A/N

ALRIGHT GUYS SO CAN I BE HONEST WITH YALL?

IT FEELS SO FREAKING GOOD TO BE BACK!

WHILE I'VE BEEN HAVING CONSTANT TINSPIRATION, i HAVEN'T HAD TOO MUCH MOTIVATION TO WRITE. WHAT USED TO TAKE ME LIKE TWO-THREE DAYS TO WRITE A CHAPTER TOOK ME LIKE A WEEK. SO I'M ACTUALLY VERY PROUD OF MYSELF RIGHT NOW. YAY ME!

NOW DISCLAIMER; i OWN NO CHARACTER. NO SONG, NO CAMP OR SCHOOL JUST THE PLOT. ENJOY!

HAZEL POV

Gwen didn't get to drive.

She let out a nice long yawn after snatching the keys from me and for Annabeth that was apparently one yawn too many. The older woman promptly took the keys from her hand before she'd even gotten a chance to take a step.

"Yeah, no." she said. "I'm driving. I can't trust that you won't fall asleep at a red light."

"Or sleep, drive us to Starbucks." Dakota noted followed by a yawn of his own.

"I'll be back." Annabeth stretched upward on her tiptoes and Percy's lips met her mid air in a sweet kiss.

"Mmmm." He groaned when she stepped back. He swiftly wrapped an arm around her waist and hoisted her back towards him. She did what could only be described as a giggle and kissed him again before being released.

She locked arms with my pouty best friend and started towards the door.

"C'mon Gwen, I'll let you ride shotgun ."

"It's my car!" I huffed, throwing my hands up in the air.

I wasn't really upset of course, I just found it incredibly funny and mildly insulting that Gwen is always driving my car because I'm not allowed to, except for during my lessons with Percy and Nico, and now I've been demoted to the backseat.

"Our car." Gwen corrected, not even bothering to turn around when she said it.

As I was passing him, Percy pulled me against his side in a hug and kissed the top of my head. Social media has dubbed this his 'dad kiss' as paparazzi shot pictures of us embraced like this in public have begun appearing on gossip sites everywhere.

It took a while for me to get used to the fact that I was no longer as invisible as I once was while doing something as simple as walking down the street. I was now a person of interest, someone who the paparazzi determined was worth the time and effort.

Having grown up as celebrities Percy, Nico, and Thalia were used to this. It was second nature for them to go out in public and not get caught doing something incredibly embarrassing like picking a wedgie or snotting.

Nope, that was just me unfortunately.

Sometimes they stake out the school, the house, Dr. S's office and the studio in hopes of catching me off guard. I'm just happy I haven't had any panic attacks, because the last thing I need is a video of me hyperventilating and spazzing out popping up on the twitter feed of everyone in school.

"Do me a favor." Percy said. He still had me pulled against him so I had to tilt my head up to look at him.

"Yeah?"

"Tell Chiron to call me. The old man keeps sending me to voicemail."

"You mean there's someone who doesn't want to talk to the amazing Percy Jackson? Gasp!" I said sarcastically and he chuckled.

"I know, it's hard to believe."

I heard the ding of the elevator followed by Annabeth calling my name and I separated from the warm embrace.

"I'll be sure to deliver the message." I told him.

Annabeth expertly maneuvered through the city morning traffic and managed to make it to the house in good time. It had been decided on the drive that instead of taking everyone home we'd just go to the Connect 3 house. Between the whole Luke kidnap situation and the late hours working on the Aftermath concert, my friends had spent many nights sleeping over. Gwen in my bed with me, Dakota and Frank on the couches in the living room or on pallets on the floor of my room.

It happened so often that the three of them just began to keep a few changes of clothes at the house. I even bought one of those small rolling three drawer dressers for them. I keep it in the closet outside my room.

When we arrived at the house Annabeth cut the engine and handed the keys to Gwen, giving strict instructions for me to text her when we made it to school. She retrieved the keys to her own car, something she hardly drives since Percy and her generally go most places together, and headed back to Olympus.

For a moment the four of us were surprised at the quickness in which she left us at the house alone, knowing that we'd have to take showers... change,...undress. As tired as we were, and believe me we were plenty tired, we're still hormonal teenagers. It's not that any of us planned on doing anything, but still.

