I had been up for awhile now. The nightmares were relentless, keeping me up all night.

Around 6:30, I couldn't stand sitting around in the silence listening to Logan snore peacefully, so I got up and took a shower. Usually I would've had the water turned to as hot as possible, but today I barely had the water on. The pressure was still nice, but the temperature of the water chilled me to my bones.

Goosebumps raised up on my skin as the icy water hit my back causing me to start shivering a little bit. After a few minutes, I was fully awake- not that I wasn't before- and the last remaining pieces of my nightmare slipped down the drain.

When I was done with the shower, I hopped out and was thankful for the towel that I wrapped around me. The air was cold and mixed with the temperature of the shower, my teeth were chattering.

I quickly dried off and threw on my outfit for the day: a creme colored sweater, a black and white plaid skirt, tights and my signature over-the-knee boots. I didn't bother drying my hair or putting much effort into my look and exited the bathroom.

"Morning Princess. You're up early." Logan sat up in bed, his voice still coated with remnants of sleeping, making it sound more husky than usual. It was hot none the less.

"Couldn't sleep. Sorry." I laid down next to him on top of the sheets, making sure my shoes didn't touch the covers.

He wrapped his arm around my waist and laid his head across my stomach, "Why are you apologizing? You can't help it if you can't sleep. Never apologize for what you can't control."

Even though he couldn't see me right now, I smiled down at him.

Suddenly, with a quick change of energy, Logan jumped up and ran to his closet. "Shit, I'm going to be late for school." I laughed at his franticness, and didn't bother to tell him that we still had an hour until school started.

He quickly changed in the bathroom and jumped back out, slipping on a pair of black vans, all the while mumbling, "Shit shit shit shit."

I giggled at him and when he shot me a confused glance, I showed him the time on my phone. "You couldn't have warned me earlier?" He asked before standing up again.

"I don't think I've ever seen you move that fast." I leaned back on his pillows and watched him.

"Well get prepared to see it again." I didnt even have the chance to say what before he jumped down, caging me beneath him. "You asked for it." He started tickling my side's, still blocking me from being able to escape. All I could do was sit there and take it.

"S-stop it," I giggled, "Stop right now or I will-"

"You'll what?" He raised his eyebrows in challenging manner, but he stopped tickling me for a brief moment.

"I'll do this." I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled myself up slightly so our faces were inches apart.

His eyes shifted down to my lips then back up to my eyes. I leaned in ever slightly and gently pressed my lips against his, then pulled back. "Lets go get breakfast before school." I put my hands on his chest and pushed him back so I could get up.

"Wait. You can't just kiss me like that then walk away." He still sat there on his bed with a dazed look on his face.

"But I just did." I blew him a kiss and winked, slamming the door behind me and humming under my breath.

To be honest, I didn't want to stop kissing him. When I was with Logan, I felt safe and accepted, and kissing him was no different. When we kissed, it felt like nothing in the world could hurt me or separate us. I felt ethereal, like I was flying in the clouds.

I pressed my fingers to my lips and smiled before heading downstairs. "Morning Tanner." I crashed on the sofa next to Tanner, who was eating cereal.

The only sign he showed of getting startled was his eyes opening a little more. "Morning Daytona. Sleep well?"

I stiffened, "Yeah. Sure. Slept super well."

He nodded his head and kept eating.

"You ready to go Day?" Logan bounded down the stairs with his keys and a snap back in his hand.

"Yup. Let's go." I pushed myself up and waved bye to Tanner.

"Have fun at school Little Bro. Don't do anything I wouldn't do." Tanner waved us off and Logan scoffed with a smirk on his face.

I nudged his shoulder gently, "You two seem to be getting along more."

"Yeah. All thanks to you." He smiled down at me. A. Real. Genuine. Smile.

My heart was doing flips.

Immediately my cheeks flared up and my palms started to sweat. "Really?" I asked.

"Yeah. I don't know what happened, but since you started hanging around, Tanner hasn't been as much of a douche as he usually was. Thanks."

"Of course! That was my plan all along." I winked and giggled a little knowing I hadn't meant to bring them together.

Logan made his was over to my side of the car and opened my door. "My lady."

