chapter 1

Hailey

"No no no. Please Mrs Glennson anything but that." I pleaded already knowing there was nothing else I could do. I could drop to my knees and swear I'd pay her with my first born and she still wouldn't drop it. She was like that. Once she's made her mind up to something there was nothing I could do to change it. Nor me, not anyone.

"I'm sorry miss Grace but all the remain departments are covered." the English teacher -aka Roosevelt Daily's redactor- pretended to analyse the list with different tasks, but we both knew she indeed wasn't. "I get that you just have a really stressful week with your... father's situation, but the first student that applies is the one that got the topic." she lifted one shoulder as I squirmed uncomfortably in my seat. "We always work like that, now don't we?"

One of the worst things about having my mother as the school's counselor, was that she befriended the entire teacher body. Not only that, they know about my personal life almost as much as myself. Sometimes it could get awkward. Like, really. But well, this is a small town. Everyone knows everyone and there's nothing you could do against it.

So yeah, this past week all my family had been on the edge since my father was sent on some mission and couldn't contact us when he should. Handicaps on having my other parent as a marine. He was rarely home. It was hard for me and my brothers, especially for my mother, but I guess we just get used to the constant worry at this point.

Either way, having my teachers knowing whenever we were having a tricky time wasn't that good. Neither to have the students thinking I have a preference because of who my mother is. Which make me work harder to get the best marks so they don't say I am their pet, but no matter what I got that label. It gets tiring sometimes.

And now, because this stress with my father and stuff, I hadn't applied in time for the topic I wanted this week for Roosevelt Daily and I get stuck between sports and the new parking lot's cement. I really would dread to sit down and write for hours about concrete, but on the other hand the interview Mrs Glennson was purposing wasn't anything pleasant either. And she wasn't exactly giving me a choice either.

"I'm doing you a favor, miss Grace." she insisted no matter how much I begged her. "If Mr Dawson was here he'll kill to have this chance." Logan Dawson was the guy that usually takes on the sport's section, but this week he was out on some convention or something like that. "It'll be on the front page and it would also help you improve with themes that are out your comfortable zone."

"I really appreciate this opportunity, Mrs Glennson, I really do. But sports is something I have no idea about."

"Oh, come on, Hailey." she rolled her eyes playfully, dropping the formality she'd taken before. "Your brother's been one of the best quarterbacks the Roosevelt's ever had. It's like fate that you got to interview his successor." I greeted my teeth together. It's not fate, it's a bloody curse.

"I much rather work on the new concrete."

But she shook her head. "No. I refuse to have one of my best girls wasted on that. Let some freshman take that and go for the interview." her gaze shut me up when I went to complain once more. "You're doing the sport section and that's final." I sat back on my seat, defeated and diverted my gaze to the floor, biting down my remarks and feeling them curling in my chest. "You're a great reporter, Hailey. You'll do good." I guess she was trying to be soothing, but nothing could soothe me when I had to voluntarily go and work with him. "Now, now. Don't be so sad. This is a great opportunity, you'll see. Sent me the draft this weekend so I can look it over for next Monday's impression."

I didn't want to. I would love to spend the rest of the senior year far away from our beloved undefeated quarterback. Ever since Matt left for college last year, leaving his mark in the school's history, people were worried about this new season without him. But Nate Herond not only keep up with my brother record but also beat him. He had been the first player to do so many touchdowns in a row. Barely starting the season and he was already a legend. People acclaimed him and it only made my rage for him grow.

Every time I saw a dreamy girl sighing as he pass, or the admiring gaze of a younger student I felt sick. He wasn't that good. He wasn't that awesome. But there was nothing I could do for them to stop feeding his already too bloated ego. And it was frustrating.

No matter what, if I wanted to remain as an active in Roosevelt Daily I must have her satisfied. If I wanted a letter from her for my Brown's application I better get on her good side. I already tried to dissuade her and she had refused. There was no other option, I have to take the interview.

I exited Mrs Glennson office just as the final bell rang and mentally made a schedule to get everything done. Today was Wednesday, and she wanted the interview for the weekend. Damn it, I didn't have much time to work.

Taking in a deep breath I finally accepted that there's no other option than going talk to him today. I could send him a message, but it can easily be ignored and the last thing I wanted was to go after him begging. No. I wouldn't give him that satisfaction.

Today was the day I usually stay in the library with Vickie and Taylor until I got to pick up the twins from their practice. So I had time. Slowly dragging my feet through the hallway full of students eager to leave I mentally prepared myself.

I really didn't want to face him.

After that horrible party half a year ago I been succeeding in not interacting with that jerk. I mean, we'd been on the same course since kindergarten and we never really speak so it might be easy right? Well, it wasn't. It was like now that I despites him, the golden boy turned up to be at every corner and it made everything more difficult for me to avoid him.

The football team was about to have practice so I headed to the lockers room. As I said, I'm not exactly a sports fan. I'd gone to some matched when Matt was here, and I guess when the twins get in the team as well I be coming again, but my joy was to watch the people I love have fun. Not the match itself. I honestly couldn't understand what's so mesmerizing about a bunch of people fighting over a ball. Never had, never will.

When I reached the backfield, the players were already getting out the changing rooms, dressed properly and stretching towards the coach. My stomach squeezed at the thought of having to go there, in front of everyone and asked for the quarterback's attention. How humiliating would that be? I would look like some creepy girl or... Man, that would be embarrassing and definitely not what I want to do.

I was almost hyperventilating at the thought when the heaven parted and out the doors came the golden trio: Nate Herond, Seth Lorde and John Smith- aka Bear.

