CALISTA POV

The earth rotates around its axis without us feeling it, providing one day and one night every twenty-four hours of our lives, and then we acknowledge the changes. If you calculatingly think of our lives, it's like the climate. It tends to turn all the way around like the earth. Nothing is there to last forever; not our pain, not our sorrow, nor the joy we experience, or the glory we thought we have wrapped around our fingers or in the middle of our palms.
I know of certain events that usually change human life. It could be adopting a pet dog, having a child, getting on a plane that ended up crashing, or maybe a plane that landed smoothly, and we might even meet someone there who gradually becomes that one special thing that happens to us.

My life started to change in fourth grade, but it took a twisted turn last year. It all started with taking Chloe away from me, then I met the love of my life, and surprisingly, he felt the same way I did about him. We fell madly in love. Then it all crashed and burned down with just a photo that came as evidence to my brother. Myles had said it was all Nelson, the man who I had somehow comprehended was bad news ever since the first time we met.

This year, the changes were sun-like. I didn't only get to have Myles with my brother's consent, I got to stand up for myself, I faced Scarlett, the worst among intimidators, and I got to possess the freedom to choose what I desire and now I am sitting around the VIP courtside on the front row with my parents by my side in the hugest arena in Dallas.

Today is the last game the team will play in Texas for the season. And just like in old times, Myles and my brother made their opposing team look as though they were amateurs.

I have to admit that seeing them retaining their relationship has been one of the greatest things that have ever happened to me.

Yesterday, on Friday, before the boys left for Houston to meet with the team for training, Brayden and I had undone our vows. Brayden just came up to me and said it was childish. It came as a surprise, given he had been a wreck the other day before, or even more precisely, for the past months, since summer.

Promising to eradicate our romantic feelings for someone because they happen to be friends with one of us was an agreement we made when we were just kids, and now that we are all adults, a phase where we found the world completely different from what we used to believe it looked like. We both learn we are just human beings, with power over aesthetic items, money, and even humans, but at the end of the day, we cannot control everything, our emotions indisputably, for instance, or how our body responds to situations.

Brayden, Myles, and I are biological examples of blind decisions. We made choices when we were young, unsophisticated, and had no idea of the power of love. Not knowing it is the greatest war every human must face at some point in their life cycle.

We can't just turn off our feelings. I know for a fact that I can't cease loving that gorgeous man on the court who just scored a field goal on receiving the ball from Zion, earning the team three points with just a flexible shot.

Zion and Myles are now racing back to their side of the court, laughing and slapping palms when Vincent and Brayden join the boys. Brayden throws his arms around Myles's shoulder and ruffles his hair.

It was only the second quarter but the boys were leading with over sixty points, most of which Myles had posted. His team had barely opened a chance for the opposing team to score any reasonable points.

At this time, David is no longer shouting orders or pacing by the courtside like the other coach. Instead, he is seated among the rest of the team and is as peaceful as a man who leads a successful battle and takes down the castle.

The team continues, with the other team only getting two additional points among the fifteen that Myles's team had scored.

Did I mention that Natalie had come over for the game and was sitting just next to me?
With the way the scores were raining, she and I even added a little fun to the game. Agreeing to pay for the halftime snack for whomever with the highest scoring point boyfriend.

By the time the buzzer signaled the second half was over and the start of fifteen minutes of halftime, both teams head into the tunnel. I jumped out of my seat in excitement, having Natalie roll her eyes at my rejoicing before she returned her focus to her phone screen.

"I get it. But please don't make me go, let's just make an order." She pleadingly whines, waving the phone screen showing the main courses.

"No offense, I know my brother is very good but we just have to agree that Myles is their soul." I bragged, shoving my cold fingertips into my behind pockets.

Mom shakes her head at me. I bashfully smile, looking behind, with my nail between my teeth.

My nail is between my teeth.

Quickly, at the recognition of my reaction, I snapped my hands together behind me.

"Okay Natalie, I will walk with you," I suggested, and it is not because it is in our agreement, because the loser is required to serve the winner. And even easier, we can just make an order, but I would rather lessen my mortification by taking a walk away from our parents, as Halen was also there, and is sitting just next to Natalie, wearing a tight-lipped smile, the kind that distinctly gives a secondhand embarrassment vibe. Or perhaps I am just overreacting? Because if I know anything for a fact, it would be that woman's admiration for me.

