"You!" Ashley exclaims, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at me. "Hold her up higher!" She orders and I grimace to myself, attempting to hoist the cheerleader higher. "Perfect!" Ashley claps her hands together.

The weather is surprisingly hot for a September day and as a result we are practicing cheer outside, the football team being restricted to the other side of the field.

"Okay. This needs to be perfect for Friday's pep rally!" Ashley yells as I struggle to hold Chelsea above me. "Keep holding her there!"

This girl might look skin and bones but she's damn heavy. Or maybe I'm just super weak.

Yeah, that's definitely it.

You can do this Savannah! There's only two years left until you're out of here.

Shit.

That's two years to save up enough to go to college.

If only I could get a scholarship. That would make things so much easier. But there is no way that's going to happen with me struggling to complete homework, struggling to maintain my grades and standing at the bottom of a cheerleading pyramid.

Yeah. This is fucking great. Remind me why I do this again...

This is even more unbearable without Zara with me. Unfortunately Zara decided she wanted to take another art class this year, taking the place of the extra-curricular cheerleading that we so loved to do together.

Now I'm alone, in a sea of Ashley's. Or wannabe Ashley's anyway.

"Now Kate I need you to stand back here." I zone back into Ashley's conversation as she gestures at the redhead in the front row. What is she doing? Kate is one of the best dancers and she's putting her behind me.

I watch as Kate reluctantly turns towards me, a forlorn expression on her face as she slowly walks over.

"Why are you putting her there?" I blurt out, an uncontrollable word vomit that I instantly regret.

"What?" Ashley narrows her eyes at me.

"Nothing... I said nothing." I quickly correct but she stalks towards me, her eyes narrowed.

"No." she crosses her arms, "Please enlighten us." I notice that the entire cheerleading squad is staring at me with wide eyes as we slowly lower Chelsea to the ground.

Good one Savannah.

You'll be lucky if you aren't kicked off the team right now!

Chelsea shoots a smirk in my direction as she stands next to Ashley, crossing her arms as she watches the Queen Bee attack.

She's staring at you Savannah... Say something...

"I just don't know why you are putting Kate behind everyone. She's great." I manage and Ashley grimaces.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize you were the captain." She snaps, looking down at me. Ashley is as tall as the Victoria Secret models. I can almost see her strutting down the runway, looking down on everyone as she throws her bleached blonde hair behind her shoulders.

"I didn't mean that." I respond, my voice steady as she smirks.

"No really. I don't even know your name." She scoffs, "Shut up."

"Ash!" We both avert our gaze to the other side of the field to see Brett jogging over, the cheerleaders instantly erupting into small whispers as I grit my teeth. Ashley immediately smiles, bouncing over towards him without another thought towards my disobedience.

"Brett!" She squeals, her high-pitched voice sickening.

The other girls and I move apart, realizing quickly that practice, like always, is over once Brett arrives. Ashley throws herself into Brett's arms and kisses him on the lips as Chelsea shoots me one last dirty look before turning away, her attention back on the other girls.

I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding in and look down at the ground, shutting my eyes for a brief moment to collect myself. What a nightmare.

"You can all go now!" Ashley snaps, glancing at us over her shoulder. I roll my eyes at her back and notice Brett smirk at my actions. Narrowing my eyes at him I then turn away and quickly walk back to the changing rooms, unwilling to watch the public make-out session that's about to take place.

I haven't spoken to Brett since I saw him at the beach two months ago.

In fact I haven't even really seen him at all, spending my free periods in the library, whilst he bunks off. I've heard all the gossip and rumors surrounding the jocks and cheerleaders over the Summer from Zara, but I don't care much for them. The popular crowd went away to Florida, partied with their fake ID's, drinking and doing drugs.

I can't think of anything worse.

But then again I spent my summer working every possible shift at the diner, every bar shift at Aphrodite's Palace, allowing me to save a little for college. I went home every night and studied my books, desperate to major in English.

Brett Winters probably doesn't even want to major in anything.

He'll go to college for the girls and the alcohol.

*~*~*

"Anna!" Elle yells, announcing her arrival loudly as I cringe, looking up from my pasta as she barrels into the room.

"Hello?" I reply before shoving another mouthful in, her eyes rolling at my dismissive tone. She takes a deep breath before slouching down across from me, her eyes shifting from side to side.

She's about to say something she knows I won't like.

"Aunt Lara is in town. She wants us to go out for dinner tonight." Elle says quickly and I grimace, shaking my head and gesturing to my bowl. There it is.

"I've already eaten."

"Anna don't be awkward. You know we have to go." She sighs, resting her face in her hands as she looks pleadingly at me.

"Why?" I scoff.

"She's the only family we have left!" She stands up, throwing her hands up slightly and glaring at me.

"Then where was she when Mom and Dad died?" I retort, shoving another spoonful of pasta in my mouth before standing up to face her. "She left us."

"Please Anna." Elle pleads with me, reaching out and taking hold of my hand.

"I'm busy."

"Anna, I'm begging you." Elle yanks a little on my hand and I grimace.

I'm not going to win here, and I already know it.

"Fine." I huff, putting my bowl in the sink. "Let's get it over with." I grab the nearest coat and shrug it on.

"Ann..." She frowns, looking at my untidy mop of hair piled on top of my head.

"I'm ready aren't I?!" I snap and she sighs, grabbing her keys from the counter as we make our way out to the car.

