Author's note: Yup, you got it right! We're back and this is an entirely new story! It's in an Alternate Universe where the Make It or Break It clan does not do gymnastics! Anyways, we had an idea and just had to put down the first chapter. We don't know if you guys like it, but anyways, check it out :)
Disclaimer: We do NOT own the MIOBI clan, as all rights go to Holly Sorenson. We, however, do own the plot :)
ENJOY :)
Chapter One
"Gossip Girl here, your one and only source into the scandalous lives of Manhattan's elite-"
"What?" I snapped into the phone while pressing the pause button on my remote control.
"Woah there, Kales, its me."
"What do you want?" I said again.
"Give some love, would you?"
"You're interrupting my Gossip Girl episode. You're lucky I even picked up the phone."
"Does Cruz need some of Chuck Bass' badass-ness? I'll give it to you."
"Shut up, but seriously, why the call?" I was getting restless second by second. Chuck Bass and Nate Archibald are waiting for me to drool over them! "I'm going to hang up if you don't-"
"Alright, alright. So you ready for tomorrow?"
"Dunno. I'm not feeling nervous or anything, so that's a good sign. We'll see how it is when I wake up tomorrow."
"Get a good night's rest tonight. I'll see you tomorrow."
"You called me just to say that? You couldn't have texted me that? Really?"
"I wanted to hear your voice, Kales. Anyways, have fun with Mr. Bass."
"Oh, you know I will," I smirked.
"Wait. Do you need me to swing by your house to pick you up?"
I laughed, "No, I think I can manage driving to school tomorrow. But thanks for your concern."
"Alright, well night, Kales. Love you!"
"Night. Love you, too, Russo," I replied and hung up.
Okay, so what's my deal, you ask? First of all, my name's Kaylie Cruz, and I am sixteen. Up until two weeks ago, my family and I lived in Phoenix, Arizona. I guess it's safe to say they grew tired of Phoenix and so here we are, in Boulder, Colorado.
You can say that my family is wealthy. Whatever we want, we get. But contrary to what you may think, I'm not the spoilt brat who goes shopping all the time and don't care about school. Yes, I love my shopping – I'm a girl, what do you expect? – but I excel in school; straight As. Back in Phoenix, I was on the cheerleading team and, I don't mean to be cocky, but I was good. I was one of the best girls on the team. This coming year, I was going to get captain, but thanks to mommy and daddy dearest, we moved. And so this year, my junior year, I'm going to have to regain everything. I'm determined to get on Taft High School's – yeah, that's the school's name: lame, I know – cheerleading team. From what I've seen, they're alright. Not that great, but not bad either.
My parents own their own businesses. My dad used to be a professional baseball player. Alex Cruz, you might know him. But now, he owns an advertisement company. I don't even know what it's called as I don't really pay attention. My mom, Ronnie Cruz, was a pop singer. You know the brand C. Couture? Yup, that's my mother's. I did some photo shoots for some of her collections as I "have a great body and who better to model them than Ronnie's own daughter?" That's what Michael, head of PR, said to me and to my mom. And so from that day on, whatever needed to be modeled when the supermodels were away I did them. Most of my closet is my mom's designs. I mean, she's a designer that aims her clothes towards teens, and they're pretty amazing. So why not just wear them when I know I get them first, and for free? I'm basically a walking mannequin and I honestly think I should be paid for that. But at least my weekly allowance makes up for it.
So why did we move to Boulder? My parents aren't really big on the whole "stay-in-one-place" thing. They like to move. Throughout my sixteen years of existence, we've moved four times. From Los Angeles (where I was born), to Las Vegas, then Phoenix, and now, Boulder. It is a matter of time before my parents decide to move to New York, or even Paris. I don't know. We'll see.
So tomorrow's my first day of school at Taft. I'm not sweating or fretting over being the "new kid" because for one, he is going to be there with me and I'm not a social outcast. Hello, I'm a cheerleader. Well, soon-to-be cheerleader.