That surprise dissipated the moment we entered the house though and Sally came walking around the corner. She wore a plain blue short sleeve blouse and white jeans. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun and her glasses were pushed up to the top of her head. There was a coffee mug in one hand and an open book in the other. When she saw us a big grin spread across her face. I felt one take over mine as well.

It hadn't been that long since I last saw her, only two weeks. Paul, her boyfriend, took her away to the Hamptons for a writer's retreat while she finished the last chapters of her newest book. I liked Paul or Mr. Blofis since he's technically my English Lit teacher. He's a really nice guy, super sweet, smart, and according to Gwen, way too hot to be a English teacher at Goode. I wouldn't exactly categorize him as 'hot' but he was definitely handsome; tall, in decent physical shape, and a sleek haircut with salt and pepper coloring. Couple all of that with the vintage leather jacket he wears and the award winning smile of his and you might mistake him for some common placed unknown actor guy instead of a high school English teacher.

Percy was a little more apprehensive about the newest guy in his mother's life, but he eventually warmed up to the idea of Sally having a dating life. Although he does still refer to him as Mr. Blowfish rather than Blofis from time to time.

"You're supposed to be in the Hamptons." I said.

Closing the book, she sat it and the coffee on the table next the couch and gave us mocking accusatory glances. "And you're supposed to be at school. "

"We accidentally pulled an all-nighter at the studio last night." Gwen said with a sheepish grin.

"Yeah, Annabeth brought us here to get showered up for school." Frank said. He'd been talking in a casual/ nothing big about it kind of way but upon seeing the slight eyebrow raise of Sally's he hastily added. "Separately I mean, not together. You know because we already have clothes here but D and I can go to my house if we need to."

Gwen snorted and Sally's inquisitive eyebrow lowered. There was a sparkle of guilty amusement in her eye and she smiled.

"I know. Annabeth texted me." She held up her phone and began to read a text aloud.

Hey Sally i'm dropping the kids off at the house to take showers and get ready for school, they're running late.

No sex.

All four of our cheeks heated and Sally laughed.

"Okay Sally im heading out, I have to warn you though someone is in a mood this morning." Thalia entered the living room by way of the kitchen. She wore black pants, a green top, and a black blazer. She wears blazers when she's going to work and only for business meetings.

Both Thalia and Leo have been half going to work since Zoe was born. It's not like they really needed to anyways but Thalia and Nico co- head A & R for Olympus and Leo is working on a tech start up with Beck. She's been able to do most of her work from home, only busting out the blazer when she has to either do a virtual meeting or go in person. Today must have been one of those days.

Slumped lazily in the woman's arms, Zoe yawned. Her hair, a perfect mixture of Thalia's raven black coloring and Leo's unruly curls, was smooshed on one side indicating that she'd recently woken up.

Whatever sleepy haze the toddler was still under immediately went away the moment she caught sight of her favorite person.

"Zoe Zoe!" Gwen exclaimed.

"Gwa!" Came Zoe's equally excited reply. This wasn't the first time the toddler had exclaimed it, usually it comes along with a bubble of drool and frantic waving arms, and I was certain at this point that 'Gwa' was 'Gwen' in baby speak. Being 1 years old now Zoe was beginning to become more vocal and coherent. She says "mama and dada' with no problem but I can't get her to say my name yet or more specifically a baby mangled version of it. I've even reduced myself to being called 'HaHa' but nothing.

Gwen crossed the room and Zoe practically launched herself out of Thal's arms and into hers. .

"What's up trouble maker?" She cooed and Zoe giggled.

When Thalia first saw us her face displayed obvious surprise. As she looked us over though a knowing look took its place.

"All-nighter at the studio huh?"

"Yep." Dakota answered.

"Late for school?"

"Mmm hhmm." This time it was Frank who answered.

"Ahh I remember those days." Thalia's striking blue eyes took on a wistful look like she was recalling fond memories of the old Connect 3- turned - Demigod days.

"I can't tell you how many times we pulled all-nighters in the middle of a school week. Chiron used to be so pissed."

"What's that they say about history repeating itself?" Sally mused, clearly finding this entertaining.

I'd say I was surprised about how cool everyone seemed to be about it but really I wasn't. Had it been any other parents- Gwen's or Dakota's, or Frank's grandmother, there would have been hell to pay. They probably just assumed that like lots of nights that my friends had simply crashed at my house and gone to school from there. While they might not have always liked it, I think they've finally just accepted that our house was sort of my friend's second home. Like kids splitting their time between parents with joint custody.

