November was fast approaching and as early as now, I could already feel the cold. I shivered as I hugged myself. I started to regret not bringing a scarf. I was only wearing a cream colored long sleeves shirt I got from Forever21, dark skinny jeans, and brown Timberland boots. I thought I looked good but if I'd chosen comfort over style, I would've worn a parka.

I heard the soft purr of the car's engine as it approached. My heart started thumping like crazy. Excitement and anticipation were gnawing in the pit of my stomach. Who would have thought this day would come?

A gray Volvo parked on the street across our house. I straightened my back from my slouch. I had been standing outside our gate, waiting.

My breath hitched when the driver side window rolled down revealing a handsome face I knew so well.

"Hi Sky. Hop in."

I smiled. Hell would freeze over but it wouldn't stop me from going out tonight.

There was spring in my steps as I ran towards Kenji Yamamoto's car.

***

Lunch was catastrophic. I didn't know if my lack of appetite was because of too much drama or because the cafeteria's version of an enchilada was just simply disgusting.

After Maria marched out of the cafeteria, I excused myself from our table. I badly needed some fresh air. There was just too much negativity around me that I felt suffocated.

I went straight to the football field. Most of the students were at the cafeteria having lunch so it was mostly empty. I sat on one of the bench and took a long, deep breath.

I knew I would be okay. I knew at the end of the day, I would still be there for Hunter. I just needed time to breathe.... and to put a significant distance between me and that horrid excuse for an enchilada.

"Tough day?"

My head snapped to the side and I saw Sophie walking towards me. She wasn't wearing her cheerleader uniform but she still looked stunning and capable of making my self-confidence drop to Mariana's trench level even in a simple white polo shirt and jeans.

"Totally." I said, answering her question.

I wasn't sure if we were friends now but since she wasn't exactly part of the recent drama in my life, I considered her a welcome sight.

She sat beside me and crossed her legs.

"That's what you get for associating yourself with Hunter." She said, chuckling. I couldn't help but smile too.

"I knew he was trouble when he walked in." I joked, quoting Taylor Swift.

The theories were right. There would always be a Taylor Swift lyric we could relate to in every situation.

"What's with the outfit?" I asked her.

"I quit the squad."

"What?!"

That was news to me. Being a cheerleader was something you couldn't just simply quit. Aside from the scholarship that came with it, being a squad member automatically puts anyone on top of high school's social hierarchy. Cheerleaders were extremely important. Without them, who would act as mean girls and bullies in most Wattpad teen fiction books?

"Is it because of Rachel?" I asked. I was worried she was bullied into quitting by the other cheerleaders. That was horrible but not too impossible.

Sophie laughed at my expression.

"Don't worry, it has nothing to do with Rachel. We already made up."

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"That's good to hear."

Sophie faced me. In the sunlight, her eyes glistened. I noticed she looked relaxed and peaceful now which was the complete opposite of when I saw her last. She was glowing like an angel. I'm sure I looked like a serial killer next to her.

"I just suddenly came to a realization that I didn't want to do it anymore. Quitting the squad is the best decision I made for myself." She said before smiling serenely.

I nudged her shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile.

"I'm happy for you." I said.

"Thanks, Sky."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while. The afternoon breeze was making me sleepy. She suddenly turned to me as if she just remembered something.

"Hey, Sky, wanna come with us later? We're going to watch a basketball game between Diamond Crest and St. Mary." Her pale blue eyes were telling me she wouldn't take no for an answer, like she was prepared to drag me to the game dead or alive if I ever refused.

I hesitated for a bit. I wasn't really big on sports. Unless it was a sport being played in the air on a broomstick with quaffles and snitches then I wasn't interested.

But then, I couldn't possibly pass on this chance to deepen my friendship with Sophie. I felt extremely happy that she invited me, of all people. It almost seemed like she considered me as her friend now which was surreal.

"Sure!" I said, making an effort to sound enthusiastic.

Sophie clapped.

