I just posted Chapter 24 + 25, please make sure you don't accidentally skip the previous chapter! :)

When the bell to mark the end of Spanish class finally sounded a torturously long two hours later, I could hardly wait to sit down in the cafeteria and eat. My brain was still converting everything to Spanish automatically, and I was unable to stop myself from thinking tengo hambre instead of 'I'm hungry'. 

"Hey." Dallas greeted Mia and I as we sat down at our usual spot. He was devouring a huge green apple, taking the biggest bites I had ever seen in my life.

"Hola." I nodded at him, scooting my chair closer to the table.

Mia glanced at the two empty spaces which were usually occupied by Brooks and Jaz, and she pulled a face before shoving a handful of fries into her mouth. "Where are the others?"

Dallas took another bite of his apple, chewing and swallowing loudly before answering her. "Your dad's making Brooks play tour guide to a new kid again. He's a Junior like you, but apparently he wants to try out for the team Senior year, so Mr M thought that Brooks might be able to show him around and introduce him to everyone. Jaz went with him."

It was easy to forget that Lewis was the headmaster of Beaufort High School, probably because he was so good at turning off the professional authority when he got home. That, and the fact that we rarely ever saw him amongst the thousand or so kids who attended the school.

"Oh look they're here now." Dallas nodded towards the cafeteria entrance, and I twisted around in my seat so I could see. Brooks and Jaz were approaching us, stood on either side of a stocky boy with jet black hair. He was a few inches shorter than Brooks, but I could tell straight away from his build that he was an athlete.

"Hey guys." Brooks greeted us once they had all reached the table. "Is it cool if Travis joins us? He's new."

Mia nodded wordlessly, offering the new guy a smile as she shifted her chair over enough for Jaz to stick another in front of the table.

"This is Dallas," Brooks introduced the new boy to his best friend, who gave one of those too-cool-to-hand-shake nods of acknowledgment.

"My little sister Mia."

Mia offered Travis a small wave, and he smiled toothily in response. "Nice to meet you."

Finally, Brooks turned and rested his gaze on me, and then cleared his throat. "And... this is, uh... Savannah."

Travis stared at me blankly for a moment, and then a flash of recognition shot through his blue eyes and his mouth popped open in shock. "Holy crap! You're Savannah Silvers!"

I laughed nervously and nodded in confirmation. "Yeah that would be me. It's nice to meet you, Travis."

"Damn, my mom would freak out if I told her that I met you." Travis shook his head in a daze, his dark hair bouncing with him. "I can't believe you're actually going to school here. Shouldn't you still be filming the show, or does this mean it's—"

"So you're trying out for the team?" Brooks cut in casually, steering the conversation away from Travis and his interrogation, for which I was extremely grateful. But, since Brooks and I were still on the outs, I pretended as though I hadn't noticed his swift intervention on my behalf.

I'd managed to avoid looking at the gossip mags and online articles thus far, but I was certain that they were all asking the same question Travis was. What does Savannah's return to school mean for the fate of 'Scandalous'?

Honestly, I was asking myself that same question too. Time was ticking and I still hadn't heard anything from my mom. We were meant to start filming in just over a week.

Travis nodded enthusiastically, finally tearing his attention away from me and reaching down into his backpack to pull out his lunch. "Yeah, that's the plan. I was quarterback at my old school, but I'll play anything really."

"You should come and watch practice this week." Dallas interjected with a shrug. "Can't hurt your chances if you become a familiar face to Coach. Plus," He jerked his head towards Mia and I, "these two clowns will be in the bleachers to entertain you if you get bored."

Travis looked at me and Mia with interest, running a hand through his hair. "Both of you watch their practices? Are you cheerleaders?" He asked, his voice puzzled.

Mia snorted in response, her disgruntled expression making me chuckle. Mia hated sitting in on practice, but there was no way she'd ever trade the bleachers for a pair of pom poms. "Uh no. Brooks gives us a ride home afterwards. It sucks but it's better than walking."

"I don't know MiMi, I think you secretly enjoy watching me run around all sweaty and sexy and glorious." Dallas teased with a smirk.

Mia flicked a burnt fry at him and frowned. "You wish."

I watched in amusement as the two bickered back and forth, wondering how long it would be before Mia realized that what I'd hinted at during Spanish class was more than just me creating theoretical scenarios in my head. No matter how much they annoyed each other, I knew it in my bones that they had the potential to be something great.

"Anyway," Jaz spoke up for the first time in a while to change the topic of conversation, "the Sadie Hawkins Dance is coming up in a couple of weeks." She ran her fingers through her long silky hair, eyes flickering towards Brooks.

Brooks and Dallas sunk a little further into their seats, instantly bored with the subject now that it didn't involve football.

"The Sadie Hawkins Dance?" Travis questioned, earning himself dubious glances from the other two boys at the table. "Is that like the Winter Formal?"

Jaz nodded, and I didn't miss the way her eyes still followed Brooks. "Basically. It's a girls ask guys dance."

"The one dance of the year where guys don't have to stress about buying tickets or getting turned down." Dallas mused, leaning back and resting his hands behind his head.

Mia pulled a face. "When have you ever had to stress about being turned down? For some reason the girls around here practically fall at your feet."

"What can I say? I'm irresistible." Dallas retorted.

"Irresistibly stupid."

"C'mon, I know you love me really."

"Hate. I think you mean hate." Mia corrected.

"There's a thin line between love and hate."

"Dunno, the line looks pretty thick from where I'm sitting."

Brooks rolled his eyes skyward as if praying to the Heavens for help, taking a deep steadying breath. I fought back a chuckle of my own, finding myself amused despite the squabbling.

I'd never been one for school dances, and by the time this one rolled around I'd be long gone back to LA. There was no point stressing about the stupid girls ask guys dance, and I was glad.

There was no one I wanted to ask anyway.

THANK YOU for reading! I'm sorry it takes me so long to update... the world is a crazy place these days and I'm still figuring out my new routine! Also a massive shoutout must go out to @calmlikethenightsky who has been devoted and supportive from day dot. THANK YOU AGAIN ❤️