And mine are the cool ones.

To give them credit though I mean it's not like we're running wild staying out all night at keggers or hotboxing the game room. We're making music and that's something they get, so as annoyed by our lack of time management as they may be they're also equally as understanding.

The enamored look Thalia sported turned into a grimace. Looking at Zoe, who paid her mother no mind at all now that her favorite person was there, she grimaced.

"God I hope not. If Zoe even thinks of doing half of the crap I did..." Thalia trailed off, leaving the thought to hang further expressing just how unprepared for the possibility she was.

She shook her head.

"You know what I'm just going to..." She took Zoe from Gwen, something neither girl was prepared for or liked.

"Hey!" Gwen protested.

Zoe had not mastered the word 'hey' yet but she had mastered the art of expressing her disapproval when she didn't like something. Her eyebrows scrunched forward with confusion as she was suddenly lifted from Gwen's grasp. Her eyes, a matching fierce blue to Thalia's, frown, and huff expressed all of her annoyance.

I've never seen a baby with so much attitude and personality. Figures though that it would be Thalia's kid.

Thalia placed Zoe back in Sally's arms. I guess she figured Zoe with Sally went farther to help prevent the likelihood of Zoe growing up to be just like her momma.

"Yeah, that's better." Thalia held out one of Zoe's sippy cups toward her. She took it, her frown dissipating almost immediately as she started in on the drink.

Thalia kissed the top of her head and smoothed her hair down in the way only parents do.

"You be good." She instructed Zoe before whipping a pointed finger and look across the room at all of us. "And you go to school."

To Sally though she gave a grateful smile. "Thanks again. I shouldn't be gone that long." She went over to the table and gathered a messenger bag. She took a stack of papers and folders that were sitting next to it and slipped them in. Her laptop, wallet, and one of Zoe's pacifiers followed. No one bothered to mention she might not need the last item.

"Leo is in a meeting with investors now but after that he can come home anytime if you need anything or I can too just call I-"

"I have done this before you know." Sally chuckled. "Relax. Don't rush, handle your business. You've been non stop since you brought her home. In fact," Sally's eyes took on the shine of someone who just got a brilliant idea. "Why don't I take her for the night. You need a break. You and Leo should go out. You're more than just parents you know."

I snorted at the hinted suggestion and heard my friends make similar noises as they suppressed their own laughter.

Thalia and pretty much anyone that I've known to ever know Sally before has always looked at her with love and affection, but the look Thalia gave her now was worshipping in nature. "Really?"

"Yeah." She gave Zoe, who had decidedly had her fill of whatever liquid gold was in her sippy cup and laid her head on the woman's shoulder, a poke in the side. "We'll hang here, see the kids off to school and go back to my house for some girl time."

"Uhhh I'm a girl, how come I can't go?" Gwen asked.

"Don't you have showers to take." Thalia said then hastily added. "Separately. "

"Go enjoy yourselves you-"

"I love you!" Thalia interrupted the woman. "Seriously Sally, you are the best!" She scooped her keys up and started making her way to the door, calling out more things over her shoulder. "Her diaper bag is already packed and you know where everything is. I'll call you later. Momma loves you Zoe, okay bye!"

The door closed.

Sally was chuckling to herself. She looked at us and raised an eyebrow, not even needing to say words.

"Right." I said and we hustled off.

20 minutes later we were all freshly showered, dressed, and in the car on our way to school.

We made it to Chiron's class 15 minutes past the tardy bell.

He was at the front of the classroom speaking to everyone when we arrived. I was hoping we'd be able to just slip in but no such luck. All eyes turned on us.

"Uhh, sorry." I said, smiling sheepishly.

"We umm..."Frank stepped up to explain.

"Stayed up all night working on some new song." Chiron answered for him.

"Did Annabeth text you too?" Dakota cracked.

"No." Chiron said. "I am beginning to get the strangest sense of deja vu from when your predecessors were my students though."

It reminded me of Sally's earlier comment about history repeating itself.

"Sorry." We all chorused.

Signaled by the jerk of his head in the direction of our other classmates, we took to our seats.

Dean made a tsking noise like we were naughty children as we passed.

Gwen thumped him on the head.