"Great! We'll pick you up at your house at six. Let me get your number." She brought out her phone and immediately typed in my number.

The bell for the next class sounded the moment she hit save.

We both stood up to get to our separate classes. I had AP Literature for my next class while she was going to Calculus.

We were at the entrance of the building when I remembered something.

"Hey, Sophie! Who will be with us later?"

Sophie's eyes turned into hearts.

"My boyfriend, Kenji."

***

"You look good, Sky!" Sophie commented, giving my outfit a satisfied look. She was seated on the passenger side of the car so she had to turn her body to face me at the backseat.

She gave me a teasing smile. "If I didn't know better, I would think you dressed up for my boyfriend."

I almost fell down on my seat.

"No, I did not!" I denied vehemently, shaking my head for added flair.

Okay, so maybe I did. But it shouldn't be taken against me. Kenji had been my crush for the longest time. And although I was currently in love with the most deliciously annoying boy that had ever had the nerve to exist, there was no way I would allow myself to look like a sack of potato during my first ever bonding moment with Kenji.

Sophie giggled.

"I'm just kidding. Relax."

Kenji was just watching us with a smile on his face the whole time. I saw him reached out to hold Sophie's hand and kissed it.

Awww. That was so sweet. I felt like I just instantly got diabetes.

The fact that I could watch them now being all lovey dovey with each other without bawling in tears proved that I had already moved on from my infatuation with Kenji.

Sophie finally realized that she had not introduced us yet so she turned to face me again and smiled apologetically.

"Sky, this is Kenji. Babe, this is Sky."

Kenji looked at me through the rearview mirror and grinned.

"We know each other, babe." Kenji said, his chinky eyes sparkling. He said it as if we were secret buddies with a long history of going on exciting adventures every other week.

"Really? That's great!" Sophie exclaimed, looking pleasantly surprised.

"He saved me from drowning to my death back in seventh grade." I said, extremely grateful to finally be given the chance to talk to Kenji about that incident. "Thank you."

Kenji's cheeks reddened.

"It's nothing." He said humbly. "I gave you CPR, I was the only person there who knew how to."

The way he was downplaying his heroism was too adorable. I wanted to pinch him on both cheeks.

"You saved my life." I said, trying to pour in all of the gratitude I felt for him throughout the years in that four words.

Cheeks still flaming, Kenji scratched the back of his neck.

"Uhm, actually, It was Hunter who dived into the pool to save you."

I felt like a bomb exploded in my face. My heart stopped beating. Really, it honestly did.

"What?"

Sophie gave me an incredulous look.

"Don't tell me you didn't know?"

I shook my head, feeling like I was in a bubble. My memory of that incident was hazy but I clearly remembered it was Kenji I saw when I opened my eyes after my lungs finally released all of the chlorinated water I accidentally gulped down while drowning. Hunter wasn't there, I was sure of it. Or was he?

No, it didn't make any sense. Why didn't he tell me it was him who saved me? He read my letter for Kenji, for pete's sake! Why didn't his friends mention anything about it? Why did no one tell me?

I sucked in breath as realization dawned on me: Because I never asked. I did what I always did... assume the worst of people. Didn't I go to great lengths to avoid Hunter Cole after that incident?

What if Shawn was right? What if Hunter really didn't mean to hit me with that ball? He wouldn't dive in to save me if he really wanted me hurt, would he?

But why the hell did he even throe that ball at me in the first place?

Millions of questions were running through my mind and I was itching to call Hunter and demand answers.

Kenji drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, looking a bit nervous, like he just said something he wasn't supposed to say.

"Oh boy. Hunter is going to kill me." He murmured to himself.

"Hunter is an idiot." Sophie spat, throwing me worried looks.

I already knew from our last conversation that Sophie knew something about Hunter that he didn't want me to know. Should I ask her?

As if reading my mind, Sophie shook her head.

"It's best to get the answers straight from Hunter. It's not our secret to tell." She said, her tone soothing. I remembered her saying the same thing before.

