Having friends that are always on your case can be exhausting. That's why when you keep a secret for the benefit of everyone, it's really hard. I thought I would keep what I was about to do to myself, but I was caught when I took the pen and wrote my name on the sign in sheet.

Abby is the one who caught me. It wasn't like I was going to make a big deal out of it, but I was going to try out.

"Soccer?" Abby's voice reached to screeching now.

"Abbes, if I get in, I get in-"

"Like your grades can't suffer enough!" My good mood turned bad. Abby probably saw my mood shift and tried to reconcile what she just said, "West I'm sorry you know-"

"I get it," I give her a tight smile, closing my locker and adjusting the books on my hand. "I really do- but can't I do this thing that I want?"

Abby blinked at me. "Of course, but West you said you'll join the football team and it's just so random. I don't get why you don't just play football."

"For me or for you?" I asked.

"For both of us because you can't play soccer. It's ridiculous."

"No, it's really not, and I'm going to try out. If I get in, I'm joining the team." With that, I walked past her because I don't think I can talk to her any longer. If at least one of my friends would be so kind to support this decision, it'd be appreciated. But all of them think I can't do it, and think that football is better.

"Have you ever played soccer in your life?" Abby called out.

"Nope."

I'm dreading lunchtime.

Abby is most likely mad at me, and she most likely told our friends. Which means I'm going to get a lot of crap for it.

Maddox was out of school today, so I couldn't walk with him to lunch. I think he'd understand out of everyone my decision. So maybe it wasn't necessarily for me per se, but it was something I needed to do. Wanted to do.

Theo texted me to meet outside. As I'm walking towards the courtyard entrance, I spotted my twin sitting down and leaning on a tree holding a sketchpad. For a second, our eyes met across the large courtyard, and he turned down his head, continuing on sketching.

I huffed, knowing I probably looked like a petulant child. My twin is still ignoring me. I feel like demanding to know why he's ignoring me. I feel like he won't answer me. And I feel helpless in this situation and frustrated. My parents for sure don't know we're not talking because they'd make us talk it out.

Wyatt is the one good with girls. In fact, they loved him. He was sweet and sensible. Everything I'm not. Everything my mate would probably love. But Wyatt could help me. He would've.

"Yo! West!" Theo hollered at me at the school entrance next to Jax. "Is it true? Abby is having a field day!"

I internally groaned. Was it too late to make a run for it?

"Yeah West. Soccer?" Jax's mouth twisted into a yikes.

"Seriously? Why does everyone care this much?" I asked them both as we entered the school, walking towards the cafeteria.

"Uh...." Theo trailed off, and stepped forward, turning around and giving me an inquisitive look. "Because not once in your entire life have you showed any interest in the sport."

"I want to try something new for a change," I shrugged. Theo and Jax looked at each other. "How about 'Wow West that's cool, I'm going to support you in anything you choose'?"

"Wow West that's cool, I'm going to support you in anything you choose that isn't soccer," Theo recited. I gave my best friend a glare.

Abby, Sophie and Destiny are already there at our usual table. Jax's eyes lit up when Abby waved and smiled at him. When she saw me her smile dropped. Not used to the receiving end of her dislike, I shake my head. I'm not going to apologize to her for trying out.

Theo and Jax go to the pizza lane while I opt out for a burger.

I'm at our table before the guys, and sit next to Sophie.

"It's true?" Sophie asked me. "You really are going to try out?"

If Sophie knew then the entire school probably knew.

"Yes."

"We're all acting as if he's going to get in," Jax sat down next to Abby, and Theo sat across from me.

"Exactly. West ain't got no skills in anything soccer," Theo nodded.

"I just love my supporting friends," I deadpanned.

"Support? You want support?" Theo asked, then he smiled wickedly. "I think we- and by that I mean the whole school- is proud that you haven't gotten into a fight yet."

"Oh my freaking gosh- you're right!" Destiny exclaimed.

"That has to be a record," Jax said. "Almost the end of the week, and you haven't gotten into a fight."

"To West not getting into a fight!" Theo announced, holding out his milk carton. All my dramatic friends cheered, clinking their milk cartons together. I tried not to look too forlorn about it.

"To West not getting into a fight!"

By the time P.E. rolled around, many wolves asked me about soccer. Some of the players told me they think I'd make a great asset. Other people asked about my football.