I placed a hand over my chest, "Why, aren't you just a fine gentleman."

"You know what they say," he winked, "Gentleman in the streets, freak in the sheets."

I rolled my eyes, "Mood ruined. Just get in the car." He shut my door with a laugh and walked around to his side. "Alright. Let's go."

~~~~🌸~~~~

We pulled up to the school with a few minutes to spare, so we sat in his car and jammed out to a few more songs before we had to leave.

Walking up the cracked concrete steps of the school, we met up with the rest of the crew. "Hey guys." Mason slung his arm around my shoulder and kissed my cheek. "Hey Day."

"Hey Mas." I gave him a side hug and felt Logan stiffen at my side. "Logan? What is it?"

He grabbed my hand and pulled me away from the group. "I know he's your friend, but I don't want him kissing you." His eyes got dark and when he looked at me, it was like he was staring into my soul.

"Hey," I gave his hand a squeeze, "Like you said. He's just my friend, my best friend. Nothing could ever go on between us. Okay? Plus he's with Jake. Remember?" I intertwined my fingers with his and he leaned down to kiss my forehead.

"Okay. Yeah you're right."

We headed back to the group and Charlotte eyed mine and Logan's hands very conspicuously.

"Things are getting a little serious aren't they?" She wiggled her eyebrows and made pointed looks to our hands.

"Finally!" Jake cheered, "It took you long enough." He high-fived Logan and I giggled along with him.

The bell cut us off and we headed our separate ways.

I was exhausted by the time lunch rolled around. I was caught dozing in some of my classes and after the fifth time, I got written up for detention. Yay!

I trudged myself through the bust hallways where I stopped at my locker to exchange my books.

"Hey Baby." Logan wrapped his arms around my waist from behind and kissed my cheek.

"Baby? That's new." I held back a yawn and smiled lazily at him.

He shrugged his shoulders and let go. I found myself missing the warmth his arms provided, but he took up his place by my side. "Do you want to eat in the courtyard or inside?"

"Inside. It's too cold out there."

"Yeah you're right."

We walked through the doors and took a table in the middle of the cafeteria. "I'm going to get lunch, want to join?" I asked Logan.

"Nah I'm good. Thanks though. I'll save our seats."

"Okay."

Charlotte was already in line when I got there, so I cut in line to join her. "Hey Char."

"Hey Daytona." She got herself a slice of pizza and an apple while I got myself a Cobb salad. "You and your rabbit food." She mumbled under her breath.

I cupped my hand to my ear, "What? Sorry, I can't head you over the sound of the grease dripping from that pizza."

She rolled her eyes, "Anyways. I'm excited for our girls day tomorrow! I was thinking maybe going to see a movie, dinner, mani pedis, and froyo?"

"Sure. That sounds fun." We payed for our food and headed to the table where the others were.

The three guys were whispering about something and completely oblivious to our presence.

Whisper, whisper, "Do you really think so?"

Whisper, whisper, "It's Cooper. Yes I think so."

I tightened my hands around the plastic box and sat down with a plop next to Logan. "What are you guys talking about?" I asked with a forced smile.

All three of the boys shot backwards with startled looks. "Oh. Um. Nothing." Jake scratched the back of his neck and looked everywhere but at me.

"Nothing? Logan," I turned to face my new boyfriend, "What were you guys talking about?" I eyed him and made it obvious that if he lied to me, there were going to be consequences.

When it came to my brother, I didn't want anyone to lie to me. Not anymore.

He searched my eyes and gave me an apologetic look, "Nothing Daytona."

I narrowed my eyes and mumbled, "Fine. Don't tell me."

Heels clicked up behind me and I was getting ready to turn around with the back of my hand ready for action, but I remembered my conversation with Makayla yesterday, so instead, I turned around calmly.

"Hey Kay. What's up?" I looked up at Makayla and Caroline with a kind smile but stayed on the look out for anything suspicious. Like maybe a snake? Or a tray of chicken parmesan?

"Hey Day. Do you mind if Care and I sit here? I'm so fed up with those other losers." She cast her eyes to the side at the popular table.

"Sure." I scooted over closer to Logan to make space for her.

She eyed my movements, but instead of spitting at me and condemning me to hell, she smiled and sat down next to me.

"Oh hell no!" Charlotte started to protest, "D, you can't be serious right now. This bitch has been nothing but a snake to you for the past two years and all of a sudden you two are BFF's, holding hands and calling each other pet names? Do you have matching friendship bracelets too? Blink twice if you're being held hostage."

I rolled my eyes, and to my surprise, Makayla spoke up, "I know. I've been a bitch to you too Charlotte and I'm sorry. When I apologized to Daytona yesterday, the last thing I expected was for her to reach out to me as friends. I'm glad she did though."

Her platinum blonde hair was up in a messy bun and it bobbed up and down with her movements.

"Wait. You asked her to be friends?" Charlotte stared at me, dumbstruck.

"Yes I did. Her and Caroline and making an attempt to set things straight. We have barely over a year left of highschool. Do you really want to spend it constantly fighting?" She shook her head no. "That's what I thought."

She took an aggressive bite out of her pizza and eyed me the whole time.

"Shit. I forgot a napkin." Makayla grumbled next to me.

I slid mine over to her.

"Thanks."

We all are out lunches in silence for the first five minutes, but gradually we all started to open up to each other.

"And that's the story of how I broke my arm for the very first time." Caroline just finished telling a wild story about how when she was seven, she really liked watching her dad make Kool-aid and one day, he called her in to the kitchen and she came running in so fast, she slipped and slid through the dining room breaking her elbow in three places.

All of us were in tears we were laughing so hard, "Oh. My. Gosh. That's the funniest shit ever Caroline." Jake wiped tears off his cheeks and kept laughing.

She crossed her arms and huffed, "I mean it wasn't at the time."

The bell rang and we all got up to go to our separate classes. "Bye guys!" I waved bye to everyone and turned to Logan, "I want to show you something tonight. Meet at my house at 10." I pressed up on my toes and quickly kissed him.

"Alright. Bye Day."

"Bye." I hooked my arm through Jake's arm and dragged him with me to our class.

