The next day I dread the end of fourth period. Normally I stare at the clock wondering if time is actually moving backward, but today's class seems to fly by.

The bell rings and I let every student leave the classroom before I eventually move from my desk. Since it's the day before the homecoming game, we always have a half-day starting with a big school assembly. After, we spend the afternoon enjoying a barbecue and watching the powder puff game. We used to do it the day of the homecoming game, but so many students ditch that day so hardly anyone stayed for the assembly, barbecue, or the game.

The hallway is packed with students as they slowly make their way to the gym for the assembly. I push my way into the gymnasium and see most of the cheerleaders huddled under the basketball hoop, spraying glitter into each other's ponytails. The lights in the gym are dim and large navy and yellow floodlights are illuminating the bleachers. Loud dance music is blaring through the speakers and the senate members escort students to their assigned seats by class. Harper is leaning against the wall with her arms crossed while Lily stretches in an empty corner. Harper hasn't turned anyone against me and it irks her that everyone is applauding me for getting with the hottest senior. Liam and I have refrained from PDA though to spare her feelings.

Becca excitedly runs up to me and sprays me down with glitter. All the girls are giddy, while they ignore Harper's foul mood, and they warm up their tumbling. We've been practicing our homecoming routine for weeks so it's exciting to finally show it!

The gym quickly fills up with students who are now divided by class. I see Liam in his bright yellow HPH shirt stroll in with some guys from our English class and he's laughing at something one of them said. I manage to catch his attention as I wave to him from the center of the gym and when he spots me, he waves to me and then gives me a thumbs up. I watch as he starts up the bleacher steps and as I turn away from him, I catch Harper glaring at me, obviously witnessing our interaction. I blow an anxious breath out through my teeth and walk back to the girls who don't want to rip my hair out.

Once everyone is seated, we start throwing candy and glow sticks into the crowd to get everyone hyped and they throw their hands in the air to catch it. Music booms from the speakers and all the football players have huddled in the corner away from any of the lights. Suspense and drama are always played up at these things.

Mr. Anderson finally takes the microphone and makes a few announcements about the barbecue, the powder puff game, and then the football game tomorrow night. When he introduces the football team, everyone goes wild as the players run across the gym and throw candy at the cheering students. Derek obnoxiously flexes his muscles while he holds a football in his hands, enjoying his star quarterback status. He then runs up and down the stairs on the bleachers to toss some chocolate roses to some charmed lower-classmen. I roll my eyes at his conceded display and turn around to talk to the other cheerleaders.

Once Derek and the other players are finished pumping up the crowd, us cheerleaders run into the center of the gym and get into formation for our quick routine. The gym falls quiet as our music starts. I stand at the front of the v-shape we form and I catch Liam's eye in the crowd. We do our dance and all break apart to tumble. I finish my backflip and see Caitlin land right on her stomach, not managing to get all the way over. It's hard to miss the crowd's collective gasp and Lily runs over to help her up. Our music is still going, so we continue our routine but I see Becca run out of the gym after a crying Caitlin. Our performance just added to the drama of the assembly.

Once the music finishes, a few other girls sprint out after her to make sure she is okay, but much like Harper's face plant, I feel the injury is more to her ego than to her body. Can one thing for homecoming go right this year?

I'm forced to stay back to announce the junior classes' homecoming court, which follows our routine. I stand patiently next to the other members of the senate and watch the other grades' winners be announced. At our school, the freshman and sophomore classes don't have a court, just a queen and king, and then the juniors and seniors have three girl nominees and three guy nominees. The winners are announced at the dance.

I walk to the center of the gym after the sophomore class's king and queen are revealed and grab the microphone from the enthusiastic Junior. I'm handed a notecard and then read the nominees aloud. Three guys come up from the crowd and stand next to me followed by three girls who I'm not surprised to see nominated. Macy is stunned to be nominated and I am happy for my fellow cheerleader. The junior girls stand there beaming, while they wonder who will be queen and I remember how I wasn't at all nervous last year since I knew I would beat out Harper and another girl Aubrey.

I hand the microphone to Mr. Anderson who announces the senior court. Derek is the first guy called and no one is at all surprised. Then Mike is next, another no-brainer and finally, Liam's name is announced. I see hatred flicker across Derek's face as Liam walks down the steps and stands next to Mike. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Liam was nominated seeing how many girls drool over him, but I can tell Derek wasn't expecting it.

Mr. Anderson goes on to read the girls' names and I am the first one called. This is the first time in four years I didn't manipulate the votes so I am genuinely surprised when my name is called. Senior presidents aren't allowed to tally the votes anymore since they would always either change all the votes to their best friend's name or write in their own name. Harper is called next, not at all surprised and she skips over to stand next to me. The last shocker of the assembly comes when Lily's name follows. She looks around her and then slowly joins us in line. This is the first time Lily has ever been nominated and deep down I already know I want her to win. Her eyes are wide when she looks at me and I give her a big celebratory hug before returning to our seats. Everyone continues to congratulate Lily as she passes but Harper is oddly quiet.

The assembly ends with Mr. Anderson wishing luck to the football players and everyone leaves the gym excited and pumped up for the game. I find Liam lingering in the hall and skip over to congratulate him.

"Hey look at you. You've been here a month and are already in the running for king!" I gush as I hug him, but he quickly pulls me back.

"Did you manipulate the votes?" He questions and I'm surprised.

"No, I didn't actually. If I did, I wouldn't have pinned Harper, Lily, and me against each other." He still doesn't seem convinced. "I swear Liam, I didn't change anything. You're up there because you're a likable guy, what can I say?" His stern look falls and he grabs my hand. I quickly ask, "You weren't up for homecoming king at your other schools?"

He grins, "I usually tried to fade into the background at my other schools. This is the first time I fell in with the popular crowd." Surprised, I nod and he grabs my hand to take me outside.

We walk into the parking lot and the barbecue is already in full swing. Students are sprawled out everywhere wasting no time eating. Liam and I wait in line but I debate eating before the game.

"You need to eat before you go and act like a savage with a football," Liam jokes, and I lightly punch him in the arm.

"Are you going to watch the game?" I ask as I am handed a plate with a hamburger and chips on it.

"I wouldn't miss you going against Harper in a million years. And I need to be there when you need to be taken to the hospital after the game of course," he laughs as he hands me a drink.

"You don't think I can take Harper?" I ask, half-joking half-serious. I flex my arm muscle but he only lets out another laugh. I plop down onto the grass and fold my legs under me, carefully balancing my plate in one hand.

"I think you could hold your own, but Harper is out for blood," he jokes and I see Lily approaching us. She plops down next to me and she is still glowing from her nomination.

"Hey, guys! You ready for the powder puff game?" She asks with a knowing look and I feel my stomach sink again.

"I think so," I reply nervously, "Oh, and as captain, I should ask you what team you want to be on?"

She shrugs her shoulders, "It's up to you. I am not going to play dirty like Harper wants, so it might be better if I'm on your team." She pulls open her bag of chips before adding, "She's going to be gunning for you the whole time anyway so the rest of us don't matter." Ashley and Caitlin join us on the grass and I quickly stop talking about Harper.

When our plates are empty, I see Mr. Helm step onto a chair in the middle of the parking lot to get everyone's attention.

"All the girls participating in the powder puff game need to make their way down to the field now. Make your way down to the field," he announces and then hops off the chair. Liam kisses the top of my head and wishes me luck. I pull Lily up from the grass and Ashley and Caitlin follow us down to the field, my stomach nervously clenching the whole way.