To make things clear about him, he is Nicholas Russo. Or Nick. But I call him Nicky and I'm the only one who is allowed to do that, not even his parents. So how did I know him? We go way back, and I really mean waaaaaaaaaaaaay back. When I was four-ish (so in other words, in LA), my parents sent me to this gymnastics center, All Stars. Nicky was the first person I met and became friends with. He's the same age as I so we hit it off pretty well. We helped each other do our summersaults and when we were five, we started trying the cartwheels, back handsprings, all those things. I guess you could say this was where my cheerleading abilities came from. When we were eight, he moved to Boulder and we still kept in contact. Our parents were the best of friends, though I'm not sure if they still are.
When I found out that we were moving to Boulder a month ago, the first person I called was Nicky.
"NICKY!" I screamed at my computer, while staring at him. We are skyping. This is not some news that I can casually tell him about over the phone. No, this needs to be done face-to-face.
"Kales, why so happy? Got a new guy?" he winked.
"Oh shut up. You know you're the only guy for me!" I replied, still ecstatic.
"Aw, I feel the love Kay," he put his hand on top of his heart and smiled at me.
"JOKES!" his happy face turned down. "Nah, I'm kidding with you! But seriously, I've got news!"
"And what is this news that could not have been said over the phone?" he raised an eyebrow.
I grinned, "I'm moving to Boulder!"
"Come again?" I could see the surprise in his face.
"You heard me! Don't pretend like you didn't. I'M MOVING TO BOULDER!" I said and started bouncing up and down.
"Kales. Do you know what this means?" he pulled his lips into a smirk.
"Mmhmm," I nodded.
"I get to finally see you again! After ten years!" Nick replied, now feeling the excitement. "When are you getting here?"
"Two weeks before school starts. Oh my god, I'm so excited. This is the first time that I actually feel happy to move. We've been everywhere. Oh my god. I get to finally see my best friend. This is going to be so awesome. I mean seriously, the one person I know from Taft right now is on the football team! I get to walk around school with you. You're going to show me around and, and we might even have classes together! And imagine if I get on the cheerleading squad, we're-"
"Kaylie, deep breath. You're rambling," Nicky shook his head.
I blushed a crimson red, "Oops, sorry. But I'm just so excited! I mean Boulder, Colorado. Who knew that out of all places this was where we both were going to end up in? I mean, we met in LA, LA! Los Angeles for goodness sakes. And we're reunited in Boulder. See the difference? It's just so…so weird and-"
"Kales, you're doing it again," he chuckled.
"Sorry, but I'm just so excited!"
"Yeah, I can see that! Kales, junior year is going to be that much more awesome, knowing you'll be there with me." And just because of that, I smiled one of the biggest smiles ever.
That was one hell of a conversation! We kept on talking, well, I kept on rambling, for nearly two hours before he had to leave to go to one of his Sunday football conditionings.
I looked over to my desk where I saw my black leather Chanel bag packed and ready to go to school tomorrow. I still haven't really figured out what to wear yet. I want to make a good impression but I don't want to come across as the "stuck up bitch that thinks she's better than everyone". No, I do not want to be that kind of girl. So I'll just wake up a tad bit earlier tomorrow and pull an outfit together. I looked back towards my bedside table and read the glaring red numbers from the clock: 10:54pm. I really should get to bed. I quit all my safari tabs, closed my iTunes and shut down my MacBook Air. I placed it carefully onto the table. I pulled my hair up into a high bun, grabbed the hair tie from the table, and loosely tied it up. I glanced over to my iPhone, which was sitting next to my pillow, one last time before leaning over and flipping off the lights.
I placed myself in the center of my bed and pulled my duvet up. Once I found my "happy place", I drifted off into a deep slumber.
-The QB and the Cheerleader-
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
I flung my hand across my bed and slapped my clock as hard as I could. That shut it up alright. I grunted and sat up in my bed.
6:45am, the bright red numbers read. Okay, time to get ready for school!
I jumped into the shower, letting the water droplets pelt me as I relaxed under the soothing comfort. I shampooed and conditioned my hair, rubbed body scrub all over my body and made sure I finished up with rinsing my face with mother's favorite facial wash. After all that was done, I wrapped a towel around my torso and walked towards the sink. I brushed my teeth, finishing off with a shot of Listerine's mouthwash. It's my first day of school; I don't want to stink now do I?
