door and I shut the front door once I was inside and kicked my shoes off.

"Hey Ly, where've you been?" Dylan noticed me from the hallway as he walked toward me in curiosity.

"Oh, I just decided to stay after school today and practice." I smiled.

He nodded, "That's cool, how was it?"

"Good. It was really good, you know how playing always makes me feel so good." I chuckled grabbing another water bottle from the fridge.

"Oh I know." He said.

"Where is Lucas and Dad?" I asked, taking a swig.

"They went out to the store to get some stuff for dinner." Dylan replied.

"Oh okay well, I'm going to go upstairs and have a shower and do my homework. Call me down when dinners done?" I questioned.

"You know it." He replied and I smiled at him.

"Thanks." I answered before making my way up to my room.

I stripped my clothes to get into my tepid shower to wash all of the day off me. I made sure to lather some shampoo and conditioner into my hair.

"Lyla, dinner's ready!" I heard Dylan yell from the main floor.

"Okay coming!" I yelled back and shut my textbook as I had just finished my homework now. Making my way downstairs, I could smell the amazing scent of my dad's famous lasagna.

"Hey dad," I greeted as my feet landed on the main floor and I walked up to him to peck him on the cheek. "Dinner smells good."

"Hey sweetheart," He smiled at me. "Yeah, I'm making my famous dish, I have something to tell you kids." He said while opening the oven and retrieving the dish of various cheeses and glorious beef that had been topped with tomato sauce.

"Ooh so that's why the special occasion. Well, I'm sorry I'm not dressed for it." I said, oooking down at my baggy sweatpants that I paired with an oversized hoodie.

"Ah you're fine, it's not that big but it is important." He smiled and set the tray of lasagna down in the middle of the table.

"Well then lets get on with dinner so we can hear the news!" I smiled as Lucas and Dylan were already sat at the table after setting it up.

"So Dad, what's the big news?" I asked him once everyone had settled and began to eat.

Lucas and Dylan both looked up and waited for my dad to speak, "Well, I was at work today and I got promoted," He paused, looking at us. "-to construction foreman! So, now since I'll be making a greater salary as the head of our construction site we can afford more things and I am even thinking about a trip for the family this summer. I think it would be nice to have a family getaway. What do you guys think?" He asked.

"Oh my gosh dad, that's amazing! I'm so happy for you, congratulations!" I shrieked and stood up from the table to engulf him in a tight hug.

"Congratulations dad, I think a trip would be great!" Lucas smiled and Dylan agreed.

I sat back down and nodded, "I agree too. We haven't had a family trip in years. It's about time." I chuckled.

My dad smiled and squeezed my hand that was on the table, "Thank you guys, I am really excited about this."

"We are too, dad." Dylan agreed.

We all continued to eat the delicious meal my dad had prepared as my heart felt full. I was absolutely ecstatic for my dad.

He had always dreamed about being the boss and getting a higher pay and I knew that this job was his dreams come true.

A couple minutes, I looked up at my dad to see him smiling softly to himself. I reached and grabbed his hand on the table and gave it a gentle squeeze, "Congrats dad."

"Thank you sweetheart." He smiled and kissed my forehead.

"So Lyla, there's a party at my house, are you coming?" Calvin asked once he had sat down beside me in the cafeteria at lunch.

I was currently sitting with Amanda and Mere as we talked about school, life and anything else that seemed to come up in our conversation when the notorious, brown haired bad boy came and sat down at our table.

"Your party?" I asked, playing dumb.

"Yeah, this friday. You should bring Meredith and Amanda along too." He said and smiled at them.

"Oh my gosh we have to go Ly!" Mere shrieked.

I rolled my eyes at her playfully, "And why should I come?"

He shrugged, "Fine then, don't come. I only invited you because Dylan told me to."

My jaw dropped and I smacked him, "You jerk," I laughed. "You're lying, aren't you?"

He just smirked, "Maybe."

I just laughed and rolled my eyes and took another bite of my pizza, not noticing Amanda and Mere were staring at us with wide eyes.

"Okay well, I'll see you after school." He said, beginning to get up from the table.

"Okay, see yeah." I said and waved as he left and I turned to my friends.

"What?" I asked, finally noticing their staring. I gave them a confused look.

"He was totally flirting with you!" Amanda whisper-yelled as she leaned in closer to me.

"What?" I asked, almost choking on my food. "There's no way."

"Yes there is! Are you guys actually friends now?" Mere asked.

I shrugged, "I mean, kind of, I guess. I just see him everyday since he practically lives at my house with my brothers. I wouldn't doubt it if my dad started to call him son from the amount of time he spends at my place."

Amanda and Mere shared cheeky glances as I gave them a look of disbelief, "We've had this conversation over and over again. It's starting to get really repetitive and there's no reason for it. Calvin doesn't like me and I don't like him. End of story." I said, finishing my pizza.

"Whatever you say." Amanda shrugged giving Mere a knowing glance which she returned and I just rolled my eyes in response.

Calvin's party was tonight and I decided to go just for the fun of it. I haven't been to too many house parties seeing as most of them had gotten busted by the cops on multiple occasions.

I was looking forward to it even though I would agree to disagree on it with Amanda and Mere, I didn't know what my feelings were but I was hoping I could find out soon.

Mere picked me up as we drove to Amanda's house and picked her up too before making our way over to Calvin's place.

The street was packed with parked cars along the sides of the road and it took us at least fifteen minutes to find a parking spot. Once we had parked, we walked down the street to his house where we could already hear the booming of the loud music from the next street over.

