Chapter 1

Nicole's POV:

"Good Wednesday morning Purgatory High! Give it up for the Purgatory Blue Devils basketball teams as both boys and girl's teams have gone undefeated in their first ten games of the season!" The overenthusiastic Jeremy Chetripractically screamed over the intercom during morning announcements. My homeroom erupted in cheers and then my classmates started clapping me and a few of my teammates on the back in congratulations. My teacher in homeroom, Mr. Charles didn't seem to worry about the commotion that was going on, I think he was just happy that the basketball teams were back on top after so many years of losing seasons. This was the first winning season both teams have had in three years. I'm just happy to be apart of it. Although I'm not usually one who likes the praise and recognition, it sure beats the alternative of being the loner new girl that nobody even talked to at the beginning of the year.

The head cheerleader, the most popular girl in school, and town sweetheart, Waverly Earp, sits directly in front of me during Homeroom. Over the last few months, we have gradually moved from being just acquaintances at school to fast friends. We have had a few movie nights, and whenever I have a question on homework I call her for help. She may be a year younger but she is the smartest person I know. For some reason, they decided to combine juniors and seniors into one homeroom thinking it would help with the school community or some bologna like that. Being one of the three seniors in this homeroom I found it very odd, but I didn't mind as I somehow got Waverly Earp to notice me. I was brought out of my thoughts hearing the object of my affection ask her best friend, Chrissy Nedley if she was going to Mercedes' party this coming Friday.

This party was only going to be the biggest party of the year. Mercedes has mentioned multiple times this basketball season that her house was a mansion. Her parents are going to be gone this weekend and this is the one weekend neither one of the basketball teams are playing on Saturday, which makes it a prime time to throw a "rager" as Wynonna put it.

I watched Chrissy as she stopped filing her nails trying to gauge whether she was going to the party or not. From the look on her face, it seemed as if it was the stupidest question in the world. I focused in on their conversation a little bit closer to try and hear what they were saying without being too obvious.

"This is supposed to be one of the best parties that we will see in our high school careers, why wouldn't I go?" The blonde let a smile creep across her lips as she was trying to keep her voice down so nobody else would hear her.

Waverly is much better at whispering than Chrissy because the next part of the conversation is lost under the other talking going on around the room. Dammit, you loud people let me eavesdrop in peace!

My ears prick up when I hear Chrissy say my name, "Well I'm sure Nicole is going too." A flash of hurt crossed her face leaving me confused.

Why was I being brought up in this conversation? Waverly and I have been getting closer but I didn't think that I was stealing her away from her other friends. I felt this pang of guilt wash over me as I don't want to end up ruining other pieces of Waverly's life. She has just been one of the first people not on the basketball team to give me the time of day.

Again Waverly's reply is too hushed for me to hear, but the look of hurt written on her face means something.

Chrissy and her inability to whisper continues, "It was just a joke Waves. It's just you've been hanging out with her a lot lately on nights where we usually would have our sleepovers, and well I kinda miss those." The blonde's eyes look back down at her nails she was filing before this conversation happened.

I watched Waverly as she reached out apologetically to her friend. Have I brought Waverly into the drama that always follows me? The rest of the conversation I zone out not really wanting to hear anything more. I don't want to be the reason that Waverly and her friends don't get time together. I'm just a nobody. A nobody who is completely smitten by Waverly and can't stay away no matter how hard she tries. I internally chastise myself for the inner workings of my brain. Waverly is just my friend, nothing more.

Waverly's POV:

"You'll just have to make it up to me somehow," my best friend Chrissy says in a teasing tone. "After the party, we'll stay at my place and you can tell me all about the anniversary dinner you and Champ are having tomorrow," she waggled her eyebrows at me suggestively.

Shit! I totally forgot about my anniversary dinner. It has been five months, who really celebrates a five-month anniversary? Maybe Champ forgot too. No, he has been too clingy and possessive lately. Ever since I befriended Nicole he hasn't left me alone for a minute in the hallway and tries to stop me after cheer practice every night. I'm actually tired of him being the definition of a stage five clinger.