Coach Reese made us go into partners to pass a basketball, and my luck had me without my mate. I tried not to stare at her too much, but I couldn't help throw some glances at her.

I was paired up with a girl named Callie.

Keaton and his friends talked about Callie. Keaton put his hands on my shoulder, acting as if we were familiar. "Don't worry West, if you want my sloppy seconds, you can have her- the whole soccer team did." His friends snickered and quickly left. Granted, I heard things about her, but who knew if it was true? Why bother to believe it. Why do people care about another's business so much.

We spread across the court outside, and I started to pass the ball to her, realizing she's really uncoordinated. While she was trying to apologize to me, and before I knew it, she got hit on the head with a basketball. Hard.

I could hear it hit her head.

Callie just placed a hand on the side of her head, rubbing it a little, but she didn't turn back. Almost like she knew who done it. Which pissed me off.

"Whoops, sorry," Keaton's friend apologized in the worst manner possible. He was smiling, as he picked up the ball, and sneered at Callie.

"Watch it," I snapped at him, almost ready to tear his head off. "Are you alright?"

Callie nodded, but didn't say anything. I glanced over her shoulder, and the way that Keaton was looking at her something wasn't adding up with the things I've heard about her.

"Ignore them," I told her. Her eyes met mine. "If they do that again, I'll handle them myself."

Callie's eyes went wide like saucers. "So it is true about you."

"What's true?" I passed the ball to her.

"You do fight all the time." I'm taken aback by this because here was a stranger knowing about me. My reputation proceeds me. Unfortunately.

"Ha," is the only thing I can say. "I tend to not believe in everything I hear...but between you and me, I only do it to people who deserve it."

"Doesn't it get tired to always be fighting?" she asked, and the way she's looking at me, I know she's asking for herself. I let out a deep breath- why do people look at me for advice? I'm the one who punches first and asks the questions never. Wyatt is the one to go for questions. He's the one I go for everything.

I can only be honest with her. "Who's going to fight for me if I can't do it myself?"

I can tell she's thinking about what I said, and Keaton and his minions don't do anything else during the rest of gym.

After the last bell rang, I had to see my mate before I tried out for the soccer team. I thought I could catch here after gym, but she fled way before I could catch her.

It was easy to know where she was because her alluring scent was hard to miss. When I entered the library, the librarians gave me strange looks because, well, yeah, I've never stepped foot in the library before.

I spotted her at the corner table, her eyebrows furrowing even further, concentrating on the book she was reading. She knew I was here, and she had to know it was for her.

Stopping in front of her table, I crossed my arms and couldn't help but smile. "Wish me luck."

She raised a perfect eyebrow at me, "Luck? With what? Life? You will need it." I grinned down at her even more. Her eyes held a mischievous glint to it that drove me a little mad. If I had it my way, we'd be making out in the library right now.

"Hmmm...no. Some beautiful mate of mine yesterday told me I should try out for soccer, and that's what I'm going to do right now. I need some luck from her."

"You'll definitely need it then, Hot Shot." My nickname in basketball.

"So you know I play basketball," I said this out loud mainly for my benefit.

She shrugged, "Common unimportant knowledge." I eye her ribbon she's wearing on her pony tail.

"How about we make a wager?" I bargained. "You give me your ribbon, for good luck of course, and if I get in the team, I get to keep it."

"When you find out that you didn't make the cut?" she challenged. Sweet, testy mate of mine.

"I can pay for your lunch for a week," I answered, hoping she hated the cafeteria food as much as I did.

Edith cocked her head to the side, thinking about this. Good.

She mused, "And a friend's."

"Female friend," I automatically stated, thinking back to what if she had someone in her life. The thought makes me want to rip someone apart.

Edith looked like he was fighting back a smile, "Anyone and we have a deal."

"Deal," I said. Our eyes met, and she took out out her ribbon which was red, and for the briefest moments our hands touched, sending the sparks alight.

Edith pulled her hand as if she got burned.

I clench my hands together, holding the ribbon tightly. "This is all the luck I need."

Edith narrowed her eyes at me. "We'll see." I gave her a salute and turned to walk out, but unable to help myself, I turn around.

"Oh yeah. What did you say about soccer players again?"

"Can't remember," my mate is holding back a smile.

Let me remind you. "You sure love soccer players."

Edith gives me a small smirk that makes me swallow hard. I'm off balance by it, but manage to stand up straight. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," she admonished.

I hold up her ribbon, "I think I already won."