I felt like exploding from too much curiosity. I got this weird feeling that the answers were already right in front of my face all along but I was afraid to assume. What if I was wrong?

"We're near." Kenji announced to break the silence.

I took a deep breath. There was no use worrying about Hunter now. I promised myself earlier that I would spend this night bonding with my new friend and my former crush, not grill them with questions about the boy I liked.

I decided to ask Hunter tomorrow once and for all. If he wanted me to be by his side, he needed to be honest with me.

"Where's the game going to be held, anyway?" I asked the two after a while. I saw we were driving outside the town and I realized I still didn't know where we were headed.

"It will be held at St. Mary Montessori." Kenji answered. He looked relieved.

I nodded and let myself relax. Surely drama wouldn't follow me all the way to St. Mary, right?

Boy, I couldn't be more wrong.

***

We were early. The game hadn't started yet when we arrived.

St. Mary's basketball court was top-notch. It looked like an NBA court, only more luxurious and extravagant. The chairs were cushioned and could be reclined like a Lazy boy. There were gigantic screens around the venue, currently showing a live feed of the audience.

Too ostentatious for a high school basketball court, if you'd ask me. No wonder Cain and his minions looked down upon our very normal school.

We chose to sit in the middle row. Sophie was seated between me and Kenji. Collin Anderson arrived after a few minutes and sat beside Kenji.

"Hey, Davies! Where's your boyfriend?" He greeted upon seeing me.

I pursed my lips.

"I don't have a boyfriend."

Collin's eyes eased into mischief.

"Yet." He teased.

I made a face at him but he just laughed at me.

"This is going to be fun." I heard Kenji say.

Sophie faced me and rolled her eyes.

"Boys." She whispered, making me laugh.

The four of us started talking about stuff from school while waiting for the game to start. It was unbelievable how easy it was to have a spontaneous conversation with them, especially with Kenji.

Being able to talk to him now, I knew I would never regret the time I spent being head over heels in-like with him even if I found out he wasn't the only one who saved me that day. Kenji was funny, kind and sweet; truly a person worth admiring.

It felt weird hanging out with the people who were the exact reason why I got involved with Hunter in the first place. If it wasn't for that blasted email I accidentally sent Kenji, none of this would have happened. I would have remained an invisible, living a peaceful, boring life like what I'd always done. The thought made me want to cringe.

My old self wouldn't have the courage to step out of her comfort zone and make new friends. She was judgmental, a coward and a jerk. Thinking about all of that made me appreciate how being Hunter's buddy changed my life. He taught me how to forget all my prejudices and start knowing people for who they really were. He introduced me to a bunch of crazy, wonderful people that were his friends. He helped me find the courage to stand up and fight. And even though there were cons that came with it, I was sure now... being with Hunter was worth it.

I glanced around and saw a lot of familiar faces from school. As it turned out, the match we were about to watch would determine which team would play in the finals against Riverside HS. I could feel the excitement and rivalry in the air. The manager of our basketball team passed along red and white clappers, the colors of our school. St. Mary's students were holding their own clappers too but the colors were silver and green.

The entire gymnasium filled in fast. The four of us straightened when we saw the announcer walked towards the center of the court.

"Good evening everyone! Welcome to St. Mary Montessori Academy. We are glad to host the deciding game in the semi-finals of this year's basketball league. I know we're all excited so I won't keep you waiting. Let's give our players a round of applause."

The announcer introduced the players by their surnames and jersey numbers. They stood facing each other, then they shook hands.

The anticipation heightened when the game started and two players went in the middle of the court for the jump ball.

Cheers went out from St. Mary's side when they got the ball. Their forward immediately dribbled towards their side of the court, passed the ball to their center and before we could blink, the center broke through our team's defense and made an incredible slam dunk.

Earsplitting cheers filled the entire gymnasium. The energy was so wild and infectious that I couldn't help but feel excited as well. Soon I found myself waving the clappers, cheering for our school at the top of my lungs.

The game only went more intense from there. Our basketball team immediately took back the control of the ball and made two consecutive three point shots.

