[|]

My back, my legs, everything hurt!

The practice was brutal and I was lucky I didn't come home with a broken body part because Maddy had lied that it was just 'movements'. I had been stretched in ways I didn't know I could go but at the end of it all, I did pretty well.

Now, I was under the hot shower, calming my aching muscles. I knew that I was going to be a crying mess by tomorrow. Which way was I am glad that the game was in the evening and not early the next day?

After my shower, I changed into my house clothes and walked out. I collided with a body and gasped when I felt familiar hands cupping my ass. I rushed back and wrapped my arms around my waist while staring away from a chuckling Martinez.

"You think I've forgotten about that little runaway stunt you pulled a few days ago? Tsk, you can run but will always come back," Martinez said and started walking toward me.

"Honey, I need your help!"

I sighed in relief at the sound of my mother's voice then ran past Martinez who hissed to my hearing. I ran into my room and locked it, then slid to the floor. I shut my eyes for some seconds to clear my mind before opening them.

"Just a few more months and I'll leave this place, this town. I'll leave behind all these disgusting memories," I whispered. "Moving away is the only thing that can help me now."

[|]

Saturday came by so fast and the first thing I woke up to was a call from Maddy, telling me she would pick me up for a morning practice. I had groaned after the call as I dreaded the thought of my muscles going through another wave of pain.

I threw my head back with a groan when Maddy shouted another order for a formation. I mumbled in a complaint and went to my position behind Maddy then struck the first pose at her command.

As we moved and chanted, the doors to the basketball courtyard opened and the boys who had assaulted me strolled in. I immediately stopped and moved back, effectively bumping into a girl behind me.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" The girl angrily asked.

The girls stopped and turned toward us, as well as those boys. When their eyes spotted me, something flashed on their faces then when I saw them walking in our direction. I glanced at Maddy whose eyes held concern. I looked back at the boys and ran backward before jogging in another direction that led to the restrooms. I ran into the restroom and shut the door.

When I saw it didn't have a lock, I cursed and looked around the stalls. I ran into one of the stalls and locked myself in. When I heard the main door opening, I sat on the toilet seat and lifted my legs off the floor then held my breath. My heart hammered so fast when I saw feet that most likely belonged to the boys under the door of the stall I was in. I shut my eyes when they stopped in front of the door, wishing everything I was experiencing currently was a dream.

"I swore I saw her come in here," one said and I opened my eyes.

"You know what? We'll find her later. Let's go back to practice," another said and after five seconds, they left the restroom.

I dropped my feet and sighed in relief. Even though they had left, I didn't want to show myself until the game began. Worst of all, they were on the team and I don't think I could continue with the cheerleading squad after this.

A knock on the door made me startled. I jumped to my feet and pressed my back against one of the cold walls. My widened eyes were on the door while cursing myself for forgetting myself.

"Uh, Jackie. It's me. Open up," Maddy said and I exhaled then quickly opened the door.

I ran to her and hugged her tightly. Fresh tears filled my eyes and then rolled past my cheeks. I hated my life but I was glad I now had a friend who understood why I was here.

"It's okay. Cry it all out," Maddy said while rubbing my back. "Cry it all out."

I did as I was told, bawling my eyes out for five minutes before feeling better. I sniffed and pulled away then wiped my cheeks with the back of my hands. I bowed my head in embarrassment when I saw my reflection in the mirror behind Maddy.

"Are you feeling okay?"

I sniffed. "No... Honestly, I feel so drained. Maddy, I don't think I can continue with the team after this because—"

"No, please. Don't say that. I know you're scared because of those guys but don't let this existence control your state of mind. Yes, it's hard being around the people who abused you but just forget about them and enjoy yourself. Do this for you and not for them. Besides, I'm sure they know I can deal with them if they try shit with you. I'm not the mayor's daughter for nothing," Maddy said with a cheeky smile.

I chuckled, feeling a weight go off my body. I trusted Maddy so much even though we just started knowing each other and I felt safe around her. She was my first friend that I would cherish for a long time.

[|]

"Alright, girls. Time to open the show!" Maddy said excitedly, bouncing her pom-poms.

I grinned and shook mine while the others jumped. We were in our locker room, preparing to walk out. I was nervous to the bone as I could hear the chants from the audience. I had been sweating from nervousness and my stomach churned too, making me feel nauseated.

"Hey, Jackie."

I raised my head and smiled at Maddy and the girls who stood around me. They had been nothing but nice to me that I wondered how people at school made them seem like bad people when they weren't.

"You can do this. We're here with you. Just feed into the energy of the audience and you'll be fine," Maddy said and clapped once. "Alright, time to have some fun!"

I gulped when she placed her hand in the center. The other girls followed suit and I stared at their hands before carefully placing mine.

"Jackie, say the words," Maddy said and I chuckled.

"R... E.. D!" I said.

"Paint them Red!" They chorused and lifted our hands to the ceiling.

Three minutes later, we all ran in a single line into the school's courtyard. As soon as we ran into the huge hall, cheers filled my ears. I grinned as I looked around the students in our school colors, cheering at the top of their voices.