I opened my top drawer and pulled out my pink hairdryer. I plugged it into the socket and turned it on. I used my fingers to brush through my hair as I moved the hairdryer around.
Baby you light up my world like nobody else. The way that you flip your hair gets me overwhelmed.
My phone started blaring Nicky's ring tone – don't ask me why it's One Direction, I didn't set it, Nicky did. I set the hairdryer down and walked out into my room and retrieved my phone.
"I'm putting you on speakers. I need to do my hair," I said, while walking back into the bathroom.
"Alright, Kay. So, how's my best friend this fine morning?"
"She is awesome," I replied, picking up my hairdryer and resumed my actions.
"So what are you wearing today?"
"Did Nicky Russo just ask what I was wearing today? Gasp!" I smirked.
"Shut up Kay. I know you; you wanna make a good first impression. That's why I'm asking, don't go having other thoughts."
"Yeah, you're right. Well I have no idea. You wanna match up today? You know, like old times?"
"You mean like the one time when we wore the same color palette to All Stars?"
"Aw, how sweet! You actually remember! But yes, like that one time," I unplugged my hairdryer and put it back where it belongs: in my top central drawer. My hair was naturally curly and I love it. I know, people with curly hair aren't supposed to like it, but I love mine, so I don't do anything to it, except tie half of it back, or do some sort of braid to it.
"Just for you, Kales. What do you have in mind?" I squealed into the phone and ran out of the bathroom and into my walk-in closet.
"Okay, I'm looking through my closet and I have no idea what to wear. What do girls, especially cheerleaders, wear at Taft?" I questioned.
"Oh, you know, micro-minis and cropped shirts that show off their belly buttons."
"Nicky! I don't have time to joke around right now!"
"You know me too well. The norms. Jeans, tank top. But since it's the first day of school, I think they're going for a bit more dressy."
"You are a lifesaver!" I knew what I was going to wear: a skirt and a loose tank. "I'm thinking navy blue and white, what do you think?"
"I think that sounds good. I know exactly what to wear now."
"Okay! Well I must go get dressed, do my make-up, you know the drill. See you later, Russo," I rushed. I needed time to get ready and present myself.
"Bye, Cruz," he replied, sticking to the last name basis. "See you in a few!" And then the line went dead. I ran out and put my phone on top of my table, next to my bag, to make sure I don't forget it when I leave.
I went back into my closet and put on a bra and underwear. I can't walk out of this room, let alone this house, without my bra and underwear on. If I do, I just feel so…uncomfortable. I don't know how people and celebrities manage to do that. It's just…ugh.
After, I put on my silky white C. Couture tank top and adjusted it, so that it fit me in all the right places. Next, I pulled out my C. Couture navy blue tight skirt and pulled it over my tank top, so that it was neatly tucked into it. I turned around and faced my mirror. Good, this is what I'm looking for: preppy and cute and not outcast. I turned ninety degrees to my right and faced my array of accessories. I carefully looked at each individual rack and picked out one of each: a gold necklace with a heart pendant; a Juicy Couture charm bracelet and plain black studs. I slipped on a pair of black dollies and walked out to my make-up area.
Once there, I sat down on the chair and began pulling out my make-up drawers. I decided on a smoky eye, no blush, and a dab of lip-gloss. Once I was done, I looked at myself once again in my full-length mirror. I settled on leaving my wavy locks down, as I did not want to overdo this look. When I was happy and everything was as perfect as I could get it to be, I picked up my phone and saw that I had a message waiting for me.
Can't wait. See you in twenty!
Of course it was from Nick. Who else would it be? I didn't bother texting him back because he knows I already read it – yup, we were that close. I put my phone into my Chanel bag and headed downstairs. I was greeted with the warm smell of coffee and toast.
"Morning, darling!" my mom called out to me. "I see you're wearing my summer collection."
"Morning, mom, dad. And yes, I am," I replied, grabbing a piece of toast.
"You look stunning," my dad announced, setting his newspapers down.
"Thanks, daddy. Well, I got to head out, meeting Nick before school starts. He's helping me get my books and locker and stuff," I told him, walking towards the door.
"Kaylie, wait up. We have something for you," my mom said, getting out of her seat.