We get in and she drives in silence, knowing that now is not the time to disturb me. I watch as the streets pass by, frustrated that I'm being dragged to another one of these make believe happy family dinners.

Aunt Lara left us to fend for ourselves when our parents died. She thought Elle was old enough to cope on her own.

I wish Elle would tell her what we really thought of her. Then we wouldn't have to see her anymore and that would be a dream come true.

Or maybe Aunt Lara could get up on the right side of bed, realize how much of a bitch she is, and let us move in with her, helping us out like a normal Aunt would after her sister died.

Aunt Lara played the mourning sister well though. Crying at the funeral, not leaving her room for days. She wasn't even that close to my wonderful Mother. Mom hated how selfish she was. She used to tell us about how when they were children Lara stole every doll Mom got, just so Mom didn't have the better one.

I know that I was the exact same as Lara when I was a child but I guess your parents dying changes you.

We pass through the main street and as we slow down to let another car pass I notice a group of people, enjoying each other's company outside the cafe. Brett is laughing as he holds Ashley up in the air, giggles escaping her as their friends rally around them.

My gaze stays on them until they are out of sight and I can't help but wonder what it would be like to be them. To be loved by everyone, to be known, to be envied.

Maybe I'm just better off being in the background.

"Be nice Anna." Elle warns as she pulls up to the restaurant, parking up as I hesitantly undo my seat belt. I shoot her an innocent smile before opening the door and getting out, following my sister obediently and pushing my hands into my pockets as I look down at the ground.

"Elle! Savannah!" I hear her before I see her, but I guess that's mainly because I keep my eyes to the floor.

"Aunt Lara!" Elle greets and I look up to see our Aunt pulling Elle into a hug. She hasn't changed at all, her brunette hair that reminds me of Mom still flows down passed her elbows.

"Savannah!" Aunt Lara looks over at me, smiling widely.

"Aunt Lara." I give her a curt nod.

"Er... shall we sit?" Elle gives me a glare as she gestures to the table where Aunt Lara was previously sat. Aunt Lara nods and wanders back to the other side of the table as Elle sits herself across from her and I flop down into the chair beside her.

"How have you both been?" Lara grins, laying her hands on the table.

"We've been well..."

"We've been struggling." I cut in and Elle shoots me an annoyed look. "You know, trying to survive and all that."

"I... I'm sorry to hear that."

"I bet you are." I cross my arms over my chest.

"What can I get you lovely ladies to drink?" A waiter asks from the side of the table, interrupting the awkward silence.

"I'll have a water please." I reply bluntly, keeping my eyes on my Aunt.

"Please could I get a glass of cola." Elle answers.

"Me too." Lara smiles at him and he nods, noting them down before disappearing.

"Have you been up to much?" Elle smiles at Lara.

"Not too much. Steve has been spending more time living with me than at his own place so I reckon it won't be long before he sells his house and moves in." Lara grins, pressing her hands together in glee.

How nice for her.

"That sounds lovely." Elle remarks and I keep my gaze emotionless.

"Any boys in my darling nieces lives?"

"Unfortunately not!" Elle laughs.

"Savannah?" She grins at me expectantly.

"No."

Elle shoots me a quick warning look and I shrug, staring down at the table.

"Here are your drinks!" The Waiter finds himself interrupting another awkward moment caused by myself and I can't help the small smirk that spreads across my face.

This is going to be a long night.

*~*~*

"It was absolute torture!" I moan and Zara grimaces. "After the starters she asked me what I wanted to do after I finished High School and I told her that I didn't know because of money. She responded by saying that we should have kept some of our parents' money safe. Like we had a choice not to spend it!" I push my lunch further away as I grimace.

"She's so selfish!" Georgia shakes her head and I nod.

"Always has been." I smirk. "At the end of the night she insisted that she pay for two-thirds of the bill."

"Two-thirds?" Zara feigns shock as I smirk, "Could she afford that?"

"She's probably having a massage and manicure right this second to get over the stress!" I retort and we descend into giggles.

"Who's stressed?" A female voice asks from behind us and I look up to see one of the cheerleaders I recognize, grinning down at us. Walking closer to the table she dumps her lunch tray down and settles next to me, flicking her wavy black hair out of her face. "I'm definitely stressed. Has anyone started revising for Mrs Robertson's test on Friday?" I look back at Zara and Georgia, my eyes wide in disbelief, finding them just as confused as I am.

"I'm sorry... You are?" I manage and the girl looks up, grinning.

"I'm Becky. Becky Gordon." she holds out her hand to me and I cautiously take it, shaking her hand.

"I'm Savannah." I say slowly and she waves her hand dismissively.

"I know!"

"You know?" Zara exclaims, clearly as baffled as I am.

"Sure. You stood up to Ashley last week." Becky picks up a fry and pops it into her mouth. "I loved it!"

"I don't really think I did..."

"It was amazing!" Becky nods, eating more of her food. I look back at Zara and Georgia to find them smiling with amusement.

"Well... Savannah. Seems like you've made an impression." Georgia gestures to the new green eyed girl beside me. I look back at Becky in confusion as she looks up, not even phased by our obvious shock.

"So Mrs Robertson's test, you're all in that class right? I'm finding it so hard this year, who even cares about photosynthesis. Why can't we do more human biology?" Becky asks, shoving a handful of chips in her mouth. "Am I right?!"

What the hell is happening here?

Did I really just gain a friend because I said something to Ashley Farrier?

This is ridiculous.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••