"Now as I was saying," Chiron cleared his throat. "I am postponing this assignment by a week." A low chatter emanated around the room. I heard a few sighs of relief but mostly everyone was curious. "I am going to-''.

Whatever he was going to say was cut short when the door to the classroom was abruptly thrown open. It hit the wall with a thud making more than a few of us jump in surprise.

Students came pouring into the room. It seemed to be a mixture of football players, -identified as they wore their team jerseys over jeans-, cheerleaders dressed in their varsity sweaters and welding pom poms, and regular students full of good old fashion school spirit.

"What the hell?" I heard Gwen say. Some of my classmates, like Dean, enjoyed the apparent chaos. The intruders hooted and cheered as they trampled into the room and others like Dean joined them. The rest of us watched in confusion.

They filled in wherever they could. Overall it had to be a group of 20 - 25. The football coach and former swim coach, coach Hedge was the last to enter. He went and stood next to Chiron. He nodded at our teacher who sighed and.. I think rolled his eyes even.

Coach held up his hand and the noise silenced.

"Ahh yes I almost forgot." Chiron said. "I was asked this morning to carve out time from class for Coach Hedge."

"Asked?" Dakota questioned, voicing exactly what I was thinking. If one thing was clear it was that Chiron was clearly doing this against his will. Whoever had asked him must have strongly insisted.

"Coach." Chiron waved the man on.

Coach was dressed in Goode windbreaker sweats and matching jacket. His whistle dangled from his neck, bopping ever so often against his chest when moved. A hat covered his- what I knew to be bald- head. The bill pulled low over his face. There was a clipboard in his hand and he swung it around to hold it behind his back with both hands as he began to pace across the length of the front of the classroom.

"Here we go." I heard Frank mutter in his seat behind me.

I turned a glance at my boyfriend but he watched Coach with expectant eyes.

"Weeeeeeee," He dragged out the word, stopped in his pacing and made a sweeping motion across the room. "have a problem. 5 games away from the end of the season and your," He put extra emphasis on 'your'. I saw a few people flinch. "Goode High Gladiators find themselves down a man.

"Chase Harmen," As one, the intruders each took their fists and smacked it across their chest forming an X. The Gladiator salute. It was one student, Jessie Marshe's, brilliant idea as a sign of school spirit. Interestingly enough she'd had this brilliant idea right after the trailer for Black Panther had been released apparently.

This triggered an eye roll from me.

My issue with the 'gladiator salute', aside from the obvious copyright infringement, isn't with the fact that something that had become a unified symbol of sorts to the black community was being repurposed for the use of a school whose mascot is a white guy dressed like Spartacus, but with the fact that Jessie had apparently acted like he originated it. Under the bio line on his Instagram account it even says 'Creator of the Gladiator salute'. His biopic is a picture of him in his Goode track gear doing said salute.

Gotta love that cultural appropriation, even if it is from fictional black people.

"broke his leg last night at a skating competition."

"Oh shit!" I glanced back and saw Frank was leaning forward in his seat now.

I heard the murmured comments around the room. People wondering how this could happen, how the season was ruined, and the occasional I don't even go to the football games.

I myself didn't follow football or any sports here at Goode for that matter. I was never big on them growing up, but they're a major part of high school so I'd always tried to show up to some of the majors like the first game of the season, Homecoming, and championships. I never made it to any of the games last year due to the whole being kidnapped by a blonde lunatic for the first few weeks of the school year and then having depression and a severe development of anxiety thing.

They've played like 4 games I think already and I only went to the first one. Both Frank and Gwen were adamant that we go. Frank I knew still followed the team and was invested in their stats but Gwen just liked it for the tackles and hits. Dakota holds a regular amount of interest that I suspect is because it was the manly thing to do.

I didn't go to the other three but the boys and Gwen had. Even though I wasn't a fan I still knew who Chase Harmen was. QB 1 with a full ride to Cal U, and Goode's best chance at winning the championships. I understand the drama around this incident but it didn't explain the whole fanfare now.

"As you know without Harmen our chances of making it state are…. Jones."

One guy, a broad shouldered red head that I recognized as Gilfred Jones- starting receiver-, was who responded. He stood at the front of the group, not far from the coach.

"Shit, Coach!" A flurry of giggles and shocked gasps filled the room. Gil had cursed, a small curse if they were ro be ranked, so easily and casually in front of a school official and the vice principal. Chiron couldn't look any more annoyed it seemed though.

