I ignored Levi the whole time he was ranting about being the star athlete in the soccer club and how girls are literally worshipping every part of him and I could've sworn he's having a monologue in Jack's room.

What a narcissistic asshole.

"And ever since I joined the boys' soccer team, I became the huge stand out in Rosewood, especially to the girls since my handsome looks are just so undeniable. No one can resist Levi Jackson, I'm telling you." He boasted with a cheeky grin as he flexed his biceps. My eye twitched in annoyance while Jack sighed softly.

"Levi, can't you see we're working on a project here? You're causing us distractions." Jack pointed out timidly.

"Yeah, so why don't you go preach that oh-so-wonderful speech to your fangirls then? I'm sure they'd love to listen and even swoon over you." I said sarcastically and huffed in annoyance. Levi cocked an eyebrow in amusement.

"That's a great idea but I'd rather make you swoon, sweetheart. I'm sure it would be such a cute sight to see you blushing with those adorable freckles of yours." He said with a light chuckle as he gazed at me intently. I narrowed my eyes at him in a menacing glare.

Can someone please throw this guy out of the window?

I stood up abruptly and smirked at Levi. "Oh, you know what's a better idea?" I taunted, mincing towards him.

"Ash," Jack warned softly but I ignored him.

"Hm, what would that be? Entertain me, princess." He said with an alluring smile, his ocean blue eyes twinkling with interest. I let out a sarcastic chuckle.

"You're quite popular aren't you? So what if rumors were spread around Rosewood about your bandaged nose? And if word gets out about you getting your ass kicked by a girl, I wonder how would they react? That will totally ruin your pride, right?" I mocked, flashing him triumphant smirk. Instead of looking stupefied, Levi tilted his head to the side innocently with an amused expression.

"Oh, I assure you that won't happen. It would be the other way around instead." He said with a mischievous glint in his eyes before he brushed past my shoulder, leaving me perplexed.

"I'll be heading out for a while. The soccer team invited me to hang out at the arcade. See ya." Levi waved at us casually before leaving the room. Although, I didn't fail to notice the hidden smirk across his face.

* * * * *

Monday came by faster than I expected. I yawned as I wobbled towards locker area to get my textbooks. Thanks to Levi, I had to cram on my english essay the whole night and right now, my brain is ready to ooze out of my ears by any minute. As soon as I closed my locker, I was suddenly ambushed by enraged girls from different grades, caging me against the lockers.

"W-What is---"

"Ash Rockwell! I demand an explanation right now!"

"How dare you hurt my beloved Levi?! You probably did that because he rejected your confession, huh?!"

"Yeah! Well, he'd never even have feelings to an emo and weirdo like you! You're too ugly for his own good!" Girls were swarming around me, pushing me aggressively against the lockers and I groaned in pain.

Stupid Levi's fan club.

"Shut up! He's never even yours to begin with, you hopeless romantic fangirls!" I growled angrily as I attempted to push through them.

"What did you say?! You'll pay for that, you emo freak!" One of the fangirls yelled as they became more aggressive in pushing me against the lockers and some began pulling on my hoodie.

Oh, for the love of god.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed onto my wrist and I yelped in surprise when I felt myself being yanked forward. Before I knew it, I had escaped from Levi's aggressive fangirls as I was out of the suffocating crowd. Looking up to my savior, my eyes widened in shock.

"Meredith?"

"You should be thankful I saved your ass. It was really bothersome." She scoffed as she stuffed her hands inside her denim jacket pockets.

"Then why even bother helping me out if you're just gonna complain about it, huh?" I shot back.

"Those girls were so annoying and I couldn't take it. Maybe if you'd be out of their sight they'll eventually stop." She said in a matter-of-fact tone. I rolled my eyes.

"Wow, thank you very much for your genuine concern. I'll get going now before you say something that'll tick me off." I stuck out my tongue at her before turning my heel to the opposite direction.

"Idiot. I was really concerned, you know." I heard her say in a soft voice behind me. I stopped my pace and glanced over her shoulder. I was surprised to see such a worried expression on her usual stoic face.

