"Did you see them flirting?" Penny whispers from the seat next to me, a massive Cheshire grin glued on her lips.

Ever since lunch ended with Steve and Addison walking to their next classes, side by side, Penelope keeps going on about how good the two would look together. I, on the other hand, can't see them ever working out. I keep that thought to myself.

"Not really, seemed to me like they were just talking."

I try to focus on the biology questions in front of me. I read about three words before she says, "Steve's never really had a serious relationship before. Neither has Melanie. And don't even get me started on Trip." Then after a moment, she comes up with the strangest idea, "If Steve and Addison get together, we can finally plan a double date!"

Mrs Weathers looks up from her desk, squinting through her cat-like reading glasses, "Miss Forester, do your work."

For the few minutes that follow, Penny does just that. I'm surprised it takes her this long to speak again, "We can all go to that movie you've been wanting to watch. The one with the clown."

"They need to be dating first."

"I give it a week, tops."

"Maybe," I finally agree, knowing that I've only got ten minutes left to answer thirteen questions.

When the final bell rings, I look at all the students, happily packing their backpacks to get home quickly. Penny blows me a kiss as she leaves the classroom with a parting, "Have fun at practice!"

I sigh. Usually, I love football. It's just that I hate it when I have to play even when I don't want to. Because that's when it becomes a chore. And contrary to what I thought the night before, I'm just not feeling it today.

As expected, I'm not playing to my best standard. It's still far better than the horror show that was yesterday, but anyone can tell it's not my usual either. After a lecture from Coach, we're all changing in the locker rooms because he 'can't stand the sight of us anymore'.

Steve is just wearing a polo over his head when I figure it's the perfect moment to feed Penny's curiosity, "You and Addison were awfully chatty today."

He looks up from buttoning his shirt, slightly perplexed, "What are you trying to say?"

"Penny has this crazy idea that you like Addison."

I get ready to laugh it off with him. But he never does. Instead, he leans on the door of his locker, gazing at the ground, looking oddly content.

"What's so crazy about it?"

My mouth drops open a little, "Nothing," I recover, "So you do like her then?"

He gives me a sidelong glance, studying me a little before answering, "It's only been a day." I breathe out a sigh, not knowing why I was holding a breath to begin with. But then he continues, "Addison's nice," He slings his backpack over his shoulder, getting ready to leave, "And nice is hard to find around here."

I'm left deliberating slowly over his words. Although he didn't say it directly, he might as well have.

Steve likes Addison.

I'm happy for him. He's a nice guy and it's about time he found someone who would treat him right.

I truly am happy for him.

I wait by the car for Penny. She's on the school's dance team and they meet up every Tuesday to practice. It just so happens that her practice ends at the same time as mine. When she finally comes, I pull her in for a kiss.

After quite some time, we pull away, and she breathlessly asks, "What was that for?"

"No reason," I murmur back.

I drop Penny off, but not before sneaking in another kiss. When I finally pull into the driveway of my house, I can't believe how tired I am. My eyes are heavy, my head kills, and my back is aching. As soon as I walk into the house, something immediately barrels into me from the side.

"Damie! Mom's not giving me any more ice cream!"

I look down at my five-year-old sister, her long blonde hair spilling all over me as she cages me in a bear hug. I smile, "Tamara, how about I buy some on my way back from school tomorrow?"

She squeezes me even tighter than before, "You're the best!"

"I heard that!" I look up to see Mom walking down the bifurcated staircase. She's dressed in a striking red evening gown, perfectly complemented by one of her diamond necklaces. "No more sweets for her and, please Damien, try not to keep her up too late this time."

I tell my mom, "She'll be in bed by eight," before sneakily winking down at Tamara. Although my parents have offered to pay for a babysitter countless times before, I oppose them every time. Why get an outsider to look after Tamara when I'd happily spend time with her? "Is Dad going with you?"

"Of course, he's just in his study. Come to think of it, he wanted to talk to you."

And there are the doomed words I didn't want to hear.

I trudge towards my father's study, knocking once I arrive at the shut doors.

Not missing a beat, he says, "Come in," from the other side of the heavy oak.

When I enter, he's seated at his desk, writing a check, "Don't you ever wonder what really happens to the money collected at these fundraisers?"

"I assume it goes to charity?"

He clicks his fingers at me, "Your first mistake: naivety," He puts the pen down and stands up. With that single gesture alone, he looks ten times more intimidating. He stares at me, knowledge stirring in the depths of his blue irises, "Your second mistake: lack of ambition."

Lack of ambition?

I have perfect grades and a long list of extracurriculars. I open my mouth to say as much when he beats me to it.

"Collins called today."

I suppress the urge to groan, hating that Coach Collins and my father are close friends. Of course, he would have told him that his son hasn't been performing all week.

"Dad, it's just two practices–"

"You're playing the Falcons in a week! Two practices mean so much more when it's this crucial."

I look down, ashamed, because I know he's right. Although he says it because he wants me to look better for the scouts, I regret my actions because I know the team's counting on me.

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"I know it won't." He moves towards the full-length mirror on the side of the room. Adjusting his suit and bow-tie, he looks at me through the reflection, "Want to tell me what's going on?"

"Nothing's going on."

He humphs, dismissing me.

Once my father and mom leave, it's just Tamara and I. We're in her room, sitting on a plush pink rug, drawing with crayons. She shows me her masterpiece. I nearly have a heart attack when I see that she drew something very sharp impaling a person's head.

"It's a unicorn!" She grins up at me.

I breathe out a sigh of relief and ruffle her hair, "There's a little artist in you."

She stands up, walking over to me, angling her head to get a better look at what I'm drawing.

"That's me!" She exclaims, jumping on the spot. I laugh at her excitement, surprised she could even tell who it was. I'm not used to sketching with crayons. She then lies down on the rug, her head propped up in her hands, "Damie, are you going to be a artist when you grow up?"

"An artist." I absentmindedly correct her, "No, Tamara, you'll be the artist in this family."

She quietly watches me draw. A full six seconds pass in silence before her inquiring mind decides to ask, "Then what will you be?"

"I don't know yet."

"Dad says you're going to play football and be like him."

I think about my father. Honestly, I'm walking in the same path he chose when he was young. He then went on to play college football, before marrying my mom and launching a business that is now worth in the millions.

I stop drawing to look down at Tamara. Her big eyes are watching me, waiting for an answer. The truth is, I don't know how to respond. Instead, I jump up, "Hide and seek time!"

She squeals, running out of the room. I listen to the fast pitter-patter of her tiny feet as she scrounges for a place to hide. In her haste, she completely forgot about our little conversation.

I shake my head, staring up at the high ceiling. "Dad says a lot of things," I say to an empty room.

***

Hi everyone!!! I just wanted to say how thankful I am to each and every one of YOU!! It hit 100 reads and I'm STOKED AND THRILLED AND ALL THINGS ECSTATIC! Couldn't have made it this far without you guys so thanks again, I love you all!

- A super pumped Jane,   xoxo!