Amanda grabbed mine and Mere's hands excitedly as she let out a small, excited squeal. "Let's go have some fun!" She smiled as we walked into his house finally.

The house was packed with dancing bodies all packed together in the living room and some other people socializing with red solo cups in their hands. Yeah, the typical high school house party that you only see in movies was actually a reality.

We walked further into the house before I heard Calvin's deep voice behind me, "Hey guys, I didn't expect you to come?" He asked yelling loudly over the music.

I shrugged, "Thought it may be fun." I said.

He smiled, "Well I'm glad you guys are here," He paused. "Want a drink?"

Mere smiled at him. Before I could say anything, Mere whisper-yelled into my ear, "Amanda and I will be outside, call us if you need anything, okay?"

"Why are you guys leaving?" I questioned.

"We'll let you and Calvin talk." She winked at me and left with Amanda as she waved to me and winked.

"But-" They we're already gone before I could say anything else so I just turned to Calvin.

"You want a drink?" He asked again.

I nodded, "Yeah, thanks!"

He nodded, "Okay, come with me!" He began the small journey to his kitchen as I followed.

He grabbed a beer from his fridge and piped open the cap before pouring it into a red solo cup and handing it out for me to take. "Thanks." I smiled, taking a swig.

"So where did Amanda and Mere go?" He asked.

I shrugged, "They told me they were going outside, I guess," I answered. "Are my brothers here yet?"

"Yeah, they're outside too. They didn't know if you were going to come."

"To be honest, I didn't know either. This is very last minute," I laughed. "This dress isn't even mine, Amanda gave it to me to wear tonight." I said as I looked down at the dress I was wearing.

It was a classy maroon coloured dress that hugged my curves nicely and ended above my knees. It wasn't too long or too short either, it was perfect.

"Well, you look beautiful in it." He said, smiling with a small blush on his cheeks.

I looked up at him, "Huh, I didn't even know you knew how to compliment me." I laughed.

"I didn't either, I guess I just adopted it now." He shrugged, taking a swig of the beer in his hand until he finished the bottle.

"Thirsty?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow at him about to laugh.

"Well, when you showed up in that dress of course I am." He smirked.

I rolled my eyes playfully and shoved his chest as my cheeks heated up in embarrassment. I knew he was joking but somehow his small compliments made my heartbeat a million times faster and I couldn't say I knew why.

The night was slowly coming to an end, I had talked to my brothers and danced the night away with my two best friends, brothers and Calvin.

As much as I'd hate to admit it, I had fun and spending time with my two best friends was amazing.

Everyone had left by now besides the odd drunks who were asleep in his lawn, surprisingly the cops were never called and the party was not busted. My brothers insisted that they give me a ride home but I told them I was going to go home with Amanda and Mere so they agreed none the less and said they would see me at home.

During the night, I had lost Calvin so I went around his house to find him. Amanda and Mere were outside in the car waiting for me to se did he was okay but when I found him, he was outside with Hilary.

They were kissing on the table he had set outside. A small part of my heart fell and shattered to the ground and it was in this moment that I had realized something.

I was jealous that Calvin was kissing another girl.

I immediately walked back inside, my eyes wide as I couldn't fathom what I had just seen. I didn't even think Hilary was at his party, I hadn't seen her or her group of friends at all until now.

Calvin must have heard the sliding door to the patio close as he stumbled into his house with Hilary right behind him with an angry look on her face.

"H-hey Lyyylllllaaaaa." He dragged out with a laugh as he was obviously drunk. "What are you still doing here?" He slurred.

My jaw dropped in shock, he was drunk and Hilary was trying to take advantage of him. "Hilary I think you should leave right now." I said, ignoring Calvin.

"How about you leave Lyla?" She retorted.

"How can you take advantage of him while he's drunk? What is wrong with you?" I asked.

"Uhhhh, I wasn't?" She said, dragging out her sentence in a 'duh' tone.

I rolled my eyes at her, "I am not having this conversation with you right now. Please, just leave." I said, now getting annoyed with her.

"Sorry, what? I can't hear when irrelevant people are talking." She said at an attempt for an insult.

"Wow, Hilary. I didn't know you knew such a big word like irrelevant. I guess there is a brain somewhere in there even if it's pea-sized." I said.

She gasped, "You take that back!"

"No!" I retorted.

Calvin didn't utter a word but groaned softly. He looked like he was about to pass out.

Before I could react, Hilary shoved me hard as I stumbled into the wall and looked up at her as my anger began to surface.

I huffed out in annoyance, "Hit me!" She yelled. "C'mon! I know there's a tough girl inside of there."

"No. I'm not fighting you Hilary. You're not worth it." I moved past her to Calvin, his head was bobbing from side to side. "I have to get him upstairs, when I come down you better be gone." I said and she grimaced at me.

I walked up the stairs with Calvin as I put his arm around my shoulder so I could attempt to balance him and keep him upright.

Once we got to his room, he fell onto his bed and looked up at me dazedly, "You're really tough." He slurred.

I laughed, "Thanks." I pulled up the comforter on him.

"- and pretty." He smiled and reached his hand up to touch my cheek.

I looked down, knowing he was drunk and probably wouldn't mean it if he were sober. "Goodnight." I said, getting up.

"No! Please don't leave me, stay with me? Until I fall asleep?" He cried out like a baby.

"Okay." I said with a small smile as I sat beside his bed.

"Goodnight Lyla." He smiled with his eyes closed.

"Night Calvin." I whispered once he was asleep.

—

wow! look! an update finally after 629474959 years 🙃. thanks to those who stuck around and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

- Taylor xx