"Honey, can we get two more cups of boba?" Dad asked politely.

"I know you'll fall in love with it." I wiggled my brows at my parents as Natalie hooked her arm around mine. "Don't worry Halen, I've got you covered too." I had to raise my voice a little around the loud crowd as we followed the staircase.

She blew me an air kiss and I returned one before jogging side by side with my brother's girlfriend-who will technically become my sister-in-law any time soon, I am sure.

When we are in the halls and a couple of people are sort of stealing glances at us, I snorted a sigh.

"How do you do it? How do you deal with all this attention?"

She shrugs.
"I don't. I just act normal even when I want to pee my pants at some point. You should even wait until you and Myles are official."

"We are already official, all the important people in our lives know about our relationship. Just not to the media, which is not necessary." I defended.

Her head angles in some sort of wary way.
"Sometimes it is good for the media to know, you know." She smirks. "You can use the fame for your benefit instead of seeing it as exhausting or a burden."

"I don't think people see fame as a burden," I thoughtfully remarked, and her eyes glowed with excitement.

"I know, right? You should see the share of partnership requests hanging on my emails. I am thinking of hiring a manager... lawyer, or something." She finishes the last part horrified. I laughed and promised her it would be okay.

We were just almost at our location when Natalie received a call from my brother and her ecstatic mood washed away just instantly as she picked up the call.

We made eye contact, mine a little fearful. She didn't say much, she just hummed most of the time and then hung off.

"We need to go back."

My breath is a little loud because of the pounding in my chest.
"What's wrong?"

"It's Myles. We need to go back." She didn't answer my next question, she only pulled my hand and directed us back to the game without getting me my boba.

"I get a feeling this is all an excuse to slip out of our deal," I complain as we arrive back at the long stairs to the game. Only now, everyone was staring at us.

"Am I imagining it or is everyone looking at us?" I cautiously whispered to Natalie.

She didn't reply. I turned over to where she was supposed to be, but she had stopped a couple of steps behind. Smiling broadly at me.

Okay? What the hell is happening here?

"Natalie?" I whispered a shout but she only giggled and jerked her head forward.

A nervous laugh escapes me at the sudden quiet in such a place crowded with tens of thousands of people.

"Cali?" A familiar muscular voice called and I almost jumped before I turned and met Weston Micah beaming.

People are gasping around us, probably for having Weston in this proximity.

"Weston?" I mumbled. "What is with Myles?"

The corners of his eyes crinkled a little. "I am ninety-nine percent certain of nothing..." He took out a hand from behind and a huge bouquet of roses appeared between us.

"Weston..." I gasped, confused about what to do and what to ask.

He handed over the flowers and took my hand, helping me down more steps to where Jeffery was holding the team's stuffed animal.

He jiggles the medium-sized stuffed animal in my face and I couldn't help giggling along with everyone around us.

As I took it into my arms, Jeffery took my hand from Weston and led me down the stairs.

"What is happening?" I laughed nervously just as my eyes met the jumbotron high in the middle of the game.

Shoot.

I am everywhere.

"Why am I everywhere," I horrifyingly blurted, but just like his friend and Natalie who are all behind us, Jeffery's reply is another confusing riddle. He kindly says, "Like they say; as you should."

Before I could ask him another question, Vincent was jogging over to us with the team jacket, and sort of swaddled me.

"I knew it. I knew it." He confused me and carried my hand from his other teammate.

What does he know? At that moment, I had given up asking.

We are approaching the end of the staircase, and I'm certain they're all enjoying this mind game. The only problem is we're around thousands of people. I wouldn't survive any phase of humiliation right here.

Finally descending the steps, I came across Brayden and the rest of the team. Now I am confident that I am in safe hands.

Oh my God, don't tell me this is his way of boosting my fame.

Great.

He didn't give me anything, he pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead, while I laughed.

"Brayden, this is insane." I reminded him in the embrace while he walked me away from his teammates.

"Cali?" He called, attracting my attention. I pulled my head from his chest and jumped back into his body at what I encountered.

