《Pretending》Chapter Two: Fresh Start Didn't Last Long

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I got the call that I made the cheer team an hour after I got back from the dorm. It was funny to me that a few years ago nobody even watched my routine and now they made the decision the day of.

It had been a day or two since making the team and I was already being swept into the world of frat parties. I was even asked to bid for a few sororities. Today was my first college party, or well I guess my first party ever that wasn't a pity invite! Abby and I planned to go to tonight's frat party together since we were both a bit nervous.

I didn't have much experience with parties and considering the last party I went to I broke a chair with my ass...my expectations were low. I decided on my outfit hours ago after trying on nearly everything in my closet. I picked a short mini skirt that showed off my long legs, no longer stumpy but tanned from laying out in the sun and toned from running every day.

I paired the skirt with a cute white corset top that was cropped to show my new flat stomach. My mom had taken me to get my belly button pierced this summer as a 'reward' for my weight loss. Even though my body has changed I wasn't sure I could go a whole night in a crop top without doing my typical poses. These poses ranged from crossing my arms over my stomach, sitting holding a pillow over my stomach or constantly sucking in.

With one last look in the mirror, I fixed my hair which I straightened and put my contacts in which had replaced my ugly horn-rimmed glasses. My green eyes stared back at me, they looked bigger than normal or maybe I was just looking for new things to dislike about myself.

Stepping into the dorm hall I stumble into someone without looking. Soft hands steady me and before I can get out an apology I lose my ability to speak because a cute guy is holding me. Not everyone has moved in yet so I haven't met everyone on my floor but I know I would remember this face if I had seen it before.

"Hey sorry about that, are you okay?" he asks me while I tried to form words.

"Yeah. I'm fine I wasn't looking I'm sorry" this is all I can get out before barreling down the hallway towards Abby's door. Okay so that didn't go that well but it could've gone worse. Just because I looked different didn't mean I suddenly gained the ability to talk to cute boys.

I was lacking in the experience department and wasn't exactly spoiled for choice back home. I remember Tommy Hall invited me on a date in grade nine and I spent hours searching "how to kiss" on youtube just for him to stand me up. It was probably for the best because I don't think the youtube videos helped much.

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I was still the same loser. I just looked different but I had a plan. I could just get it all over with, my virginity, my first kiss, all of it. I would do it with someone I didn't know and that way if it was bad I would never have to see them again. Perfect Plan... except it required a boy to see my body naked and I don't think I would ever be ready for that. So really it wasn't sex I was scared of I was more scared of someone seeing me without clothes on.

Abby looks stunning when she opens her door, she is in a cute jean skirt paired with a green halter top. Her hair is in one of those claw clips with a few pieces out of it framing her face.

"Oh my gosh, you look so good!" I give her a once over and she blushes.

"Oh stop I knew I had to dress up if I was going to stand next to you all night! I mean come on Juliet look at you" she smiles back at me and I feel myself blushing right back.

When we arrive at the frat things are already in full swing. I didn't know where the cheer team hangs out at these parties so I was feeling a little anxious until I heard my name being called.

"Juliet, Abby over here girls!" The captain of the cheer squad Amy waves us over to the couches where I recognize the girls from tryouts. My anxiety eased when I sit on the couch next to Amy who made room for me and Abby.

"We were just discussing our dibs on the soccer guys this year" Amy grins glancing over at a group of guys playing beer pong.

Normally football was the most popular sport at colleges but here the soccer team was the star of the show. We placed first in the league as well as nationals three years in a row so the soccer team was a big deal. We were the school's cheer team but it seemed special attention was given to ensure we attended and cheered at every soccer game.

I did not want any of the soccer team guys! They kind of scared me...and by kind of I meant they terrified me. I would prefer a non-douchebag, someone maybe who respects women and doesn't give me the ick in the first five seconds of conversation.

"Come on now, which one do you guys want?" another girl on the team wriggles her eyebrows at me so I turn my eyes toward the table and I look over again at the guys.

Fourextremely good-looking guys

My eyes scan the first boy who looks familiar. He has light olive skin, fluffy brown hair and brown eyes. I realize he is the guy I almost knocked over in the dorm earlier. Before I can even check out the rest of the guys my eyes move toward one of the boys and my breath hitches in my throat.