"Uh yeah!" I said with a little too much enthusiasm catching Chrissy off guard, "Sounds like a deal! Just then the bell rang and we grabbed our books to head to first period. I glanced behind me to find Nicole's eyes on me and my body immediately heated up like Nicole's eyes were the sun and I was roasting. I don't understand why she makes me so nervous, it just seems like every time she does anything my stomach does somersaults. With a shake of my head, I followed Chrissy out into the hallway still feeling Nicole's eyes follow me out the door.

Trying to clear my head I closed my eyes tight for a quick second and-"Oof," I huffed running into what felt like a brick wall. Snapping my eyes open and my face flushing with embarrassment I realize it was just Champ.

"Hey baby," he said smoothly before he placed a rough kiss to my lips. I shoved his chest with my hand disconnecting the sloppy kiss. He has been extra possessive in school right after Homeroom. "Not in the hallway Champ, jeez," I huffed trying to walk away from him. No such luck, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me back engulfing me in his big arms.

"I'm sorry, okay?" He pulled back his head just enough to look me in the eyes.

"I have to go," I said flatly pulling away and leaving a dumbfounded Champ in my wake.

I caught up with Chrissy as she had kept walking like she usually does when Champ steals my time away before first period. "Oh hey," she said surprised, "I wasn't expecting you to be joining me. What has been his deal lately?" Chrissy asked looking over at me expecting an answer.

"I have no idea. I think he is jealous or something, I don't know. I'm just tired of it, I'm not a possession, ya know? I'm just tired of him," the last few words came out of my mouth before I knew it and I looked at Chrissy whose facial expression didn't show she was surprised.

"Does the jealousy have something to do with-?" Chrissy started to ask but I cut her off before she could finish her question.

"No! Why does everyone have a friggin' issue with who I want to spend time with?" I snapped at her leaving a look of hurt across her face. I felt bad but I couldn't have this conversation I had to get some air. Turning away from Chrissy I bolted the opposite way towards the emergency exit doors at the end of the hallway. I just need some air. It is just all the stress of studying and practice taking a toll. Just have to get air. Clearing the last few lockers before I reached the door I smacked into someone yet again.

"Dammit!" I let out my frustration as the second person I have run over today kneeled down to pick up my scattered books. I closed my eyes tightly to keep the tears pooling there at bay before I looked down at the person I practically mauled. The auburn hair pulled into a braid with the blue and black checkered flannel were the first two things I realized. Shit! Get it together Earp! "Nicole I'm so sorry!" I said leaning down to help pick up our belongings that were strewn out all over the now empty hallway.

"Where's the fire?" She asked with a chuckle looking up and meeting my frantic eyes, calming my nerves with her famous dimpled smile.

I chuckled back at her question a little nervously, "Everything has just been too much for me this morning," I shrugged picking up the last of my papers that had fallen out of my folder.

The smile that had graced her face was now a frown with worry in her eyes, "But the morning has just begun Waves, what's goin' on?" Her voice sounded concerned and sincere making my heart swell with feelings of gratefulness for having someone as great as her in my life. The tears I had been able to keep back on the initial impact hit me at this point and they started flowing freely down my face. "Hey, Waves what do you say we ditch first period and you tell me what is goin' on?"

I am Waverly Earp. I have never skipped a class or practice in all of my years of school! Not even that one time I got shot with a tranquilizer dart and still made it to band practice! But to leave with Nicole?

"Okay," I said softly and then Nicole was guiding me out the door I had been heading for in the first place.

Nicole's POV:

After driving off campus Waverly was still sitting in silence but I could tell there was a storm brewing behind those hazel-green eyes. One thing I have learned from our friendship this far is that Waverly does things at her own pace, so pressing her for information is not the way to get it out of her. An idea strikes me and I take a sudden right turn down Main street.

"Nicole you're going to kill us!" I hear from the passenger seat but my mind is focused on the destination ahead.

A few minutes later we arrive at the one and only vegan bakery in the whole town of Purgatory. Where I come from these were popping up everywhere before I moved, so finding one in small-town Purgatory was shocking. "And here we are!" I said cheerily gesturing towards the bakery.

The smile that graces Waverly's angelic face is one that I will store away in the back of my mind for safekeeping. "Nicole," she practically whispers, "How did you know?" Her eyes looked away from the building and bored into mine.

"You know I am always listening to what you tell me Waves. You told me about The Garden the first night I came over to watch movies with you and Wynonna," I stated like it was the most obvious answer in the world. I have no idea how nobody else hangs on every word that this petite goddess speaks, but the whole world should. A blush crept up my neck and turned my cheeks into flamming flesh the color of my hair.