"Did you... say something?" Meredith's eyes widened slightly before her expression hardened once again.

"It's nothing." She said dryly before turning away from me. I sighed in defeat as I watched her slowly disappearing from my sight.

* * * * *

I was extremely pissed off at this moment. Everywhere I go, I was greeted by scowls and icy glares from all the girls in Rosewood. My eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

What the hell did I do that made them feel so worked up?

I glared back at one of the girls who was scrutinizing me from head to toe with a look of disgust.

"What are you looking at, huh?" She sneered. I stared at her in disbelief.

I should be asking you that question, bitch.

"Your ugly face. Now if you excuse me, I have a class to catch up on." I smirked in satisfaction upon witnessing her stupified expression before brushing past her like a total badass.

"Hey! We're not yet done talking here, you emo freak!" I heard her hollor behind me. I rolled my eyes and continued my pace, ignoring her high pitched screams.

I sighed in relief once I made it to the classroom. Although, my moment of reassurance was short-lived as girls from the class were glaring in my way as I made it to my seat. I sighed softly.

Why are they all looking at me as if I'm a predator's prey?

Shrugging it off, I focused on my attention on Ms. Merryl's discussion about the graphing procedures of the hyperbola. Not like I'm really gonna listen anyway. Completely bored out of my mind, I tapped my feet against the floor rhythmically while humming Emperor's New Clothes by Panic! At The Disco. Suddenly, a crumpled paper rolled by beside my desk so I picked it up.

Hey Ash, what's up with the odd treatment you've been receiving from girls in our class?
~ J. R.

I glanced to my right to see Jack sitting by the aisle, staring at me with a worried expression, his elbow propped up on the desk with his chin on top of his palm. I smiled softly as I uncapped my pen before scribbling down on the crinkled paper.

You're such a worry wart, you're like my big brother or something. I'm sure it's nothing. If anything bad happens, I can handle it just fine.
~ A. R.

Crumpling the paper into a ball, I tossed it with ease near Jack's desk, glancing occasionally at Ms. Merryl to see if I've been witnessed. I sighed in relief when her back was turned to us, writing on the blackboard.

I almost laughed out loud after seeing his flustered expression while reading the note, his ears beet red. He jerked his head towards me and frowned, although with the combination of his blushing face, the sight was pretty hilarious. I only sent him a cheeky grin and he huffed in annoyance. After a while, the paper rolled to my desk once again.

Ugh, I hate you for this Ash. But I do hope you'll be fine.
~ J. R.

I giggled as I wrote down my reply, a wide smile spreading across my lips.

Thanks, Jack.
~A. R.

* * * * *

I clasped my hand together in delight as I grinned excitedly like a child. Today was Mason's big audition and Soren and I were seated inside the extremely huge theatre of Rosewood. Bright golden lights illuminated the balconies and the grand circle beautifully and on the contrary, dimmed lights filled the stage. I could hear muffled sounds and whispers from behind the closed scarlet curtains and I could immediately tell that the auditionees were rehearsing their lines for their respective roles. Right in front of the stage were three judges I've never encountered before in class, they were seated behind a gray table, holding up a pile of papers. One of the judges held up a microphone close to her lips, a blank expression written across her wrinkled features. She had to be around mid-forties.

"Mason Adams." She called out in a stern voice. I grinned widely when Mason emerged from the curtains. He was wearing trousers and long boots that stands nearly to his knees, and a skirt and buttoned waistcoat over his shirt. A dark brown chestnut wig was placed over his head, covering his blonde hair. He looked completely different as apart from his grand outfit, his usual carefree demeanor had completely changed into a majestic and solemn one.

"Mason sure is ready to kick some serious ass." Soren commented with a smirk. I chuckled beside him.

"You bet'cha."

"You'll be auditioning for the role of Alexander Hamilton, is that right?" The woman holding the microphone inquired and even from afar, I could feel an intimidating aura radiating off of her. Although, Mason seemed unfazed as he sent her a polite smile.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Well then, I have high expectations in you. If you want to snatch the title of the role of the great Alexander Hamilton, give it your all. I'm not considering a take two." I gulped nervously.