Myles...

Of course Myles.

Loud applause and cameras flashed from every angle.

My brother's body is shaking while he laughs.

"Cali?" That precious voice called from a height that didn't match Myles's size and I slowly let go of my brother, happy tears streaming down my face.

He is on one knee, the arena is quiet compared to how loud it used to be, and my tearstain face is on every screen.

"I don't even know what to say to convince you to take me. But what I know is, I don't want a life without you. I know how it feels to be away from you, it's nothing I want to live again." He calmly said and the mascot unfolded a banner that gave me my first joyful heart attack. "And if you refuse me I will blackmail you with a faint." He added and unrestrained laughter left my emotional being.

"Please, marry me, Cali." He said just as it was written on the banner in the famous mascot's hands.

This is once-in-a-lifetime luck that doesn't happen to everyone, particularly a fan who has only dreamed.

Please?

He had no idea how many times I had stood in the middle of the excruciating hallways of my high school with closed eyes, imagining this day.

I had many words to say, but I have lost my voice ever since my eyes came upon him.

He opens a wooden ring box that looks tiny in his hands.

And just like that, my eyes met the ring.

It's impossible to refuse the ring alone, provided Myles, the handsome man my heart had only beat for.

"Say you will marry me." He pleaded again when I didn't say anything. It is then I remember I shouldn't let him plead again, but where is my sense?

"That's persuasive. I will say to let her de..." Brayden started taunting Myles but I shut him off with my croaky voice, rushing my words, "Of course, Myles. Of course, I will marry you." I forced out, choking on my tears as Myles's face immediately brightened up and he hurried to slide the ring through my finger while thousands of people in the arena began chanting the words congratulations.

This is the first time in my life that I feel at the top of the world.

Myles straightened to his feet, snatched away the flowers and stuffed animal in my hand, and smirked at my brother when he shoved them into Brayden's arms while I giggled.

And before I could comprehend the next thing, Myles's savory lips met mine, my eyes closed, I wrapped my arms around his neck and applause broke through the huge arena.

"This is the first and the last time you two will kiss in my presence..." Brayden awkwardly faltered.

"Shut up, Brayden." Myles and I said in unison and cracked into laughter when our lips met again.

For the rest of the game, I couldn't help smiling all the time. The boys won, and Natalie and I remained in Dallas with the boys, where we spent the entire Saturday evening playing arcade games with the team, celebrating our engagement.

Brayden had said he never thought I would get to wear a ring before he could get it for his girlfriend.

Seeing him and Myles getting along is the ease I craved. I truly can't imagine having to give up one of them. Both boys mean a lot to me.

~

On Sunday, when the team is heading to Minnesota, Myles offers to stay until the next day, and my brother comes off agreeable. The two decide to catch up with the team on Monday morning, so we drive Natalie to the airport. She's set to travel back to Los Angeles as she has some work waiting for her, early Monday morning.

As Natalie and my brother are saying goodbye outside the vehicle, Myles and I discuss many things, including the colleges I've gotten into and his games schedules.

He's so confident in us, he knew we would figure out this new chapter of our lives. And that's all that matters. I am sure if we believe in our relationship, there is no way our bond will flutter.

By Monday, the news of our engagement had traveled everywhere.

My whole life I've never been pampered by the public. I never knew what it felt to be seen, but the moment Myles turned off the engine of my car and I stepped out of the passenger seat in my school parking lot, I experienced a foreign change.

I've become the center of attention everywhere I step. The student's buggy eyes followed me. They were all looking at me, and for the first time, not in an infamous way. Rather, I can see it in their eyes, they admired me. They all wanted to be me. Some of them wish they could say something to start a conversation with me.

Natalie was right. I will take the benefits of this fame that I earn, instead of painting it as my burden, I will make the best living from it.

Myles followed after me and walked me down the crowded hallway to my classroom. God knows I need him for strength, given the sudden transition in my social life.

Just nine days ago, I was being bullied on this premises, and right now today, almost everyone in the hallway that wasn't on their phone is either gasping, trembling, or giggling at my presence.

At the entrance of my first class, Myles and I stopped. He grabbed my hands and kissed both knuckles.