"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me," the small brunette says softly from the passenger seat.

Oh, I'd do a lot of things to you. I turned the car off and turned to look at Waverly who sat there wide-eyed staring back at me. Shit did I say that out loud?

Waverly cleared her throat as a blush painted her cheeks bright pink. Her eyes were now downcast as the corner of her lips twitched into a small smile. "Let's uh, let's go get some breakfast, ya?"

I nodded at her grabbing my wallet from my backpack and jogging to catch up to her yanking the door handle gesturing for her to go in, "After you."

We walked into the bakery and were hit with the most amazing aroma of sugary goods. I looked over at Waverly who was eyeing the donut case reading the signs for each of them, but her face soon turned into a frown. "What's wrong?" I asked walking up behind her.

"It doesn't look like they have any vanilla dipped ones today," she said sticking her bottom lip out into a pout. "They're my favorite."

"Well let's find out!" I smacked the bell that sat on top of the counter that said 'ring for assistance.' And out came a man with dark hair and kind eyes smiling from ear to ear at us.

"Welcome to The Garden ladies! What can I get for you today?" He asked cheerily.

I looked down at Waverly urging her to ask about her favorite donut but she stood there worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. "I was wondering if you have any more vanilla dipped donuts today? I saw your display was out of them," I asked pointing at the case and giving him a kind smile of my own.

"You two ladies are in luck! I just got done dippin' them myself! I'll be right back," he went to the backroom with a wink.

Once he made it through the back door Waverly and I busted into a fit of giggles. I loved watching Waverly Earp surrender to something as silly as giggling at the enthusiasm of the baker worker. Her eyes crinkle on the sides when she is really happy, and her nose scrunches up just slightly. Then there is the sparkle that happens in her hazel-green eyes that makes my stomach flip like a rollercoaster.

The man came backing through the door with a giant tray of donuts held out in front of him, "Now who wants one?" He asked smiling at us sending us into another it of giggles.

Both Waverly and I ordered two donuts and a coffee for me and tea for Waverly. "That will be 10 dollars even," I heard the man say as I grabbed my wallet out of my pocket.

"Oh they can be separate," Waverly said with a look of guilt on her face.

"No that's fine I got it Waves," I said handing over the money to the man. "Thank you uh," I started looking for a name tag, "Fish?"

The man let out a loud laugh at the question in my voice, "Fish is just what everyone calls me around here so it was fitting to put on my name tag! Keep on visiting and I'll tell ya my real name!" He smiled that wide smile at us again before he said, "Thank you guys for comin' in please do come again!"

With that, we turned to the tables that were across the room to go sit down and enjoy our breakfast. "You really didn't have to do that Nic," Waverly said her eyes focused on her hands that were being warmed by her cup.

"It was my idea so of course I did," I smiled at her as I took a bite of my original glazed donut. The rest of our breakfast was filled with easy conversation and an explanation as to why I was trucked by the small goddess. The drive back to school was much better than the drive to the bakery. Waverly turned up my radio to a pop station and started singing along to some song I had never heard before, but she seemed to really like it whoever it was.

"Who sings that song?" I asked as we pulled into the school parking lot five minutes before the bell ending first period rang.

"Oh my gosh, Nicole you aren't serious are you?" the small brunette squealed looked at me with wide eyes as I put the car in park. "You have to know who that was! Metro Station, duh!"

The look on her face told me that I should know this popular band but I had never heard of them, pop wasn't really my thing when it came to music. Where I come from we listened to a lot of country and rock music, none of the sticky, sweet pop music. So I shrugged telling her I still didn't know who they were.

She rolled her eyes and threw her hands up in front of her in mock anger, "How are we even friends?" Then she smiled at me reaching over and touching my arm, igniting my skin that was underneath her fingers. "Promise me you will listen to them tonight?"

I nodded my head and agreed smiling back at Waverly before she popped open the door. "Thank you for breakfast Nic, you really brightened my day up," she said and then she was heading back into the school. I sat there in my car still holding onto the steering wheel. C'mon Haught get your shit together. She is your FRIEND, and also Wynonna's baby sister. Catching feelings for her is really not the best option for you. For the next few minutes, I gathered myself before making my way back into the school.

