"I'm confused," Mina and I were sitting together in art, last period on Friday, "you're bringing all of them to the game tonight?"

"All four," I nodded slowly, my entire concentration was focused on getting the line of Mina's cheekbone straight on my painting.

"How does that work?" I finished my line proudly and finally looked up at Mina who's brow was furrowed in confusion, "are you actually dating any of them?"

"No," I replied firmly, "we're all just friends."

"Are you sure?" Mina raised a skeptical eyebrow, "it didn't look like they all felt the same."

"What do you mean?" I swirled great orange loops for Mina's hair. I'd painted her in yellows and warm oranges so her face glowed like the sunset. I wanted her kind personality to jump out from the painting and her distinctive look to be represented in the array of colours.

"You must've seen the way they all look at you?" Mina sounded shocked, I gave her a pointed look, "I mean I only saw them for a short while at the party but they seemed in tune with you the whole time. That big guy hovered by your side the entire night like a protective boyfriend, the thoughtful one looked like he knew every move you would make before you even made it, the one you dumped with Jenny only had eyes for you, he would be talking to Jenny but looking straight at you and the brooding one looked like he wanted to punch anyone who even came close to you."

I stared at Mina dumbstruck as my brain tried to process her words. I'd never seen my relationship with the boys as anything but platonic, but now she pointed it out I recognised what the hidden feeling in all of their eyes was, attraction.

What the hell had I got myself into?

"Shit," I mouthed slowly.

"Uh huh," Mina nodded then she made her voice sarcastic and slightly teasing, "how unfortunate to be desired by four insanely attractive guys, I feel so bad for you."

"What do I do?" My voice was pleading, I wasn't ready for this. When I moved here I thought I'd hate all the stuck up boys at Kings Bridge, that avoiding falling for any of them would be easy. I didn't expect this.

I wasn't ready. I was still falling out of love with someone else. Someone who'd hurt me.

"You have to be careful Cara," Mina's voice was deathly serious, "you don't want anyone getting hurt."

"No I don't," I agreed. My past relationship had hurt me enough, I didn't have the tolerance to deal with any more hurt.

***

After my chat with Mina it was like I couldn't get her words out of my head. Now she'd pointed the boys attention to me out it was all I could see, like she'd put blinkers on me that only allowed me to focus on it. I began to notice all the things I'd been oblivious to before, like when I walked into a room all their bodies shifted slightly so they were facing me. How their eyes would always be fixed on one part of my body. How Mitchell would move so he was always within arms distance of me and could yank me out of danger if needed or how Sawyer scrutinised my every move, documenting it in his brain.

I noticed other things about them too as we got ready to go out to the game, things that I hadn't allowed myself to see before. The way that when I caught Sawyers intense gaze my stomach would tighten or when Nico teased me an immediate feeling of warmth would flood through me at his attention. The way that I felt myself leaning towards Mitch too as if just breathing in his earthy smell could keep me safe or how when Grey's eyes set fire to my skin they also sent tingles down my spine.

"Cara are you okay?" Mitch reached to touch my shoulder, I was sitting on my bed with my knees drawn up to my chest tightly while Nico and Grey had a heated argument over which of two swimmers was better.

"Yeah," I nodded automatically. Mitch's face told me that he didn't believe me. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table hoping to quickly change the conversation, "we should probably head off soon if we want to get good seats."

"Sounds good," Nico agreed standing up sharply, a smirk spread across Grey's face,

"He wants to go because he knows I'm right and he's wrong," Grey laughed.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night loser," Nico rolled his eyes but everyone knew Grey was right.

"Just admit that I won," Grey persisted.

"Never," Nico folded his arms defiantly.

"Give in Nico," Grey sighed dramatically, "just admit defeat, I'll only remind you of it for eternity."

They spent the entire journey in Grey's car battling it out, I was wedged between the two of them as they tossed insults at each other playfully.

"What do I have to do to make the two of you shut up?" I cried suddenly, both Grey and Nico shut up instantaneously. Nico developed a considering look while Grey's eyes ignited with their usual fiery glow.

"Well," Nico considered slowly, "I expect a kiss would do it." I turned to him trying to gauge whether he was serious or not. The car went ominously silent as my gaze zeroed in on Nico's smooth olive skin and black beauty spot, on his rich brown eyes and exotic look.

"Can't you just have a draw?" I found myself saying in an effort to make the situation less awkward.

"A draw?" Grey demanded making me spin my attention to him, "what kind of blasphemy is this?"

"A democratic one?" I offered but I was smiling in spite of myself.

"Disgusting," Grey shook his head, "winning is all that matters here. The whole fight will have been for nothing if someone doesn't come out on top."

"Spoken like a true athlete," Mitch interjected proudly from the front. Sawyer turned in his seat to face me and give me an understanding eye roll.

We'd just arrived at the front of Ainsley High, it was just as busy as in the mornings when the boys dropped me off. It seemed like the whole school was watching the game judging by all the cars packed in the parking lot. Mitch drove around for a while hunting down an empty spot until he eventually found one.

As I clambered out the car alongside the four Silent Boys I immediately felt the heat of people's stares on me. All the students looked shocked to see anyone from Kings Bridge here. I shivered under the weight of all their scrutinising looks.

"Are you cold?" Mitch misinterpreted my shiver.

"No," I lied quickly. I really hadn't dressed for the weather, it was starting to get a lot colder now and all my clothes were cheap and thin.

"Here," Mitch shrugged off his varsity football jacket, I opened my mouth to object as he slung it round my shoulders but he cut me off, "don't worry about me, I'm like my own personal heater."