The three stars of the current football team. All of them huge, tall and build. Handsome and physically perfect, like any girl here in Roosevelt would be eager to certify. Ever since they became seniors, if feels like the whole high school belongs to them. Usually I wouldn't had minded about who stood as the most popular, but since I couldn't stand Nate it only added to the list of things that made him insufferable.

Now or never, Hailey.

Pushing my racing heart aside; I surpassed my shyness to attract their attention, knowing it was inevitable and cleared my throat.

"Herond!"

All their heads snapped at me in unision and gazes of surprise and confusion filled them. I waved carefully -awkwardly-, my cheeks heating as not only him, but the whole trio made its way to where I was leaning against the bleachers. Just great. Get a hold of yourself. I struggled to remain casual, like I wasn't as nervous as my insides were indeed.

"Well well well." Bear smirk was punishing as he was the first to reach me. Out of the three of them, he was the one I dislike the most. Even more than Nate. He got this fixation with my friend Vickie, always picking up on her and sometimes even driving her to cry. He called her names and fat-shammed her when I would kill to have her curves. He was just cruel and mean and I hate him for that. "Isn't this little Gracie."

My fingers tightened around my arms at the damn nick name. Since my mother was Mrs Grace for the student body and I was a 'younger version of her', they've been calling me Gracie ever since I remember.

Stupid, I know, I could have been called worse thing; but something in it gets to me. Like another proof that I always be conditioned by my family success, degraded. My father's bravery, my mother's carreer, Matt's amazing football skills...

I'm always behind. Always second plate. I never shine for myself and that damn nick name only brought it up all again. I'm not even Hailey, or Grace; I'm Gracie. And the way the called me that made it sure for me to feel how deteriorating it was.

Not giving him the glee of getting to me, I just stared back at him and rose one brow. Bear chuckled and something malicious shone behind his eyes as he scanned the surroundings.

"Where's your friend?"

My jaw clenched, as I said, always picking up on poor Vickie. "Not here."

"I see... did she finally get some sense and get into a gym? Cause I swear, as her friend you should encourage Fatoria to lose all that extra fat-"

I cut him, fuming with rage, but struggling to remain calm. "Leave her alone, will you?"

Instead of getting mad, his evil grin widened and leaned forward. "What if I don't?"

"I..."

"You what, uh?" my fists balled harshly, all my façade about to drop. "What would you do, Gracie?"

"Dude." Nate grabbed his shoulder and pulled him backwards and out my personal space. Finally the other two had arrived as well. How great. "Don't call her that."

Really? Ire bubbled inside me. So now it was wrong to call me that, but not when he did? He almost looked confused at my glare, but I also recognized a hint of regret.

Well, I wouldn't forgive him even if he apologized -which he wasn't aiming to do- but it was good to know he indeed had second thoughts on his behavior. I was so done with them and we haven't even started yet. How on earth would I manage to get through a whole interview?

"What?" continued Bear 'oblivious'. "I was just saying hello to Gracie. Hey, Gracie. Gracie, hi." the blond giant chuckled at his own joke, like he just said the most hilarious thing and rolled his eyes at my straight face, not amused at all. "Whatever. Hard public. So, Gracie, what is it that you need Nate for?" One of his arms went around the quarterback's shoulders and winked at me mockingly. I hated that for some reason my cheeks flushed at the insinuation. It must be the anger. "You want him to sign that old jacket?"

I narrowed my gaze at that stupid question. Not only the nick again, but also the mere thought that I would want the team's jacket I inherited from the very Matt Grace to be scratched by this guy. Hell no! It was too big for me, but I love it so let it be.

Taking a deep breath to remain calm, I focused back on Nate's green eyes and said: "Mrs Glennson want an interview from you for next week."

That took them by surprise and I watch as Nate's dark brow perked. "Really?" he overpowered the bafflement and formed his signature smirk. "Cool. So what? Will she sent someone or..."

"She's already sent someone." I pointed my chest with one finger much to their surprise and forced out the next words: "Me. So will it be fine to meet tomorrow?"

"You?" he deliberately ignored the second part and leaned backwards against the railing, folding his arms over his chest and eying me up and down. "Since when do you do the sport reports?"

"Since they've lowered at you." I couldn't help to bit back and his eyes widened as Seth and Bear doubled in laugher.

"Yikes, man. That must hurt."

"Shut up." Nate shoved Bear away, jaw clenched and turned to glare at me. "You think you're funny?"

I shrugged one shoulder. "So, tomorrow?"

"If you think you just-"

"Things are really easy, Herond." I cut his ego-wounded-speech. "If you want an interview you need to meet me before Friday or there's no golden quarterback's interview. Got it?" well it wasn't exactly like that, but if Nate thought I got the upper hand endure him would be better. "So. Tomorrow?"

"Yeah, whatever." he was pissed. Great. I didn't want him to think I would forgive him for a second. If we were to do this it would be as uncomfortable for me as it would be for him.

"How awesome." I gave him my most fake smile, making sure the falseness was obvious as a neon light. "Meet me at Barner's after school. The sooner we get through with this the merrier."

And I spun around not caring if he had something else to say or not. I walked head high back to the building, feeling the burn of their gazes in my nape but I just ignored them.

"Dude," Seth spoke for the first time, calmed as usual, but curiousness dripping from each word. "What did you ever did to her?"

Great question. But Nate snorted right before I went out earshot, sounding irritated and frustrated -maybe slightly nervous too? "If I only knew."

Freaking liar, go to hell!