Waverly's POV:

I had never skipped a day or class period in my life, but if skipping was as much fun as that was today I might skip with Nicole more often. Pulling out my phone I dialed Wynonna to let me in the side door by my chemistry class which I had next. I stood on the other side of the door waiting for Wynonna to pick up her phone. The bell had just rung to dismiss first period so she should be able to pick up.

"Baby girl? Who died?" Wynonna asked frantically answering the phone.

"Nobody died, can you just let me in the side door by the chem lab please?" I asked sweetly. There was silence for a minute then the line disconnected. Okay, rude. But right when I was about to call her back the door pushed open revealing my sister. "Why are you outside? With coffee? And why didn't you bring me one?" Wynonna's brow furrowed trying to piece the puzzle together.

"Hush!" I grabbed her arm pulling her along with me down the hall, "I will answer you just please keep it down," I pleaded. All she did was give me a nod back as she looked expectantly for an answer.

"If this has anything to do with Chump fuckin' Hardy baby girl I will kill him," my sister growled.

"No Wynonna, jeez calm down. I just went for breakfast with Nicole. I was having a rough morning and just needed to get some fresh air and I ran into Nicole who then offered to take me for breakfast," I rambled out quickly so maybe Wynonna would just agree with me like she normally does when I explain quickly.

"Haught shot took you to breakfast? Why?" Wynonna looked bewildered. "What are you and Nicole like best friends now?"

"Why is it such a bad thing for me to be friends with Nicole! First Champ, then Chrissy, now you! Of all people Wynonna you shouldn't judge who I hang out with. I thought she was your friend too?" I spat at my sister feeling like I was being interrogated again.

"Waves calm down," was all she got out before I flipped my lid.

"Everyone just needs to stop telling me how to live my life!" I screamed at her before I stormed into my chemistry class, leaving my sister with a confused look on her face and an abundance of people staring at me as I entered the classroom.

Giving a shy smile to my teacher I settled in for the lesson to come. The class period felt like the longest 55 minutes of my life. Normally school is my outlet, school is where I shine but today I just couldn't take being here and it was only second period.

The bell rang and I gathered up my stuff quickly to get out of there to avoid anyone who might want to question my outburst before class. I was not that lucky as Jeremy jogged to catch up to me in the hallway. We had practically every class together so there was no escaping him today, but it was worth a try.

"Waves!" He exclaimed as he finally caught up to me. "Did you not hear me?"

"Oh Jer, I'm sorry I have just been in my head a bit today," I gave him a small smile of reassurance.

"What happened with Wynonna? Did she go all Wynonna again?" he asked obviously trying to make a joke but I wasn't in a laughing mood right now so I stayed silent. "Ooookay. I guess I'll talk to you later," he shrugged and started walking a bit slower so we weren't walking together anymore.

Fudge nuggets I'm just making everyone mad today.

Lunchtime came quickly and there was no way I was going to be able to avoid eating with my friends like I do every day so I took a deep breath before going into the cafeteria. With my sack lunch, I approached the table that was already mostly full. "Hey guys," I said shyly as a way of sort of apologizing for being so crazy today. Chrissy scooched over so I was able to squeeze in next to her. I gave her a smile and whispered, "thank you," as I opened my bag.

Champ must have still been angry with me for pushing him away from me earlier because he barely looked at me the whole time he was there and once he finished his lunch, he left with some of his buddies. By the time there were about 10 minutes left of lunch it was only Chrissy and I left at the table. We sorted our stuff into piles of recyclables and waste when she turned to me and asked, "Where did you go during first period? I told the sub we had today that you weren't feeling well so you went to the nurse, what's going on with you?"

My face flushed immediately embarrassed by my disappearance earlier. I can't stand my boyfriend. I didn't want to be judged for making new friends. Also, I think I have feelings for that said new friend. "Nothing, I just was really irritated by Champ hanging all over me in the hallway that I just needed to get some fresh air," I shrugged staring at the banana peel that lay in front of me in the compost pile.

"Waves," Chrissy said with such concern in her voice, "You can talk to me about anything, you know that right?"

Tears stung the back of my eyes as I tried to keep them back, so I just nodded giving Chrissy a small smile trying to convince her I was fine. Am I fine though?