"Exactly. I was ready to accept that state wouldn't be in this team's future when i remembered there was one more." he held up a single finger, once again to emphasise his point. Say what you want about coach but the man knows how to deliver a speech. You could see it on the faces of a lot of the students. They were in his web. One quality of a coach that goes under appreciated is their public speaking abilities. It's their job to encourage their team, keep them motivated and ready to give it their all.

"One more hope for this team. One more chance at victory. One more kid with an arm like a cannon, the speed of an all american, and the instincts of a champ, and that man is Frank Zhang." Coach made a grand gesture in the direction of my boyfriend.

My poor dumb struck boyfriend who had been listening intently while absent mindedly twirling his sticks. When everyone's eyes turned on him he froze, his sticks falling from his hands and onto the floor.

I understood his shock. Hell I was just as. There was a grin on Dakota's face though and he reached over to clap Frank on the shoulder. Gwen, who had been drinking from her bottle of water, choked and started coughing. Her coughing turned into fits of laughter.

"Oh god." She breathed out.

"Whaa-whaa?" Frank said slowly. He blinked more than a few times.

Coach advanced toward him, stopping in front of his desk.

"We need you Frank." He said. "Your school needs you. Your team needs you!"

"I-" He was still talking so slow like he was trying to process. "But I'm not on the team. I haven't been since I quit Freshman year."

"You might be a little rusty but you're a raw talent kid and you can not beat talent. And it's not like you got fat since you stopped playing. " Coach gave Frank's biceps a light slap with the back of his hand. He wasn't the biggest guy around but my boyfriend was in excellent shape. He worked out regularly. I join him sometimes on Saturday runs and to the gym.

"No way Clarisse LaRue lets her brother get out of shape."

"Beside," Drake Forester, another player from the team, stepped forward a little. He grinned. It was one of those annoying cocky grins that a lot of the football players sported. It's the kind of 'i'm awesome, i play sports, im king here' grins. "Once a brother, always a brother."

A chorus of cheers erupted from the football boys. The cheerleaders began a slow chant of Frank's name.

"Frank. Frank. Frank."

Frank still looked stunned. I could tell he didn't know what to do about all of this. He didn't like being put on the spot. I wanted to grab his hand and give it a squeeze like he'd done for me so many times before.

"I don't know coach. I've already got so much going on..." He didn't finish the sentence but he looked pointedly at our friends and me insinuating what the 'so much' was. Coach's eyes landed on me for a bit and I shrunk back in my seat.

Great. I was going to be known as the reason Goode's great hope didn't come out of retirement, costing us a championship title.

"I'm sure whatever those things are you can work something out." Again it was one of those things that sounded more like an order than something that was asked or suggested. And he was looking at me as he said it. I guess that meant it was up to me to make sure he did.

"Look," Coach lifted his hat off his head. "I know this is a big ask. But I wouldn't be asking if we didn't need it. Don't do it for me or for the title. Do it for them." Coach looked at the members of the team that were present. It wasn't all of them, just a few key players. Frank's eyes followed him. I'm pretty sure all of ours did.

Everyone was watching this with dramatic interest. Poor Chiron. The man can't get through a lesson without having his class interrupted by visitors making grand gestures and propositions.

"For these boys a state title might be their only shot of landing a scholarship to a good school. They need this, so don't do it for the ring, do it for the team."

I saw the conflict in Frank's eyes. He wasn't on the team anymore but he was still close to a lot of the guys. He'd grown up with them, played on the same teams since they were eight. Once a brother, always a brother.

He wanted to help. He knew what it meant that Harem was out for the season. What it means to them and what it meant for their futures and I knew he wouldt be happy with himself if there was something he could have done to help and chose not to. I also knew the truth about how he felt about being on the football team. He'd admitted he didn't like himself all too much when he was on the team. He said he was an arrogant jerk, even though he tried not to. I guess the high of being a king on campus got to him. I knew he didn't want to turn into that guy again. LAstly I knew he didn't want to make a promise to join a varsity sport that would take a lot of his attention when he had me, Elysium , and Demigods to think about.

He looked at me and I saw it in his eyes. He wanted to do it, wanted to help, and he wanted my permission to do it.