We took our positions in the center of the courtyard, opposite the other cheerleaders from the other school we were playing against. Somehow, I no longer felt nervous but energetic as I noticed the incredulous looks on their faces, probably underestimating us.

We were up against one of the toughest basketball teams, from what I heard from the cheer team and we had to do everything to impress the audience.

A loud alarm rang and we took our last formation, with me in the center. I took a deep breath and walked out of my line of the spot in front of Maddy. I took another deep breath when I noticed how silent everyone had become. Out of the corner of my eyes, I spotted Lucas sitting on the bench, eyeing me in curiosity.

"You can do this," Maddy whispered behind me.

"I can do this," I whispered and stood with a straight back. I made eye contact with the head cheerleader across me and smiled then jogged forward.

An adrenaline rush coursed through me as I jogged then for my next trick, I started to cartwheel six times forward and landed on my feet, a foot away from the scowling cheerleader. I exhaled and winked then turned around.

"R to the E to the D!" I hollered and clapped thrice, the others stomped their feet and clapped twice before doing the same cartwheels and meeting me.

"We've got the Bull energy!" They chorused louder.

I spun around and walked back to my position. From there, we stomped our feet in a rhythm in an intimidating way that had the other cheerleaders stepping backward. When we moved back, we did with our ass arched before stepping forward and stomping our feet with a few more chants.

The other cheer squad did their own thing which had the audience booing as it was underwhelming compared to what we did. With that, we performed the rest of our moves and ended it with Maddy on top of a body pyramid. She chanted the last line the somersaulted in the air and landed on her feet like she was featherweight. The audience went wild and I couldn't help but clap and jump in glee when we scattered ourselves.

We had done well, I had done well and I could feel that I did. I even saw a smile on Lucas' face but I ignored it and joined the group hug. After our hug, we ran to our benches and sat on them.

"That was impressive, Jackie!" Maddy said as she sat beside me.

"Thank you so much for believing in me. I felt I did good," I said, smiling so hard my cheeks started to hurt.

"Come on, we have to focus on the game. Remember, we have to cheer for our team!" Maddy said and rose from the bench.

[|]

Several minutes into the game and Redwood was leading. Josh Edgewood, the captain of the team was doing so well, including Lucas. We cheered at every score they made and I was not exhausted, rather enthusiastic.

During the game, I noticed that the boys who had assaulted me were on the bench and looking toward me, which bothered me a lot. Even during breaks, I had seen Lucas go up to them to speak to them with anger visible on his body.

Just like always, Redside won and we did our ending cheer performance, wowing the audience.

After the game, I packed up and started to head to the locker room with the girls only to gasp when I felt a grip around my wrist. I turned around and collided with a sweaty body. I looked up and saw it was Lucas and tried to wiggle myself out but he pulled me closer and placed his lips against my ear. I couldn't help but shiver when he breathed heavily in my ear.

"I need to talk to you, Jackie," he whispered and I felt my body heat up from how good my name sounded on his lips but when I remembered what he did, I felt disgusted.

"No, leave me alone," I said and tried to push him in the chest but he was too strong. I blushed when I felt his hands hold my waist.

"Please, Jackie. Just listen to me. Hear me out, I beg of you," he pleaded and I shuddered when I felt his lips brush my earlobe.

Angry that I let him affect me, I pushed him away so hard he stumbled into another player. I scoffed and ran toward the exit only to gasp when I heard him calling my name. I increased my steps, pushing away the people blocking my way, and ran faster.

As I spotted the entrance to the girl's locker room, I smiled and ran faster but a grip around my arm stopped me. Then I was pushed against the wall. My eyes went wide as I analyzed the angry look on Lucas' face. His wet hair draped over his darkened eyes and his teeth were gritted.

He was mad and there was no way out of this now with the way his warm hands were clenched around my arms and how his body was pressed up against mine.

"Fuck, just let me talk," he said harshly and I chuckled drily.

"I don't want to listen to you apologize for causing me harm. There is nothing that you will say that can take away the nightmare I faced at your party when you—"

I felt his lips on mine and goosebumps rose on my skin at the intensity of the kiss. I was too stunned to move for some seconds before closing my eyes and feeling the way his warm mouth moved against mine in such a passionate yet aggressive way. I felt a warm shiver go through my body and a fluttering feeling in my stomach when he cupped my cheeks and deepened the kiss.

I relaxed and parted my lips against his, which made him sigh in approval before wrapping his hand behind my neck and then angling my head. He was such a good kisser that I couldn't catch up with him with my inexperience. I moaned when he pulled my lip between his teeth and tugged on it softly before resting his forehead on mine.

"Now, shut up and let me explain, hm?" He whispered and pecked my lips. "Okay?"

I swallowed. "O-okay."

He sighed and held my hips before rubbing his straight nose up and down my cheek.

"I am being framed," he said and I tilted my head to look him in the eye.

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"Jackie, someone paid those boys to rape you not me," he said and I gasped.