"What is it?" I wondered.
"Follow us, honey," my dad said as him and mom led me towards the garage.
"Uh, my car's that a way," I said, pointing behind me.
"No, this is your car," mom replied while my dad uncovered what was under the black sheets. It. Is. Beautiful.
"Oh, my god!" I squealed, lunging towards my mom and dad and squeezed them into a bear hug.
"Nena! You're squishing us," my dad said, chuckling.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"Well, we somehow came across your wish list and this seemed the most appropriate. Since this is a new place, you don't want to be driving around in the Phoenix-licensed car, do you?"
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I repeated over and over again while outlining the delicate gold, black and red logo that had a horse embellished in the center.
"Alright, honey, you better get going. Don't want to keep old Nicholas Russo waiting," my dad said, handing me the keys to my Boxster.
I quickly climbed into the drivers seat, put my bag on the passenger's seat and plugged in the keys. The car came to life within a matter of seconds and next thing you know, I was pulling out of my driveway. Nicky has given me directions to Taft over a million times and so it was engraved on my brains. I found myself at Taft's entrance in no more than five minutes and I was pulling into the parking lot. I seemed to have gotten a lot of attention, as everyone was looking my way. I found a parking spot, got in and turned off the engine.
I took a deep breath, "Okay, you can do this Kaylie. There's nothing to be afraid of, you have Nicky." I nodded to myself in encouragement, grabbed my bag and opened the door. I got out and looked around me. I was right everybody is looking at me. I took a quick glance around the parking lot and let's just say, I shouldn't have driven this car – it stood out like a sore thumb, except for the other two Mercedes that were parked across the lot. I sucked it up and headed towards the main office. Guys whistled at me, girls gave me the daggers.
"Nicky, where are you?" I mumbled to myself. I entered the office that was enclosed by glass doors.
"Um, I'm new here, my name's Kaylie Cruz," I stated to the older looking women sitting behind the desk. She had on glasses and was typing away furiously on the computer. Once finished with her work, she looked up at me and smiled.
"That's right, hon. We've been waiting for you," she replied, sifting through her many racks in search of, what I presume, my schedule. Once she found it, she took a quick glance at it and handed it to me. "Okay, this is your schedule, and this," she gave me a smaller piece of paper, "is your locker number and combination. It should be in the junior hall which is down this hall, to the right."
I looked at it, "Thank you."
"You'll get your books in class so go on. Enjoy your first day here at Taft," she grinned and turned back to what she was previously doing.
"Alright," I mumbled and headed down the hallway. I followed her directions and soon enough, I was in the "Junior" hallway. I looked tentatively at the small numbers on the lockers, wanting to find locker J128.
"J124, 125, 126, 127. Ah, here it is," I sighed, finally stopping in front of my new locker. The lockers here were generally bigger than the ones in Phoenix, and for that, I'm happy. I turned the lock three times to the right, before stopping at the first number, 28, then once to the left, past the first number, to number 7, and lastly, straight to number 13. I pulled on the lock but it would not open.
"What the hell?" I mumbled. I tried my locker combination again, and still, it would not work. I was getting more and more frustrated every time it would not budge.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of strong, muscular arms wind their way around my waist and I jumped back, screamed slightly while turning around and kneeing the guy square in his area.
"Kales, what the hell?" the all too familiar voice called out, while his form toppling over and rolling onto the floor.
"Oh shit, Russo! You didn't tell me that was you! You scared the living daylights out of me!" I retaliated while bending down to help my best friend up.
"One thing I learnt today, never sneak up on you," he breathed, regaining his stance with his feet.
"I thought you learnt that ten years ago? Remember that one time at All Stars where you snuck up on me and I punched you in the face?" I chuckled, reliving the memory.
"Let's just say I forgot how hard you can hit," he grinned, wrapping me in his burly arms. "Anyways, I've missed you, Cruz."
I chuckled into his neck, "I missed you too, Russo."
Author's note: So, what do you think? We're not entirely sure where this story is headed. It's just a basic start to a story. We can go in any direction from here. And plus, we need your feedback! So, what do you think should happen next?
REVIEW!
Love,
S & T.
xo