BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE

CHAPTER ELEVEN: GOLDEN GIRL

RIVER couldn't help but smile to herself, with Jackson nearby she doubted the two boys wouldn't even come close enough to bother her.

And with the underlying fact that she was going to be watching his back while he watched hers only made it that much harder for the two boys to get close to her.

The two of them- with Greenburg in the back to help defend the net- watched as Scott took his place among his small team and while Stiles slowly sauntered across the field to one of the three benches.

She knew he had wanted to be included with his friend for the first try at first line but at least he got a chance at all. If coach had his way Stiles wouldn't have even been able to step onto the field.

Within a few seconds, the whistle was blown and it seemed everything had jumped into motion, a motion that River had been waiting to see again for so long.

It only took a few yells and a bit of running to get Jackson to pass her the ball, and when he did she made sure to run as fast as her long legs would carry her, and once she realized she was as close as she could get without getting knocked to the ground she tossed it back to Jackson.

The plays continued and eventually, Scott got ahold of the ball, not that he maintained it for very long, Jackson took that as an opportunity and instead beat the boy down to the ground as harmlessly as possible to avoid being given a card.

Which surprisingly worked.

River did have to admit the boy had skill, maybe he could teach her a few things if she asked.

It wasn't until Coach's whistle rang out across the field that everyone paused in their steps- mostly confused as to why they were stopping- shaking his head, Coach offered an eye roll before waving for them to clear the field, which meant that the first day of tryouts for first-line was officially over.

River let a sigh escape her lips, her hair was undoubtedly trashed and disgusting, as was her gear as they filed off the field. She wondered if tryouts would continue to move on like this, everyone uneasy due to her presence.

She glanced over her shoulder hoping to locate Jackson in the sea of bodies, nothing. Just the sight of Scott staring her down like he was going to murder her.

Filing off of the field and into the locker rooms the school offered, River couldn't help but continuously glance over her shoulder to check for the two boys, she needed to stay as far away from them as possible.

So when Jackson mysteriously appeared beside her she jumped at the sight of him, turning his head, he watched as Lydia and the new girl- Allison- rushed off the field to come and talk to them, which only bought River more time away from Stiles and Scott, which was exactly what she needed.

Hopefully, she could keep them at bay till she managed to get back to Gen's house, then she'd be safe.

Unless Gen invited the boy over again.

"Hey! River!"

It was Scott.

She had suspected that Jackson would be enough to keep him away, but apparently, he was feeling bolder than he seemed.

Trying her best to ignore him she continued to walk with the others to the locker rooms, she just had to get to the girl's room, then she was home free.

Nope.

Coming up behind her, he said her name again before gently grabbing her shoulder to get her to turn in his direction, which didn't end very well. Instead of River turning around, Jackson whipped the boy's hand from her shoulder a glare clouding over his features as he stared the sophomore down.

"What's your problem, McCall? You not know how to take no for an answer?"

The boy's eyes widened and he glanced to River in hopes she would defend him, she didn't. Instead, she watched as the situation escalated, Jackson taking a few steps closer to try and assert his dominance while Scott tried his best to not back down.

Which very quickly gained the coach's attention.

And within seconds he was running over to see what was going on within the small circle that had formed around them.

"HEY! HEY! What the hell is going on here?" he questioned his fingers running over his whistle as he glanced between the three girls and the two boys, "nothing coach, McCall just had a question, didn't you McCall?"

With all eyes falling to him, the boy had no other choice but to slowly nod his head and go along with it, he couldn't risk the chance of losing out on being first line, not when he wanted it as badly as he did.

Not when it was right within reach, he wanted it more than anything, well, almost more than anything.

The new girl- Allison- seemed absolutely stunning, she was smart, beautiful, funny from what he'd heard, and seemed incredibly kind.

He wanted to get to know her better.

But for now, he would have to play things out safely, and he had to be especially careful around Jackson, not when he could ruin everything for him with a single sentence.

So instead of continuing, he remained by coach's side while Jackson walked off with the three girls beside him.

He'd have to talk to Gen, find some way to get stuck around the girl again, but Christ, the pain that was growing in his chest was overwhelming him, he needed to get something to drink before it consumed him.

Seemingly aware of the boy's newfound pain, Stiles rushed over to his friend.