My heart swelled for the sweetness that was him because even though he didn't need it he wanted my approval to make this change in his life. He wanted to know I understood and would be okay with what it could mean for us and for our music. More than that though, I knew he wanted to know that if he did turn into that arrogant version of himself that I would be there to set him straight.

And I would.

Everyone's eyes were watching me. I didn't even have to look to know it, I could feel the heat of their collective gazes on me as they waited to see what I would say.

I could hardly say no now even if I wanted to, which I didn't. I wouldn't dare tell Frank what he could and couldn't do.

So I nodded.

Frank stood and looked coach square in the eye. A goofy grin parted his face and he held out his hand.

"Put me in coach."

The class went insane! Cheers and Frank's name rose in the air. Coach was sporting a big ole grin himself. He took Frank's hand and shook it.

"Attaboy!" He pulled Frank past him and into the welcoming embrace of his new teammates. He was surrounded by a sea of jerseys, pompoms, and painted faces.

They began to leave the room, somehow still managing to do all that excited shoving and jumping around and shouting his name as they did. I couldn't even see Frank anymore.

Coach walked over to Chiron. He removed a paper clipped to the front of his clipboard.

"I've been given permission to take him out of classes for the day to start getting him caught up on the play book. Our first game is in 4 days."

It was a miracle Chiron didn't run the coach over with his wheelchair the way he was looking. Collected as ever though my teacher took the pass and only nodded.

"Damn out of classes all day?" Dean said. " Hell I would volunteers if I knew it had perks like that."

"Dude I've seen you play ball." James laughed.

"And…"

"And they need a QB not a tackle dummy. Your speed is weak, you've got no reach, and no hands."

"Ohh damn!" The twins chorused. The few people who did hear laughed.

"Harsh." Dean said. He didn't seem all that much offended though because there was a hint of a smile on his lips.

Coach turned on James. "You sound like you know what you're talking about. You play?"

He shrugged it off but he had a ghost of a grin, the I play sports, im awesome grin.

"Tight End. Before I transferred here."

Coach looked him over like an appraiser with a piece of jewelry.

"Are you interested in playing again?" He finally asked.

That grin spread a little wider.

"Well I- uh.. I-" He faltered in his response as he caught sight of Reyna. She didn't have to say anything because her face said it all.

It wasn't outright aggressive. Her eyebrows were raised quizzically and there was an even smile on her face.

To the unexpecting person she actually seemed pretty innocent but we knew better. There was a clear threat and answer in that smile and he knew it.

"No." He nodded and swallowed. " I've got band practices and uhh dates, yeah."

Coach looked from him to her. Reyna turned her look into him and Coach nodded.

"Right." He put his ball cap back on "Chiron."

Coach was the last to leave. The others were somewhere in the hall still celebrating though they were getting farther away as the chanted "FRANK! FRANK! FRANK!" became less audible.

Chiron gave up on class at that point because he released us. There was still 15 minutes left but he just dropped the slip coach had given him into his desk and said class was over.

There was no hesitation from my classmates. They gathered their things and rushed out of the room. I knew news of Frank's return to football would be all over school by lunch.

Today was definitely going to be interesting.

Seeing as how he was crowded away, quite literally, Frank's backpack was left sitting on the floor under his desk. Since he wasn't going to need it for the rest of the day I decided I'd take it to my locker rather than lug it around with me.

"Hazel, a word." Chiron called for me. James, Dean, Reyna, Gwen, and Dakota all played at the door to wait too.

I waved them off telling them to go.

Gwen hesitated, but I insisted. We were going to be in our next class, Botany, together anyways so it wasn't like I could go anywhere. We're lab partners.

Once we were alone Chiron cleared his throat.

"If this is about us being late, I swear it won't happen again."

The heavy, worried look on his face was broken by a chuckle and tired grin.

"You know how many times you're people promised me that back when they were sitting in my classroom?" He chuckled again.

"Sorry." I resisted the urge to laugh myself. "What's up?"

His face took on a serious note once more.

"Pay close care with Frank. The world of athletics, especially truly competitive high school football, can be a stressful one. It's easy for one to fall under the pressure and to get lost in the budding fame."

I wasn't totally sure how to respond so I only nodded promising that I would.

"Oh and Percy said to stop forwarding his calls and to call him." A sly smile played on his lips and he tugged at his beard.