"I'm fine though," I lied, the warmth of Mitch's jacket was amazing, I could feel the heat of his skin on the plushness of the jacket.

"Just accept a kind gesture for once Cara, please," Mitch begged, I let out a huff of defeat as I hugged the much too big jacket around me. I could still smell Mitch's musky aftershave on it.

"Thank you Mitch," I smiled slowly.

"No problem Cara," he grinned back.

"Cara!" Mina's yell came across the parking lot, she was hovering just outside the football pitch with Connor and Betty waiting on the others.

"Hey," I called back and started towards her, the four boys following in my wake like my own pack. Mitch's jacket instantly felt heavier on my shoulders like a great statement claiming me as his.

"Careful," Mina whispered in my ear as she pulled me in for a tight hug.

"I've got this," I was trying to convince myself more than her. As I pulled away she raised her eyebrows dubiously and gave the jacket a pointed look. Of course, she was right. I never should've accepted the jacket. It was like wearing a flashing sign labelling me as someone's property.

"Mina right?" Mitch asked politely, Mina nodded a blush rising on her cheeks at Mitch's gentlemanly tone.

"Yeah," she nodded feebly.

"Lovely to see you again," Mitch greeted.

"You too," Mina's eyes roamed over each of them one by one. She was clearly a perceptive person and I knew nothing would escape her notice.

"We should head in," Nico suggested.

"You go, we have to wait for Sam but we'll see you in there," Mina encouraged,

"Catch you later," I agreed.

Mitch pushed his way through the bustling crowd, he was so large he created a path for the rest of us. However, the place was so packed that I found myself being tossed about in the mass of people. Sawyer who was just in front of me must have noticed my struggle because he extended a hand and a warm smile.

"Thanks," I had to call over the roar of the crowd. I slipped my hand into his big one and his fingers encased mine tightly but not too tightly. He seemed to be hyperaware of hurting me and was exceptionally gentle as he clung to me and helped me through the chaotic crowd.

As we reached the bleachers and the crowd thinned as people spread out to find seats, Sawyer immediately released my hand from his. I glanced up to gauge his expression but his face was turned away, examining the others as if looking to see if they'd seen anything.

Mitch was completely unaware though and quickly led the way to an empty space at the back of the bleachers. He sat down and Sawyer took the space next to him. As I perched beside Sawyer I noticed something odd going on behind me.

Nico and Grey seemed to be having a battle with their eyes, a thousand messages flowing between them without any words being spoken. Both their distinctive eyes were narrowed almost angrily at each other and the intensity of their glares rose every second. They were stood next to me, facing each other but neither sitting down. I waited for one of them to move, for someone to win.

Suddenly, with no explanation a triumphant grin lifted up Grey's entire face, it spread from ear to ear with an arrogant cockiness about it. With a satisfied swagger he turned and sat right next to me on the bench. Grumpily Nico took the spot on the other side of him. I watched the scene bemused, I had half a mind to ask what was going on but the larger half of me knew it was better to let some things go unsaid.

The whole fight will have been for nothing if someone doesn't come out on top. Grey's words from earlier rang in my head.

"What?" Grey turned to me, he was surprisingly near and I had to flinch my head back so I wouldn't get scorched by the close proximity of his eyes. At my reaction a smirk heaved up one side of his mouth, "if you keep staring at me you'll miss the game."

"Arrogant asshole," I shook my head and spun my gaze back to the pitch where the players were gathering. Beside me Grey let out a deep chuckle.

The game started shortly after and that's when I realised how little I knew about football. I could only watch with half confusion and half admiration. I had no idea what any of the rules were and what players did what, the only one I'd heard of was the quarterback. On the other hand, my gift seemed to be a success with three of the boys. Mitch was practically on the edge of his seat and occasionally would half stand up as if he wanted to run on the pitch and join in the game. Occasionally he would shout instructions to the players which would cause everyone around us to glare at him in disapproval. Nico equally as invested but less vocal about it, he cheered when we scored a point but otherwise would watch with a serious look of concentration. Grey was much more quiet, I couldn't help but remember that his dad was a famous football star. He seemed to watch the game with analysing and critical eyes and would tense up each time a mistake was made.

Sawyer was the only one who seemed to be at a loss like me, at one point we caught each other's eyes and exchanged a look of understanding. He was clearly not a football lover like the others.

When the halftime whistle was sounded I was immediately stuck between a tense analysis of the game by Grey, Nico and Mitch. They debated on what the players should've done better and how they would've scored points if they'd been playing.

"Our team would have smashed them," Nico interjected forcefully.

"Not sure," Mitch considered thoughtfully, "we have some better players but overall I reckon they have a stronger team."

"What the fuck," Nico shook his head disgustedly, "you're meant to take our side here. Support your team mate."

"I'm just being honest," Mitch shrugged.

"And I'm just heading to the restroom," I shot up from my seat unable to bear any more talk about football.

"I'll come too," Nico immediately shot up.

"Into the ladies, I'm sure that would go down well," I raised an eyebrow.

"Just to make sure you're okay," Nico backtracked quickly.

"I'm not five, I think I can make it there myself," I complained but noticed how disheartened Nico got by my words, "but thanks for the offer," I amended.

Quickly I made my way towards the restrooms, unfortunately though loads of girls had had the same idea and there was a long queue winding its way around the building. I glanced over to see that the men's had no queue. Typical.

As I was waiting with one foot bouncing impatiently on the ground I suddenly felt two hands wrap around my face, one around my eyes and the other over my mouth. Forcefully I was yanked backwards. I opened my mouth to scream but no sound would come out. I was too shocked even to fight back.

He's found me. It was the first thought that entered my mind and one that made my stomach flip frantically.