~~~~🌸~~~~

Cheer practice ended and I wiped the sweat off of my eyebrow with a towel. Yet again, I forgot that Logan drove me to school and I didn't have a ride.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Jordan. He didn't pick up so I called Tyler who picked up on the third ring. "Hey. Do you happen to be near the school." I sighed and wrapped my arms around myself.

"I'm a few blocks away. Why?"

"I need a ride home. I forgot I had practice today and I don't have a way to get home." I took a seat on the curb and stared as cars sped past me.

There was a loud screeching noise from the other end of the phone and I held it away from my ear. "I'll be there in a few. Hold tight." A click and the line went dead.

True to his word, Tyler pulled up in a few minutes in the Jeep. I pulled open the door and jumped in, seeking comfort in the warm air radiating from the vents. "Thanks."

I slammed the door shut and rubbed my hands up and down my arms.

"Any time. Where am I dropping you off at?" He reached over and turned the heat up to full blast.

"My house please." Lightning flashed in the sky above us and a few moments later, thunder cracked.

"Yes ma'am." We pulled away from the school and started the drive to my house. "How you holding up?" Tyler peeked at me through the corner of his eye.

I shrugged my shoulders and looked out the window, playing with the hem of my shorts. "I don't know. As good as I can be doing I guess."

He looked back at the road without saying anything and we drove the rest of the way home like that. Neither of us saying anything.

"We here you are." Tyler pulled up into my driveway.

I stared up at my house wondering what it held inside. A drunk dad. A lonely mom. A dead brother. A psychopath gang leader who wants to kill me. Who knew what my house of mysteries held for me today.

"Thanks." I unbuckled myself from the Jeep and stepped out with my duffel bag in tow.

I fished for my house keys and unlocked the door with a deep breath and pushed it open. "Mom? Dad?" I called out but got no response. Walking upstairs to my room, I threw my bag on my bed and got ready for tonight.

One of my black hoodies laid on my desk, so I grabbed that and threw it on over my sports bra and then changed into regular black spandex. I didn't want to risk anyone hanging around there see me in my cheer uniform for several reasons.