A single look at his face was all it took for him to begin rushing towards the locker rooms with his friend in tow.

River watched on as the two boys went ahead of her little group, she couldn't help but wonder why Scott was so bothered by whatever the hell she was able to do.

It didn't harm him in any way, so why'd it matter so much?

Aware that she wouldn't get an answer to any of her questions, all she found herself able to do was tread beside Jackson and join in on the conversation every few moments just to show that she was paying attention, which was much harder than it seemed as they changed subjects with almost every sentence.

But as soon as they approached the locker room the two girls went around rather than in and Jackson gave River a small smile before disappearing into the male's locker room.

This.

This was the part she absolutely despised.

She'd always hated being alone in big rooms, and the locker room was exactly that.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

It only took her a few moments to begin to feel the effects the room was having on her, for one, her breathing became heavier, and not too long after she found that she was sweating even more than she'd been on the field.

And she was standing in the air conditioning.

But that was the one thing that her brain would never understand, no matter what she was doing, no matter how little of a threat it posed- if any at all- she would always be stuck in a constant state of panic or fear, and both were bound to get her killed at some point.

Pulling her penny over her arms- and dropping it onto the floor- she reached her hand out and grabbed onto the nearest locker to steady herself, she just had to make it out of the room, she could leave her things, all she had to do was get into the light.

She needed to hear voices.

Stumbling forward to drag herself towards the door she found that the locker room only darkened as the lights flickered off.

Letting a heavy breath fall from her lips, the girl's eyes went wide and she felt the hairs on the back of her neck begin to stand up, it was the equivalent of a nightmare.

The one thing she feared, and here it was, strangling the life out of her.

"River?"

The voice seemed like a lifeline, but it didn't reach her- not in any way that would pull her from her terrified trance- so when Jackson entered the room and his eyes finally found hers in the dark he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Are you alright?" he questioned, the most she could manage was a slight shake of her head, "you look like you just saw a ghost."

River closed her eyes for a few seconds before she opened them to give Jackson a pleading look, begging him to take the hint and lead her out of the locker room like a light in the dark.

The boy leaned forward- carefully taking the girl's hand in his own- before he gently pulled on it, "hey, are you sure you're alright?"

She tried her best to keep her eyes on Jackson, if she focused on him she could ignore the darkness that seemed to be swallowing them.

"Yeah." she wiped a bead of sweat from between her brows, "yeah I just- the lights went out, and then I heard something."

Jackson pursed his lips- softly nodding his head as he did so- he had no doubt it was McCall. Boy, what he would do to him if it didn't risk getting him kicked from lacrosse.

He'd just have to wait for summer again.

And then he could kick the brunette's weak-ass into graduation day.

God, what he wouldn't do to be out of the school now, he despised the people within it, the teachers within it, the town itself. He wanted to be known, he wanted to get put into the world and accomplish something worthwhile.

Go to college, become a professional lacrosse player, get married, he wanted all of it.

He just had to get through high school first.

Which was much harder than it sounded.

Quickly grabbing her things, River followed out after the boy- still in her gear- out into the hall where Scott and Stiles were waiting on a bench with magazines drawn in front of their faces to try and conceal themselves.

It was a terrible effort.

Neither of the two teens paid him much mind as they passed- except for Jackson casting the two boys a glare of sorts- but they did take note of the fact that River was still in her lacrosse gear and looked far paler than anyone should.

So pale they could've sworn she was going to be sick.

She thought she might be as well, her head had begun to burn, an indescribable type of burning that refused to cease.

It felt worse than having a cold.

Tightening her grip on her gear, she followed beside Jackson and down the hall- heading in the direction of the front of the school- she hoped Gen was already outside waiting to pick her up.

If she was, it would be because she was on her lunch break, which gave her enough time to pick her up and drop her off before heading back to the hospital to continue her shift.

But when she stepped outside with the boy, Gen was not there.

Which meant River had to walk.

She shared a look with Jackson for a moment, the boy asking her with his eyes if she was alright, she shrugged her shoulders.

She was as alright as she could be, but she knew the second she got to Gen's house that she was going to collapse.

And it would be the worst feeling ever.

"Is your ride here?" Jackson questioned, staring out at the parking lot before them, River shook her head.

"Well, come on then, I'll drop you off."

BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE

CHAPTER ELEVEN: GOLDEN GIRL