A/N: So I felt pretty productive today and decided to write the next chapter! Let me know what you guys think... I love reviews!


Today marked the first day of school. For Mallory, she would be a sophomore and she couldn't be more excited. She, unlike her father, had always loved school. She jokingly always claimed she got that trait from Haley. Since Nathan coached at the school, he drove her to school, since she wouldn't be able to drive by herself for another year. Once there she hurried off to find Chloe and Emily. They had gotten lockers right next to each other and so she headed in that direction.

Unfortunately, she wasn't watching where she was going and ran into Landon Smith of all people. "Well well what are you in such a hurry for?" he asked.

"None of your business, now if you'll excuse me, I need to get by," she stated.

"By all means, go right ahead. By the way, you're a good basketball player, for a girl at least," he said walking away laughing.

"Argh, I can't stand him," she huffed as she got to her locker.

Emily and Chloe were waiting on her with grins on both of their faces. "It seems you had another run in with Landon. I'm starting to see a pattern. Why don't you just admit he's hot and you are totally in to him?" Chloe asked.

"I'm not into him! He is the biggest jerk I know! How could anyone like him?" she answered.

Chloe laughed before adding, "I'll remind you of that one day. Until then, I guess we need to head to class. See you guys at lunch!" Chloe had Geometry, while Emily and Mallory had English.


Emily, Chloe, and Mallory all met back up for lunch and sat at one of the tables outside. "So did you hear they're looking for a new tutor in the tutoring center? I thought of you when I heard it," Emily said while taking a bite out of her sandwich.

"Yeah Mal, I mean you love that kind of stuff. Plus, you and Em are way too smart for the classes you're taking now," Chloe put in.

Mallory sighed before saying, "Yeah, I was considering it. I just hope I don't have to deal with some stupid jock."

Emily and Chloe looked at each other before busting out laughing. "You wouldn't happen to be talking about your crush, would you?" Chloe joked.

"I don't like him! It's bad enough I'm going to have to see him every day since I'll be waiting on my dad to finish practice. Plus, I can't play and it's not fair, I'm better than he is," she whined.

"Mal, maybe you could ask your dad if you could help out with the team or something. After all, you know a lot about basketball," Emily added.

"Yeah, I guess. The tutoring sessions are during my free period and practices are after school, so it could be an option. I'll ask my dad," Mal replied.

The girls finished their lunch and headed off to class. Mallory continued to ponder on Emily's suggestion though about the team. After all, if she couldn't play, she could at least help out in some way or another. She would just have to wait a couple of more hours to talk to her dad and see what he thought.


School was over as Mallory made her way to the gym. She didn't realize she was being followed until she heard a voice behind her ask, "Are you lost?"

She spun around to come face to face yet again with Landon. "Unbelievable," she huffed pushing open the double doors in the gym. She headed straight to the coach's office which Nathan and Luke shared.

"Hey Mal what's got you so riled up?" Luke asked as she stormed into his office.

"Landon Smith," she stated simply.

Luke laughed before noticing the scowl on her face. "I'll make him run an extra lap in practice," he suggested which made her smile, "Your dad doesn't want you near the locker room though, so you better head back out to the gym before he sees you."

She went and sat on the bleachers before the team started coming in. Landon, Luke, and Nathan were the last to come in. Landon just smiled at her before focusing on what the coach had to say. "Alright boys, I know we have a lot of time before our first game, but we need to stay in shape. So today I want you to run a few laps and then work on your shots. Make twenty consecutive shots and you can take a break, but if you miss any you start over. Is that understood?" Nathan ordered.

"Yes coach," the team said in unison. Then Nathan sent them to do laps around the gym.

Nathan saw Mallory and walked over to her. "Hey sweetheart how was your day?" he asked.

"Dad, could I shoot or something? I'm bored just sitting here. Also, I wanted to ask if you need me to help with anything concerning the team. Just please let me do something," she replied.

"Mal, I'll let you shoot today, but this can't be a habit. I do like the idea though of you helping the team. We'll talk about it later," he suggested.

Mallory smiled before going to grab a ball. The boys were finishing up their laps and went to grab balls themselves. "So it seems you live and breathe basketball," Trent said beside her with Landon not far behind.

"You could say that, but I would get back to practice if I were you," she hinted before focusing on the goal.

Trent laughed while Landon added, "Who's going to make me, you?"

"Actually, me," Luke said joining the group, "now get back to practice. Mal, make fifty consecutive shots before the guys finish their twenty."

"You got it Uncle Luke," she answered with a smirk, "but don't tell dad because he hates when I show off."

"Coach Scott is your dad," Landon said out loud, "I mean it all makes sense now why you're so good."

"Let's get one thing straight, yes I get a lot of my talent from my dad, but I'm a better player than you'll ever be. Now if you'll excuse me, I've gotta get back to my shots and you should get back to practice," she replied angrily.

Landon simply walked over to the other goal and began practicing. "You really know how to get under his skin you know. I've never seen anyone able to accomplish that, but he's not a bad guy. Maybe you should cut him some slack because you might be surprised what's behind that image that he puts on for people," Trent commented before joining his friend.

"What did I say? He was being a jerk," she complained to Luke.

"Actually, you were being a little mean and that's not like you. What's going on, Mal?" he asked.

"I'm mad because I can't play. It's not fair that the school will only allow guys to play. I'm good and I should have the same opportunity as them. I'm sorry I took it out on Landon though Uncle Luke," she confessed, "I'll apologize after practice."

"That's my girl," he added with a smile, "now finish your shots and then go sit down please. You're intimidating my team."


Practice ended and the guys were leaving. Mallory was still waiting on her dad when she saw Landon come out. She made her way over to him and said, "Look I'm sorry for what I said. You're a great player."

Landon smirked before replying with, "I know."

"See this is why I wasn't going to apologize to you. I don't get why you have to be so arrogant and cocky all the time. You drive me crazy with how you think you are so much better than everyone. You're not the king of the school you know…" she started.

He leaned over and kissed her on the lips before grinning, "I accept your apology."

"What was that? You can't just kiss me for any reason. I didn't even give you permission to," she huffed.

"You know you could just say thank you, but next time I'll be sure to ask your permission," he joked.

"Argh, I hate you! Stay away from me!" she yelled. Landon just laughed as he walked away. She couldn't believe the nerve of him. How dare he, she thought.

A few minutes later, Nathan walked out and was ready to head home. "So I've been thinking about your offer, I'll let you help out with the team. On one condition though," he started.

"What's that dad?" she wondered.

"You be nice to Landon and tutor him twice a week. He's always struggled in math and he needs help, so he doesn't get behind this year," he stated.

"Fine, but I don't have to like it," she replied.

"That's my girl," he said, "now let's head home. I'm curious to how Jamie's day went."