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That couldn't be .... Could it?

Of course, he still looks fucking perfect. Light golden skin and deep black hair that is the type of 'bed head' messy but looks perfectly natural on him. High-defined cheekbones along with a perfectly sculpted jaw.

And his lips, oh my his perfect plump lips. The lips prepubescent me used to fantasize about kissing even after the years of torment.

My gaze goes to his eyes. His eyes are the best part. Never in my life have I seen such beautiful eyes. They are illuminating glowing green. The guy is the epitome of every girl's dream. Godlike handsome.

My nemesis Warner Brooks

Suddenly I snap out of it... Warner was at my school..not only was he at my school but he was the star of the soccer team. I went to college to escape my past and here it was. I couldn't let him see me. This was my fresh start and I wouldn't let that asshole Warner ruin it for me.

"Hello! Earth to Juliet! Are you done staring? Which one do you want?" Amy laughs and I pretend to have been mulling over my decision.

"Sorry, they're just all so cute I can't choose" I lie, feeling my hands get sweaty, scared he will spot me.

Because the thing is ... Warner Brooks could always spot me; it was his gift. Since childhood no matter where I hid he could find me to tease me. My mom tried to tell me he had a crush on me as a kid but as we got older I would call it more making my life hell. I had not seen him since graduation.

"Well Warner is definitely mine, he is the hottest freshman I have ever seen like come on how is that allowed! And I am totally digging the whole bad boy player thing he has going it's like straight out of a movie" one of the girls was staring at him just like I had.

"I hear he is a real cocky jackass" I regret the words when they come out since it seems to only make the girls more interested.

I hated myself for thinking he was attractive. A pretty face shouldn't mean much when he is an egotistical douche with some definite anger problems.

Maybe he won't recognize me! I mean sure he has known me my whole life but he only knows Jiggly Juliet with the braces, glasses and bad acne. I fit in now! I am different and I won't let him spoil it.

"Sorry I need some fresh air" I announce standing up and angling my body so my back is to Warner while I walk outside to the backyard.

I sit on the porch next to a couple of people smoking and force myself to take calm breaths. I did not work this hard to have Warner Brooks ruin everything. I would just simply ignore him and hey maybe he would just ignore me. A part of me didn't want him to ignore me though, deep down a part of me wanted his approval. I wanted him to see how hot I was now and beg for my forgiveness. I wanted him to feel as bad as he made me feel. That plan honestly didn't sound too bad but until I could work that out I was just going to be a coward and stay away.

"Hey are you okay?" a deep voice brings me out of my thoughts and I look up at the guy from the dorm.

"Hey yeah sorry just needed some air, I never introduced myself after nearly knocking you over I'm Juliet" I try to give a smile but I still felt so anxious that I'm pretty sure it comes off as a grimace.

"I'm Adam. I wanted to introduce myself but you ran away pretty quick I didn't get the chance. When I saw you were here I was prepared to catch you this time. You seem to have stayed in place so far so that's good" he jokes and I felt less on edge.

Before I can even reply Abby appears out of nowhere.

"Juliet come back we are playing beer pong and I need a partner" she basically drags me back into the house but I hear Adam following us in and I was kind of glad. I mean he is a super cute boy and I had a whole 30-second conversation without messing it up so I was doing good.

Small victories

The victory was short-lived though because as I am being dragged back toward the beer pong table I realize who is there and I try to loosen Abby's grip.

"I am really not into beer pong nor am I very good! I think you might be better off with someone else" the excuses tumble out of me as we get closer to him.

"Don't be ridiculous you look like a barbie doll I am sure you went to tons of high school parties and got lots of practice" Abby laughs like I told a funny joke.

We are at the table now and HIS back is towards us. A white shirt hugs his muscular body and his hair is left messy as if he has just run his fingers through it. I remember when he used to laugh at me he would run his fingers through his hair like that.

I stand at the table and prepare for the worst and sure enough right when we set up the cups he turns around and my fresh start at a new school where nobody knows my past ends just like that.

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