AN: Sorry I haven't updated in a while guys, I've just had so much homework it's ridiculous. But anyways thank you so much for reading up to this point! If there are any spelling errors please tell me so I can fix them. Also if you have anything to say about the book ranging from criticism to ideas feel free to tell me. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and don't forget to vote 🖤.

Arielle's POV

Today was my first softball game and to say I was nervous would be an understatement. It was 6th period and I was putting my books in my locker  when I heard a voice say "This looks a lot like a closet." I looked over to where I heard the voice and saw that it was Jennifer.

I didn't respond and continued to put my books in my locker. I heard her sigh.
"Look I just came to talk to you about our game today." She said.
"Okay,what about it?" I asked her.
"I can see that you're a little...nervous and if it's about the game don't be, you'll do fine." She said giving me a small smile.
"Okay Ms.Murphy is that all?"  I asked.
"Look, I know we aren't on the best terms but we need to at least be able to carry out a conversation with each other."
"This is a conversation, that I'm ending right now." I said putting all my things in my locker, closing it shut, and walking away from her.
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"Arielle when are you going to actually talk to Jennifer?" Jaylin asked.
We were on the lunch line waiting to order our food.
"What do you mean, I spoke to her right before I got here."
"You know exactly what I mean." Jaylin  whined. "When are you going to stop being so stubborn and talk to her." She continued.

"Look Jaylin, I don't think it's best for her and I to be together. She could possibly get fired if someone found out about us." I reasoned.
"But that's a risk she's willing to take, can't you see that she really wants to be with you?" Jaylin asked.
"I do, trust me I do but I'm doing what's best for her...and I so just drop it okay?" I said to her, just deciding to pick up a salad because I didn't want to be questioned by her any longer.
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It was the end of 7th period and I was at my locker when someone tapped me on my shoulder. I looked and saw it was a girl in a cheerleader outfit. The girl was beautiful, she had long brown hair and stunning gray eyes. She was chewing on a piece of gum and I couldn't help myself and looked at her lips. I must of been staring at her because she repeatedly snapped in my face.

"Sorry, what?" I asked the girl.
"Mrs.Dixson wants to see you in her office." The girl said and walked away.

I can't let her just leave like that. I thought to myself.

"I don't even get your name!" I yelled out to her when she was almost at the end of the hallway.
She turned around and I think I saw her smile a little and she yelled back "It's Sophia!" and then continued walking.

Sophia. I repeated in my head.
Oh shit she said I had to go to Mrs.Dixson's office. Should I really go? I debated with myself.
Yes, I have to go so I can end whatever it is that's happening between us. I said to myself.

I quickly packed up my things in my purse and headed over to Mrs.Dixson's office.

When I got to her office I knocked on the door and heard a "come in" from the other side. I opened the door and Mrs.Dixson looked up at me and said "I'm glad that you decided to come. Close the door."
I slowly closed the door and sat down in one of the seats in front of her office.

"So how have you been?" Mrs.Dixson asked.
"What do you mean?" I responded back.
"I know that Mason messed up your leg and gave you that concussion Arielle, I'm not stupid." She said.
I didn't say anything and then brought my gaze to look at the floor.
"I can have him kicked out of the school Arielle, all you have to do is tell the principal and it can happen." Mrs.Dixson told me.

I thought back to what Mason told me that day.

Flashback:
He pressed the knife against my neck. "This was just a warning Ella. I told you there would be consequences,and if you tell anyone about this...I'll do something to your little teacher girlfriend." He said.

"No don't hurt her!" I begged him tears rimming my eyes.

"You must really like her." He said with a chuckle. "What was her name...Jennifer? She's really pretty," He then moved his lips to my ear and said "but if you tell anyone about this, about us, let's just say she'll be worse than you are right now."

He looked down at my chest and then moved his knife over the scar there.
"You remember this day...when you got this scar Ella?" Mason asked smiling.
I didn't answer so he continued, "That day...was one of the most memorable days for me. It was the day I realized...how much I love you."

He was about to continue when a beeping noise interrupted him. He used his other hand to take something out of his pocket. I think it was his phone.

"Ella, I have to go now, but I'll see you soon." He said and kissed me on the cheek and walked away.

My head is killing me. I thought to myself. I gotta call someone.

I tried to move my head off the wall but as soon as I did a pang of hurt shot theough my head. "Aw fuck." I said to myself as I put my head back on the wall and closed my eyes. I tried to stay up but my body wouldn't allow me and I fell into a deep slumber.
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I felt my body being shook and I heard a voice "Arielle wake up." I was then shook more violently and the voice said "Arielle." I opened my eyes as wide as they could, which wasn't really much.

"Who did this to you?" The voice asked.
"M-Mason...I wanna go to sleep now."   I said to whoever was talking to me, thinking it was some stranger.
"No, Arielle stay up!" The stranger yelled at me.

I've heard this voice before. I thought to myself.

I decided to take my chances and asked "Jennifer?"
"Yes, it's Jennifer." She said.