Since we were in kindergarten Chrissy has been my best friend and she wasn't fooled by my poor effort of trying to act fine so she hugged me softly knowing that is what I always needed when I started to feel overwhelmed with emotions. "Everything is going to be okay. I'm here when you want to talk," she ducked her head to make eye contact with me and gave me a small smile.

The rest of the day went relatively fast, my afternoon classes always seemed to move by quickly as they were the classes I enjoyed most. The one thing I was dreading was cheer practice. After today I just wasn't in the mood to be cheery, but because of the big game coming up on Friday, we had to perfect our routine and being co-captain meant I had a duty to uphold.

Surprisingly enough practice went well and the routine is almost perfect, the next two mornings we have practice before school to really get it right.

"I think this might be the routine we do for our District competition next week!" I said excitedly to Chrissy as we walked to the locker room with our bags. "I just have a good feeling about it, ya know?" She smiled back at me shaking her head at my enthusiasm.

"There's the Waves I know," Chrissy winked and started putting in our shared locker combination. At Purgatory High it isn't on the priority list for cheerleaders to have their own gym lockers even though the girl's basketball team has their own lockers that are big enough to fit me plus all of their stuff. "Are you feeling better than you were at lunchtime?"

Smiling at my friend I nod at her and said, "Yes I think I am. I think I was just in a bit of a funk earlier," I shrugged throwing my pom-poms in the locker.

"Are you going to tell me what happened and where you went during first period or is that information still confidential?" She asked shooting me a glance over her shoulder that looked like she was hurt slightly.

"Chris," I started, "Please not here, but I promise I will talk to you tomorrow about it. How about we order pizza in and hang out at your place after practice? Wynonna is having the team over for dinner per Gus' request and it would be good to catch up, just you and me." Turning around quickly Chrissy gave me a tight hug.

"Thank you Waves, I was kind of starting to feel like you forgot about me with your perfect boyfriend and making new friends and all your volunteer work I never get to see you outside of school and cheer. I miss my best friend," she said letting go of the tight embrace.

The two of us grabbed our backpacks and made our way towards the parking lot since Chrissy was giving me a ride home. I haven't heard from Wynonna since we talked earlier and she didn't stop to talk to me after practice so I figured she just left without me. We exited the locker room and there she was, the redhead who had been invading my thoughts all day since our breakfast this morning. She looked like she was being cornered my Stephanie Jones, my irritating other co-captain on the cheer squad. From the look on Nicole's face, she is just being polite, but there was something about Stephanie being that close to Nicole that made me angry.

We stayed by the lockerroom door out of sight waiting to see what it was about. I was holding the door to keep it from giving away our hiding spot. "So what do you say Red? I would love to go to that party on Friday with you," Stephanie smiled flirtatiously while running her hand down Nicole's arm. The anger inside of me that had gone down was back with a vengeance and this sent me over the edge. How dare she do that to Nicole? Who does she think she is?! I slammed the door shut and stormed past the pair, furious for no explainable reason, all I saw was red so when I was almost to the doors another figure popped out from around the corner I was ready to bite their head off, chew it up and spit it out. I turned to see who the figure was, someone to unleash my wrath upon and to no surprise it was Champ.

"Hey babe," he approached me and tried to give me a kiss on the lips that I rejected by turning my head. "I thought we could go get some food and then maybe go to Look Out Point," he winked at me suggestively not understanding that I was a kettle on a stove that was about to spit steam and scorch anyone who stood in my way.

That grin he gave me sent me over the edge, spiraling not even knowing what was coming out of my mouth. "You know what Champ? I am so over this possessive, clingy, need to be with me every second of the day. The PDA, the thousands of texts asking me where I am all the time. I'm sick of it! You think I can't be around anyone else because you are just a big, self-righteous boy-man who only thinks about one thing! And you know what that one thing is because you just implied it for what you think would be 'romantic!" My chest was heaving as my arms flailed all around as I yelled at Champ every thought I had suppressed in the past five months of dating him. "We're done Champ. Yeah, we're done and I have nothing left to say to you," I turned to walk away when he grabbed my arm.

"Babe c'mon don't be like this," he repeated the same line he does every time we get in an argument. "You're just overreacting is all, we'll get through this."

I smacked his hand off of my arm and slowed my words down so maybe his thick skull could comprehend them, "We. Are. Done."