Man. If I were Mason, I'd probably peed my pants right there on the stage.

"Get right to it." She commanded. Mason then took a few steps back to stand on the middle of the stage. He smiled when he made eye contact with Soren and I before his serious expression returned.

I am not throwing away my shot
I am not throwing away my shot
Hey yo, I'm just like my country
I'm young, scrappy and hungry
And I'm not throwing away my shot

My jaw dropped in utter amazement as Mason began singing in the most magnificent voice as he was able to hit the notes perfectly. As he sang, his serious expression changed into a wide smile as he moved his hands around in a swift, graceful manner.

I'ma get a scholarship to King's College
I prob'ly shouldn't brag, but dag, I amaze and astonish
The problem is I got a lot of brains but no polish
I gotta holler just to be heard
With every word, I drop knowledge
I'm a diamond in the rough, a shiny piece of coal
Tryin' to reach my goal my power of speech, unimpeachable

Mason fixed his blue waistcoat coolly, a confident smirk written across his features as he ambled around the stage floor, the spotlight following him along. He'd occasionally send a cheshire grin to the judges as he rapped Alexander's lines smoothly and naturally, leaving me in such a daze at his mesmerizing performance.

I clapped vigorously when the song ended as Mason finished his performance with his fist pumped in the air, the pose similar to Alexander's in the Broadway Musical poster.

I went straight to the backstage to greet Mason with a bear hug, squealing loudly as a huge grin made its way to my face.

"Mason, that was amazing! You'll win this audition, I just know it! " I exclaimed happily. He smiled as he hugged me back.

"Aww, thanks for the support Ash. I appreciate you guys coming over to the theatre to watch my audition. It really boosted my confidence." He admitted.

"Well, glad we could be of help. Wanna grab a bite? I'm sure you're hungry after rapping like a total badass politician back there." Soren said with a smirk. Mason rolled his eyes playfully.

"Very funny, Soren."

* * * * *

Supposedly, going to the library was my first intention as I had just finished reading Nancy Drew: The Mystery Of The Moonstone Castle. Unfortunately, I had to disregard it as I was suddenly surrounded by girls once again while walking along the hallway. I was pissed off at this moment. Before I could begin my smart mouth attitude, I stopped myself when I was greeted by a familiar face. Penny.

"There you are, Ash! We've been looking all over for you!" She chirped with a friendly smile. I blinked in confusion.

"Uh, what?"

"Many of our key players in the team have already graduated so it'll mean big trouble for us to adjust, that's why we're looking for new recruits. And you're one of them, seatmate." She said with a wink as she handed me a flyer. Clueless as ever, I read it and my mouth hung open, gaping like a fish.

They want me to join the fucking soccer club?!

I looked up at them awkwardly as the girls' team were staring at me expectantly. I scratched the back of my head.

"I'm sure this is some kind of mix up, I've never played soccer before." I lied and forced out a chuckle. Penny waved a hand playfully.

"Oh, silly! You don't have to be so humble, we already know for a fact that you're a skilled athlete. No doubt about it." I was even more confused now as I stared at Penny as if she had grown two heads. A girl with short brown hair beside Penny seemed to notice my baffled look.

"In case you're wondering, Levi Jackson from the boys' soccer team personally recruited you to join our team. He mentioned that you've got one hell of a kick, dislocating his nose at that." She said with a hint of amusement as she cracked a smile. Penny bursts out laughing.

"Oh, god! I never imagined a day the high and mighty Levi Jackson would get his ass kicked by a new girl! What an interesting scenario!" She exclaimed. I was left horror-stricken as I looked down on the flyer before my expression was contorted into pure rage.

"Levi Jackson! You'll pay for this, you egotistical bastard!"

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A/N: Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for the late update! It has been a pretty hectic week for me because of school! I hope you still liked the chapter though even if it seems rushed :))

Word count: 2477