"I will miss you."

"We will video call all the time," I promised, and he smiled gently.

"I will come over all the time." He rephrases.

"You sure? I don't want to put pressure on you..."

"Pressure is when I don't see my fiance. Besides, I would like to prepare for when you start NYU."

"About that..." I drawled, stifling a smile as he became captivated by what I was about to tell him. "I got an email this morning from Berkeley."

His eyes are narrowed, crinkling at the edges.
"Did you apply there? How many schools did you apply to?" He looked confused. I couldn't hold back my laugh.

He has no idea.

"I thought I should have plan B."

He smirked crookedly, his upper lip curled up.
"You now have as many as plan H." He teases.

Well, I might have applied to many schools, but it's the best way to make sure I get into at least one college. However, I ended up getting into all of them. But then, I thought, who would refuse my hard work?
Punctuality and good manners have been my lifestyle. If there is one good thing that comes out of being unwanted around people my age, it is time I got to focus on my studies and stay out of trouble.

I laughed at Myles's joke.

"So?" He implored, desperately.

"It says; Dear Calista, congratulations, and welcome to the University of California, Berkeley. You have been admitted for the fall semester..." While I was braggingly repeating what it says from the email I read this morning, Myles is already ecstatic, smiling admirably in front of me. He didn't let me finish, he swept me off the ground, his arms wrapped around my waist, and twirled me around in excitement.

"I love you." He whispered and kissed my hair when he put me down. I am still laughing at his uncontrolled reaction.

"I love you too."

I am breathing hard after a long making-out session before Myles finally leaves. Sadly, I wouldn't get to take him to the airport, but it's okay, he had promised to come over in two weeks' time.

The moment I stepped into the class, I was reminded of reality.

I can feel their gazes, their mumbles, their presence. I keep my head down and step toward my usual seat, which is at the back end of the classroom.

"Hey, Calista. This seat isn't taken." Someone said behind me.

Confounded, I turned over and faced the girl who was talking to me. Winter Corrigan, a cheerleader. She's encircled by most of the girls in the class.

My eyes scan the seat she is offering. I don't want any trouble.

She must have noticed that I was weighing my decisions because Winter pats the table and begins, "Scarlett and most of her friends have been arrested this morning for Chloe's death. I don't think she will use this table for the rest of the school year. Here." She holds out her phone.

A video of Scarlett's manor... Cops.

Shit.

My eyes widened, as it began making sense. She was escorted out of the door with cuffs around her wrist. She looked flushed and terrified, her hair was ragged, she had no shoes on, and she was only wearing pajamas.

The audible sound of the video is mostly the sirens and Scarlett's crying out for her dad's help.

I wasn't cruel, but I am sorry, this brought a relief I never thought existed. I didn't conceal the pleasure the news poured upon me. A shaky laugh escaped me, knowing Chloe had finally got her justice. Now Scarlett wouldn't hurt anyone anymore. When I slid onto the seat, I was shaking slightly.

It's actually over.

"The cops had started interrogation at the counselor's office. I think everybody in the school has something to say about Scarlett and them all," Winter informed me.

Amazed, I watched her before I could hand back her mobile phone.

"Thank you," I told Winter and dug out my diary from my backpack.

Dear Chloe,

You are right, dreams are truly misconceptions until we make them true. In short, Myles and I are now official. He gave me a ring to marry him and guess who's in prison? Scarlett and co. In long detail, I will tell you how my spring break went. You do know the last few months haven't been my favorite, right? But last week, just on the last day of school for spring break, I found Myles in the backseat of dad's car...

"Do you mind joining our table for lunch later?" A friend of Winter asked. She's situated next to me, sitting behind her desk, and smiling with so much admiration I've never thought I was worthy of.

"Okay, why not?" I awkwardly mumbled.

The girls all giggled, and I reciprocated with a comfortable smile before returning to writing to Chloe.

I guess I only have to work on believing in the realness of the changes now. I am no longer that invisible girl who's being laughed at. Now I am Calista Donovan, an eighteen-year-old senior, engaged to her crush, who happened to be incredibly good-looking and desirable. I am Cali, who's now notable in every gathering and thought highly of by everyone around me.