Once I had on my usual attire, I headed to my bathroom and dug out my tape and taped my hands. Then I waited for Logan.

I watched about three episodes of Nailed It! before I hears him roll up in his stingray. I grabbed my black bag and ran downstairs.

He was leaning on the hood of his car when I got outside. His eyes looked me up and down, a small smirk appeared on his lips. "What is with the outfit."

I rolled my eyes, "You'll see."

"Where are we going with you all dressed up." He got into the car the same time I did and turned on the radio.

"The Undergrounder. It's about time I explained a few things to you." He started driving and I continued talking, "Remember the night I ran away from the club and you found me drunk and passed out?"

A conflicting emotion passed through his eyes as it looked like he was trying to choose whether to be upset or happy at the memory. "How could I forget." His voice was neutral too, not giving any insight as to how he felt.

"You went through my bag that night didn't you?" A nod. "I bet you were wondering why a seventeen year old girl had two thousand dollars in cash, weren't you?" Another nod. "Everything will be explained tonight once we get there."

We listened to whatever song played on the radio as we drove the my favorite place in the world.

I could feel the energy running through me while we were still a few blocks down. My fingers drummed against my leg and I couldn't keep still anymore. When we parked, I exploded out the door and practically dragged Logan behind me. "Would you calm down? You're acting like you are on drugs."

We skipped the line and went straight to the front where Garret let some people in and turned away others. "Back of the line you two- wait. I remember you. You're Daytona and you're Demon Queens boyfriend." He glanced down at my hand in his and I saw the pieces click together in his mind. "Oh. My. Go-"

Logan slapped a hundred dollar bill into his chest and whispered, "And if you're smart, you'll keep her real identity and name a secret. Got it?"

Garret nodded his head vigorously and pocketed the cash. "Yes sir. Right this way." He removed the velvet rope despite the groans and complaints from the people we cut off.

Neon lights and for surrounded us as we made our way through the club to get to the bar. "D! If it isn't my favorite girl." She eyed Logan, "Who's Mr. Hottie?"

"Lisa, this is Logan. Logan, my favorite bartender Lisa." I introduced the two and placed my bag on the counter. "You know what to do."

She took my bag and made her way into the back. I never understood what went on back there, or why they had a back room. Other bars I had been to didn't have a back. It must've just been used to store extra drinks or things like that.

"Okay so what are we doing here exactly?" Logan sat down on a stool and peered at me with his green eyes, which in the lights, appeared to change colors.

"Wait for it." On que, Lisa came floating out of the back room with a clipboard in hand.

"Anyone in particular you want me to set you up with tonight D? I've got the best of the best here tonight." Her pen taped on the board as she started to go through some of the names.

I held eye contact with Logan the whole time I answered, "Nope, give me whoever. I'll be fighting for awhile tonight."

"Fighting?" Logan jumped out of the stool and almost fell. I put my hands out to stop him and for the first time he saw my taped up hands. "Day. What are you doing?"

I took his face in my hands, "Trust me okay?" I let go and took a few steps back. Putting my hands in my pockets I turned away from him and pushed through the crowd.

The fight ended as I neared the ring. I flipped my hood up over my head as I waited for the announcer to announce the next fight.

"Well what about that fight ladies and gentlemen! Hope you got your money's worth." He winked into the crowd and grabbed the mic closer. "Now, for our next fight, we have your all time favorite," he paused for dramatic effect and the crowd released a loud cheer, "Demon Queen!" He said at the same time as the crowd. "Tonight she'll be battling another crowd pleaser, Doom."

I had never even heard of Doom before, but then again, it had been awhile since I had fought here, and judging by the crowds reaction, he must've been good.

Jumping up on the stage, I pumped my fist in the air and Doom joined me up on the platform.

"Been awhile since you've shown your face around here, if it wasn't for that bartender friend of yours, I would've taken your title as reigning champ." Doom circled around me and I sized him up.

Around 6', lanky, but definitely built, brown shaggy hair, brown eyes and ran skin. He looked like someone girls would throw themselves at on the beach.

"Stop talking and we can see if you live up to your name. What do you say, am I doomed, or will you fall at the Demon Queens feet?" I tilted my head and poured as much threat as I could into my voice.