The audience started jeering and teasing each other. St. Mary's students booed whenever our team scored and we did the same to them.

I was having so much fun.

It was in the middle of the second quarter when I felt someone sat on the empty seat beside me. I ignored whomever it was because my attention was on the game in front. It wasn't until I heard his voice when my head snapped to my right to look at the new comer.

"Good evening, Skylar." Cain said with a smirk Littlefinger from Game of Thrones would've been proud of. "What a coincidence! I didn't expect you'll be here too."

All color drained from my face. Then it rushed back again in sudden fury.

"What are you doing here?" I ground out between clenched teeth.

How dare he show his face right when I was supposed to be having fun? Was terrorizing me during school hours not enough? Did he have to cut my enjoyment short by once again sucking me into his schemes?

Cain crossed his legs and leaned on his seat, looking like he was relaxing on some beach in the Bahamas.

"I'm watching the game." He said.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Yeah? So why do I feel like you've prepared something that would make me want to smother you with a pillow?"

"Your ability to assume the worst of me is hurting my feelings, Skylar." He said looking anything but hurt.

I gave him a look that says I found him as amusing as a slab of rock. If looks alone could kill, he would certainly be six feet below the ground now.

I drew an invisible line between his seat and mine and gave him a pointed look.

"You're not allowed to cross this line, understood?"

Cain looked at the invisible line, clearly having a hard time trying to stop himself from laughing.

"Hmmm. I can't promise. The line doesn't seem to be too noticeable."

Sophie probably noticed the murderous aura I was currently emitting because she glanced at my side and glowered when she saw Cain.

"Don't even think about bothering Sky. My boyfriend has a black belt in Karate." She warned as she nudged Kenji quite forcefully.

Kenji, God bless his heart, didn't say any word but the cold look he gave Cain would've been enough to scare weakhearted men away. Collin, who was the biggest Sky-Hunter shipper in our school, also glared at Cain with the fervor of a fanboy determined to eliminate all of the threats to his ship.

Unfortunately, Cain was far from being weak hearted. He just gave them a polite smile that I had to admit was dashing enough to belong to a classical art museum, before fixing his eyes on the game. His tongue was playing with his lip piercing which only made me more suspicious. He always did that whenever he was scheming something evil. He didn't say anything more so I decided to bring my attention back to the game.

I tried my hardest to ignore him. He was like a ticking time bomb, and I knew if I acknowledge him again, he'd blow me up to smithereens.

"Look who do we have here." I heard him murmur. Curious, I followed his gaze towards the other side of the court. I let out a loud groan when I saw whom he was looking at. Sitting on the opposite side of the court, exactly facing my seat, was Hunter.

Hunter's eyes were fixed on me so he saw the exact moment I became aware of his presence. He raised a hand and gave me a heart-melting dimpled smile. The poor girls sitting beside him basically turned into mush when they saw him. He usually had that effect to species with XX chromosomes.

I found myself waving back involuntarily. I had to stop myself from standing up because my body seemed to have developed thoughts of its own and instantly wanted to gravitate towards Hunter.

"So annoying." I heard Cain whispered to himself.

I wasn't sure if I heard him correctly so I turned to face him.

"What did you say?" I asked.

Cain did not answer.

A whistle sounded to indicate the end of the first half and the dark look on Cain's face instantly vanished, replaced with a self-satisfied smirk.

I looked in front once again only to find Hunter gone.

"I'm going to buy snacks." Sophie whispered to me. I gave her a distracted nod, my eyes searching for Hunter in the crowd.

Where did he go?

Kenji went with Sophie but not before whispering something to Collin.

Collin remained on his seat, and started up a conversation with me as soon as Sophie and Kenji left. We talked about Physics, of all things! I knew Collin well enough to know that he didn't give a single fly about Quantum theory because I happened to see him dozing off the day we discussed the subject. He was just obviously looking for ways to show Cain he wasn't welcome. I felt an overwhelming surge of gratitude for him.