When I got to my locker I found Reyna there waiting on me. She wore a short sleeve cropped striped collared shirt and jeans. Her hair was pulled up in a high pony and her vans backpack was slung loosely over one shoulder. She leaned cooly against my locker, one van donning foot propped against it while the other was planted firmly for support. She saw me and I noted the instinctual tug upward of her lips as a smile started to form. Funny thing is she seemed to have noticed just how big of a smile she was getting ready to portray and quickly controlled it. The corners of her mouth lowered a little so that it was a half grin.

"Hey." I said. She was actually propped against the locker next time rather than on it. I turned the knob punching in the combination and it clicked.

I tossed Frank's bag in and closed it again. Turning to face her completely, I adjusted my backpack so I could lean against the locker too.

"What's up?"

"Chiron's right about being careful with Frank." She warned. One thing I can appreciate about Reyna is that she doesn't beat around the bush, she just gets right to it.

"Umm..."

"Just, listen." That definitely wasn't going to be a problem because I didn't know what to say. I'd given Frank my go ahead less than thirty minutes ago and was already receiving warnings. This was not a good sign.

"I was with Frank the first time he was QB1. A freshman walk on nabbing the top spot, it's no wonder he turned into what he turned into."

"And what was that?" I kind of feared the answer to be honest, but my curiosity wouldn't allow me to pass up a chance to know.

"A dick." She said flatly. "Think Frank now, fun, goofy, charming only as an imperious jackass. QB1 is the king spot and people treated him like it. Students would let him skip lines in the cafeteria, bring him gifts and things to try and get in on his good side, honor's kids were doing his homework assignments, and girls were throwing themselves at him. At first he was embarrassed by it. He'd deny the gifts, wait his proper turn, and graciously deny the girl's affections explaining he had a girlfriend."

"And then? "I asked sensing more to come.

For once I saw Reyna hesitate. It was a small hesitation but one nonetheless. She really didn't want to have to tell me I realized.

"He texts you every morning right? Telling you good morning, asking how you slept... yada yada.. that kind of stuff?"

"Yeaaah." I answered slowly, only slightly annoyed to be further reminded that Frank and Reyna dated and that there are things he does for me that he may also have done for her.

"That was how it started. There were days where he would forget to text me in the morning or he wouldn't do it until like two in the afternoon and eventually not at all. He stopped bothering to pretend not to be interested in the girls who flirted with him. He might not have had sex with any of them but I mean he shamelessly flirted with whoever-sometimes even right in front of me. He was a real jerk. High off of his own clout."

I was shocked into silence. I mean its not like Frank hadn't confided in me already that he used to be kind of a fuck boy, but to hear the details from someone who was effected by his fuck boyness- someone who essential was in the same position that I'm currently in.

No. I refused to believe that the same guy who held me all night when I had nightmares was going to turn into a Bro-douche-jock now that he was QB1. I could see how it would happen in the past, but it's not as if Frank wasn't already pretty popular or whatever. He's a well known student and a semi famous member of a slightly more semi famous band.

"Look," Reyna's eyes took on an unusual softness. She really didn't want to be telling me this. She was afraid of hurting me, but she was more afraid of me getting hurt. And that in its own spoke legions.

"Maybe it will be different this time with you. Maybe he'll stay grounded this time around. I just want you to be prepared."

"This is why you made James say no." I guessed. A sly smile broke the solemn mood of her face.

"He chose all for himself." She said in a sing-song manner. "Buuuuut yeah. I dated a football star and saw what it did to him. I wasn't going to do it , stardome, popularity however you want to categorize it- it changes a person. And even if he doesn't change, everything around you is about to."

I couldn't help but to begin to wonder what I had gotten into. Had I made a mistake saying yes? I mean it's not like I could have said no anyways, he's my boyfriend but he's his own person.

"Thanks." I said, giving Reyna an earnest smile. "I mean it, I appreciate you looking out for me, but I have to trust that Frank is going to still be Frank. I have to have more faith in him if we are going to make this happen."

Reyna smiled one of those genuine smiles that few people rarely get to see from her.
"I hope so."

The warning bell sounded and just like that her face snapped back into place. A mask of cool and don't talk to me attitude settling in. She rolled her eyes and told me she would see me at lunch.

Despite my confident words I had the distinct feeling that she was right and that everything was about to change.

SOOOOOOOOOO WHAT DID YOU GUYS THINK? DID i MAKE AN ACCEPTABLE RETURN? LET ME KNOW.

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