Shit. I thought to myself.

I can't have Jennifer mixed up in this. If something happened to her... I don't know what I would do to myself.

So I made a vow in that moment to distance myself for her and never tell anyone about what happened.

End of Flashback
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"Arielle did Mason hurt you?" Mrs.Dixson asked.

I thought back to his threats and answered quickly. "No, no he didn't."
Mrs.Dixson stayed silent and looked at me.

After a few minutes I asked "Can I go now?" She gave me a pitiful look and then nodded her head.

When I was almost out the door she said "Good luck on your game today."
I looked back at her and gave her a small smile and said "Thanks." and then closed the door.
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This is it.

It was the ninth inning and the score was tied 9-9. Their team was up to bat. My mind was everywhere but in the game, I kept thinking about my conversation with Mrs.Dixson earlier.

I've been playing terribly, which is bad for me because I invited Emily to watch the game and I was hoping to impress her. So I needed some superhuman powers to help me get the batter out.

I was about to go on the pitching rubber when I felt a had grab my arm. I turned around and saw that it was Jennifer.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" She asked softly.
"Okay..." I said and allowed her to drag me to an isolated area behind the around the dugout.

"What did you want to talk about?" I asked her.
"Are you okay?" Jennifer asked.
"Yes, why wouldn't I be?" I asked.
"Because you seem...out of it...and no offense you're playing pretty bad right now." She said.
"Oh great, that's exactly what I needed to hear for motivation." I deadpanned.
This caused her to laugh lightly and she said "That's not what I meant. I know you can play better than this so clearly something is up." She said.

"No,nothing is up." I said to her laughing nervously.
Jennifer looked at me and her gaze softened.

"Arielle...you're forgetting that I know you, better than you know yourself, I can tell when you're lying." She said softly.
I sighed "It's just...I have a lot of my mind right now." I said to her.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" Jennifer asked. I shook my head lightly.
"Alright, but I'm sure you'll get through it...I know you can." She whispered.
"Thanks." I said.

She brought her hand up to my cheek and I gasped lightly at how warm it was and leaned my head into it. She smiled at this and whispered "Close you eyes."
I complied and close my eyes. I then felt another hand go up to my other check. I had an urge to open my eyes but then she said "Keep them closed."

We just stayed like that, me with my eyes closed and her with her hands on my cheeks. Soon I felt a pair of soft lips graze my own. It was a quick kiss, quicker than I actually wanted it to be.

"You can open your eyes now." Jennifer said softly. I slowly opened my eyes and saw Jennifer blushing.
"I hope that helps you with whatever you're going through." She said and slowly took her hands off my cheek and walked away.

I put my one of my hands up to my lip and realized something.

Staying away from Jennifer has hurt me. I've missed her a lot...more than I have let on.

I took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

I can't stay away from Jennifer anymore.

I got my pitching glove and the ball and headed over to the pitching rubber.
The referee blew the whistle and I pitched the ball. The girl swung and missed.

Strike 1.

I pitched again and the girl swung and missed.

Strike 2.

All of my teammates and people supporting our team in the stands cheered.

This is it. I thought to myself and took a deep breath and closed my eyes.
When I opened them back up my gaze meet Jennifer's. She flashed me a small smile and mouthed "You'll do great."
I got ready to pitch and the threw the ball as hard as I could.

The batter smirked like she knew she was going to hit the ball. She swung but the ball curved in the opposite direction.

Strike 3.

"You're out!" The umpire yelled.

My team got out of the dugout and ran towards me, screaming. They all gave me a group hug and were cheering. Once they let go of me I looked over at Jennifer and gave me a thumbs up.
I headed over to the dugout with the rest of the girls besides the one who wad going to bat.

The girl who went to bat got a home run, making us win the game.

After the game Emily got out the stands to congratulate me.
"You did well Arielle." She said to me.
"Thanks." I said smiling at her.

"Emily?" I heard a voice say. Emily and I both turned in the direction of the voice and it was Jennifer.
"Hello Jennifer." Emily said flatly.
"Hello to you too, what are you doing here?" She asked Emily shocked.
"I came here to support Arielle." Emily answered.
"Support...Arielle...?" Jennifer said slowly.
"Yes, she invited me." Emily answered.
"What!? You invited her!?" Jennifer asked shocked.
"Yea...why?" I asked.
"I'm going to leave now, bye Arielle." She said and kissed me on the cheek swiftly. She waved at Jennifer and then left.

Jennifer looked at me and said
"Seriously Arielle?"
"What? What's so bad about inviting her to a game?" I asked.
"Are you dating her?" Jennifer said completely ignoring my question.
"No." I answered quickly.
"So then why did she kiss you?" She asked.
"Because we were kinda sorta trying to...date." I said quietly.

Jennifer pinched the bridge of her nose and said "Arielle you have got to be kidding me."
"What, what's the problem with her? I didn't know that whatever happened today between you and I was going to happen." I justified.

Jennifer let go of her nose and looked at me and said "Arielle, Emily is my ex."